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 18=

I have the antidote, but only for one.

The first person who confesses will have it.

If none of you speaks,

I'll throw it into Bian River.

One.

Two.

Three.

I…

- I'll speak. - I'll speak.

- I owe someone money… - You docked his sister's wage…

He forced me to pay off the debt. I had no money,

so he asked me to make trouble here.

You lied to me.

You told me

they broke your sister's leg.

Who's behind this?

Mr. Gao or Mr. Xiao?

He was instructed by Sir Eighth from the dock.

But Sir Eighth got the money from a female.

She's in her 40s.

She looks like a maid-nurse of a rich family.

Wait.

How can you be so sure

that she's a maid-nurse of a rich family?

I saw her feet.

Her feet are big and fat.

And her shoes were made of poor-quality fabric

and looked outdated.

No mistress would wear shoes like those.

But she got to sit in a big carriage

and order servants around,

so I'd say she's either a maid-nurse

or a wet nurse.

Smart you.

Can you write?

Yes.

Then write down

what happened from the beginning to the end,

and leave your fingerprints on the paper.

Come here and write.

Have the officers arrived?

Write, now.

Gentlemen.

You have witnessed the whole thing.

Half-hidden is aggrieved.

Yes.

If anyone else slanders us

by saying our food is poisonous,

please help defend us.

Much appreciated.

You're welcome.

We will. We sure will.

- Yes. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.

(Statement Ge Zhaodi Sun Daqiang)

We are kind of confused.

(Sun Daqiang Ge Zhaodi) Didn't you

feed them with hush drug?

It was just borneol in water.

It would irritate the throat at first.

See how talkative they were just now.

You're composed

and resourceful, Ms. Zhao.

You look quite young.

We'll let you off.

Just go

before the officers are here.

You…

Wait.

Girls shouldn't have scarred hands.

Go buy some medicine.

Oh, here they are.

Who called us here?

- The officers are here. - Officers, officers.

What happened?

It's all good. It's all good now.

There was a misunderstanding.

- You go upstairs. - Are you sure?

Now that you are here,

why not come in for a cup of tea?

- Thanks but no. - Yes.

We'll be off, then.

Thank you, officers.

Thank you.

Sanniang,

- we'll be off, too, if that's all. - See you next time.

Thank you, sir.

Goodbye.

Ms. Zhao, goodbye.

It was Gao Hui's wet nurse Mrs. Jiang.

She was at the door all the time,

ready for a good show.

She later found things went south,

and escaped in a hurry.

So it is the Gao family as I expected.

I told you they'd come for you.

Gao Hui is merciless.

Her wet nurse has been a bully under her wing.

I asked you to wait for me at the end of the Zhou Bridge, didn't I?

Why are you back in the teahouse?

Is it because it took me too long to get here?

I met an elder on the way.

You said you'd treat me with sincerity.

Didn't you?

I did.

So can you tell me

who stopped you just now?

That was…

Xiao Wei, Xiao Qinyan's son.

Can't believe you try to fool me.

If you were going to treat me with sincerity,

if he was Xiao Wei,

who did harm to both me and you,

you must hate his guts.

However, from the way you looked at him,

and the tone he used when he spoke to you,

it's obvious that you weren't enemies.

I have been doing business for many years.

That's something I can tell.

Come on, Pan'er, what are you talking about?

That really was Xiao Wei.

Please listen to me.

I don't really care who he is.

I only care how sincerely you treat me.

If it's just for show

when you said you'd marry me,

then I have no interest in wasting my time on you.

I have the stuff to do. See you.

Don't you worry about the Gao family!

Chief. Chief.

What?

Mr. Lei asked me to fetch you.

"It's urgent", he said.

Also, Mr. Xiao sent his man to invite you

to see him in his villa

as he's coming to the capital city.

The evidence you have gathered

is enough to bring Lei Jing to justice.

But at the end of the day,

he's but a small fry.

Our true arch-enemy

is Xiao Qinyan.

What's the matter with you?

Did the officers get suspicious?

I'm wondering

who's behind all this.

When I saw that person lie on the floor,

I honestly thought

our haw drink was harmful.

Pan'er,

how did you realize it was off?

When in Qiantang,

I was ripped off.

So have you guessed who's behind this?

The Gao family.

The Gao family?

What a vicious set-up.

Should Deputy Commissioner Gu be informed?

No.

No?

You are going to handle this on your own again?

