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 28]

Listen carefully.

Since you are here,

you're not allowed to steal anymore.

If you do that again,

I will break your legs.

Are you a little mad dog?

You want to bite me?

If you don't behave, I will...

I'll stew you

and eat you!

I'll add something

to make you taste even better.

I'm just kidding.

These are all good for promoting blood circulation

and relieving the pain!

The hot noodle soup is ready.

I smelled it just now.

- Sit down. - Jian.

This child knows no shame!

- Sit down. - Jian!

- Have you sat down? - Have you sat down?

- Have you sat down? - Have you sat down?

[Hua Mansion]

Today's dishes are quite good.

Lady Zhi!

Lady Zhi,

the little beggar is gone!

Did you look under the bed?

I did.

I even searched through the chests.

He ate three large bowls of noodles last night.

I asked him about his background,

but he said nothing.

In the morning, when I went back,

he was gone.

He left!

I'll go look with you.

Wait a moment.

What?

Why are you under the bed?

The ground is freezing, don't catch a cold.

Come out.

Come out.

I'm not going to beat you.

Why are you hiding under my bed?

You want to follow me, don't you?

Then follow me.

Lady Zhi,

who is he?

Don't turn around.

Just pretend you can't see him.

Let's reconcile the accounts.

Lady Zhi.

Mr. Bai is here.

Let him in.

Mr. Bai, you've come so early.

You must have something to discuss with me.

Facing your politeness,

no one can possibly say bad words.

Tomorrow

will be the fifth day.

Our competition will come to an end.

Miss Hua,

do you know who's winning at the moment?

After closing up shop yesterday,

we were just three votes short.

No matter who becomes

the final owner of Tangxi Restaurant,

tomorrow will be the last day for sure.

Mr. Bai, do you have another plan already?

These days, with so many diners rushing into the restaurant,

I learned that every moment

is as precious as gold.

So, Mr. Bai, you don't want it to end just like that, do you?

You want to get the most out of this.

Do you have any ideas then?

Back when you and I

set up this competition,

I believe we were thinking the same thing.

This five-day cooking competition

is enough to make Tangxi Restaurant famous throughout the imperial city.

This last day,

why not make it even more lively?

Let's hold a competition on the spot.

We present a cook each

to compete in knifing skills,

cooking skills,

and the taste of their dishes.

Two out of three.

How about it?

What are you hesitating for?

If we have to choose someone for this competition,

our family will surely send the head chef.

But I can't make that decision for her.

After I ask her about it,

I'll reply to you.

Young Lady.

You don't need to ask.

I'll do it.

Miss Fudong.

On one condition.

I want to challenge Liang Fugui from your crew.

The winner will be one of us.

Also, regardless of winning or losing,

all three rounds must be completed.

Why him?

Young Lady,

I want to

defeat him honorably.

Good.

The decisive battle between Hua's and Bai's

will happen tomorrow!

The final owner of Tangxi Restaurant

will soon be revealed.

By that time, each customer

will receive...

Take a look...

Every customer present is entitled to complimentary appetizers!

What does this say?

Between Hua's and Bai's,

it's finally time to determine the winner.

[Bai's, Hua's]

The red one is for Hua's

and the green one is for Bai's.

[Hua Mansion]

You and the baby are going too?

Today is such an important day

for our entire family.

How can I just sit at home?

Madam Wu,

Qin and I will look after you.

Zhi's still in the room?

Your daughter

will never leave the room

until she finishes accounting.

Indeed.

She's busy.

Let's go without her.

Fudong left early in the morning.

Let's hurry to Tangxi Restaurant

and grab the best seats!

Children,

there will be a lot of people today.

Don't you kids run around!

Alright, Mother.

Let's go.

Don't run around.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Let's go.

Do you have any further instructions?

This matter is of great importance.

You must handle it well.

Understood.

Who's there?

Kill him.

Don't kill me!

Don't kill me!

Your Highness,

please forgive me!

Blame yourself for seeing what you shouldn't have seen!

Don't kill me.

Don't kill me.

Don't kill me.

Don't kill me!

Don't kill me!

Don't kill me.

Don't kill me.

Don't kill me.

Don't kill me.

Lady Zhi, it's done.

Let's go.

What are you doing?

Let's go.

What's wrong?

Young Lady.

I kindly covered him with a blanket,

but he guarded against me as if I were a thief!

I don't even know

when he took the knife from the table

and hid it under the pillow.

He nearly cut me with it!

