Original subtitles

♪Having survived the winter I'm expecting the flower season♪

♪Smiling in a spring breeze I'm immersed in it♪

♪Whose breath warmed my cold heart♪

♪And stirred up ripples♪

♪A figure may be reflected in my eyes♪

♪Bring back numerous memories♪

♪Through my life I've endured hardships for love♪

♪With you My mind is still and peaceful♪

♪Don't blame fate and providence♪

♪And the merciless fortune♪

♪Wandering in the world of mortals like it's a game♪

♪Risking my heart♪

♪Isn't to be regretted♪

♪I'll exchange it for the love of my life delightedly♪

=A Dream of Splendor=

=Episode 17=

When did you come?

I had been here when you ground tea.

So you saw everything?

Saw what?

I ground tea while dancing.

They gossiped about me being a registered performer.

Pan'er.

Don't call me that.

And don't come over.

Last time I told you

to think clearly about the attitude with what you should face me

before you come over again.

Have you thought it clearly?

I came to tell you,

I've thought it through.

I fell in love with you.

I want to marry you.

I want to tie the knot with you.

I want to grow old with you.

Are you insane?

Didn't you see

the way I danced in there?

Do you still remember

I put on heavy make up

and flirted with Zhou She?

You know,

except for the face you're familiar with,

I have

another face.

You're an official appointed by the imperial court,

but I used to be a music performer.

And you know what,

after today,

I'm afraid the whole city will know it.

So what?

I'm going to marry you, not them.

But...

There's no but.

Concerning love and relationships,

I may be slow.

I don't give sweet talks.

But just like you,

once I've made my decision,

I won't regret it.

Noble or humble,

high status or low status,

it really doesn't matter

to a man who lives a violent life

like me.

You just said,

whether the tea-leaves are picked in the mountain of Qiantang,

or in the imperial tea garden,

as long as they have a long lasting aroma,

they will attract appreciators.

I want to be your appreciator.

I haven't made full preparations.

Would you take this

as a betrothal present?

♪Flowers bloom and fade♪

♪I have nowhere to tell my grief♪

♪They bloomed for someone yesterday♪

♪Whose footsteps♪

Put me down.

♪Went with the wind♪

Let me down.

Let me down.

Unless you call my name.

Gu Qianfan, let me down.

Qianfan.

Qianfan.

Let me down.

♪With a load on my mind, I feel the cold west wind♪

♪In those busy years♪

♪I smelt sweet scented osmanthus♪

♪Love is like a dream♪

♪The long quiet time♪

♪I can't forget it♪

♪Like good wine♪

♪It makes me heartbroken♪

♪The long quiet time♪

♪How can I look back to it♪

♪What is the true heart♪

♪Worth♪

(Half-hidden)

Morning. Sanniang.

Morning.

Come to drink tea later.

OK.

(Half-hidden)

Sanniang, morning.

Morning.

It's so cool.

Thanks, Sanniang...

It's you.

Why are you here?

First time strangers, second time friends.

Yinzhang, you're quite interesting.

You alter at ease

between a fairy pipa master

and an average person

who helps to serve tea and drinks.

I just don't like one thing.

Why are you like a mouse before a cat

every time you see me?

Last time when I helped your sister,

you kindly invited me over to listen to you playing pipa.

But since I informed you of your opponents' situation,

you haven't talked to me again.

You're really a cruel young lady.

Stay away from me.

I'm not used to being so close to others.

You're surprisingly strong.

My pipa weighs 16 catties

and I hold it every day.

Surely I'm not weak.

You approach me again and again.

What on earth do you want?

Guess.

I was married once.

You show me excessive attention

because I'm kind of good-looking.

Moreover, you think I'm a new official performer in the capital,

who you can dally with at will.

But what Pan'er said yesterday

woke me up completely.

Even though I'm a registered performer,

I can still be self-respecting and independent.

I'm not a kitten or a puppy

that you can tease at will.

Mr. Shen,

I'm not an innocent young lady.

I got married and divorced.

I sent my ex-husband to prison personally.

Mr. Shen, you're from a famous family.

Take my advice.

Don't mix with

such a notorious woman like me.

Otherwise, I'm afraid your reputation will be ruined.

Ms. Song, are you worried about me?

Unfortunately,

I already knew everything about you.

Your case in Huating County

created quite a stir.

Got tattooed on face and exiled to 3,000 miles.

Ms. Song, don't you think you're cruel?

You already knew?

Of course I knew everything.