That's the Gao family.

It's wiser to go for the head of the gang.

Instead of dealing with

all the trouble-makers they send here,

why don't we confront the ringleader?

Today is 16, right?

You keep things in order here. I'm going out.

Are you going to see Gao Hui?

You can't.

What if she sends her men against you?

What are you going to do?

I know what to do.

(House of Elegance)

I'm told you're offering a high price

for a Southern Tang artist Xu Xi's painting.

I happen to have one.

Let me see.

Give me a minute.

Sir, there's an update

on the painting of Xu Xi you asked.

A girl came to sell his painting of crane and bamboo.

Let me have a look.

The seller is downstairs.

Would you like to see her?

Yes.

How much do you price

this painting of crane and bamboo?

Zero coins.

I'd like to offer you the painting for free

in order to explain my situation to you, Inspector Gao.

I'm Zhao Pan'er from Qiantang.

I was once engaged to Ouyang Xu.

I'm privileged to see you,

Inspector Gao.

You were once engaged to Ouyang Xu?

Indeed.

Three years ago, he failed the exam and roamed to Qiantang.

I saved him from a lake,

paid for his school so he could take another exam in the capital.

He once promised me marriage.

But now that he's made it,

he abandoned me,

and chose to marry to the Gao family.

But…

But why are you here to see me?

Ever since I learned

that Ouyang Xu left the capital,

I've had this feeling that I'd see you someday,

so I was prepared beforehand.

(I thought)

(although you were a meritorious member of the royal family,)

(you chose Ouyang Xu,)

(you had to have an interest in literature and art.)

(I asked around,)

(House of Elegance) (and learned that you'd)

(come here to buy books or paintings in every 10 days.)

(Also, you asked the owner)

(to be on the lookout for Xu Xi's paintings.)

(I had a small business back in Jiangnan Region,)

(so I happen to have some collections of the works of some artists.)

(I traded two paintings with a collector)

(for the painting of crane and bamboo.)

(That's how I earned my chance to see you.)

You're quite bold.

I never broke any law,

I never did anything shady,

so I'm certainly fearless.

However, you, Inspector Gao,

are in deep trouble.

Ouyang Xu broke his betrothal with you.

It has nothing to do with me.

The Gao family

disowns the relationship

with this unfaithful man.

You can sue him,

or make a big deal out of it.

It's up to you.

If the Gao family had broken up with Ouyang Xu,

why would your daughter's wet nurse set me up?

Her jealousy turned into hate,

so she set me up

and worked with law enforcement

in an attempt to discredit me and inflict a lawsuit on me.

Inspector Gao,

is this your family culture?

What are you getting at?

I have a teahouse on Mahang Street.

Someone made trouble at my place.

I saw them through

and made them write a statement.

On the paper, they admitted

that Mrs. Jiang, your daughter's wet nurse paid them to do it.

You have no witness

or evidence.

You plan to frame up my family

with this groundless statement alone?

I didn't publicize it.

Nor am I blackmailing you.

How come it's framing-up?

You can carry out an investigation

to find out its authenticity.

I swear to God,

ever since I saw Ouyang Xu's true colors,

I have dissociated from him.

I didn't come here

to start a conflict with you.

I only came here to give you a friendly warning.

I'm sure your beloved daughter

is well educated,

but what if the servants

make errors?

You're a high-level official.

A good reputation

must mean much to you.

Are you threatening me?

I dare not.

I came here

with the hope of you regulating your people.

Please kindly leave us be.

I forgot to mention

that this is a copy of the statement.

My sister has the original one. She's outside the government office.

If I don't return to them

in four hours,

she'll file the statement.

Y-Y-You…

What…

What paintings did you trade for the painting of crane and bamboo?

Huang Jucai's painting of pheasant.

And Guan Tong's painting of creek.

Y-You said you ran a small business.

How did you come by

these valuable paintings?

Wang Lun was a villager,

but he admired Li Bai's poems.

I'm a businesswoman,

but my interest lies in art works.

Art works?

You…

You are a pretty girl,

and you sound educated.

Why would Ouyang Xu foolishly

abandon you?

Because I was once one of the underclass.

I know my status

can't compete

with your beloved daughter.

Yes, I once hated Ouyang Xu

for his unfaithfulness,

but now, I have put it all behind me.

Inspector Gao,

I have dissociated from Ouyang Xu completely.

