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 23=

The doorman of the Prime Minister is equal to an official of the Third Rank.

Servants are difficult to deal with.

Though the dignitaries are polite to us usually,

after all,

we are of pariah status.

We should remember our status.

We should remember our status.

Deputy Commissioner Gu?

You can't hold it already?

Then how can you perform in front of the guests?

If you can't bear it,

fight back with your pipa

as if you held a sword.

Deputy Commissioner Gu.

That's how you keep them waiting?

Look at the sweat on their foreheads.

I was thoughtless.

Go.

Get the ladies to groom themselves.

Aye.

Go get whipped ten times.

Aye.

There you are at last.

- Master has been waiting for you. - This way, please.

(Do Not Slacken or Panic)

Young Master, don't be angry.

What is he doing here?

Didn't he say that he hated this family?

I didn't sleep a wink for two nights.

Father only scolded me.

But to him, Father...

Do hold your temper.

You have to return to the banquet.

What if others see you're angry?

Stop thinking about it.

Master's birthday banquet matters more.

Anyway, his family name is Gu,

instead of Xiao, right?

His Majesty praised Ms. Zhang for her beautiful voice.

Would you all like to enjoy it?

- Good idea. - Sure.

We'd love to.

♪Plum trees blossom before dawn♪

♪Fragrance wafts everywhere♪

♪Around railings♪

It's the poem His Majesty wrote.

♪Flowers are red and white♪

♪As gentle as jade♪

♪As colorful as silk♪

♪They can be painted♪

♪By famous artists♪

♪In the middle of the spring♪

Minister Ke.

♪There is a rush of flowers♪

♪They remain gentle on smoggy nights♪

♪And blossom brightly on sunny days♪

♪Butterflies rest on the buds♪

♪Bees pursue the fragrance♪

♪Beautiful things leave praising poems♪

Minister Ke,

my father took a lot of trouble

to get this hump from the Western Regions.

♪Far better than deliberate ones♪

Don't you taste any?

I never take anything from civilians.

So, please do not disturb me.

Minister Ke, what do you think of this song?

The singing was just so-so.

However,

this girl played pipa beautifully.

Minister Ke is famous for his calligraphy.

He used to be a master of music, too.

It's really rare

that he compliments someone.

Thank you for your compliment, Minister Ke.

In this case,

Ms. Song, please play another tune.

Yes, Minister Duke Xiao.

It's boring to enjoy the pipa alone.

There should be more fun.

Deputy Commissioner Gu,

I heard you're a sword master.

Why not swing a sword with Ms. Song

just like what Ms. Gongsun and Lei Haiqing did

in the previous dynasty to celebrate my father's birthday?

It will be

a much told tale.

This isn't appropriate.

As the saying goes,

rules are rules.

Deputy Commissioner Gu used to be a Second-Rank Presented Scholar.

His Majesty promoted him personally.

If he dances with performers like us,

he'll be humiliated.

Besides,

Ms. Gongsun and Lei Haiqing

only performed together for their emperor.

Even if Minister Duke Xiao is a high-ranking official,

Young Master Xiao, you still need to watch your tongue.

Ridiculous!

Scholars value their self-esteem most.

You proposed something improper first.

I just told the truth.

Why am I ridiculous?

You...

Thank you, Ms. Song.

I'm indeed not good at dancing.

But I can do

a little bit of swordsmanship.

Is there any carp available?

Yes, yes.

The first emperor of our dynasty

bestowed Raw Perch Slices on Prime Minister Zhao Pu.

I'd like

to make this dish for Minister Duke Xiao's birthday.

Good!

(In Good Health)

(Diligence and Peace)

Orange is cut for raw fish slices.

The dish smells great.

Perfect fish...

Perfect fish and swordsmanship.

Inspector Gao was right.

Ms. Song,

I'm still waiting for your second tune.

Thank you for your appreciation.

The tune is called Liangzhou.

If you can't bear it,

fight back with your pipa

as if you held a sword.

Ms. Song, you look weak,

but you played pipa so vigorously.

With such wonderful skills,

you can be as famous as Lei Haiqing, the greatest musician of the Tang Dynasty.

Is this pipa made of thunder-struck wood?

Exactly.

Its name is Moon.

Awesome.

Get me the writing brush.

Ms. Song,

I'd like to write something as a thank-you gift.

