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 16]

[Hua Mansion]

Madam,

I went to the cloth shop this morning

and saw Xia Ming at the door.

I brought him here.

No one else

knows about this.

Madam,

long time no see.

Let me ask you this.

Apart from the cloth shop,

I want you to handle two more accounts.

Can you manage it?

Whatever you're paid at the cloth shop,

I'll pay you the same.

Yes, I can manage it.

Whatever you need.

Alright.

The things I taught you,

hopefully you haven't forgotten them.

Of course not.

How could I?

[Account Book] These accounts don't add up.

Take them home and have a look.

Come back and report to me tomorrow.

Come early in the afternoon

when the others are taking a nap.

Just in case anyone sees you.

Wait.

Madam,

is there anything else?

Are my father and mother

both well?

Yes.

They just miss you.

Every time they see me,

they are reminded of you.

And sometimes they sigh.

They miss me, that's all?

I've moved back to the city for so long.

They haven't sent anyone to check on me.

My lady,

they both know you so well.

They think you may not want to see them.

So they

didn't dare to come.

Fine then.

Anyway, right now,

I've been extremely busy.

I'll wait until we are more successful

and then return home in glory

to embarrass them.

Good.

Madam,

I'll take my leave.

Baoxia.

Young Lady,

you're awake.

Last night you...

That...

Well...

Um...

This...

Why are you getting tongue-tied

like Nianqiu?

Last night,

Mr. Yan sent you home.

Yes.

What's wrong?

What's wrong?

This is a big deal!

The two of you...

Last time I asked you to

repair a painting.

Go find it for me.

Ling.

Hold on.

What?

I need your help with something.

In the academy,

we have only two male teachers.

Yet there are three female students.

So,

I'd like to ask you to stay

as a teacher.

Since when do ladies become teachers?

Besides,

I'm not your maid.

You've always been knowledgeable.

You began writing poetry at seven or eight

and you're good at painting.

All those

are beyond my capabilities.

Earlier,

I visited many scholars in the city.

Some of them are

not even as good as you.

You're not worse than any man.

Baoxia.

Early Spring Creek Journey painting?

This...

The master from Rongxi Workshop did the repairs.

His craftsmanship is top-notch.

He worked hard on this.

And it took him nearly half a year.

I was going to give it to you on your birthday.

Ling,

you are talented and knowledgeable.

In this Imperial Capital,

few can surpass you.

This is an important task.

Only you can help with it.

Please.

Ling,

just say yes.

Do Zhi a favor.

Come on, Lady Ling.

I'll send this to your room.

Are you merging the academy

with the playground?

I found the academy

too cramped.

The kids were unhappy staying there.

So we moved out.

When the room is bright,

so is the heart.

Also,

with a larger space,

we can offer lessons of Diversity.

Diversity?

Speaking of which,

I should thank you for your guidance.

Why are you thanking me?

Have you

forgotten about it already?

What have you thought of?

Madam Qi told me

that she doesn't want our kids

to become merchants or workers.

Bolin and Boli

are proud in the academy.

But once they went out,

they lost their confidence.

However, I believe

that no profession

is worse than the others.

So, every five days,

I will invite a master

from one profession

to give technical lessons.

I'm impressed.

For this first lesson,

I want it to be from you.

I can teach martial arts.

But I don't know how to give a lesson of Diversity.

I'd like to hear you talk about the northern land.

Madam Hua,

why the academy

doesn't teach proper history books

but offers lessons of Diversity instead?

Isn't this a bit

unprofessional?

I wonder

what Zhi is planning on this time.

Don't overthink it.

Just wait and see.

Let's see what happens next.

Lady Zhi has invited me kindly.

It'd be disrespectful to refuse.

Today, I shall be your

Master of Diversity.

Good.

Master of Diversity!

Master of Diversity.

Good.

Do you know where this is?

Where?

Where?

This is the northern land.

The place

where your fathers and grandfather went to.

I went up north at a young age

and spent ten years there.

Today, I will share with you

my experiences in the northern land.

If you depart from the Imperial Capital,

by walking,

it'll take you four months

to cross the Mountain Kun.

Four months!

Then,

you'll need to walk for another 500 miles

to reach the frontier town.

The northern land is cold.

Even in March and April,

it's still covered in snow.

Mr. Yan,

our grandfather and the others,

what do they eat

and what do they wear?

Up in the northern land,

before heavy snow closes the mountain passes,

regardless of age,

everyone must go into the mountains to hunt.