It's only me and my sisters in the Eastern Capital.

We just wish

to run our small business in peace.

That's all we ask for.

I asked Ouyang Xu

whether he was engaged.

His answer was no.

My family

won't take anything by force.

Much less from you,

a frail girl.

Thank you, Inspector Gao.

Goodbye.

Wait.

Ouyang Xu broke up his promise,

but did he give you a hard time?

He bribed civil dispute official and accused me of extortion.

He tried to kick me out of the capital.

But you chose to stay

and then opened up a teahouse.

Aren't you worried that he's going to come at you later?

I do have such a concern.

Well, in this case,

why don't you pledge your service to me?

Trust me.

I guarantee you

that Ouyang Xu won't show up again in the Eastern Capital again

and that no one will ever give you a hard time.

A smart girl like you

isn't supposed to make a living

by selling tea out there.

You deserve

to be preserved in a safe chamber.

I beg to differ, Inspector Gao.

Who are you?

How dare you eavesdrop on our conversation?

(Capital Security Office)

The Capital Security Office.

Inspector Gao, relax.

I was only there on standby.

I didn't hear any of your secrets.

However,

my wife is but an ignorant woman.

I don't think she deserves to be described as smart.

Your wife?

You just broke up with Ouyang Xu.

And you've already found another man?

Not as quickly as how you got your

presented scholar son-in-law, Inspector Gao.

I'm Gu Qianfan, Deputy Commissioner of the Capital Security Office.

So you're Gu Qianfan.

Exactly.

It's so lucky of you.

Thank you, Inspector Gao.

If you need me to do anything,

just let me know.

You're too kind, Deputy Commissioner Gu.

I'd love

to attend your wedding.

It's my pleasure.

Ms. Zhao.

Ouyang Xu won't be back here again.

Are you happy

with my gift for you?

I'm happy

if my future husband is happy.

Goodbye.

So I-I will take the painting.

(House of Elegance)

Safe travels.

Gao's carriage.

(Gao)

You were calling me hubby a moment ago,

now you disown me?

That's cheeky of you, isn't it?

You…

What?

Am I wrong?

Remember you told

me to stay out of your business?

Hadn't I followed you

because I was concerned about you,

you would have become

Ouyang Xu's stepmother by now.

I made a wrong judgment.

Mr. Zhuoshi said

Inspector Gao was a man of integrity.

Who would have known he isn't.

To us Capital Security Officers,

a wrong judgment

could be the death of us.

Think about it.

The moment that old pig heard his future son-in-law was going to be

a Taoist Temple Administrator, he broke the betrothal right away.

How could he possibly be decent?

Zhao Pan'er,

can you please not do anything that concerns me

every time we have a dispute,

is that okay?

What if that old pig

wanted to take your life instead of your body?

What if he had someone tie you up

and throw you into the river?

Did that occur to you?

What am I supposed to do when you become a ghost under water,

Mrs. Gu?

What…

What are you talking about?

What's wrong with "Mrs. Gu"?

I said I'd marry you, and you agreed.

So you're Mrs. Gu.

I won't be a concubine of yours.

I wouldn't marry you

if I wanted a concubine.

What I meant

is a formal marriage.

I want you to be my legal wife.

At first, I didn't understand why you were mad.

After Chen Lian reminded me,

I kind of understand.

Did you hear me speak to that man

at the teahouse?

Yes.

I heard you say, "It's just for show",

and you thanked them for pairing you up with a noble girl.

Do you know who that is?

He's Lei Jing, my boss.

He's the Commissioner of the Capital Security Office.

He took 200 thousand strings of copper from Zheng Qingtian, and wants me dead.

Do you think I should be honest with him?

Talking about "Abandon, no repudiation".

We're only faced with minor trouble,

and you have already started to be suspicious of me.

You are not

as bold as you think you are.

Yes, I know someone once hurt your feelings,

that it's hard for you to love another man wholeheartedly,

so once you're emotionally hurt,

you won't get it off your chest,

you'll just be sulking over it.

At the end of the day,

you don't want to be looked upon.

That's why you fought to marry a Presented Scholar,

to be his wife.

You fought to earn your footing in the Eastern Capital.

But you know what?

No one looks upon you.

The one who looks upon you

is yourself.

Gu Qianfan.

What? Am I wrong?

Have I peeved you?

Yes, I admit I'm self-contemptuous

and that I don't trust you.

