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 25]

Father!

Father!

I've told you

it's cold outside.

Come on, put this on.

No, no.

Put it on.

No...

If you catch a cold,

where can we find a physician now?

This clothe of mine...

This clothe of mine is clean!

Father.

Don't listen to what they say...

Zhi is coming here!

Get a broom

and sweep this place clean.

I'll wait for them right here.

Father.

Go.

Zhi!

Grandfather!

Zhi,

it must have been a tough journey coming here.

Come on.

Let me have a good look at you.

You have learned to cry.

These days

must have been so hard for you.

Is everything okay at home?

Is your grandmother well?

Zhi.

Did your grandmother

leave any words?

Uncle, rest assured.

My grandmother passed away peacefully.

Aside from worrying about everyone,

she had no regrets.

I can't forgive myself.

In the end,

I couldn't stay by my mother's side.

I'm ashamed.

Oh right,

are your Aunt Qi and Boli doing well?

They are both well.

Boli has become much more sensible than before,

and has made progress in his studies.

Then I am relieved.

Zhi,

did your Aunt Xia

ask you

to bring anything to me?

Everything's packed up.

She brought a lot for Boyu.

Your mother packed it all for you.

Come on, let's go have a look.

Hear heart is full of Boyu.

There's no place for me, is there?

Zhi.

Come here.

The money,

where did it come from?

I earned it.

We earned it together.

How could a bunch of women

possibly earn any money?

What kind of business do you do

that makes you so much money?

You even loaded up an entire carriage.

My mother and aunts

even wanted me to bring more pricier things.

I refused.

Every piece of cloth

and strand of silk thread here

are earned by us bit by bit.

The money is clean.

If you don't believe it,

you might as well burn them.

Before she passed away, my grandmother asked me

to bring this here.

Zhi,

ever since I came to the north land,

I've been thinking

if I was wrong.

I now wonder, the empire and the family,

the sovereign and the kin,

which is more significant.

Grandfather,

if you were to become someone

who turns a blind eye and a deaf ear

and hides your thoughts just for the safety of the family,

my grandmother would surely be disappointed.

The Court does not lack

sycophants and flatterers.

And there are quite a few

courtiers who observe words and looks.

They and their families

all live in luxury.

But they are not

the Master Hua revered by everyone.

In this world,

there are many families that are secure and wealthy,

as well as countless ones that are struggling and broken,

suffering unwarranted grievances.

But there is only one Vice Censor-in-chief Hua.

The former glory of the Hua Family

was achieved by your efforts.

If it required you to break your backbone

and sacrifice your dignity in exchange,

then it wouldn't be worth it.

A home becomes a home

not only because it's a place to eat and sleep,

but more so a place

where we can be ourselves with ease.

Zhi,

I underestimated you.

Grandfather,

there's something else

I want to talk to you about.

We've saved up enough money.

We want to buy your freedom first.

Zhi,

I am not leaving.

Grandfather!

Once the money is accepted,

the documents will be issued and you'll be released within three days!

My father and uncles

will be fine staying here.

But your health...

I can still carry soil

and lift a basket.

Even your father can't do that.

I grew up poor.

I'm used to hardships.

All this is nothing to me.

Unlike you and the others in the imperial city.

You endured such humiliation and difficulty,

yet you've gritted your teeth and gotten through.

All I do here is just some physical work,

which has actually given me peace.

Wait.

Look.

[Manuscripts written by Hua Yizheng] Pingyang got me some paper.

These past few days,

I've started writing a new book.

Look,

they all live here.

These few rooms,

beds, tables, chairs,

pots and jars,

all started from nothing

and were built up by us bit by bit.

I can't leave them here

and go home alone.

I understand.

Boyu

is still too young.

You should take him home,

so that his mother won't worry about him all the time.

Okay.

I'm not going home.

Why?

Zhi,

our grandfather is right.

Everyone is here.

I won't leave.

I am young,

but I can work too.

I still have to study from our grandfather.

I never knew

that our grandfather

is better than all home tutors

and teachers in public academies.

I've only learned a little from him.

I want more.

Don't you want to go back to the capital to see your mother

and Duo?

Zhi, don't worry.

Things I can do at home,

I can do the same here.

I also believe

that one day,

you will take all of us home.

When that time comes,

I will leave with our grandfather and the others.