As for the women,

they grind wheat at home to make dry food,

skin the prey for clothing

and smoke the meat into jerky.

In fact,

the northern land is not all about harsh and cold.

Take winter for example.

You can go hunt deers in the mountains.

Deers tend to hide in the snow pits.

At that time, if you set an ambush,

you'll catch them easily.

If the weather is good,

you can also go ice fishing.

Ice fishing?

Ice fishing.

When late spring comes,

the weather starts to warm up.

At that time, both inside and outside the border town

will be covered in apricot blossoms.

They're like clouds.

When summer arrives,

there will be sweet apricots to eat.

The northern land is cool in summer,

not as scorchingly hot as here...

Mr. Yan did give a great lesson.

He surely has seen the world.

Impressive.

Right, Madam?

Mr. Yan.

Mr. Yan, you are amazing!

Mr. Yan, so amazing!

So amazing.

So amazing.

So amazing.

So amazing.

There is another thing.

Starting tomorrow,

you can stop practicing the squat.

That's great.

However,

at daybreak,

you'll gather at here.

For what?

Mr. Yan,

what will we do

so early?

Right.

You'll know once you get here.

Now, go home.

Alright, let's go.

What is he trying to do?

This first lesson of Diversity is over.

Are you satisfied?

I really want to see

those apricot trees you mentioned.

You will have a chance.

What are you going to teach them tomorrow?

You started the lessons of Diversity for self-cultivation.

You want them to learn

to respect and value themselves.

I receive a monthly allowance,

so I must put in some effort.

Tomorrow, I'll teach them how to strengthen their neck muscles

and tell them no matter where they are,

they must always hold their heads high.

I want to sleep.

Boli.

Boli.

Boli.

You're not even fully awake yet.

How come the training starts so early?

It's cold in the morning.

Put this on.

Alright, go.

Starting today,

you'll gather at 6 am every morning

and jog around the city

to strengthen your bodies.

Morning jog?

Those who dare to slack off

shall run an extra lap.

The other day, didn't Mr. Zheng

teach you Thousand Character Classic?

Recite it while you run.

We have to do that too?

The cold and heat arrived by turns.

Harvest in autumn and store in winter.

The cold and heat arrived by turns.

Harvest in autumn and store in winter.

They're not fully awake yet.

Yes.

Chin up, chest out, and speak up.

What's wrong?

Feeling embarrassed?

You're no longer in an official family

and have become merchants.

Are you so shamed of that?

The darkling skies and yellow earth,

amid great chaos had their birth.

The sun...

The sun...

Mr. Yan,

I forgot the next line.

The next line is

"The sun and moon their courses ran. Stars were set and around their span."

Good girl,

I'll take you to the front later.

Is that okay?

She is so young.

Yet she can face the others without shame.

Are you not even as good as her?

Recite.

The darkling skies and yellow earth,

amid great chaos had their birth.

Louder.

The sun and moon their courses ran.

Stars were set and around their span.

Louder.

The cold and heat arrived by turns. Harvest in autumn and store in winter.

Good.

Let's start running.

♪Not a patch of land is wasted♪

♪No tea plant is left withered♪

♪The sky drops rain, birds eat worms♪

♪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♪

Gold is found in the River Li.

Jade is found in the Mountain Kunlun.

The best-known sword is called Juque.

The most famous peal is known as Night Shine.

Valuable fruits, plums, and wild pears.

Important vegetables include mustard and ginger...

What is this used for?

What is this for?

This is rice.

This is cotton.

The darkling skies and yellow earth,

amid great chaos had their birth.

The sun and moon their courses ran,

stars were set and around their span.

The cold and heat arrived by turns...

♪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♪

Good virtue brings them good fame

and noble forms will look the same.

Through empty valleys far goes sound.

Cross hollow halls the voice resounds.

Disaster follows evil trade

and kindness with good luck is paid.

A jade is no treasure in life.

A moment is worth an earnest strive.

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

[Hua Mansion]

If it weren't for this academy,

I wouldn't have a chance to see you.

I heard you've returned to the city,

so I just wanted to come and see.

Bolin, Boli,

come and meet your aunt.

- Good to see you, Aunt. - Good to see you, Aunt.

[Hua Xian, the second daughter] Bolin, Boli?

They've been growing fast!

That's wonderful.

Here.

This is your cousin, Sui'an.

He also studies in your academy.