Because what I want

isn't sweet talks,

but the love of eternity.

When you

proposed to me and vowed, I felt happy.

But

my afterthought told me,

why would the Deputy Commissioner of the Capital Security Office

marry a girl from the underclass?

Won't you regret it?

You won't believe a single word

that comes out of my mouth, right?

Fine.

I now have three land deeds

and four keys here.

These are all I have earned

over the past twelve years as an official.

You can keep them.

It's OK if you haven't thought it through.

You can take your time at home.

I can wait for you.

Gu Qianfan.

Wait.

Just make it real next time, alright?

Well, it worked on you.

Do you really mean it?

Are we really going to have a legitimate wedding?

We had a drink in Huating County, remember?

I think I fell for you

at that very moment.

Later, when I saw

you safe and sound in jail,

I felt a rush of desire to marry you

and protect you.

You wanted to be the wife of a Presented Scholar, right?

Well, I was Second Category.

You won't lose anything marrying me.

What about your career?

You don't want a good reputation?

Do I have a good reputation now?

Just ask around.

Between a horrible Capital Security Officer

and a former music performer,

who's more dislikable?

You made the choice.

Are you sure about it?

If you stay faithful,

so will I.

If we have problems again,

please give me some time

so I can explain.

I didn't lie to you

about Xiao Wei.

It's just my relationship with the Xiao family

is way too complicated.

And it implicates the business in the Capital Security Office,

so I couldn't find a way

to explain to you.

I won't dwell on the Xiao family,

but I know you too little

while you can order your men

to find out all about me easily.

I can do nothing but wait for you to show up.

Who are your friends?

Who do we stay on guard against? Who do we keep away from?

I have no clue.

Gu Qianfan,

you have so many secrets.

I don't even know

how a Presented Scholar was assigned to the Capital Security Office.

Other than your name

and your martial arts,

I basically know nothing about you.

The past is the past.

In the future, I'll tell you

everything about me.

Keep flogging!

Stop.

Father.

Mrs. Jiang served me for years.

She doesn't deserve this.

What mistake did she make

that causes you to punish her so hard?

You weren't home most of the time when I was little,

Mrs. Jiang brought me up.

If she's beaten to death,

I'll kill myself.

Miss Gao.

Mrs. Jiang.

Mrs. Jiang.

Miss Gao, please don't talk Mr. Gao back.

I stole money from the family.

I deserve it. I deserve it.

You didn't.

I don't believe it.

Master, I deserve it.

I…

Mrs. Jiang! Mrs. Jiang!

Mrs. Jiang, are you okay?

Mrs. Jiang, stay with me! Mrs. Jiang!

Fetch a doctor.

Help! I need help!

- Mrs. Jiang! - Mother!

Why did you choose the Capital Security Office

over all the other institutions?

Like the Imperial Guards,

the Capital Security Office, too, is a force under His Majesty.

Work hard and you will get

fast promotions.

My father left me very early,

so my mother raised me.

But they were divorced,

so she isn't able to be buried in the ancestral grave of the Gu family.

That's why I must be promoted to a position of the fifth rank.

The mother of a rank-5 officer

shall receive a title of honor.

With that,

she'll have a decent burial.

How about I pay her a visit some other day?

What? Inappropriate?

You rejected me, remember?

Now the ugly wife

is anxious to see the future mother-in-law?

Ugly?

Me.

What did you just say?

I'm ugly, okay? My bad.

I didn't mean

to disturb you.

But an order from the imperial palace says

that His Majesty expects to see you.

Got it. I'll be on my way.

Pan'er,

what's wrong with Mr. Gu?

His hearing is so good

that he can hear me speak ill of him

30 meters away.

Today, I followed him all the way up here,

but he didn't notice me.

Pan'er, help! Help!

All right, enough.

I've got stuff to do at the teahouse.

I need to go.

Wait.

Don't leave after the day's over.

I'll go see you.

Sure.

Flowers for sale. Flowers for sale.

Miss, this pomegranate flower may bring you the blessing

of a happy marriage.

Take it.

Thank you, miss.

What makes you so happy?

The pomegranate flower looks nice.

Have you settled with the Gao family?

Let me tell you a secret.

The betrothal between Ouyang Xu

and Miss Gao is canceled.

Great.

He deserves it.

Where's the owner?

I'll answer him.

She seems too happy

about Ouyang Xu's mishap.