Thank you, Minister Ke.

Minister Ke

hasn't written anything for others for decades.

Ms. Song, about what you said just now,

I couldn't agree more.

Scholars value

(Self-esteem by Ke Zheng) their self-esteem most!

Ms. Song, you have the same self-esteem, too.

I've been the Grand Secretary for more than ten years.

Tomorrow, I'm leaving the Eastern Capital for another job.

I have to entrust you

with the heavy responsibility of governing the state.

I hope you'll always have self-esteem!

Do not flatter anyone.

Do not crawl to anyone.

Do not be conceited.

Do not stick to extravagance.

You mustn't be wasteful or sycophantic.

You must be upright and frank!

Minister Ke made a great point.

Everybody, take up your cup with me

and let's make a toast

to see Minister Ke off.

To Minister Ke!

To Minister Ke.

Minister Ke, please stay.

Minister Ke.

Minister Ke.

You're old, after all.

Don't catch a cold.

Or His Majesty and us will have to worry about you.

Don't worry.

I've never done anything I'm ashamed of.

I'm not scared of ghosts

or any diseases.

When His Majesty wakes up

and no longer trusts treacherous officials,

he'll leave the evil empress and appoints the Crown Prince.

Then I'll come back and work for him.

Well,

let's wait and see, then.

Just you wait!

Minister Duke Xiao, I've got something else to attend to.

Sorry, but I have to leave.

Minister Duke Xiao,

at tomorrow's morning court, you'll be the Grand Secretary.

I'd highly appreciate your kind guidance.

You flatter me.

Sir,

after Minister Ke leaves,

you'll be the leader of upright officials.

I really expect you

to ask me for less trouble.

I would appreciate it.

Anyway,

we're colleagues.

If I can't sleep very well,

you have to be sleepless, too.

What do you think?

I'll take my leave.

Duke An.

I should go.

See you.

Ms. Song is back.

Let's have a look.

Ms. Song.

Is this what Minister Ke wrote?

(Self-esteem by Ke Zheng)

Don't touch it.

Ms. Song,

you became famous overnight.

You flatter me. I'm not that good.

Don't be modest.

Minister Ke praised you for your self-esteem.

Minister Ke?

There were many ministers there.

What makes Minister Ke different?

You don't know Minister Ke?

Ms. Song has just been here from the Jiangnan Region

for a couple of months.

Sorry. I forgot that.

Ms. Song, you have no idea.

Minister Ke has been the Prime Minister for 30 years.

He once supported His Majesty to go out to battle in the North Desert.

He's the backbone of the whole court.

Even if he's old now

and has to work in another city,

he's still a powerful upright official

and the leader of scholars.

If Presented Scholars or Hanlin Scholars

get any attention from Minister Ke,

they'll be too happy to fall asleep.

Unexpectedly,

he wrote something on your pipa.

Just wait.

In the future, a lot of people

will beg to listen to your music.

That's right.

- According to the officials, - Yeah.

it's easy to be praised by His Majesty,

but it's hard to be commented by Minister Ke.

Yeah.

Awesome.

You're so great.

Ms. Song, you're awesome.

Let's go.

Continue.

Why did you stop?

Haohao,

thank you for cooperating with me.

Don't say that. We're friends.

I still expect to cooperate with you.

I'll go get changed, then.

These days,

the temperature has gone up so quickly.

It's the weather in the Central Plains.

No wonder the Black Plum Drink sells well lately.

Pan'er,

should we buy some more ice?

I've ordered some.

It'll be delivered the day after tomorrow.

We not only need ice in the tea,

but also huge ice cubes in the snugs.

Otherwise,

when customers and music players crowd in one room,

how can they enjoy themselves?

I wonder how Yinzhang is doing

in Minister Duke Xiao's Mansion.

Don't worry about her.

Gu Qianfan promised

that he would protect her for you.

Besides, the Xiao's Mansion isn't a hazardous place.

She won't be hurt.

Pan'er.

Pan'er.

Relax.

Chief asked me to send you a message.

You should go to the Xiao's Mansion

and get Yinzhang back immediately.

Otherwise, she may not be able to come back.

What happened?

Great news.

Yinzhang played pipa very well

so that Minister Ke praised her

and even wrote something on her pipa.

Minister Ke wrote on her pipa?