If you need this knife

to help you sleep tight,

you can keep it.

But I assure you

that in this family,

you don't need this

to get a good sleep.

This child is...

Now, apologize to Baoxia.

You did wrong just now.

No need.

He's like a puppy, biting everyone.

He doesn't need to apologize.

Why did you throw things everywhere?

What are these?

These are...

Well...

Jian,

are you worried that you might get hungry?

Baoxia.

Go to the kitchen and prepare some food.

Prepare as much as possible.

Jian,

I'm going out today.

But I will be back before dark.

Wait here for me,

okay?

In the future, whenever you're hungry, just let me know.

If you need anything,

you can tell Baoxia.

When I get back,

I will bring you something tasty.

Young Lady,

Mr. Zhong wants to know

if it's time to set off.

Let's go.

Be good.

Let's go.

Mr. Zhong.

Lady Zhi.

How come you're wearing

the new clothes today?

Of course, I am.

Today is a big day!

I want

to look good for you!

Let's go!

Get in, Lady Zhi.

Come on.

Eat up.

Just eat to your fill.

Look at you.

Slow down.

I'll go get you some water!

I can't believe him.

He really knows how to tire me out.

I heard the Security Bureau Guards put in great effort

to catch a child.

Is that so?

What could a child

possibly do wrong?

I don't know.

They caught a little kid.

Why would they capture a child?

The one in that carriage

must be the Sixth Prince!

They really found him ahead of us!

You, go and report to our master.

The rest of you, follow me.

We cannot let them take the Sixth Prince

back with them.

Yes.

Make a way.

The carriage is coming!

Yes.

This is Miss Hua!

Miss Hua!

Please, come in.

Please.

Miss Hua.

How wonderful!

This way.

Indeed.

Good.

Good to see you, Miss Hua.

Prepare this private room.

Clean it up nicely

and get the tea ready.

Later, after Miss Hua

visits the kitchen,

she will take a seat here to watch the competition.

- Move quickly. - Yes.

Today

is already the seventh day.

Who is there?

He's with me.

Commander,

it's done.

Are you sure?

I've been following that man in black.

He went into a small courtyard.

And as soon as he got into the house,

he knelt and apologized to his master.

Did you see his master's face?

At that time,

his face was half-covered.

I couldn't see it clearly.

But I remember his voice.

Who is it?

Eunuch Wei.

Lord Xian's trusted man.

Commander,

let's take action.

I've never raided a lord's mansion before.

To bring down a lord,

we need solid evidence.

I saw it with my own eyes!

What exactly is solid evidence?

We'll have it soon.

Fools!

You've sold yourselves out.

And you're not even aware of it!

Please, Your Highness,

enlighten me.

You think the Security Bureau

really found the Sixth Prince?

They only did that

to lure you out!

You think they tried to capture you alive for interrogation?

Don't they know

that my death warriors would only

commit suicide once they got caught?

That fool

thought he had escaped to safety.

And he ran to report to you!

The inspectors from the Security Bureau

definitely followed him.

Most likely, they've already discovered you.

I...

I am so sorry!

Now,

it's like holding the arrow on the bowstring.

It must be released!

Go and call up fifty good fighters.

Have them get armed

and follow me to the Palace immediately!

I'll show some concern for His Majesty.

Your Highness,

but in the Palace,

the Security Bureau is on guard!

In the end, the Security Bureau

is no more than a dog

by His Majesty's side.

Now even the owner is nearly gone.

Can't we kill the dog?

They sealed the Forbidden Palace.

Merely for that, I can accuse him

of plotting treason.

I'm leading troops into the Palace

to eliminate the traitors.

Who would dare to object?

Go tell those in the Court

to get their reports ready

as a foolproof preparation!

I will

follow your order!

Commander,

do you think Lord Xian will really come?

What if he doesn't come?

Someone else

might hesitate and hold back,

but Lord Xian won't.

Someone like him

is naturally cruel and suspicious.

He only moves forward and never retreats.

He will lead troops into the Palace.

Can we defeat him then?

Don't you know

exactly how many men

the Security Bureau has?

What should we do then?

Attack them when they're unprepared.

We'll win by striking quickly.

Why are there so many people?

Make way!

My Lord,

there is news about that child!

Is the information reliable?

An old beggar

saw him clearly!

It was a boy with bruises on his neck.

He never speaks

and tries to hide from everyone.

He got onto the Hua Family's carriage that night

and left with Miss Hua

and a maid.

What a coincidence.

Where is Miss Hua at this moment?

