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 20]

Wan,

I never imagined

that when we met again,

it would be under such a circumstance.

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Lin of the Hua Family]

When you got married that year,

I was unable to see you off.

In my letters,

I apologized to you many times.

But from now on,

I won't have the chance to express my apologies.

Forty years

have passed like a dream.

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Lin of the Hua Family]

Why did the Empress Dowager come to our house?

Father has already been exiled.

When Grandmother was young,

she was a close friend of the Empress Dowager.

Are you the eldest daughter of the Hua Family?

Yes.

You don't look anything like your grandmother

when she was young.

However,

the way you carry yourself

is exactly like how she was

in her youth.

We are deeply grateful for your mercy

to leave us a place to live in.

While Grandmother was alive,

she always kept it in her heart.

Today, you came to our humble place to send your condolence.

I am truly grateful for that.

Thank you for your grace.

She was so lucky

to have you as her family.

You spend time day and night and face adversity together.

It's enviable.

And I don't get to enjoy such happiness in my family.

[Hua Mansion]

Look at these people.

They stayed far away from us

and were reluctant to come in before.

Like we were some terrifying demons

or something.

Now they saw the Empress Dowager came here

with the condolence money and gifts,

and they just

swarmed in.

Indeed.

They're just a bunch of fence-sitters.

Don't cry.

Grandmother won't be back even if you cry.

Grandmother, it's Shaoyao.

This is my friend.

He has saved my life before. He is a good person.

His name is...

Grandmother.

My name is Shen Huan.

I am Shaoyao's friend.

You have...

You have never seen me before.

Grandmother.

I will always remember you,

just like I remember my mother.

I won't forget you.

If you miss me,

you can come visit me in my dreams.

We can eat sweets

together,

and I can read to you.

Delicious.

Sweet.

Delicious.

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Lin of the Hua Family]

You can leave now.

I want to spend some time here with Grandmother.

When will my brother come back?

He doesn't know yet.

Young Lady.

Madam Hua Xian is here.

Xian.

Jin'e.

Sorry I'm late.

I'm late.

Let's go inside.

Come.

Zhi.

On our way here, my mother said

that she wanted to stay for tonight

to keep a vigil for Grandmother.

So I think

I'm also staying.

Please allow me to stay here

and prepare the gifts in return for those who sent their condolences.

My cousins are still young,

I'm afraid they can't endure

standing all day.

I really appreciate

you and your mother.

Grandmother

will see this in heaven.

Madam Hua Xian is already here.

But how come Madam Hua Jing,

as Madam Hua's eldest daughter,

acts like nothing happened?

Exactly.

Other Madams' family have come and sent their condolences.

Even Mr. Shen Huan was here.

How come Madam Hua Jing

hasn't even showed up yet?

Bring Bolin over here.

Auntie Hua Xian.

You can go in first.

Okay.

Come on.

Bolin.

Zhi.

Now you are the eldest boy

of our family.

Grandmother is no longer with us.

You should represent our family

and inform Auntie Hua Jing that Grandmother has passed away.

I'll go right now.

Dead?

How come?

I admit I said something mean to her.

She was tougher than that, right?

This is bad.

If I go to offer condolences,

that little wretch Hua Zhi

will surely blame me for that.

If we make a scene at the funeral,

that won't look good.

What should I do?

What should I do?

Right.

I can't go.

I can't go.

I can't go.

I won't go no matter what happens.

Master.

We haven't offered condolences or sent any gifts.

It might be inappropriate.

It doesn't matter.

What have I ever

benefited

from the Hua Family?

I wanted to take a maid as my concubine

and they just kept making excuses.

They turned me down like that.

I won't send condolence money.

And Hua Zhi

even reported on me to the officials.

I'd like to see

when she will die.

A dead old woman is nothing.

What I want

is for everyone in the Hua Family to be dead.

[Song Mansion]

My grandmother passed away from illness.

Uncle and Aunt,

your nephew Hua Bolin has come to inform you about this.

He's the Hua Family's kid?

My grandmother passed away from illness.

