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 33=

I thought it was weird before.

Chen Lian

would never lie to me about this.

Maybe the North Envoy was the true reason

that they didn't say a word

and tell you anything about him.

But he was in the carriage that day.

Why didn't he get off the carriage and see me?

Thank you.

Go back to your business.

OK.

♪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♪

♪An ever-lasting hope♪

♪Makes my eyes glow for you♪

(There's no but.)

I may be dull

in love,

and I know nothing about sweet talks.

But just like you,

once my decision is made,

I don't regret it.

♪I'd endure hardships of the journey♪

Class, prestige, social status,

all these mean nothing

to someone whose life

is always on the line

like me.

You just said,

whether the tea grows on a hill in Qiantang

or in the imperial garden,

as long as it has good quality,

someone will appreciate it.

I, Gu Qianfan, would like to be that person.

♪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♪

(Three days later)

- So nice. - It's so beautiful.

Look. Look at that.

So beautiful.

- Nice. - Nice.

(Yong'an Restaurant) Another one.

Come on, let's check that out.

Watch out.

Bravo!

This way. This way.

- Nice. - Wonderful!

Excellent.

- Bravo! - Bravo!

The place is boisterous.

Good. Good.

Darting flame.

Indeed.

Come on.

This way, please.

- OK. - OK.

So good.

Very good.

It's very nice.

So pretty.

Looks fabulous.

Please. Please.

Come on. Come on.

Here.

Come on. Come on.

Excellent.

- Nice. - Good.

Bravo. Bravo.

- Bravo. - Bravo.

- Bravo. - Bravo.

Nice.

- Bravo. - Bravo.

What is this dance?

I wonder, as well.

This is Western Heavenly Maids Dance.

In Indian mythology,

Gandharva and other deities worship the Buddha by dancing.

Flowers fall from the sky.

This dance conveys that connotation.

Bravo.

Ms. Zhao.

The dance is amazing.

Can we afford the food here

moving forward?

- Can we? - Right. Can we?

Don't worry.

Yong'an Restaurant has three pavilions.

Yiyuan Pavilion is for distinguished guests.

Qianshan Pavilion is to cater to all classes.

And of course, Wanshui Pavilion.

It is also Wazi

where provides different performances every day.

Wazi?

Wazi inside a restaurant?

That's interesting.

We must go check it out.

- Come on. - Come on.

It's nice, isn't it?

Good.

Guys.

People say

business is like the season.

The new replaces the old.

I give my best wishes to Yong'an Restaurant.

- Great! - Great!

- Best wishes! - Best wishes!

(Yong'an Restaurant) Brilliant.

The place is teeming with people.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Here are your dishes.

This is Jade Chess Piece.

OK. OK.

This is Soup of Celestials.

A feast for the eyes.

Jade Chess Piece

is steamed fresh shrimp wrapped in sticky rice flour.

Soup of Celestials

is a flavorful soup made with wild ingredients.

Please enjoy.

Good. Good.

Come on. Let's have a taste.

Here we go.

Now you know what licking chops really means.

- More dishes. - Here it comes.

You ordered these.

Fried quail.

Stir-fried clams.

Abalone pouch.

Double perilla fish.

OK. OK.

Please enjoy.

Ms. Zhao is here.

Ms. Zhao.

- Thank you for coming. - Hello.

- Ms. Zhao. - Hmm?

Could you please tell me why it's stir-fried?

It's a new cooking skill from Yangzhou.

With strong fire, hot oil,

the food is cooked on an iron plate.

It's kind of like frying,

but it's only better.

That's new.

Really?

So many questions.

Sir, just try it.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I will.

Come on.

So?

It's just…

Is it difficult to swallow

or hard to describe?

It's unbelievable

that such a unique delicacy exists in this world.

It's flavorful, but with a creamy texture.

I'd like to try one as well.

So?

It's beyond words.

Beyond words.

What did I say again?

I told you to try it.

Even I give it a high rating.

So it mustn't be bad.

Even the dishes for the hall diners are fabulous.

I wonder what the food for the private rooms tastes like…

The private rooms are in Yiyuan Pavilion,

and I promise the food is only better.

Then we must try it.

We're going now.

Sorry, Yiyuan Pavilion is not open today.

Why?