Today, the Hua Family is holding a contest at the restaurant.

Miss Hua is at Tangxi Restaurant.

You take half the men to the Hua Family

and search the place thoroughly.

If you let them

run off again,

all of you

should not come back to see me anymore.

Yes.

The rest of you,

follow me to Tangxi Restaurant!

This darn child!

Where did he go again?

Oh, I'm so angry.

The whole family went out to watch the competition,

leaving me alone to watch the kid.

If he's gone missing, then let it be.

No, I can't.

I must let Lady Zhi know.

Why do others get to watch the competition

and I can't?

I bet on the Hua Family!

Look!

Such a spectacle scene

is probably one of the tops in the capital!

Just have a seat.

Don't embarrass yourself.

Alright.

[Hua Mansion]

Search!

Search!

Yes.

Search the whole place!

You, over there!

Yes!

You, over there!

Miss Hua.

Your Highness.

It's very lively today.

Miss Zhi.

Young Lady.

Mr. Bai,

I have a friend here

who wants to have a private talk with me.

Would you step aside for a moment?

Yingchun,

no need to wait on us for now.

Then...

Your Highness,

how can I help you?

Aren't you the owner of a restaurant?

I, of course,

am here to dine.

Let's start with a pot of tea.

I'm really sorry.

I don't know how to make tea.

Just do it!

Cut the chatter!

This dish has it all, color, aroma, and flavor.

You...

Look at them.

No.

He's not here.

Look, those people have all been arrested.

No.

No.

Sir, we found nothing.

No?

Then set it on fire.

Block both the front and back gates!

Let's see

who exactly will run out.

Move!

Yes!

Burn it!

Excuse me!

Where are the ladies?

Hurry over. It's about to start!

How did you get here?

Don't mention it.

It's a long story.

Stop asking.

Come on.

Good.

- Good. - Fighting.

Fudong, fighting!

Fudong!

Fighting.

Fighting.

Fudong, Fighting!

Everyone,

silence!

Honored guests,

thank you for coming here!

Your presence truly brings glory to Tangxi Restaurant.

However,

starting tomorrow,

this place will no longer be called Tangxi Restaurant.

No longer called Tangxi Restaurant?

You will find out its new name tomorrow.

Let's cut the chitchat.

The first round of this competition

is a contest of knifing skills.

Now,

it begins!

- Good. - Good.

Good!

It has begun!

Look!

I'm going to take a break.

Boil the water.

What are you crying for?

I'm not dead yet!

Cry again and I'll throw you in the pot and cook you

to serve with my drink!

Chop all these!

Or you'll have nothing to eat.

♪Who gazes at the stars in the sky?♪

♪Heading towards the shore in a broken boat♪

Xigu.

Can't I teach you?

Can't I teach you?

Father!

In this world,

you were the one I feared the most.

But now,

I am no longer afraid.

♪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♪

Fudong finished!

♪Breaking through the tumultuous sounds of the heart♪

- Good! - Good!

♪Embracing the chant of destiny♪

Good!

♪Only love brings light♪

Look!

♪Only love embraces the thorns♪

This was too hard!

Check this knifing skill!

This is tofu?

This competition is worth watching!

♪Only love brings light♪

So impressive!

Truly amazing!

Please enjoy it.

I've told you I don't know how to make tea.

Are you okay?

I said it's lively today.

And it's bustling indeed.

Cousin, long time no see.

Sit down.

It seems that I guessed wrong earlier.

You might

really manage to buy yourselves half a year of time.

By then,

I'll have to add a generous gift

for you.

I'm curious.

Young Lord, what brings you here?

Whatever brings you here, cousin,

surely

is also what brings me here.

I came to eat.

I came to eat as well.

Today, you have to wait until the competition is over

to be served.

My two honored guests,

I'm afraid you're not going

to have a meal soon.

That's fine.

Then let the competition go on.

No, no.

I must think carefully.

Think carefully.

Liang Fugui,

seventy votes.

Fudong,

a hundred and nine votes.

First round,

Fudong wins!

- Good! - Good!

- Good! - Good!

- Good! - Good!

Really impressive!

[Hua's]

Good!

- Good. - Excellent!

Stop throwing things!

You lost because she's better than you.

Don't take your anger out on my kitchenware!

Exactly!

Exactly.

Round two,

cooking-time test.

Now,

begin!

- Good. - Good.

Sir.

Is the Lord inside?

Yes.

We'll wait here.