Alright, you made your own decision.

I'll respect that.

Zhi,

you should hurry back to warm yourself by the fire.

I still need to go help with the work.

Uncle.

Zhi...

Do you need anything?

I...

It's really too cold here.

You know,

my legs

are always in bad condition.

So, how can I help you?

Just now

I saw you talking to Boyu.

I wasn't listening on purpose, though.

I didn't expect

that you could make so much money

and even managed to redeem someone.

My dear niece,

since you brought so much money,

could you

take me home with you?

I really can't take it anymore.

You know?

Seriously.

You have no idea.

This past half a year,

we've been on the river dam

carrying soil

and breaking stones every day,

living worse than animals.

Do my father and Uncle Pingyang do the same?

Yes.

But they are strong.

Look at my hands.

It's because you're weak!

Pingyu.

Father is still here.

I, your eldest brother,

am still here.

Boyu, your son, a child,

is also here!

And you want to run away?

What kind of son

and father are you?

Pingyu,

the house is full of women.

There has to be a man to support them, right?

Besides,

your Aunt Xia is capable indeed,

but she's a woman after all!

Without me,

how will she survive?

Uncle Pingyan, rest assured.

Aunt Xia has to manage the account books

and look after the children every day.

She has a lot

on her mind.

She has no time for you at the moment.

Pingyu.

Pingyu!

Grandfather.

Shaoyao.

Take my grandfather's pulse.

I'm okay.

Whose child are you?

She said she's from the Hua Family.

I am.

It's just a cold.

You'll be fine after three doses of the medicine.

I have medicine in my chest.

Three doses should heal you.

Grandfather,

Shaoyao has been injured.

She looks a bit silly,

but she has the kindest heart.

Zhi, you are wrong.

This child is not silly at all.

Look, her brows are relaxed

and eyes are bright.

Her mind must be clear and bright.

She is a child blessed with good fortune.

Your journey has been full of danger and hardship.

I really can't imagine

how young girls like you

got through all this.

My brother escorted us here.

It was neither hard nor dangerous.

Who is your brother?

How come you haven't introduced him to me?

He's a friend of mine.

We happened to be travelling the same way.

Grandfather,

is this your new book?

May I read it?

You must be tired from the long journey.

Just read a little and then get some rest.

I've asked them

to prepare a room for you.

The rest of us will sleep here together.

It's warmer that way.

Okay.

I will go and prepare the medicine.

A friend?

Chief,

there's no news today.

No one has been intercepted these past few days.

I'm afraid the Commander

has already entered the northern camp.

That's Wu Yong's territory,

impenetrable.

We might alert the enemy by probing.

We have to wait here.

Yes.

Wu,

I hope you've been well.

You!

What are you doing back here!

You joined the Security Bureau?

To tell you the truth,

I'm now the Commander of the Security Bureau.

In such a crappy place,

the only thing important enough to trouble you, the Commander,

to come in person,

is probably to investigate me.

We are brothers-in-arms after all.

Admit your own crimes.

On the bed, under the pillow.

What's all this?

Evidence of guilt!

It's all because my Yao

kept saying that the other ladies

all have good jewelries,

only she had nothing to wear on her hair

and that made her look like a nun.

These were seized from bandits.

I kept them.

Seriously, do you gentlemen from the imperial city

have nothing better to do at all?

All these officials in the Court,

which ones are really incorruptible?

Why don't you investigate them?

Why come at

us poor soldiers?

Be gentle!

I bought that table myself.

Wu Yong, if you don't tell the truth,

I won't be able to protect you.

Even if you do tell the truth,

I will have to deal with you myself.

What's wrong with you?

What's wrong?

Is such a trivial matter

going to make you chop off my head?

I must have had terrible luck in this lifetime

to end up working for your family.

If you're afraid of death,

you shouldn't have colluded with the people of the Zhao Empire.

Zhao?

What?

What were you talking about?

The military farmland I procured without permission!

You've appropriated military land too?

Forget it.

Wu,

tell me the truth.

What exactly did you say

to the spy from the Zhao Empire?

I, Wu Yong, swear to the heavens.

If I have any dealings

with anyone from the Zhao Empire,

I'll no longer be able to be intimate,

and my Yao, Zhi, Hua

will all be cheating on me!

Shut your mouth!

They caught a spy in the capital

saying that you have teamed up with the people of the Zhao Empire.