From now on,

please take good care of him.

Nice to meet you both.

Aunt, rest assured.

Sui'an,

let's go.

I'll show you the academy.

Okay.

Let's go.

Sui'an.

You came at just the right time.

Today

is Ling's

first day teaching.

- Is that so? - Yeah.

Her first day.

Jin'e,

I really don't know

how to thank you enough.

The money is short these years.

We really can't afford

to hire a tutor.

And I don't want Sui'an

to waste his time.

Just put your mind at ease.

Nowadays,

half of our students are

from the outside.

They all came here out of admiration.

Zhe never charges them.

Sui'an

can study here with no worries.

No one will say anything bad about it.

I'll miss him.

But as long as he can study

and be happy,

I'll be at peace.

Jin'e,

I should get back.

Next time, when I get the chance,

I'll visit my mother.

Please

give my regards to my mother.

Alright, go home them.

If you need help,

be sure to tell me.

I'm good.

I'm fine.

See you.

[Hua Mansion]

Ling!

Call me Master.

Zhi never puts on airs.

Starting today,

every three days,

I will give you

a lesson in poetry.

I heard that earlier,

you were still learning the Thousand Character Classic.

Those enlightenment lessons

won't be necessary from now on.

When I was

at your age,

I had already gone through the Four Books and Five Classics.

I would never

waste time like you do.

Today, you'll be learning the Songs of Chu.

Let's start with Li Sao.

I am the descendant of the ancient emperor Gaoyang.

What is Li Sao?

My deceased father is called Boyong.

I don't know either.

When Sirius did in spring its light display,

a child was born and Tiger marked the day.

I've never read it before.

What is all this noise about?

Duo,

don't cry.

Duo.

Duo has wet her pants!

There, don't cry.

She wet her pants.

Bolin.

Bolin!

Is Ling

always this fierce?

It's alright.

Look at her!

Boli.

Boli!

Stop talking!

Stop right there!

Lady Ling.

What were you laughing at?

I wasn't!

I wasn't laughing!

You're not laughing now.

But earlier, outside the classroom,

you were clearly laughing at me.

And after that,

you secretly frightened

those children, didn't you?

You pride yourself as a gentleman.

When teaching others,

you mention all kinds of principles.

How come now,

you even feel embarrassed

to admit what you've done?

Those kids

are very naughty.

If I didn't frighten them,

you wouldn't be able to control them.

Next time on your class,

I won't overstep my bounds again.

I want to thank you for it, then.

You're not embarrassed about that, are you?

It wasn't a big deal.

Not even worth mentioning.

You don't need to thank me.

That's not true.

From now on,

I might trouble you

with a lot of things.

You heard me.

Next time, don't sneak around

outside the classroom.

Better yet, teach me

how to guide them well.

What are you waiting for?

Let's go.

Time is gold.

I still have much to learn.

Yours.

Big.

This is boring. I quit.

How about we call the Pipa player here

to entertain us a bit?

I'm so tired of listening to Pipa music.

Shen Huan,

think of something fun.

He can't.

Look at that face of his.

He's been having bad luck recently.

That little fool

has made him so angry

that he's not in the mood for any games.

I'm curious about that little fool.

What's her relationship with the Hua Family?

She's silly indeed,

but she is quite good-looking.

Shen Huan,

how about we

help you get your revenge?

What do you think?

Revenge?

Tell me how.

Lure her over here

and let's have some fun with her.

That...

That doesn't sound good.

You all

have sisters.

A prank is fine,

but we shouldn't hurt her.

Shen Huan,

you really are scared of her, aren't you?

Exactly.

You're scared she'll see through you

and turn the tables.

Let me have a look at your face

to see how seriously she hurt you.

Come on, let me see.

Come on.

Stop.

I'm not feeling well today.

You guys go ahead and play. I'm heading back.

Come here, take a look.

Hey, baby.

Hello.

Is it tasty?

Shaoyao?

How come you finished school so early?

Ling was teaching today.

She didn't teach well.

So we left early.

We're bustling right now.

Go and play by yourself.

Alright, go.

Why are you still here?

Yes!

Shen Huan is so ill. He's dying!

Who?

Shen Huan,

the one you pricked with a needle,

the Shen family's second son!

That idiot.

What happened to him?

After you pricked him with the needle,

his face became covered with sores.

He's had a fever for days.

He's dying.

If he really dies,

it will be your fault.

And this shop will be closed down!