You're timid and cowardly when problems crop up,

while calm and steady when you play pipa.

You fear me like I'm a monster.

You were cruel to your ex-husband.

Ms. Song, how many faces do you have?

Be careful.

I'm sorry.

I was impetuous.

I just made a joke,

not expecting to scare you.

What on earth do you want?

I just want to know more about you.

You said I paid you excessive attention because you're kind of good-looking.

You were wrong.

The Shen Family has lasted through three regimes.

I've seen numerous beauties.

I'm really fond of you,

but it has nothing to do with your looks.

What first attracted me

were your pipa skills that reached the acme of perfection.

After I learned about your past,

my pity for you turned to love

and my respect turned to affection.

(Gao's Mansion) (Mother, did Ms. Zhao)

(Gao's Mansion) (really have a pariah status?)

Yes. I've been looking into it for days.

The magistrate said she admitted it.

It must be real.

That explains why Ouyang Xu

didn't think properly suddenly.

Instead of being a promising official,

he'd rather supervise the Taoists,

and leave the capital.

It turns out he was afraid of being exposed

and ran away.

If she was really engaged to Ouyang,

who broke the pledge,

she is pitiful.

Is she?

Miss Hui is the one who is pitiful.

Shall we tell Miss Hui about it?

No.

But she will find out eventually.

If she's gone,

Miss Hui doesn't have to know about it.

Mother, what are you going to do?

Ms. Song,

you're the top pipa player in Jiangnan.

Beautiful and highly gifted as you are,

you were cheated and tortured by a villain.

You must be extremely painful.

That's why you think you're notorious.

But, Ms. Song,

like player, like tune.

Your tune is open and bright.

Why do you care about

a little dust on the bright pearl?

You really don't think I'm dirty

and humble?

I don't.

I think as a delicate woman,

you swallowed humiliation to wreak revenge.

It reflects wisdom.

You went far to the capital

and started a business with your friends.

It reflects courage.

I'm just an average man.

In the face of such a wise, brave

and glamorous young lady,

how can I not be attracted?

Ms. Song, you may have heard that,

when a reckless young man

doesn't know how to face

his favorite young lady,

he may tease her and bully her.

I used to think

it's just a cliché in dramas,

not expecting that

I would make the same mistake.

I...

I'm really...

Ms. Song,

since I repent

my error sincerely,

would you stop being mad at me

and give me another chance?

Please don't do this.

I won't blame you.

Really?

In that case,

would you let me

be your duster

and brush away the old dust covering on you?

No.

Yinzhang.

Sanniang, I'm cleaning upstairs.

Do you need my help?

No, I can do it myself.

Leave.

Don't you like me playing pipa?

Leave now. I'll play for you next time.

It's a deal.

But

not in here.

Jinming Pond outside Shuntian Gate.

You haven't been there yet, have you?

It's a royal garden.

It only opens to the public for several months a year.

Now it's almost time to close the garden.

I'll wait for you by the pond in three days.

I want you to play only for me.

You always wear this hairpin.

I'll keep it as a proof in case you go back on your words.

See you.

Move!

Step aside!

Move.

Move.

Sir, your foot just got better.

If you want to pick on Zhao Pan'er,

there's no need to hurry.

How can I not hurry?

Because of her,

Haohao wouldn't talk to me now.

If I don't teach her a lesson,

I won't stop feeling oppressed.

Don't think I don't know.

Yesterday you interceded for He Si.

You betrayed me for the sake of glory.

I'm going to deal with her first.

Then I'll fix you guys.

Send a message to Half-hidden.

Tell them someone is going to pick on them.

Leave quickly if they don't want to die. Go.

Why does the boy run so fast?

Are you going to fight, too?

Run!

There's a fight. Everybody run!

(Half-hidden) You're going to have trouble. Run!

Run fast.

There's a fight. Everybody run.

Move.

Run fast.

Who are they?

Half-hidden hired guards.

Sir, they're their guards.

Don't be afraid.

What's the noise?

Two groups are having a fight.

Close the door.

OK.

This is Mahang Street.

There are unavoidably grumpy businessmen passing by.

Don't mind them.

Young Master is hurt.

My feet.

Young Master is hurt.

Sir.

Sir. Hurry.

Put me down.

I can still fight.

Put me down.

Run.

Young Master is hurt.

Run fast.

(Half-hidden)

Be gentle.

You deserve it.

You'd better not pick on Zhao Pan'er again.

I told you last time

I'm working with them.

The big show of the Music Division will open in seven days.

I'm counting on Song Yinzhang

to back me by pipa.

