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 29=

Hurry.

I'm not dreaming, am I?

I'll become a restaurant owner.

(Zhao Pan'er Ge Zhaodi Song Yinzhang Sun Sanniang)

Will you press your fingerprint?

Sure.

(Zhao Pan'er Ge Zhaodi Song Yinzhang Sun Sanniang)

Mr. Du, please.

OK.

Well, the contract is in duplicate.

Keep the copies safe respectively.

The receipt of the first 600 strings of coins...

Yeah, it's here.

Well, the receipt of the 600 strings,

you should keep it safe, too.

The remaining 600 strings

shall be paid when the deal is settled

after seven days.

Then the owner of the restaurant will officially change.

- Thanks, Mr. Du. - Thanks, Mr. Du.

Thanks, Mr. Du.

You're welcome.

What's wrong with you?

Brother,

I finally get a chance to talk with you.

Don't call me brother.

Did you drown your worries in drinks because you suffered a setback

in marrying Zhao Pan'er?

As the commissioner of the Capital Security Office,

you violated the regulations and got drunk.

Aren't you afraid of being punished?

How did you know something happened between us?

Of course I know.

I was the one who found out

her family history.

She's really a poor thing.

As the daughter of an official,

how come she reduced to

an official performer?

It was because of her father,

the Chief Military Inspector of Ningbian Army, Zhao Qian,

dispatched troops to save people without authorization

while the imperial court was negotiating peace over a decade ago.

He then was impeached and sentenced to a felony.

His wife and daughter were implicated.

But who was the speech official that impeached him?

Our father,

the Secretary in the Council at that time.

Loving the people and being adept with both the pen and the sword,

Zhao Qian was a good official.

It was really unjust that he died in exile.

But you can't blame Minister Duke Xiao.

After all, Zhao Qian resisted the imperial edict first,

which almost ruined the peace plan.

Our father impeached him according to the law.

He did his job.

Only it's too bad for my big brother.

Your future father-in-law was killed by your own father.

With such a blood feud,

how can you still get married?

You want to hit me?

Let go of me.

I'll tell you something interesting.

Do you know who had Zhao Qian's personnel file

put on your table?

It wasn't me.

It was our father.

Have you checked her?

As a father, it's normal that I rush about hundreds of miles

for my son.

But if my son does the same thing for a woman,

I must check her out.

Otherwise,

I must be a fool.

She saved my life.

Take your father's advice.

Though the woman

has dropped her pariah status,

she isn't a good match for you.

Commissioner Gu,

do you know how miserable you are now?

How could you be so stupid?

You think he will let you marry Zhao Pan'er?

He never did

and never shall.

According to him,

no matter you, me

or his relatives,

we are all his tools used to fight for power.

How could he allow you to marry a businesswoman,

a former official performer who has a blood feud with him?

Don't ever speak of her in that way.

Fine. Forget about her.

Let's talk about our father.

I just told him what I found out.

If he really wanted to help you,

he would have erased the traces

of the matter for good.

He wouldn't have let you know

or made things difficult for you.

But, no.

He just pretended that nothing had happened.

Maintaining his composure,

he had the file put in front of you.

As a prig,

how can you face Zhao Pan'er after knowing that?

I'm getting married soon.

I'm going to marry

Zhao Pan'er, the woman who

came to the Eastern Capital from Qiantang with me.

No way.

I remember she was a singing performer.

How could she deserve you?

She surely deserves me.

The son of a treacherous official and a former singing performer

make a good match.

Qianfan.

It isn't just a fling.

Maybe you think

she is just a lowly businesswoman.

But deep down in my heart,

she is a unique treasure.

In the dark life I've been living for over ten years,

she is my only hope

and only light.

So,

please show mercy.

Don't use your covert tricks

to separate us.

Fine. Fine.

Make your decision.

Make your own decision, all right?

So you'll definitely leave her

and sink into sadness.

When you're weak and sad,

as a loving father,

he'll show up every now and then,

and comfort you a little.

Like a drowning man

holds on to a plank of drift wood,

you won't do without him.

You'll become his most capable son.

You won't resist him again.

You'll help him to consolidate his position

as the Grand Secretary.

That's our father,

who is circumspect and plans very carefully.

Why did you tell me these?

Because I'm jealous of you.

I hate you.

My surname is Xiao.

I'm the eldest son of his wife.

But in his opinion,

only you deserve to be his son.

I tried to sow discord between you.

So what?

You think he has feelings?

No,

he uses everything he's got

and manipulates everyone.