Nonsense!

They can fabricate things out of nothing.

Either

there's a mole in your place,

or

there's a mole in the Imperial Capital.

This is easy.

We have only a small number of people here.

An investigation will be easy.

So many fish!

Grandfather, look!

There are so many fish here.

I'm too old to keep up with you.

Gu Yanxi,

why are you following me?

Why aren't you saying anything?

Tell me.

Were you in a dream?

You were talking in your sleep.

What did you want to ask me?

I don't remember.

Have you finished all your work?

I'm getting there.

Don't worry.

Thank you.

You're so kind.

Thank you...

You must be Miss Hua.

Yes.

Thank you so much.

My son

was having a fever for three days.

This morning,

I got a packet of medicine from you,

and after just one dose,

his fever has already gone down!

I'm glad it's working. You don't need to thank me.

My friends and I

have talked about this.

We can't just take things from you without repaying.

So, how about this?

We'll waive Mr. Hua's labor service

for this year.

It is I who should thank you all!

You're welcome.

Thank you...

Then we shall take our leave.

Thank you!

Uncle Pingyang.

It seems the business is going well in the Imperial Capital.

You've made some extra money.

Those things

aren't worth much in the Imperial Capital,

but in Sanbai City, they're quite rare.

Look at these people in line.

They are someone's parents

and someone's children,

not knowing when they will go home.

This city is near the top of Mount Kun.

Snow drifts through three seasons here.

And there's no summer.

That's why it's called Sanbai City.

Fortunately, in the remaining season,

the hillsides will be covered in apricot blossoms.

That scene will be rather pleasant.

Oh, right.

Try this.

What is this?

These are apricots grown here.

They're wild.

I picked a lot

and dried them into apricot snacks.

They're so sweet.

When late spring comes,

the weather starts warming up,

both inside and outside of the city will be covered in apricot blossoms.

They're like clouds.

When summer arrives,

there will be sweet apricots to eat.

So, it is true.

Of course, it's true!

These were washed and dried

by me one by one.

They're one hundred percent authentic.

About the baby's name,

I've made my decision.

What is it?

Birds flying and fish leaping.

I'll take the character "Yuan".

Does it mean paper kite?

No, the bird. It flies and soars.

I hope that when Yuan grows up,

she'll be as fierce as a bird of prey

and fly far away,

high up in the sky.

Yuan.

What?

Yesterday, when you arrived,

you told us everything

about the recent situation at home.

I even know what book

Boli has been reading recently.

But you didn't mention a word about yourself.

There's nothing to say.

Don't try to lie to me.

When you were this big,

I've started watching over you.

You can never hide anything from me.

Tell me.

Is there someone you like?

My goodness.

Not only is there someone you like,

but this person is also a trouble, isn't he?

No, no trouble.

Our circumstances are drastically different,

so we may not end up being together.

What does he say about it?

What do you mean?

Does he know about your circumstances?

What does he think about it?

What's his plan?

It's not like we can change anything.

What can be done?

Why bother telling him?

Zhi,

listen to me.

Communication is important when it comes to a relationship.

The feelings must be mutual.

You are willing to take risks for him

and face death without regrets.

That's fine.

But he must feel the same way.

Or you will surely be left alone,

ending up with a heart full of pain.

I don't want to take risks

or face death without regrets.

I just want to live a quiet and stable life with him,

keeping each other company.

Isn't that good?

Of course it's good.

But things don't always go as you wish.

If it really comes to that step,

what would you do

and what would he do?

Alright, Uncle.

If you're free,

go help her give out medicine.

If you refuse to listen to your elders,

you'll suffer losses.

Alright, I'll stop talking.

I have to return to Xiba River

to work.

I'm off.

Father.

Zhi.

Sit down.

I want to apologize to you.

These past few days,

I heard about what happened back home from Baoxia.

I was being short-sighted.

That day,

I said something terribly wrong.

Father,

you never

admitted your mistakes before.

I was wrong, and that's the truth.

If I don't say these words to you now,

I don't know when I'll have the chance

to tell you next time.

To your mother,

you and Bolin,

I owe too much.

If I'm going to be buried here just like this...

It won't happen.

We'll all go home.

We have already lost our grandmother.

We can't lose anyone else.

Yes.

We must go home.

Hurry up!