If you really smashed Half-hidden,

I won't let you off.

I didn't say I would smash her teahouse.

I'm the head of the Tea Guild.

Since she opened the teahouse,

she has never sent me any gifts.

Can't I go to her teahouse and discipline her?

Now you're disciplined.

Did you find out?

Where did the scumbags come from?

No, I haven't yet.

But,

our men tore a piece of cloth

off the clothes of their head.

It's cotton cloth actually.

- Look. - Cotton cloth?

It's expensive.

I've only seen businessmen from Guangdong and Guangxi wearing this.

Ordinary yard guards can't afford it.

Is there

someone behind Zhao Pan'er?

Maybe Yinzhang asked the Music Administrator for help.

If it really involved officials...

Officials?

We can't offend them.

I'll ask Zhao Pan'er in a few days.

As for you,

don't ever pick on them again.

Every time you did, you got more embarrassed.

Why bother?

(Dengyun Restaurant)

Welcome.

Bring us your best snacks

and drinks.

Yes.

It isn't the first time we come to a restaurant together.

Why do I feel out of place today?

It's different now.

Why do you smirk?

I guess their drinks

are not as good as yours.

Strangely enough,

yesterday,

you were impatient to me

and were anxious to drive me out.

Why do you become so gentle today?

Because I was scared

on hearing your words yesterday.

Then I got back and thought,

now that you've decided to

be with me,

why should I care?

Besides, you're cute.

I have nothing to lose.

Just because I'm cute?

Of course.

The young man on the path is casual and elegant.

I shall marry him and spend my life with him.

Though being discarded...

Enough. Stop reciting.

I'm not the second Ouyang Xu.

I promise you

I'll protect you and love you all my life.

I'll never abandon you or embarrass you.

By the way, as for Yu Zhongquan's case,

how is it going?

And Xiao Qinyan.

What was going on?

You can't talk about it, can you?

No. I...

I was just thinking

how to tell you.

Minister Duke Xiao is an old friend of my elder's.

But he doesn't have a good reputation

in the court and the commonalty.

So I barely had any dealings with him.

Last time, I was driven desperate

by Zheng Qingtian.

So I turned to him for help.

It explains the matter.

How did Yu Zhongquan relate to him?

After Minister Duke Xiao saved me several times,

his son became jealous of me.

When Yu Zhongquan knew about it,

he tried to use Xiao Wei to deal with me.

But don't worry.

I've taken care of all the troubles.

Yu Zhongquan is dead.

I've punished Xiao Wei severely.

If he dares to hurt you again,

I'll get even with Xiao Qinyan first.

Do you believe me?

I'm not in the same camp with Xiao Qinyan.

Of course I know.

I just wonder

have you offended Xiao Qinyan

by leaving no room last time?

He saved you after all.

He also saved me indirectly.

If you go bother him because of his son,

it's kind of ungrateful.

Since you two are not in the same camp,

you'd better stay away from him.

Neither bother him,

nor get close to him.

What do you think?

OK.

Last time,

you suffered a lot for me.

I'm sorry.

It's nothing.

I wasn't badly hurt anyway.

And I'm prepared.

Such things would happen

if I'm with you.

Pan'er,

what you've suffered for me recently,

I'll keep it in mind.

In the future,

I'll pay you back with double happiness.

Try this.

Red bayberry ginger drink?

I can't drink it.

I feel itchy all over when I drink ginger water.

And the balsam pear.

It's so bitter.

How could it be a snack?

Nothing suits your taste.

You're like a picky boy.

Shall I buy you a clay sculpture to play with?

Who's the woman?

She is probably his lover,

the shopkeeper of a teahouse called Half-hidden.

Hanging out with a businesswoman.

Gu Qianfan

doesn't have any sense of propriety.

Young Master, I didn't lie to you, did I?

Commander Gu

doesn't look like Master at all.

No, I always feel like I knew him.

My father and I never touch ginger.

When my mother forced me to eat something,

I would take a sip of water,

close my eyes and wash it down.

Is he really...

My third brother doesn't look like my father either.

But he looks exactly like my mother.

He looks a few years older than me.

Is the man really my father's...

I dare not say.

If it's true,

he is the eldest son.

No wonder Master would...

I remember

my father released his former maid

and her family before.

Though the maid is dead,

her son and his family still live outside Guzi Gate.

Go find him.

If necessary, use a knife or a rope.

Do let him tell you

which women was my father with

before he married my mother.

Yes.

Gu.

Gu.