(Your future father-in-law was killed by your own father.)

(With such a blood feud,)

(how can you still get married?)

(How could you be so stupid?)

(You think he will let you marry Zhao Pan'er?)

(He never did)

(and never shall.)

(You think he has feelings?)

(No, he uses everything he's got)

(and manipulates everyone.)

(I had a nightmare again.)

(Are you in danger?)

(You must turn ill luck into good.)

(I need to discuss with you)

(about the name of my new restaurant.)

(Buddha bless you.)

(The Three Manifestations bless you.)

(The God of Earth bless you.)

(Father, Mother,)

(I wish your spirit)

(bless his safe return.)

How is he?

Not good.

How is he?

I don't know. Be patient.

How is he?

Don't worry.

The physician said

his unhealed old wound has caused an uneven pulse.

He won't wake up till the blood stasis

is dissipated through acupuncture.

What about the official business?

- Yes. - Right. What shall we do?

Be quiet.

Mr. Lei used to be away from the Office a lot,

and we attended to our own duties well.

Everyone,

we are all promoted by Mr. Lei.

One flourishes, and the others flourish.

One loses, and the others lose.

I'm sure you all know.

Mr. Lei still enjoys imperial favor.

His condition isn't life-threatening.

He'll wake up several days later.

Let's keep the secret

as we were asked to,

and do our job well as usual.

Do you really want to

live in the shadow of the Living Devil?

- Aye. - Aye.

Dismiss.

Sir, please wake up soon.

Xiaochang, what's wrong with you?

How did you injure Ma'am's hand?

Be careful next time.

The physician has come.

Does it still hurt?

The wires hurt my hand.

It happens.

Why did you make such a fuss

and send for a physician?

I couldn't take care of you before.

Now you're with me,

I must cherish you.

Come.

Sit down.

The physician is coming.

Come here, please.

- Take a look at her hand. - Please.

Her hand mustn't be hurt.

Thank you.

Here's the honorarium.

Thank you, Mr. Shen.

See you.

How is it? Does it still hurt?

Don't be so careless again.

You've been absent-minded today.

Is it because Zhao Pan'er

sent someone to see you?

She is a businesswoman

and is used to playing tricks.

Now that you've broken up with her,

you should stay away from her.

She is a businesswoman, so what?

I ran a teahouse with her.

Do you think I'm used to playing tricks, too?

Why do you still speak for her?

You're really loving sisters.

Even if I hate her,

it's between me and her.

Others don't get to speak ill of her.

Am I one of others?

If you're not,

what do you mean by

"now you're with me"?

Ruzhuo,

you've been kind to me these days.

Beautiful dresses and nice food, you gave me everything.

But I want to know,

in your mind,

am I just one of the pretty women you've pursued

or your future wife?

Of course the latter.

Why do you doubt it?

Doesn't everyone in the mansion

call you Ma'am?

Then when do we get married?

I was going to talk about it with you.

Before we get married,

I'd better help you to drop the status.

Why?

Didn't you say

you're close to the Music Administrator

and it's a piece of cake?

Are there any difficulties?

There are not.

But it's not that easy

to get the thing done.

Don't be upset.

Let me explain.

If an official performer wants to drop her status,

she must have a fair reason.

She may get married, grow old,

or be rewarded by the imperial court.

If I want you to be my concubine,

I would simply ask the Music Administrator

to do me a favor.

But if I want you to be my legal wife,

I can't do that.

Otherwise, the speech officials won't spare me.

And you

will feel humiliated in front of other ladies

for the rest of your life.

So, the best way

is to find you another reason to drop the status.

After that, we'll find a good family

to adopt you.

Do you think it's reasonable?

There we go.

Let's think of a better way.

For our future happiness,

I'll try my best, and you should too.

What can I do?

Nothing difficult.

Just go out with me and socialize.

You've got Minister Ke's autograph.

If you win praise from some important officials

at poetry and music gatherings,

we can naturally ask them

to speak for you

in front of the Music Administrator

and help you to drop the status.

You want me to please those officials?

How could I?

I just want you to talk with them occasionally.

When you have time,

play one or two tunes for them.

Now you're famous in the Eastern Capital.

Who dares to disrespect you?

Yinzhang,

I know you're of noble nature.

You don't want to please people.

So,

I didn't bring it up till now.

For our future happiness,

would you compromise a little?

Really?

Of course.

In the future,

I must live a prouder and happier life than others.

To realize that,

I'll endure any hardship.

Sweetheart.

How dare you lie to me!