Faster.

Hurry up.

You,

you, and you,

come with me.

The overseer wants to see you.

Where are we going?

The northern camp, where the general lives.

Let's go.

Get in one by one.

You,

go first.

General, I hope you well.

What do you do?

I work by the Xiba River

as a stone smasher.

Recently, have you seen any strangers

on the working site?

No.

What about in Sanbai City?

Have you seen anyone from the north land?

No, not either.

Think again before you answer!

General, you want to ask me questions,

but you're not telling the true reason.

I do want to be honest with you.

I just don't know where to start.

Recently, the rebels have been planning on something.

They've sent spies to spread rumors.

I came specially to look into this.

Are they from the Zhao Empire?

Speak!

How did you know?

There's been a war with them for so many years.

And this northern land

is only a hundred li away from the Zhao Empire.

What's important enough for the Court to send someone here

and make the general restless

could only be the spies from the Zhao Empire.

However,

in Sanbai City,

I truly haven't seen any traces of them.

What is your name?

I am just a convict

from Sanbai City.

My name is not worth mentioning.

General,

this man is called Hua Pingyang.

So he's Hua Zhi's fourth uncle.

The Commander of the Security Bureau.

What is he doing here?

It's just that now,

our circumstances are drastically different.

We may not end up being together.

It's my friend.

We happened to be travelling the same way.

Thank you.

Please leave.

Move!

Next.

Next.

Uncle.

Can I help you?

It's getting late.

I'll just be straightforward with you.

Answer my question.

Shaoyao's brother,

the one who escorted you to the northern land,

who is he?

Don't tell me

that he's the Commander of the Security Bureau.

Uncle,

I don't want to lie to you.

Zhi,

how come...?

Why are you suddenly asking about this?

I saw him today.

I can't forget that mask.

Zhi,

tell me,

the one you said you had feelings for.

Is it him?

I've liked him for a long time.

You should know

what the Security Bureau does.

You must know better than I do

about who he really is.

Zhi,

this is your personal business.

I really shouldn't pry.

But this is

way too dangerous.

You need to be aware of your identities.

If one day you're separated,

how will you stay out of trouble?

I never thought to

stay out of trouble.

You!

Uncle,

just like you said,

this is my business.

Please keep it secret for me.

But I won't get the Hua Family

involved in this.

I also don't want my grandfather

and the others to worry.

I can promise you that.

But can you promise me something as well?

No matter what happens,

think of yourself first

and protect yourself.

You, oh you.

You're going to drive me crazy!

Uncle,

I've grown up.

You should get some rest.

Luckily, you didn't come earlier.

Just now, my Uncle Pingyang was here...

♪No matter how complicated the world is♪

♪There's no need to be afraid♪

♪When the waves of fate♪

♪Push us towards our own oceans♪

Where have you been?

How did you get so cold?

Then help me warm up.

Aren't I warming you right now?

♪The flower that falls upon the heart♪

♪Purer than the snow♪

♪The flowers scatter so wildly♪

♪Your face shows up when they are pieced together♪

♪Together through prosperity and desolation♪

♪Being the haven for each other♪

♪Confronting the world♪

♪No matter how long the road is ahead♪

♪The flowers that fall upon the heart♪

♪Entering the painting here♪

Be quiet and careful.

My grandfather and the others are sleeping outside.

I just want to hold you.

Keep me company for a while.

I'll leave at dawn.

Morning.

Have you had breakfast?

Wu.

Have you ever sought to marry a woman

who's not like your current

Yao or whatever?

What I'm talking about is

a wife you want to share a life with.

I love Yao with my true heart.

I love every one of them...

Alright, alright.

I just want to know

if you want to propose to a girl,

when is the best time?

Your Highness,

I'm so surprised.

It's only been a year since you returned to the Imperial Capital.

Which peerless beauty

has softened

your stoney heart?

About the military land you acquired without permission...

I'll tell you.

This

isn't something easy.

It requires the right timing, location, and harmony among people.

As for the timing,

you need to choose a sunny day

or a day when there's a gentle drizzle.

It's all about the atmosphere.

As for the location,

you must go to her place.

If you do it in your place,

she will be on her guard.

The harmony among people is easy to understand.

You have to do it when you two are very close

and deeply attracted to each other.

Remember,

don't wait too long.

Never wait until you start to dislike each other.