Uncle and Aunt,

your nephew Hua Bolin has come to inform you about this.

My grandmother passed away from illness.

Uncle and Aunt,

your nephew Hua Bolin has come to inform you about this.

My grandmother passed away from illness.

Uncle and Aunt,

your nephew Hua Bolin has come to inform you about this.

Go out and take a look.

Who is making that noise?

Send them away.

Master.

Will do.

Master.

The young master of the Hua Family

is reporting death of his grandmother at our doorstep.

Master.

Madam Hua was the mother

of Madam Hua Jing,

If the Hua Family

accuses us of being unfilial,

I'm afraid it would affect our young master's imperial examination.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

That is tricky now.

Uncle and Aunt,

why don't you open the door?

My grandmother passed away from illness.

Your nephew Hua Bolin

[Song Mansion] has come to inform you about this.

Your nephew Hua Bolin

has come to inform you about this.

[Song Mansion] Why haven't they come out?

They're coming out.

What took them so long?

You're making so much noise

standing in front of my mansion.

How improper!

It's your family's business.

Handle it yourself.

Why did he get back inside so soon?

What are you barking about

in front of my residence?

We have come out.

How can she say something so rude?

Come on, lead the way.

[Hua Mansion] One bow.

Two bows.

Three bows.

Please express your gratitude.

Zhi.

Auntie Hua Jing is here.

You can leave us, Boli.

I'll go to offer my condolences.

Why are you standing in the way?

Move aside.

Auntie Hua Jing, you finally came.

Our house is too small for you,

Mrs. Song.

You can stay outside

to hold a vigil for Grandmother.

What?

Outside?

I'm following my grandmother's last wish.

You're not allowed to step into my home again.

But I cannot stop you

from being a filial daughter.

So you can kneel outside.

It makes no difference.

I won't do it.

I won't do it!

Why wouldn't she let me in?

You can't keep me outside

at her funeral!

On the day you came to ask about Fudong,

you didn't care at all about my grandmother's feelings

and talked nonsense.

I'm not a heartless person

as you are.

Since you've asked,

I'd give you the answer you want.

People are watching.

Shut your mouth.

Don't you care

about the Hua Family's reputation anymore?

You wanted to take my maid away

just to ingratiate your husband.

You came again and again to make a scene,

which infuriated Grandmother and made her fall ill.

Since you didn't get what you wanted,

you talked in a stream of obscenities,

threw tantrums and acted rudely.

You caused Grandmother to vomit blood and die.

With everything you did,

you are just a monster.

I told you to kneel here

to hold a vigil for your own mother,

and you should be grateful for that!

Exactly.

She should kneel outside.

She was the reason why her mother died.

Unbelievable.

She should feel ashamed.

This is outrageous.

Just unbelievable.

She should kneel outside.

Hua Zhi.

How dare you keep making things up?

I will teach you a lesson!

The evidence is here.

It's from your family's medicine shop.

I'm sure

you can recognize it, right?

You used

such filthy drugs to hurt people.

You don't deserve to be part of the Hua Family.

Do you know that?

Let me tell you.

The Song's Medicine Shop

was shut down a few days ago.

I heard

that was because of what she's holding...

This Mrs. Song

caused her own mother's death.

She also did

such immoral things.

Yes, she is so shameless.

There's one thing you also don't know.

She wanted to take a maid from her parents' home as a concubine

to please her husband.

Despicable!

Shameless!

Get out of there.

Get over here!

You're taking the moral high ground, huh?

Ask her about her secret.

All you talked about is how nasty the Song Family is.

Some of you are also despicable.

You can ask

Ms. Qin.

What has she done when she was outside?

Take her inside.

Let's go.

Tell them.

Tell them yourself!

You shameless woman.

She is an adulteress,

do you know that?

Go.

Mother.

Mother.

It was your fault.

It was all your fault.

You were the one who hurt me

and now you're blaming me.

Shut up.

Stop it!

I've taken many beatings in my life,

but you don't get

to lay a hand on me.

You shameless woman.

Who's shameless?

You're the shameless one.