The first batch of guests that Yiyuan Pavilion will serve

are 12 most renowned scholars

in the Eastern Capital.

By then, we will use the best ingredients

for the Flower and Moon Banquet.

and Ms. Song will play at the banquet.

I wonder

which 12 scholars may have the privilege?

Me, too.

Who will be so lucky?

Tomorrow, we will send out 12 pieces of invitations.

I wonder who will receive them.

Uh…

Please enjoy.

All right. All right.

The invitations, huh?

Mr. Yuan, I'm sure you will receive one.

No, no.

You will receive one.

Well, of course, I will.

(Wang's Smithing)

(Smithing)

I'd like to open up a restaurant.

Don't act like it's a tricky problem.

There are compromises between a couple.

That's the way it is.

Since I ask to borrow money from you,

I owe you a favor.

I know you're willing

to help us one or two times.

But what would happen at the tenth time?

No matter how many times, I'll always help you.

You made the choice.

Are you sure about it?

If you stay faithful,

so will I.

Do you remember? You didn't allow me to cry.

And I didn't allow you to smile like this.

Now that we're together,

I'll share

half of the weal and woe with you.

Pan'er,

I'll remember everything

that you have done for me lately.

In the future,

I'll repay you double.

Nice. Brilliant.

Our dear guests.

Yong'an Restaurant shall hold a Flower and Moon Banquet tonight.

We expect to see 12…

(We expect to see 12 gastronomes) 12 what?

(at 7:00 PM sharp.) 12 what?

I don't know this word.

Only you can work it out.

If I was to do the job,

I would never use the word.

Yong'an Restaurant

will become a hit.

(Price: 50 strings of copper coins)

Success isn't easy for a new business.

The Flower and Moon Banquet

will decide.

Pan'er, the price is too high.

In the Eastern Capital, 50 strings of coins

can pay for half-year rent.

Pan'er, don't you think we're pricing it too high?

It's always difficult for a new business to attract guests.

But we can't continue the low-price strategy that we used for the teahouse.

A high price

is the best hype.

But what dishes should I cook

to be worth that price?

No one can make the food worth that much.

I want them to feel

that the banquet is worthwhile.

50 strings of copper coins? Will they find it worthwhile?

Can we do that?

That's why I said

Yiyuan Pavilion wasn't ready for guests tonight.

We need time

for the entire Eastern Capital

to start talking about us.

And because

we've got everybody hyped,

the banquet tomorrow

must reach the level of perfection.

Don't worry.

My men

will guard the restaurant well.

If anyone looks for trouble,

they will be thrown into the river.

Very good.

Have you got the invitation?

I'm afraid only a master scholar like Mr. Liu Jiu

has the privilege to receive the invitation.

Master, here's the invitation from Yong'an Restaurant.

What?

Look.

The invitation from Yong'an Restaurant?

Yes.

(Our dear guests)

Our dear guests.

They use the Xuetao Envelope.

Yong'an Restaurant shall hold a Flower and Moon Banquet tonight.

We expect to see 12 gastronomes

at 7:00 PM sharp.

Nice drawing.

Nice calligraphy. Nice verses.

Yes.

It takes decades of practice

to achieve

the technique of Darting White.

(Price: 50 strings of copper coins)

Price, 50 strings of copper coins?

Mr. Zhuoshi,

can I take a look?

Here.

It doesn't have a name on it.

What if you don't give it back to me

after you take a look?

I'm off.

I've got the invitation.

I'm going home.

I've got it.

Cheap.

Sir.

(Yong'an Restaurant)

(Our dear guests)

Stop playing the music and stop dancing.

I've got it. I've got it.

- Congratulations, Mr. Liu Jiu. - Congratulations, Mr. Liu Jiu.

(Yong'an Restaurant)

(Our dear guests)

(Price: 50 strings of copper coins)

Ms. Song knows manners.

How come no one ushers us?

It says the banquet is in Yiyuan Pavilion.

Um…

Are we at the wrong place?

No way.

I mean…

It's just…

What's going on?

W-What's the meaning of this?

Right.

Anybody?

Open the door.

- Open the door! - Open the door!

Open the door!

Anyone? Open the door.

- Open the door! - Open the door!

That's interesting.

Easy.

Put it here. Just leave it here.

Look at that old man. That one.

Smoke.

More.

Amazing.

That's He Si.