Do you think I couldn't tell

it's Censor Qi who is playing the zither?

If the business is delayed,

you're a dead man.

Report to him again.

Just say the painting I have

is related to Gu Qianfan of the Capital Security Office.

Please ask Censor Qi to see me.

Thank you.

The Night Revels?

Let him in.

Aye.

Hasn't Chen Lian come back yet?

His mother and his two sisters

were polite to me,

but they didn't know

when he would return home.

What shall we do?

We must pay the 600 strings tomorrow.

We can't find Mr. Gu anywhere.

If we don't get enough money,

we'll not only lose Wangyue Restaurant,

but also lose the teahouse.

I know it clearly.

Now, we can only count on Pan'er.

For what it's worth,

when you see her later,

don't blame her.

As for the title deed,

the three of us made the decision together.

We shouldn't blame it on her.

The dozens of strings you lose,

I'll find a way to pay you back.

Sanniang, what kind of person do you think I am?

I read few books,

but I know

friends should share weal

and woe.

Pan'er.

How is it going?

I went everywhere I could.

I asked the people of the Capital Security Office.

They said he wasn't there

and they didn't know when he would return.

Sanniang, Zhaodi,

I'm sorry to implicate you.

But I'll believe Qianfan

this time.

I don't think he's a man of that sort.

I believe him, too.

He is the Commissioner of the Capital Security Office.

His Majesty must have given him

some important missions.

Don't think you implicated us.

When I jumped into the river,

I didn't have a coin.

All I had were the clothes on me.

But we've opened a teahouse and earned money

through hard work.

We can make money

or lose money.

If we lose everything,

we can always start from scratch.

Exactly.

I don't care about the money.

Pan'er, why do you care about it?

Thanks.

I'll ask the owner of Wangyue Restaurant

to give us a few more days.

I'll make you some food.

Let me help you.

Come.

I'm honored to see you, Censor Qi.

This is The Night Revels.

I heard the maiden name of a prestigious lady in the palace

is Liu Wan.

If she was a concubine of Xue Que,

the Transport Commissioner of Xichuan Region,

before she joined the imperial harem,

she must be convicted of deceiving the monarch

and stealing the Empress's position.

I've checked it carefully.

The painting is authentic.

If there's no secret in it,

why would the Capital Security Office search it all over the country

and force me all the way to the Western Capital?

Nonsense!

Framing the Empress,

as a lowly official,

what punishment do you deserve?

I've reached the end of the rope.

Why would I be afraid of the great calamity?

But you are

the leader of the scholar ministers,

how can you easily admit defeat

to Xiao Qinyan, the treacherous official of the Empress Party?

I'd like to give you the painting

and my life.

I'll serve you faithfully.

Before I keep a dog,

I must think about what meat it eats in the future.

Not to mention the dog

once offended the Gao Family.

Because I once offended the Gao Family,

I'll be loyal to you forever.

If you help me to get rid of the title of Taoist Temple Administrator,

let me join your party

and return to the Eastern Capital,

not to mention meat,

even if you ask me to eat dirt,

I won't hesitate.

You want to eat dirt?

I've changed the dirt of the bonsai today.

Why don't you try it?

Someone.

Give my words to Baoyi Na.

Tell him,

His Majesty hasn't seen him

and doesn't know what he looks like.

If he doesn't appreciate the favor tomorrow

and accept the title Deputy Commissioner Ouyang is about to confer on him,

I don't mind changing a more obedient Baoyi.

Aye.

How does it taste?

Like meat.

If you can really help me defeat Empress Liu and Xiao Qinyan,

the meat will be

more and more delicious.

Master,

your mouth...

Woof.

Master, are you all right?

One of my bones was removed just now.

It hurts a bit.

We can go back to the Eastern Capital.

What's the big deal with a bone?

Woof.

Woof.

Woof.

Extend the deadline?

You know we came from Qiantang.

It isn't that easy to deliver money from there.

So it takes a few more days.

What about this,

the remaining 600 strings,

give us seven more days to pay off.

I'll pay you three percent interest each day.

Ms. Zhao,

you're in the Eastern Capital, not Qiantang.

We do business

according to the contract.

Black characters on white paper.

Every term must be abided.

If you fail to pay me the remaining money tomorrow,

I'm sorry,

the deal is canceled.

According to the contract,

the deposit we paid,

you must return half of it.

Sure.

But I'm a little short of money.

If I have to return the money to you,

I shall do it gradually.

It will take a year.

You bully us to the extreme!

So what?

Did I repudiate your money?