You and that...

I will beat you to death,

you evil woman.

Are you out of your mind?

Stop it!

Mother.

Stop it.

Stop it!

Mother, I'm fine.

How dare you lay a hand on my daughter?

I will kill you!

Stay away from me!

Mother.

Stop it!

Go back to your home!

Qin Ergui!

I want you dead!

Mother.

Ms. Qin.

Take her back to rest.

Ms. Qin.

Come on.

Everyone, hear me out.

You all saw

what Mrs. Song did

today.

My family conduct ourselves with integrity.

We have no guilt in our hearts

and we are fearless of gossip and rumors.

Hua Jing wanted to get her husband a concubine

at the expense of our family's reputation.

Her own mother died

because of her own doing.

Today,

I will clean house for my grandparents

as the head of the family.

I'd like you to be my witnesses.

From today forth,

Hua Jing and her children will be disowned from the Hua Family.

From now on,

they have nothing to do with the Hua Family.

- Great. - Great.

Well said.

Your Highness, your days of confinement are over.

His Majesty is here to see you.

Your Highness.

Rise.

How's your health

during the days of your confinement?

I am well.

Won't you get up yet?

Are you blaming me for punishing you wrongly?

I dare not.

Yanxi.

If you don't get up now,

then I will make sure you stay here in the Shen Pavilion

for the rest of your life.

Get up.

Your Highness, please rise.

I've heard

you didn't eat or drink anything during this period.

You've lost much weight.

Come on, eat something.

Yanxi.

Do you still remember

every time you were unhappy when you were little,

it was always me who'd cheer you up.

At that time,

you weren't even as tall as this table.

Your mother died young

and you couldn't let go.

That means you are a kind and filial kid.

Every time you saw those princes

laughing and talking by their mother's side,

you would be upset and sulky.

I had to give you several chestnut cakes

to cheer you up.

You've grown up now.

I'm afraid

chestnut cakes won't work anymore.

Uncle, I still like chestnut cakes.

I just hope

that you won't

become estranged from me.

This has always been your home.

You are the only one

who often comes to visit me,

dine with me and chat with me.

There's no one else.

I understand.

I have already issued an imperial edict

to give your mother a grand burial

and reward her living relatives.

This could

comfort her spirit in heaven.

Yanxi, keep this in mind.

A son should be filial and obedient to his father.

This is an unchanged principle.

Go home.

Have a good talk with your father.

As for that matter,

let's turn the page on it.

Even I am willing to back down,

can't you just

make an apology to your father?

Uncle.

You need to listen to me.

Yes.

Changqing.

I'm here.

Do you think Yanxi has been wronged?

I'm afraid His Highness

will not forgive Lord Ling easily.

Lord Ling planned a rebellion that year.

I left it unsaid,

but he actually thought I was not aware.

It's a good thing

that Yanxi has brought up the past.

My brother has to atone for his crime one way or another.

Besides,

Yanxi was raised by me.

Now he has been wronged,

so I shall seek justice for him.

Grandmother.

You left us so suddenly.

I have no one

to rely on anymore.

You rogue.

This time,

you didn't hide in Yuqing Mountain.

Without that woman nagging by my side

all day long,

what's the difference

between staying in Yuqing Mountain and my own home?

Yes, indeed.

A few people died here because of you.

Who knows

how many died in that mountain?

You still feel aggrieved

after the confinement, huh?

No.

Not at all.

A son must be obedient to his father.

That's a timeless principle.

I shouldn't have defied you

no matter what happened.

I'm glad you've come to your senses.

Indeed.

Men killed their women for different reasons,

but it still did not tarnish their enduring reputation.

I can't help wondering though.

Women have always prided themselves on bearing sons,

but I rarely heard

their filial sons

would revenge them by killing their enemies.

You...

That's what you realized

when you reflected in the Shen Pavilion?

Father.

Although you didn't have much love

for Mother,

you were married young.

Have you ever thought of her

during the night?

So no, then.

You have already forgotten her, haven't you?

Your mother had always been beautiful

since I knew her.