How could it be so serious?

I studied medicine. Take me to him!

- Let's go, hurry! - Hurry!

Hurry up!

Chanlu!

What happened?

Have you seen Shaoyao?

No, I haven't.

I was busy with customers just now.

Shaoyao has gone missing!

Tell the others to look for her!

Chang!

We have to

let Lady Zhi know.

Go home

and tell her

and Mr. Yan.

Hurry up!

Yes!

In such a short time,

where could she possibly go?

She can't go far.

Could it be

she gets abducted?

Let's move.

We need to find her!

Let's go.

We will be there soon.

Is that idiot

in this pavilion?

Yes, he is right inside.

That's strange.

If he is seriously ill and dying,

shouldn't he be at home?

Just come along!

Stop talking.

Hurry, let's go!

- Come on. - Come on.

Hurry up.

You're lying to me!

No, I want to go home!

Come on.

I'm not going up!

Come on. Hurry.

Don't leave.

Just play with us!

Stop it!

Let's go.

What are you doing?

We just want to play with her.

Yeah.

You should join us.

Play?

I'll play with you!

Come with me.

You can't leave.

You want to leave?

I insist

on playing with her today.

No one dares to

reject me yet!

What a letdown!

Alright.

Those people have left.

You should go home too.

Where's that needle from last time?

Aren't you pretty tough?

Why didn't you jab them?

I didn't bring it.

I didn't bring it today.

Alright,

stop crying.

From now on,

I'll definitely carry it with me every day.

Yeah, don't forget to bring it again.

You didn't die?

They said you've got a high fever

and you're nearly dead.

That's impossible!

I am so...

Eh, so strong.

That's what I thought.

That drug only causes rashes.

It can't possibly cause a fever.

Rash?

What do you mean?

These rashes on my face

were caused by your drug?

You!

I can't believe I just saved you!

You actually drugged me!

Your face is covered in wounds.

There're wounds on your body too, right?

I'll get some medicine for you.

I'm fine.

Shaoyao!

Shaoyao, where are you?

Shaoyao.

Shaoyao.

Shaoyao!

I am right here!

Over there!

This way!

Yingchun!

Shaoyao.

Shaoyao.

Shaoyao!

Shaoyao,

how did you come here?

We looked for you everywhere!

Thank god you're fine.

Thank god.

I am fine.

He is not.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Come on.

Sorry for causing you to worry.

We looked for you everywhere!

From now on, no matter who you see

and where you want to go,

you must ask me first,

or your brother.

Do you understand?

I understand.

That pavilion by the bridge

is booked all year round for pleasure.

Do you know who it is?

I've seen that person.

He came to the shop before,

sneaking around suspiciously.

He stood there for a long time.

He is called Shen Huan.

How do you know him?

One day,

he followed me.

Baoxia said

he wanted to bully Zhi.

He mistook me for Zhi.

I pricked him with a needle.

The riverside

is so beautiful.

Yanxi,

Zhi,

next time,

we should go there together.

He's angry.

Sir, he has passed out.

Let me see.

[Name list]

[Shen Huan] The last one is with the surname Shen.

Alright,

the commander will handle this himself.

Let's go.

Are you Shen Huan?

Yes.

You wanted to bully Lady Hua,

but you got the wrong person.

And you got pricked.

How do you know that?

Are you pounding herbal medicine?

Zhi.

Can you tell me

what a good person is

and what a bad person is?

Why suddenly ask such a question?

That Shen Huan

is very silly.

He wanted to bully someone, but in the end,

even someone like me

could bully him.

And yet, he came to help me.

Also, because of me,

he fought with his friends

and got covered in wounds.

But why?

Perhaps at that moment,

he considered you a friend

instead of those who bullied you.

That's right.

I see.

Friend.

Sir,

Ms. Wei, Empress Dowager's maid,

went out of the palace earlier today.

She went to Shanhua Temple on behalf of the Empress Dowager

to offer donations.

She's been sending letters to the Hua Family.

This time we can catch her in the act.

Sir,

should I follow her?

Yes.

Do it yourself.

Get the letter and bring it directly to me.

Yes, sir.

Well...

Sir,

if we do find out something,

what should we do

with the Hua Family?

Tell Zhi to come here.

Yes.

Madam,

Lady Zhi is here.

Grandmother.

There is something that can't be entrusted to others.

I need your help.

Anything, Grandmother.

My vision has gone blurry.

I can't write.