Yeah.

Now the Xiao's Mansion is crowded

with people who want to see Yinzhang.

When the banquet is over,

it'll get worse.

Take care of the teahouse for me.

I'll go check on her.

Wait.

Iced Black Plum Drink. Take it.

I didn't mean to give this to you.

Sanniang made me.

Got it. Thanks.

Zhao Pan'er?

Stop the carriage.

Ms. Zhao.

Ms. Gao?

Is there anything wrong with your carriage?

The axle is broken.

Where are you going? Let me give you a ride.

All right.

Sorry to disturb you.

I was on my way to pick up Yinzhang,

but my carriage went broken.

Luckily, you passed by.

It's all right. It's the least I can do.

For what my wet nurse did...

I haven't apologized to you yet.

I'm sorry.

You don't need to apologize.

She did everything without letting you know.

But she did it in my name.

I have to apologize to you.

If you hadn't visited me,

I would never know

that she had done so many bad things

without letting me know.

Not only her,

but Ouyang Xu.

(To Ms. Gao)

Look. It's the letter he wrote to me.

All honeyed words and solemn vows.

When he was in the Eastern Capital

for the Imperial Examination,

he wrote such letters to me, too.

My father is right.

In case you told on him,

he made a fool of himself

so that he was demoted to a Taoist official in the Western Capital.

Now, he even wants to beguile me into going to the Western Capital

and eloping with him

so that what is done cannot be undone.

Then my father has to accept him

and transfer him back to the Eastern Capital.

You and I must have been blind.

Why did we like such a malicious man?

Maybe he wasn't so malicious before.

He was just seduced by the prosperous city.

I don't care.

I just know

whoever dares to deceive me

has to pay the price.

Go this way and you'll reach the west gate.

It's less crowded along this way.

I told Pan'er to pick you up.

The carriage will be waiting there.

Deputy Commissioner Gu, thank you for just now.

I should be thanking you for helping me out.

But remember.

No matter who you try to defend,

don't say anything so offensive again.

All right. This is where I leave you.

I'll visit you in the teahouse in a day or two.

Off you go.

Come, please.

Miss, are you lost?

Stay away!

Shall we walk you back home?

Stop!

Who?

Who are you?

Get lost!

Ms. Song, are you all right?

What are you doing here?

Informed by the Music Administrator,

I came to pick you up.

What?

Don't you thank me for helping you out?

Let's go.

Let go of me.

I'm going home.

Going home?

You're all alone.

Don't you fear you may run into ruffians again?

My boat is nearby.

Let me protect you.

Trust me.

Come on.

Let's go.

Deputy Commissioner Gu, this way.

When will the banquet be over?

In about one hour, I'm afraid.

Please tell Minister Duke Xiao

that I should go now.

Please stay.

Master specially said

that you sliced the fish

at the banquet

so that further embarrassment

had been avoided.

When the banquet is over,

he wants to drink with you.

I guess he'll be busy

instructing his own son.

I won't disturb them.

By the way, please tell him

that Ms. Song is

Zhao Pan'er's friend.

Entrusted by Pan'er,

I have to help her out.

He doesn't need

to investigate her secretly.

I'll take my leave.

Aye.

Haohao, you're back?

How was your performance?

You must have gained whole cheers.

Shut up.

Say "Hello, sir."

Say it.

I didn't ask you to peck me.

Say "Hello, sir."

Not "Ah." Say "Hello, sir."

"Hello, sir."

Stop. Ask it to stop!

Sounds terrible.

When were you back?

What?

Your performance bombed?

It didn't at all!

When did my performance bomb?

Then why are you losing your temper on me?

Did anyone

bully you on your way back?

Tell me. I'll teach him a lesson.

Come on. You can't even afford to offend him.

I can't?

Then I shall make a detour.

You know what?

Making a detour does some good.

Look. I made a detour here

and I bought you a grackle.

It cost 30 strings.

It chirps as beautifully as you sing.

Come on. Chirp.

Say "Hello, sir."

Say "Hello, sir."

Make it stop!

Are you out of your mind?

Why are you losing your temper on it?

It took me so much trouble

to get this bird to you!

It cost 30 strings!

Why are you yelling at me for simply 30 strings?

It's not just about money!

But I asked for a pair of crickets!

Crickets, crickets!