I'm going to say hello to the man inside.

Wait for me outside.

There are many strangers here.

You should be prudent, sir.

I need to relax occasionally.

Gu, you're so lucky.

Is she the woman Yu Zhongquan captured

and used against you last time?

She is an acquaintance of Chen Lian,

who was mistakenly arrested by Yu Zhongquan.

I didn't know her.

Then who she is?

You've followed me for several years.

It's the first time I've seen you with a woman.

I arranged for her to be my informant

among the people.

You arranged for her?

As far as I can see,

she was arranging for you just now.

Coming out together, hands in hands.

It's a big thing.

Sir, you're perspicacious.

Indeed, I have some true feelings for the woman.

But please don't regard a game

as deep love.

I won't be pleased with it.

OK.

Gu, you're clear headed.

A former performer

could only be a concubine.

If you marry her,

you'll screw up your promising career

just like Ouyang Xu did.

A young talent as you

deserves the daughter of a noble family.

I'll keep an eye on it for you.

Thank you, sir.

What's wrong?

Can we have an honest talk?

Who is he?

A friend.

I'm going to catch up with him.

Would you go back first?

Big brother, is this my sister-in-law?

No.

No, wait for me at the bridgehead.

Big brother, why do you regard me as an outsider?

I can't afford to be your big brother.

My surname is Gu.

I've found out

my father once had a marriage

when he was young.

His wife's surname was Gu.

There are thousands of people

with the same name.

But you're the only one my father cares for.

My grandfather is Qi Changbo.

The eldest son of my father's legal wife

must be me forever.

If you're tactful,

get away from...

I think you should be tactful.

Even your father dares not threaten the Capital Security Office,

let alone Qi Changbo.

I'll tell you again.

My surname is Gu.

I have nothing to do with the Xiao Family.

I don't covet your status as the eldest son.

Feel at ease to be the Young Master of your family.

Stay away from me and my men.

Otherwise,

I won't just send a deer leg

to Xiao Qinyan next time.

Qianfan.

Qianfan.

Uncle Qi.

Why did you lay your hands

on Xiao Qinyan's eldest son?

He instigated Yu Zhongquan

to frame me up.

I just warned him a little.

You're still a youth of hot blood.

To deal with them,

you needn't beat them in the street.

Xiao Qinyan is returning to the capital as Prime Minister soon.

None of his sons

is reliant.

They'll definitely abuse their power and bully people.

Keep an eye on them.

Wait until they commit a felony

and arrest them directly in the name of the Capital Security Office.

Then get rid of them completely.

By doing that,

we'll shake Xiao Qinyan's foundation.

Why?

Are you reluctant?

No.

I was thinking about how to do it.

That's good.

Come on. Sit.

By the way,

the evidences of Lei Jing's crime sent to you the other day

were from

Yu Zhongquan's most trusted followers.

Last time, when I investigated the Jiangnan case,

you said it wasn't the right time to attack him.

Now we've got these.

There shouldn't be any problems, right?

Qianfan,

why have you been

restless recently?

I told you to pay attention to Xiao Qinyan,

but you just latched on to Lei Jing.

The evidence you've gathered

would bring Lei Jing to justice.

But in the end,

he's just an insignificant person.

Our real enemy

is Xiao Qinyan.

Yes.

I'll take care of Lei Jing's case.

It will only take a few more months.

I know you want to get rid of him as soon as possible,

so that you'll ascend to the Fifth Rank

and request an honorary title for your aunt.

But it's complicated in the imperial court.

I must consult with other people of our faction

before we take action.

I didn't mean to urge you.

I arranged for you to join the Capital Security Office,

not just because I wanted to get rid of Lei Jing.

I hoped that aided by the power of the Office,

you would help us to rectify the imperial court.

Qianfan, you shouldn't have the order reversed.

Do you understand?

I do.

(Half-hidden)

Your haw drinks.

Ma'am, the bill, please.

OK.

How are you doing, Mr. Cai?

The business is bad.

Really?

What big business are you doing?

No, just some small business.

Mr. Zheng, you're too polite.

Come on.

Let's drink tea.

Come on, drink tea.

You shouldn't fill the cup up with tea.

There are strict rules.

Mr. Li, you're an expert.

What's wrong?

You were happy when you went out at noon.

But now you're upset.

Did you have a fight with Gu Qianfan?

Don't mention him.

Ms. Zhao.

Yuan Tuntian is coming.

Mr. Yuan.

Ms. Zhao,

how do you like my calligraphy?