These letters in this box,

I need you to copy them for me.

Can you do that?

Copy letters?

If you have the time,

please copy them for me.

But if you're too busy,

then forget it.

It's not a big deal.

I'll have them copied in a few days.

See you.

Madam,

why do you want...?

For the first time in forty years,

the box at the temple

was emptied.

I'm afraid someone might have found out

about our letters.

That means

these letters of mine

will be gone.

That's

why I asked Zhi to copy them,

so I get to keep them

as a keepsake.

How long has it been since you last looked at the stars?

I forgot.

[Security Bureau Guard]

Ms. Su did not bring home any letters.

Madame Hua will figure it out.

There are no more new letters.

If His Majesty asks about it,

we can only give him the old letters

from the Hua Family.

You should get back.

Yes, sir.

Someone was there!

It's Hua Zhi.

I just saw you

coming out of the government office.

Are you in trouble?

The other day,

he came to me

asking about Master Hua.

You can't read his mind.

We must be cautious.

Still up?

You're still up as well.

Can I help you?

It's cold out here.

Let's talk inside.

You shouldn't have followed me in.

Why?

Don't you know that the Security Bureau

never cares about human lives?

Do you care?

Aren't you afraid I'm going to kill you?

Are you going to kill me?

Next time when you try to scare me,

pull out your blade first.

Don't just talk.

What do you want to know?

I can tell you everything.

What do you have to tell me?

Hua Zhi,

no matter who I really am,

I will not harm you,

nor your family.

During your time here with my family,

what have you reported to the Security Bureau?

Nothing.

In that case,

won't you be punished?

At this point,

you're still worried about me?

Before, the Security Bureau

had their people watching us.

Now, they've sent you here undercover.

But I am not worried.

We have done nothing wrong.

I am not afraid of them.

You can tell them everything.

I came here

to investigate a case on behalf of those above.

Earlier, you said

your family has no ties to the Empress Dowager.

But in Madam Hua's room,

there is a box

filled letters

from the Empress Dowager.

Those are from the Empress Dowager?

You know about those letters?

Does the Security Bureau fear

that we will reply on the Empress Dowager

and become a threat?

Yes.

Follow me.

How could this be?

In these letters,

there is nothing

to hide.

Indeed.

Nothing is related to politics.

Instead, they're even quite...

Cute.

Two young ladies

met since their maiden years

and then separated when they married.

After that, they both had children

and witnessed the world's harshness.

But their friendship has never waned.

They can't see each other,

but they kept in touch by letters.

These letters

contain no complaints,

nor grudges.

They only write about the beauty of nature

and share their innermost feelings.

In these letters,

they've stayed

young,

untouched by worldly matters,

and been untainted by dust.

However, Hua Zhi,

I have to confiscate these letters.

They can prove the innocence of the Hua Family.

My grandmother knew it.

No wonder she asked me to copy them.

Can you

give me some more time?

I'll finish before dawn.

Okay.

[Hua Mansion]

Wait for me to come back.

Zhi.

What are you looking at?

Zhi,

just now,

you were like me when I'm back at home.

Did you used to daydream a lot?

I got nothing to do,

so I daydream.

Shaoyao,

tell me about your brother.

What kind of person is he?

My brother

is

very busy.

He has a lot of things to do

and little to say.

He is weird.

He's different with you, though.

How?

He likes talking to you.

Today, I learned something shocking

about him.

But surprisingly,

I am not afraid of him at all.

Why should you be?

He is a good person.

I'm going to send medicine to a friend.

Let's talk when I return.

Ridiculous.

At such an old age,

they went through all the trouble to write to each other

just to talk about unimportant things.

The Empress Dowager and Madam Hua

have been friends

since they were young.

Perhaps when people get old,

they'll all reminisce about the past.

What's the meaning of that?

She still can't leave the palace,

nor change her status.

Other than self-deception

and self-comfort,

I see no meaning in this.

If there's some consolation,

perhaps that's the meaning.

Yanxi,

you are a decisive man.

You cannot be like the Empress Dowager,

so sentimental.

I don't understand their friendship.

That was just a guess.

I heard that to find out the truth,

you've been with the Hua Family.

You worked hard.

Uncle,

I'm spending time with the Hua Family

not solely because of your order.

That fire at Lord Ling's Mansion

was witnessed by someone from the Hua Family.

I went there

to find clues.

Yanxi,

with me,

you have always been so honest.

♪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♪