My mother was somewhat indifferent,

but Ms. Xiao

was devoted to you wholeheartedly

for over twenty years.

You were her world.

She died in such a miserable way.

Have you ever thought of her?

Enough.

Why did you bring up that viper?

Do you want to get punished again?

I was silly to remain hope for you.

How could you

ever feel a touch of mercy

and a trace of regret?

You know nothing.

If I

were such a weak and benevolent sort,

would Xiao ever want to be with me

with all her heart?

That's what they call a woman.

A crazy woman.

But in this world,

there are always normal people.

Look at you.

You are perfect on the outside,

but who knows

you are full of silly notions inside.

If you

don't respect your father,

then when you get married

and have children,

your women won't look up to you

as their guide of moral conduct.

It's enough for me

if someone I love loves me back.

I don't care about all those principles.

You...

I really didn't expect

a man like me

would have such a romantic son.

What's good about being practical like you?

You are lonely on the top

without your wife and children by your side,

and all you can embrace is loneliness.

I am indeed

on the top

without a wife and children by my side,

all alone.

You're right.

You're totally right.

But Xi,

don't forget

it's my blood that runs in your veins.

Let me tell you,

there're no romantic in our family.

Generation after generation,

we only raise monsters.

Do you really think

that there's a woman in this world

who would love

the Commander of the Security Bureau?

No.

Do you think

a woman would marry into our family

without any extra intentions?

They wouldn't.

The nobler you are,

the more power you wield over life and death,

and the less likely anyone is to love you with all their heart.

You see,

one after another,

those beautiful women

are chosen to enter the forbidden palace

or marry into royal families.

Which one of them ends well?

When I was your age,

I had already seen through it all.

As a man,

you always have your resentment and desires.

Nobody can live a peaceful life forever.

Look at you now.

You are still so naive

and want to chase something you can't have.

You were born into this noble family.

you should know that in this life,

power and fame are what you should chase for!

Sir, you're back finally.

The pastries

that the Huas brought us.

Nothing rare.

It's been a few days now.

You'd better not eat them.

Hua Zhi sent them?

Yes.

It's just that some days ago,

Madam Hua passed away.

I guess they didn't feel

like making these honey cakes anymore.

The Madam of the Song Family, which owns the herbal medicine shop,

is the eldest daughter of Madam Hua.

She has made a scene in the Hua Mansion several times

and every time she left them no peace.

She infuriated Madam Hua, which caused her death

the other day.

[Hua Mansion] Miss Zhi must

be having a hard time lately.

Mr. Yan.

Bolin.

Where's your sister?

She has kept a vigil all night.

We told her to get some sleep

since we were here to take shifts.

Why did you come back?

I have so many things to tell you.

Okay.

You are too tired.

Take a nap first.

I will tell you everything as it is

after you wake up.

Better not.

I'm afraid that when I wake up,

I'll find it was all just a dream.

Hua Zhi.

So say it now.

I...

Don't know where to start.

Let's start with this.

Is Yan Xi your real name?

Yanxi is my given name.

My surname is Gu.

Gu Yanxi.

You are a member of the royal family.

Then why did you go to the Security Bureau

to be an inspector?

I am not an inspector of the Security Bureau.

Then who exactly are you?

I am the son of Lord Ling.

And also

the Commander of the Security Bureau.

Now, only less than ten people

know about this.

Should I feel honored?

What exactly is your purpose

to come to my home?

I told you last time.

It was all true. I didn't lie to you.

You're the son of Lord Ling

and the Commander of the Security Bureau.

So the one who got my family raided

and all my male relatives exiled

was you?

It was me.

You are the one who made me get beaten ten times?

Yes.

And the man

who returned my grandfather's manuscript?

Take your books and get out of here.

Thank you.

And the one

who saved me from the villains?

They were all me.

Where have you been

since the day you left?

I defied my father

and was grounded by the Emperor.

Then why did you come back?

I was no longer in confinement since last night.

I wanted to see you today.

Actually,

you could have just kept all these from me.