It's vigorous as well as graceful.

Your calligraphy will

light up our humble teahouse.

I'll let people cut blocks for printing.

Ms. Zhao, you've made a good deal.

Each of Mr. Yuan's calligraphy is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

By printing it on pastry wrappers,

good lord,

you can definitely encourage those arty scholars to buy your pastries.

You got me.

Yuan Tuntian's calligraphy is great.

My paintings aren't bad themselves.

Of course.

Ms. Zhao, I wanted to ask you before,

at such a young age,

how did you collect so many

famous porcelains and paintings?

My father collected some before.

I also collected some when I was in Jiangnan.

They are old collections.

Daqiang!

Daqiang!

Daqiang, what's wrong with you?

What happened?

What happened?

(Ge Zhaodi)

(Ge Zhaodi) How should I know?

My brother was fine before.

After he came here

and had your haw drink,

he became like this.

Daqiang!

He is spitting blood.

Poison. Your fruit drink is poisonous!

Poisonous!

I made the haw drink myself.

How could it be poisonous?

You're trying to deny it?

Your brother may have an old illness.

Look.

Isn't it poisonous?

Isn't it?

Isn't it poisonous?

Isn't it poisonous?

Isn't it poisonous?

Is it because the haws we bought

were fumigated with sulphur?

Silver blackens

when it contacts sulphur.

I don't want to die.

Hurry. Run.

A man is poisoned here.

Don't leave.

Daqiang!

How do you feel, Daqiang?

Say it!

Calm down.

Why did you poison my brother?

You must pay with your life!

Uncles,

could you notify the government?

Please do me a favor.

Don't go.

I'm sorry.

We didn't do it on purpose.

Something wasn't right.

I have money.

Let me compensate you first.

Do you want 50 or 100 strings?

I don't want your money.

I want you to pay with your life.

Kind uncles,

I'm begging you.

I'm begging you to notify the government.

I want the murders to be put in jail.

I'm begging you.

Well...

Help me.

- Help me. - Ms. Zhao.

A man is dead in your teahouse.

You can't cover it up.

You should notify the government.

Don't just stand there.

Find out what was wrong.

When the yamen runners come, you can explain to them.

Think about it.

Was any rat poison mixed in the drink?

We can't notify the government.

If we do, we're all finished.

Daqiang!

Daqiang!

Daqiang!

Daqiang.

Wake up.

Daqiang!

Daqiang!

Pan'er.

What are you doing with the haw drinks?

Keep her under control.

Go.

I'm afraid he can't live.

Notify the government quickly.

Go.

You must give me an explanation.

I have to pay with my life anyway.

What are you doing?

What do you want?

Open your mouth.

Since it's poisonous, you'd better die with him.

I'm already a murderer.

- I don't mind murdering one more. - What did you feed me?

- Sanniang, Yinzhang, close the door. - What did she feed her?

Why did they close the door?

What are they doing?

Yeah.

Daqiang.

Dead people's eyes don't roll.

Let me see if he's really dead.

Don't you run!

The corpse came back to life.

He faked his death.

They tried to blackmail them.

Knowing your brother was dead,

you didn't examine his breath,

or feel his pulse,

or send for a physician.

You didn't want any compensation.

Instead, you only wanted me to be arrested.

Say it, who instigated you?

Say it!

I don't know what you were talking about.

I just woke up.

I spat blood after I had your fruit drink

(Sun Daqiang) just now.

Don't wrong an innocent man!

Then drink more.

And spit out more.

Feed him.

Drink.

I added magnolia coco in the drink before.

I don't know if it would kill you.

But I do know being mixed with haw drink,

it becomes dumb drug.

If you don't take antidote in an hour,

you can never talk again.

I have only one portion of antidote.

Whoever talks first can get it.

Otherwise, I'll throw it into the Bian River.

♪A feeling of depression♪

♪Falls on those will part just like moonlight♪

♪How can we forget each other♪

♪Wind blows and time flies♪

♪When the splendor fades away only the smell lingers♪

♪In the corner of memories there are sad moments♪

♪Emotions go on and on♪

♪Because time is short but love is hot♪

♪Stars wink for you♪

♪Romance is crazy about you♪

♪Who even waits for you♪

♪Until the end of her life♪

♪When I look back one day♪

♪I'll let go of everything♪

♪I'll hold your hand and never let you down♪

♪Ah Ah Ah♪

♪When our eyes get wet with tears for each other♪

♪Ah Ah Ah♪

♪I'll enjoy a simple life with you♪