That chubby fellow

is He Si who works for Chi Pan.

It's…

Preparing Newly Woven Silk.

The masterpiece of Zhang Xuan from the Tang dynasty.

T-T-The Court Ladies Wearing Hairpins.

A work of Zhou Fang.

Yes, and no.

Real and unreal.

Yong'an Restaurant brings the content of the paintings to life.

Wonderful. Amazing.

Bravo. Bravo.

- Bravo. Bravo. - Bravo.

Bravo. Bravo.

The performance is worth every penny we spent.

It's excellent.

It's so worthwhile.

Just amazing.

I'd like to watch it again

even if it'll cost me another 100 strings.

Yes.

Bravo.

- Bravo. - Bravo.

- Bravo. - Bravo.

Bravo

- Bravo. - Bravo.

- Bravo. - Bravo.

(Yong'an Restaurant)

He's gone to the imperial court.

Tonight, I wish to get drunk with you gentlemen.

Fairy lady, what is this drink?

If the host gets me drunk,

I don't care where I am.

It's the storax and tulip wine

in the after-rain green porcelain bowl.

Storax and tulip wine,

amber glitter inside the jade bowl.

Fabulous.

It's the wine

that celestials drink.

First up, chrysanthemum drink.

Fragrant crunchy plum.

Carved preserved fruit.

Crystal cold cake.

The instrument plays the lament,

the twig competes with the spring.

Second round. Xi Shi clams.

Dried scallop soup.

Steamed bass.

Lotus bun.

Morning moths on the fan,

red tulips bloom in spring.

Emotions bring out tears.

The performance is amazing. The food is quite tasty.

Finally, white kidney.

Boiled green plum dough.

Crab meat in orange.

Almond and mutton.

Please.

This is bliss.

The banquet is worth every penny.

Yes, indeed.

Too early for the comment.

Please look out the window.

Ah?

It's so nice.

Excellent.

Look over that.

- Nice. - Bravo.

Good.

Look. Look.

Good.

- Nice. - Very good.

I would like

to receive the invitation someday.

You have good taste.

Ms. Zhao is indeed a fine performer.

She manages to make the opening ceremony of a restaurant

as lively as a festival celebration.

So? Your injury is almost healed, right?

When will you get married?

I haven't seen her for a long time.

Did you have a fight?

It's common for a young couple.

Just listen to your dad.

No matter what the misunderstanding is between you,

you need to clear the air face to face.

Sometimes, waiting and guess

are more hurtful than wrangle.

It happened between your mom and me.

Never mind.

Don't worry.

I won't interfere with your choice.

Of course, you won't.

Because you only arrange

girls from noble families for me.

Why don't I have the courage to see her?

I believe you know why.

Why would a girl

marry the son of the man who plotted her father's death?

Stop trying to talk me around.

You think

you won't raise my suspicion by doing this,

or is everybody

an exploitable chess piece

in your eyes?

What are you talking about?

I'm not that kind of a person.

I'm the Commissioner

of the Capital Security Office,

I don't make groundless accusations.

In the Hat Demon case,

you used me

to hit Qi Mu hard.

That was the last time. I won't help you ever again.

Minister Duke Xiao.

I won't marry the noble girls you arranged for me.

I disown the Xiao Family.

Nor will I allow myself and the Capital Security Office

to serve as your tool in your power struggle.

Why?

Did I not help with your promotion

so that your wish of transferring

your mother's grave is fulfilled?

Isn't it my blood running in your veins?

Can't you just use your power

to give your old man a hand?

Can't you?

I can't.

The Capital Security Office

serves the people,

not you ministers

or your political conflicts.

As to your blood.

I'll give it right back to you.

What are you doing?

This is sheer idiocy.

Don't worry.

I'm not going to kill myself.

I'm told

that human body has ten cups of blood.

I lost two cups

when I saved you in the boat,

I puked another two cups

after I learned that you plotted the death of Pan'er's father.

Now I'll return another cup to you.

Our father-son relationship

ends right here.

Qian-Qianfan.

Don't worry about me.

Worry about yourself.

I know why you asked me to come here.

You're worried

that Qi Mu is after something

as he returned to the Eastern Capital

at the cost of his integrity.

All right, one last warning.

Ouyang Xu, Qi Mu's new confidential follower,

will soon become Gao Hu's son-in-law for the second time.