Go tell him

that we have searched the Hua Mansion,

and found nothing.

Yes.

The old man and the young girl

looked quite like each other.

They are father and daughter.

Today was not a wasted trip.

There happens to be a competition

between father and daughter.

It's truly exciting.

- Good! - Good!

Are you happy watching this game, dear cousin?

If the father loses,

I'll be happy.

If he wins,

this would be uninteresting.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed, Your Highness.

Is that so?

Your Highness.

We've searched inside and outside the building

and found nothing.

Eunuch Wei is back.

He found nothing either.

Miss Hua,

there's something I'd like to ask you about.

But in this place,

I think

you won't speak to me honestly.

How about we go somewhere else?

Wherever I am,

my answers to you will be the same.

Please.

She will not go with you today.

This is unlike the matters before.

You shouldn't take part.

She's with me.

How could this not concern me?

Gu Yanxi,

you are a clever person.

If we were not both born into the royal family,

we could probably become friends.

But now, the situation changes as it pleases.

I can tell you this, though.

After today,

whatever happens,

I, Gu Yangong,

can ensure your lifelong safety.

You'll be rich, with no responsibilities.

I wonder

when you acquired

this kind of power.

If you truly are so capable,

then let's just talk here.

Alright.

Then let's talk.

The night before last,

in the Grass Lane,

you took away a boy of eight or nine

with your carriage.

Where is he now?

That was my little brother,

Hua Bolin.

Why are you looking for him?

Liang Fugui,

eighty-eight votes.

Fudong,

ninety-one votes!

Fudong has won another round!

Close the window.

That's fast.

Good!

It was a good decision coming here!

- Good! - Good!

Your Highness, aren't you here to watch the game?

The winner is determined.

There's nothing left to be watched.

The father has lost two rounds indeed.

But for the last round,

who knows

if the young one will win again?

Such a large restaurant.

People are fighting for it.

It's going to be a good show.

Your Highness, since you're already here,

why not watch closely?

Miss Hua,

think carefully about how to answer my question.

Before the gong sounds thrice,

you still have a chance to save your life.

If your answer is wrong,

no one

can save you.

Round three.

The two chefs

will each make a special dish

for our guests.

There are no requirements

on cooking methods or dish types.

The one with the most votes wins.

Good!

The competition

begins!

- Good. - Good.

Good!

Good!

My dear guests,

thank you all for your support.

Today,

I, Liang Fugui,

don't care if I will win

or lose.

Next,

I will present you

my family heritage,

the Roasted Camel Hump!

Go and bring me that dish.

Miss Chef,

what will you make for us?

Yeah!

Dear guests,

you will find out soon.

Also,

I'm not called "Miss Chef".

My name is Fudong.

What will you make for us?

- Right. - What will you make?

This really is a duel of masters.

It's so intense!

Let me try it.

Delicious!

Delicious!

Ms. Fudong,

everyone

has tried

Chef Liang's Roasted Camel Hump.

That flavor

lingers on endlessly.

This dish of yours

must be made of dragon tendons or phoenix marrow

so that you can never win.

What a coincidence.

This dish of mine

is called "Surpassing Camel Hump".

Surpassing Camel Hump?

How come there's a "Surpassing Camel Hump"?

This camel hump of yours

is...

I mean, it has not even a hint of gamey taste!

It tastes even more delicate than Bai's camel hump!

And quite crispy, too!

Such a pity.

For a delicacy like this,

I can only have it

once in a lifetime!

Dear guests, don't sign.

In the future, when our restaurant opens,

this dish will still be available.

Everyone,

make sure to come and try.

Our Hua's "Surpassing Camel Hump"

is not made from real camel hump.

Therefore,

everyone can afford it.

So it's actually fish!

Fish?

She can turn fish into that?

It doesn't have any fishy smell and didn't fall apart either.

Ms. Fudong,

that's truly amazing!

Really amazing!

So impressive!

Really amazing!

Ingenious!

Indeed ingenious!

Where did Zhi go?

Right.

Yeah, where's she?

She vanished as soon as arrived.

The winner is about to be decided.

Where did she go?

Good!

Good.

Impressive!

Really impressive!

The Hua's wins!

Good!

Good!

[Hua's] Marvelous!

Good!

Excellent!

I gave you a chance.

Unexpectedly,

you're a pair of fools.

Guards.

Guards!

Allow me, Your Highness.

Guards!

Commander!

You are the Commander of the Security Bureau?

Yes, I am.

Take him down!

Let's go!

♪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♪