They escaped!

Escaped? I think you were just tricked.

How can you call yourself a businessman?

I wasn't tricked!

What's wrong with you?

Your performance bombed, but why are you snapping at me?

My performance didn't bomb!

Come on.

Just admit it.

Your performance didn't bomb?

Then you must have lost to someone else

even if you tried your best!

Did you lose to Song Yinzhang?

What? I hit the nail, right?

What did I tell you?

I asked you to stay away from those three jinxes!

You just didn't listen.

You're so stupid.

When people adored you,

did you really think

you were a singing genius?

You practice singing every other day.

What about Song Yinzhang?

She's more talented,

more beautiful,

and even younger than you!

Say it again.

All right.

Speaking of talent, appearance, and age,

you're all inferior to Song Yinzhang!

You!

If I had expected this day,

I wouldn't have listened to your sugared words

and got together with you.

Say it again, too!

All right.

I, Zhang Haohao,

regret getting together with you.

Did you get it?

Fine.

I got together with you

just because we liked each other.

Now that you're fed up,

I'll just leave!

(Farewell!)

I didn't allow you to interrogate that criminal

not because I wanted the Imperial Guards to take credit from you

but I wanted to protect you instead.

Thank you for defending me.

How about this?

I'll ask them to come again.

As for that criminal... What will you do?

I get it.

I'll tell others

the criminal failed to bear the torture

and then committed suicide.

Good.

You're done with the Hat Demon case.

Let the Imperial Guards take care of the rest.

Yes.

Ms. Song,

have some tea and cool down.

Actually,

I've always wanted to tell you something.

I've never seen

such a delicate

and talented young lady like you.

You're a treasure.

You're not supposed to fall into the mire.

Let me take care of you and protect you,

will you?

Though the dignitaries are polite to us usually,

after all,

we are of pariah status.

We should remember our status.

With my connections with the Music Administrator,

it's easy for me to help you

drop the performer status,

let alone offer you a chance to perform for His Majesty.

What? You don't want it?

No.

My mind is just a mess.

Could you let me think it over?

May I reply in a couple of days?

Of course.

I've been waiting for such a long time.

I don't rush.

But I believe

you will say yes one day.

Why?

Because you're already famous in the Eastern Capital.

You're the lady

Minister Ke praised.

How can you still play pipa

for those pedantic scholars

in the teahouse?

And I...

I will build a big house for a treasure like you.

How is a lady from an official family

involved with music performers

in the Music Division?

Ms. Zhao is from a decent family.

She's running a teahouse

on Mahang Street.

What?

She's a businesswoman?

She saved my life.

In my heart,

there's no difference between officials and civilians.

So, if you think my proposal to her

will disgrace you...

Stop, stop.

I was just trying to be more considerate.

Don't always be sarcastic.

Qianfan,

do you remember your wish?

I wished to be a Fifth-Rank official

and get my mother mandated.

You told me personally

that you didn't like to do martial arts.

You wanted to be a civil official

and take a much-honored position

so that you could collect works of the Gu Family.

That's my lifetime goal.

But if you marry Zhao Pan'er,

you can never be a civil official.

No laws prohibit officials

from marrying businesswomen.

But you used to be a military officer.

The Fifth Rank is high enough for you.

If your wife used to be a businesswoman,

those imperial censors won't let you get away with it.

Qianfan,

think more carefully about it.

Chief.

Anything wrong?

Later, submit a report for me,

saying the criminal committed suicide

because he couldn't bear the torture.

And then?

Give his body to whoever comes for it.

OK.

The Hat Demon case is such a big case.

Imperial Guards work for His Majesty.

It's better to give them

such a difficult case.

I shouldn't have said that.

Not your problem.

I'm just wondering something.

What's wrong, Chief?

Even I didn't have time

to interrogate that criminal.

How did he figure out

that Duke An was behind

the Hat Demon case?

Who?

The man I just met.

Then he's very likely

to be the real evil-doer of the Hat Demon case.

Master,

I'll go get some dry wood

and some food.

All right.

Why are you back so quickly?

Are you Ouyang Xu?

Who are you?

I came to get something from you.

What is it?

Don't you know what you have?

Trying to rob me?

Search!

(I won't fail your affection.)

(Miss Hui)

What are you looking for?

I got it.

♪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♪