This is all I'm going to tell you.

Pan'er, why did you put a mouse trap here?

Because there're mice running around.

Pan'er.

Mr. Gu?

Gu Qianfan,

what are you doing here?

I'd like to talk to Pan'er.

You want an invitation card

because we know you, huh?

I tell you what, it's not happening.

Pan'er.

Pan'er,

I have something important to tell you.

Take your stuff away.

Pan'er.

Zhaodi, send him away.

Pan'er.

Pan'er.

Mr. Gu, please.

Sorry that I got your clothes wet.

But I really took you for a thief for a moment.

I learned the trick from Chen Lian.

He said the water trace

could lead us to the thief.

Pan'er looks pale.

Has she been working too hard

managing Yong'an Restaurant?

Mr. Gu,

do you think you still have the right

to be concerned about her?

Zhaodi, that's enough.

You need to leave now.

Harder. I don't feel anything.

You'll get a scratch if I go harder.

Damaging your body is a serious crime.

You're the Empress.

You and I are one.

No one will convict you of that.

(Liu Wan, the Empress) Ke Zheng

and Qi Mu,

and all the other upright officials

think I'm stealing the power.

They all wish me to disappear.

That's what speech officials do.

When Ke Zheng presented himself before me,

I nearly got his spit on my face.

Just bear with them.

They know

I give you the authority to review the memorials

because my migraine is back again.

Just look at it this way, they're criticizing me.

You're my husband.

I still feel bad.

The pomegranate blossom is red as fire.

Do you know there's a dish

called Peach Blossom in Snow at Yong'an Restaurant?

It's pomegranate seeds in sour cream cake.

Red dots in white.

The maids are gossiping again.

(Did you try it?)

(No.)

It's fine.

(They told me, it looks pretty and tastes delicious.)

Look at them.

They are only

about five years older than Shouyi.

Why must you regulate them?

When I see them,

it reminds me of years ago

- when I just met you. - (What else?)

Tell me more.

Also, there's Wazi

in Wanshui Pavilion.

I've heard there's even a female wrestling game.

When I'm on my days off,

I have to check that out.

The cross talk is over.

Is this Yong'an Restaurant

that nice?

How about this?

When I get better,

I'll take you out.

We'll try something new as well.

Thank you in advance, Your Majesty.

You're coughing again.

It's fine. It's fine.

Maybe it's just the summer heat.

I've summoned Taoist Baoyi here to give me a lecture.

It may calm me down.

I'll make you some pear soup.

Thanks.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

What are you counting?

Money.

I did a little calculation last night.

This is how much we make from one person.

I'm surprised that Mr. Chi

cares about the small money.

The money you make from Yong'an Restaurant

doesn't even cover 10 percent of your investment.

And you normally spend more in a gambling club a day

than this.

41.

That's less fun than this.

If I know nothing else other than having fun,

I can't be the Head of 12 Guilds in the Eastern Capital.

Now, the entire city knows

how wonderful

our Flower and Moon Banquet

and the recreation of paintings are.

No one thinks that the 50-string entry ticket is expensive.

In my opinion,

we should hold the banquet every day

instead of once in every ten days.

Look at all those who have made the reservations down there.

No.

It wouldn't interest them.

Do you know the value of scarcity?

The value of scarcity?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Oh, right.

I asked He Si

to pry for intelligence at the Wang's and the Pan's.

Guess what they said?

The entire restaurant guild hates our gut.

That's normal.

If they don't, then we should do better.

Your Majesty,

Ouyang Xu, the Collator, is waiting to see you outside

with Baoyi's panegyric for Heaven in hand.

Baoyi wrote more panegyrics?

Why did he send Ouyang Xu

instead of coming to see me in person?

Summon him.

Yes.

Hail, Your Majesty.

Yeah.

Present it to me.

Arise.

Your Majesty, I'm guilty.

I wangled my way into the imperial palace using Mr. Baoyi as a pretext.

But I have to report something important to you.

It's a matter of urgency that concerns the whole nation.

So I took my chances.

Please pardon me.

What is this thing that concerns the whole nation?

Could we please have some privacy?

Arise and speak.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Here's my impeachment against the Empress.

She deceived you.

She stole her place

with immoral measures.

What did you say?

♪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♪