If the Commander of the Security Bureau

wants to hide something,

a mere commoner like me

might never find it out in my lifetime.

But I don't want to keep it from you

even if you will never see me again

or

hate me to the bone.

♪Do you remember the moment we first met?♪

♪In the memories♪

♪We plant the bud of time♪

I don't hate you.

You're not the one who exiled my grandfather,

kicked us when we were down,

bullied us or deceived us.

So I won't take my anger out on you,

nor will I vent it on you.

I know that clearly.

It's okay if you hate me.

I did do things that hurt you.

♪We always struggled while being apart♪

You are right about that.

I won't forget

those ten beatings.

♪The flower that falls upon the heart♪

I'm quite good at holding a grudge.

You have to treat me right from now on,

otherwise, I will take revenge.

♪Amidst the noise♪

♪Letting the time fly♪

♪I will spend my life devoting to you♪

♪Will love be fulfilled?♪

♪Tears will answer♪

♪Love is like the gathering mist♪

Why took you so long to come back?

If Lady Zhi doesn't drive me away,

I won't leave.

♪Longing is always beyond words♪

♪We are half a world away♪

♪But I hear the innermost echo in my ears♪

Is it hot?

After you told me everything,

I know now we've met a long time ago.

Right.

On that very Lantern Festival,

in my mother's yard,

we watched stars together.

Actually, when you asked me

about what happened at Lord Ling's Mansion,

I kind of knew.

It's just you looked too different from back then.

I couldn't be sure it was you.

That was lucky.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance

to be hired by you and get my monthly allowance.

The day you raided my house,

you clearly saw

I hid my grandfather's manuscripts.

Why didn't you expose me then?

Because you said

the Emperor owns the world.

The Emperor owns the world.

What's the point of crying?

And where could I run to?

I was ordered by the Emperor indeed.

But I thought

I didn't have to execute the order to the exact.

There was always wiggle room.

At least when I made the call,

you could have those books.

Your blood dripped

onto Grandfather's manuscripts that day.

From then on,

the Mr. Yan I saw

had this scar on his face.

I got this scar

because of His Majesty.

I am willing to leave the northern land,

joined the Security Bureau

and ease the burdens for Your Majesty.

It was not actually him.

I wounded myself.

If Master Hua's manuscripts

had been destroyed like that,

it would be an irretrievable loss

for this and future generations.

They were saved because of you.

And also because of you.

Yanxi.

Yanxi.

I thought you didn't want me

and Zhi anymore.

Come in.

Greetings, Your Highness.

The young lord told me to deliver some pastries

and send his heartfelt apologies.

My Lord,

these are the pastries

Xi bought for me.

He's been so busy.

Yet he still found time to bring pastries for us.

Look.

He does realize his mistake?

Your Highness,

you know the young lord is thin-skinned

and too proud to apologize himself.

That's why

I came in his stead.

Where are you from?

The Palace.

What's your name?

My name is Qingxiang.

Come here.

You've come all the way from the Palace.

You must be exhausted.

You can have a pastry.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Go on.

How does it taste?

Your Highness,

this pastry tastes very nice.

It's the first time I've eaten anything like this.

Listen.

Take good care of Xi

for me

in the Palace.

Will do.

Alright.

Take him down for a reward.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Yes, Your Highness.

Xi.

Don't ride too fast on the road.

Be careful.

Lady Zhi, that's so generous of you.

I'm just an old woman.

I don't need all these things.

Grandmother treated you so well when she was alive.

If she were still here,

she would only complain that I haven't prepared enough.

Ms. Su.

Why don't you stay with us

and live out the years in the Hua Mansion?

Lady Zhi,

I know you mean well for me,

but now that Madam Hua passed away,

there's nothing to hold me here

in the Imperial Capital anymore.

I'm old.

Just let me return to where I came from.

Now that the mourning is over,

I want you to have this.

This is...

Madam Hua

always wore this hairpin.

When she was seriously ill,

she gave it to me.

But

I am already old,

and it won't look good on me.

So I brought it with me today

to give it to you before I leave.

Thank you.

♪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♪