The contract just fixed

the date you pay me,

not the date I refund your money.

If you don't agree,

sue me in the government.

I'm sorry.

Even if we go to the government,

our odds are not good.

It was my fault that I didn't find the loophole.

(Middleman Scrivener Du Changfeng)

Don't worry.

I'm the middleman.

I have responsibilities, too.

I have some spare money

and title deeds.

I'll withdraw the money.

By borrowing some more and pawning the deeds,

it won't be hard to scrape 300 strings.

I appreciate your kindness.

But I have to pay 600 strings tomorrow.

That's too much.

I can't even keep the teahouse now.

If I borrow your money,

I don't know

when I can pay you back.

It's no big deal.

But if you don't scrape the money,

you'll lose the teahouse

and Wangyue Restaurant as well.

All your efforts

in the Eastern Capital will be in vain, isn't it?

It is.

All in vain.

What about this,

could you go beg the pawnshop

to lend you 300 strings more,

or ask them

to allow you to run the teahouse

in order to pay them back?

What? Zhao Pan'er comes to beg me?

Put me down.

Get off.

Where is she?

At the door.

Good. Good. Good!

Let her in.

Zhao Pan'er comes to beg me.

Thank goodness.

She finally has to beg me.

Sir,

shall we hurry up to freshen up

and get changed?

Does an arrogant man like me

need to get changed just for her?

Sir.

Ms. Zhao, Mr. Chi is like a child.

He is immature.

He holds grudges against you.

He'll probably give you a hard time.

Just put up with it.

The thing may take a favorable turn.

Thanks.

I'm under his roof now, I know.

Ms. Zhao,

your coral hairpin is beautiful.

This way.

I'm sorry I offended you before.

But better to get rid of an enmity than keep it alive.

For old times' sake,

please give us a little more time.

Old times?

What old times do we share?

The times when you grabbed my ball

or when you won me in gambling?

Don't you have Gu Qianfan?

Doesn't he have money?

Doesn't he have helpers?

Why do you come to beg me?

I get it.

You're alone now,

just like them.

He dumped you.

What? You don't agree?

Are you still chirping?

Are you trying to

find more excuses for him?

All men

are the same.

They can love you very much.

But once they get bored,

or get into trouble,

just like the birds,

whoosh, they fly away.

Qianfan isn't a man of that sort.

Aren't you smart usually?

How could you be so foolish now?

Gu Qianfan is my dead enemy.

If he still harbors a little affection for you,

would he let you beg me?

Look at you.

You look exactly the same

as the suckers outside the theaters who don't believe the performers

would deny them.

Because I'm reduced to a sucker,

would you lend me another 300 strings?

OK.

Kneel down and kowtow for three times. Beg me.

Mr. Chi, please help me.

It was perfunctory.

It wasn't sincere.

What else do you want me to do?

I heard you were a singing performer before.

Why don't you sing the Resentful Wife for me?

I'll lend you the money as long as you sing it to me.

The Resentful Wife?

What? Are you reluctant?

Then forget about the money.

You can leave now.

You just want to see

how I miss my man, don't you?

I don't know how to sing the song.

What about a dance?

A dance?

Fine, a dance

will do.

Get him a chair.

Hurry.

I can tell

it's a lonely wife missing her husband who is on the battlefield.

Mr. Chi, are you satisfied?

Satisfied.

Not at all!

Since you're satisfied,

could you give me the money?

I didn't say I was satisfied.

I said "not at all".

I just heard "satisfied".

Mr. Chi,

I danced for you and kowtowed to you.

If you go back on your word,

can you still call yourself a man?

Go to the treasury

and bring her the deposit receipt.

Who lets you move the chair?

Hold on.

The money isn't a small amount.

You ask to use it for over six months.

I can't loan it without a pledge.

I still have two paintings.

Forget about the worthless paintings.

Come here.

I want this.

Did Gu Qianfan give it to you?

I want it.

Why? Are you reluctant?

Then forget about the money.

Since Gu Qianfan dumped you,

why don't you

be my lover?

Not to mention 300 strings...

Chi Pan,

you're ugly,

yet you dare crave for a beauty.

I'll wipe out the disgrace

you bestowed upon me one day.

Am I ugly? Nonsense!

Go get her!

Sir, calm down.

What did I do to her?

She slapped me

and said I'm ugly!

My mother has never slapped me!

Many young ladies out there

want to be my lovers!

She gave me a loud slap.

I'm so upset.

Don't be upset.

Let me blow it.

My face is still burning.

Let me blow 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♪