Yao and I

have waited too long.

Alright, I got it.

Did you find anything about the spy?

I've looked through everything,

but there's no clue.

None.

Perhaps that's the answer.

That secret letter

was probably a trap.

Or

it was to lure us away from home.

Wu,

I'll see you next time.

Grandfather,

take the money.

Zhi,

we don't spend money here.

Silly girl,

in Sanbai City,

there's nowhere to spend money.

Take it back with you

and buy some food or cloths for the family.

We have enough at home.

How is that the same?

Through your hands,

this money you bring home

will turn into

a gift from us.

What do you mean by that?

How did it become a gift from you?

Pingyu,

what's that in your hand?

The calligraphy I created in my free time.

Zhi,

take this back

for Bolin's calligraphy practice.

Okay.

Say sorry to your mother

for me.

All the hardship she's been suffering at home

was my fault.

Father,

my mother never blamed you.

What is Boyu doing here?

Zhi,

the things my mother sent to me,

I've seen them all.

Apart from those books, brushes, paper and ink,

I don't want the rest.

They have already been loaded onto the carriage.

Please take them back home.

And tell my mother

that I will study hard here.

Also tell her to take care of herself.

Then you must learn as much as you can

from our grandfather.

Zhi, it's time to set off, isn't it?

I will see you off.

Grandfather,

you should head back.

If you walk any further,

you'll be out of Sanbai City.

Take care.

I will take all these letters home

and give them to the others.

For the children who can't read,

I will read for them.

I've never believed in ghosts or spirits in my life.

But this

is a talisman.

I've heard people say

that in the west of Sanbai City,

there is a thousand-year-old apricot tree.

Under the apricot tree,

layers of fallen apricot blossoms have turned into red mud.

If you worship the tree and present wine,

its spirit will guard you.

I asked your Uncle Pingyang

to fetch some of that mud for me.

Please don't laugh at me.

Then, I'll be going.

Take good care of yourself.

Let's go.

Zhi, don't be sad.

Look,

these fabrics

were cut into pieces

and then sewed together

by a needle and a thread.

Zhi,

you are that very thread

bringing our family together

from the south

to the north.

Wait for me.

Give me some more time.

One day,

I will come to take you home.

Are you done with work?

There may be trouble in the Imperial Capital.

Why are you sad?

Your father isn't in Sanbai City.

None of your business!

But

isn't it my place to care about you?

Baoxia,

What?

Hear, it's clean.

So annoying.

Chief,

there's a letter.

[Message from a covert observer after Hua Zhi and the commander]

It seems the Commander

has not only avoided the trap

but also become aware.

His journey back

will be our last chance.

What's wrong?

Hua Zhi, think carefully.

Is there something important on the carriage?

The letters from my family are all with me.

Apart from the money,

there's nothing important on the carriage.

What if you can only keep one thing?

I'll keep the letters.

Okay.

Don't be afraid.

Later, when I tell you to go.

All you need to do is lashing the horse and charging forward.

What happened?

Get down the horse

and unload the carriage.

Everyone,

we're returning home with an empty carriage.

There are no goods on the carriage.

These are not Niu Heng and his men.

These

are the clothes

we left Niu Heng and his men.

Please be kind and let us through.

How much money do you have?

Take it all out.

Baoxia, the money.

They don't seem like

bandits who prey on their own kind,

nor the ones aiming on the money.

Is that enough?

Alright.

Women, the elderly and children can leave.

Men stay behind.

Alright.

You go ahead.

We will be right behind you.

Don't delay the journey.

Trust me.

Where are you from?

Those three skilled ones.

Kill them all.

Sir,

they are all experts.

You're indeed a pack of good dogs.

Your master didn't feed you for nothing.

As expected of the Commander of the Security Bureau.

We have been waiting for you.

I was wondering how come so many good fighters

are gathered in this desolate wilderness.

Turns out you're all here for me.

It seems

that some of us will die today.

Kill them!

Run!

Why are you still here?

Run!

Where is Mr. Yan?

Those bandits

all know how to use hidden weapons.

They came for Mr. Yan and his group!

They surrounded them to the point of no escape!

It's like they really hate them for some reason!

What should we do, Zhi?

You all should leave right now.

Zhi!

Lady Zhi!

Zhi! Come back!

Lady Zhi, come back!

♪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♪