My guess is,

she's back together with Gu Qianfan.

I told you to buy medicine.

What's with your wounds?

Where's your brother?

He's not my brother.

We're just from the same village.

He tricked me.

So I beat him up.

Girl,

you've got the strength.

Who's the girl here?

You are.

Can't women fight?

I even broke his rib.

Well, she's kind of like me.

You're tough.

Why are you back?

You want a waitress, right?

I can do that.

I want no money.

You just give me food.

I'm a person who tells right from wrong.

Although someone tricked me into framing you,

I still think

it was my fault.

I don't have any money,

so this is how I make it up to you.

I worked as a waitress back in town.

I know what to do in a shop.

Actually,

we do need more people.

Not her, obviously.

What if she poisons us?

I won't.

We can sign a contract.

If I try to harm you again,

you can do whatever you like with me.

Don't trust her.

When she caused the trouble,

her acting was better than this.

It isn't acting.

I'm serious.

Show me your hands.

Other than the beatings,

what else caused your wounds?

The unloading.

I can carry a 20-kilogram bag at a time.

Your name is Ge Zhaodi.

Where's your little brother?

I have no little brother.

All my family died.

So you're here in the city on your own?

Yes.

I don't have a family anymore,

so I go wherever I can find jobs.

People say they pay more in the Eastern Capital,

so here I am.

Not only am I feeding myself

but I also saved some money.

You have money, huh?

Why don't you give us the money?

I…

I had some money.

I beat that guy up, so I needed to pay for his medication.

And due to this,

I lost my job at the dock.

I'm hard-working.

I know how to use an abacus.

I don't eat much.

Plus, you know my crime.

I'm an economical option.

She actually makes sense.

Sure I do.

That was quite an event.

If you keep me here,

firstly, it shows you're lenient,

secondly, I may deter

the one who set you up.

Two birds, one stone, right?

You're pretty smart.

You can find a job anywhere.

Why do you insist on working for us?

Because you gave me the money to buy medicine,

and you said,

"Girls shouldn't have scarred hands."

I don't want to be bullied

at work,

so I always dress up like a lad.

Some saw me through.

Some didn't.

But other than you,

no one told me

to look after myself.

Besides, among the three of you,

one is an excellent pipa player

who attracts customers.

One is a tough woman

who scares ruffians off.

One is a clever lady

who manages to blow my cover.

So I'm sure

this place can make big money.

Just be quick about it.

Will you hire me or not?

Well, there will be a trial.

Starting from now.

Neat.

Interesting.

Money-saving.

Pan'er,

why are you still on the account book?

Have you forgotten

that we're supposed to buy new clothes

for Zhaodi?

She can't serve customers in this,

can she?

There's an error.

I need to start over.

How about

you take her to the clothing shop?

I'll go home after I'm finished.

Just take the account book home.

Yeah…

I'm hungry.

Your body's still growing, huh?

Fine, let's go.

Come on, let's give her some time alone

so that she can be more efficient.

(Grains)

It looks so nice.

Hold on a minute.

Did you pull my sleeve

because you knew something?

It's my first day.

How could I possibly know anything?

Sealing your lips, huh?

I had a cousin back in my hometown.

Why do you mention your cousin?

Because every time my cousin

went out to see her love,

she'd find an excuse

to drive us away

just like Pan'er did.

Good girl.

Meat for you tonight.

The meat stand is that way.

We have meat at home.

(Gao's Mansion) (Tell me, why did my father flog Mrs. Jiang?)

(Gao's Mansion) (Don't tell me she stole money.)

She has taken care of my money for over a decade,

and not a single coin is missing.

The last time my father was this mad

was ages ago.

If he wasn't livid,

he wouldn't have

punished an old servant so hard.

I…

You think I won't flog you?

Sorry.

Tell me now.

My mother

set up a woman.

She and Mr. Ouyang were once engaged.

What?

What did you say?

Engaged?

Ouyang Xu was engaged to her?

Yes.

(Behave In Humble Reverence)

Look at us.

It's like Luyao Dance.

You're quite collected.

Sure I am.

I had quite an experience earlier today.

So I've gotten bolder.

There's something

that I don't have the courage to tell you before I kiss you.

What is it?

Seriously, listen.

When I was in the palace,

I recalled something.

I'm really worried that it may upset you.

But if I didn't tell you,

you'd be more displeased.

So…

I'm actually engaged.

♪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♪