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 36=

You got the nerve to negotiate with me?

Do you think

you can threaten me

with half of a bellyband made with handkerchiefs

that can be seen everywhere?

I have nothing to lose anyway.

If you help me this time,

I'll be done with you.

But if you want

to stand by like your father,

I promise

even if you get married one day,

you'll still have no peace.

The Emperor doesn't kill speech officials.

I will be exiled in the worst situation.

I won't die.

If one day

I tell your husband about your secret,

what would he think?

What do you want?

I want Consort Gao to help me meet the Emperor

so that I can explain and beg for mercy.

I don't believe you'll keep your promise.

I can write a letter of commitment.

As long as I can meet the Emperor,

I will no longer bother you and the Gao family.

If I break my oath, I'll pay with my life.

Well?

A promise is a promise.

Your second wish came true in the blink of an eye.

Within three days,

the handkerchiefs you asked for

will be seen in every corner of the Eastern Capital.

But why do you need so many handkerchiefs?

I want to help someone.

She helped me before.

How much did you spend?

I'll give it to you in a couple of days.

Do I look like I can't afford it?

I'm a guild head.

What's the big deal

of using a few bolts of identical silk?

Okay.

I'll make a handsome sum of money in a few days

as a thank-you gift.

I don't want a thank-you gift.

I want you to comfort me.

You didn't see

that Sanniang threw a bowl of flour

at my head.

Everyone in the restaurant was there,

but no one cared about me.

They were all talking about

how difficult it was for her to meet her son.

Are you listening to me?

Can you stop reading the Court Bulletin?

Did Yuan Tuntian give it to you?

I'm looking up something. It's nothing.

What are you looking up? Don't lie to me.

Is it about Gu Qianfan?

It's none of your business.

None of my business?

So it is about him?

I regret it.

I shouldn't have

let you meet him on that night.

None of my business, huh?

Get out. Get out.

Don't push me out.

It's Gu Qianfan again.

Zhao Pan'er.

Don't give me that look.

Everyone has a temper.

You turned your back on me after using me.

You're faithless

and heartless!

I don't have time for you.

Do you think other restaurants

will do nothing

after seeing our restaurant

doing so well?

Oh, that's what you are thinking.

You got me worried.

I thought

that you became softhearted

after meeting Gu Qianfan that night.

Forget what I said.

Take your time. I'll leave you to it.

Pan'er is trying to make big money.

Be quiet.

Eat slowly. Don't choke yourself.

That's how

I was cheated out of all my money.

But I wanted to see you so much

that I walked for more than two months

to get to the Eastern Capital.

Silly boy.

Stay here with me.

I'll never let you suffer anymore.

Mother.

I was wrong before.

I will study hard from now on

and strive to make progress.

I won't go against you anymore.

Okay, mother?

Okay, I see.

You can't kick me out

because I'm gonna be stuck here.

Changfeng, you're going to suffer.

Try harder.

Don't say that.

I knew she has a son.

She told me.

Didn't he say he wants to make progress?

I happen to be a teacher.

A teacher for a day, a father for life.

I'm truly impressed.

I'm flattered.

I'll leave.

(Court Bulletin)

Father's disobedience happened

in the first year of Jingde.

How come there's no record of it?

(Court Bulletin)

(Military Inspector Zhao Qian disobeyed and opened the gate of Dongguang County.)

(Chief Military Inspector Zhao Qian)

(disobeyed the imperial order,)

(opened the gate of Dongguang County without permission,)

(and slew the northern pillagers.)

(Xiao Qinyan, the Left Adviser,)

(impeached him for disrupting the peace-making between two states.)

Then why was he hiding from me

in the carriage that day?

Chief told me

it wasn't that he didn't want to see you.

He was afraid to see you.

After all, Pan'er,

he wasn't that scared

even when he beheaded others.

Therefore,

something serious must have happened to him.

He was worried that you wouldn't forgive him.

That's why he chose to escape this time.

After all, in order to see you,

he even disobeyed the imperial order

and almost lost his life.

Pan'er, Zifang came here.

Sanniang is very thrilled.

But there are guests to entertain at night.

She can't leave.

I want Zhaodi to take Zifang back to the yard.

What do you think?

Okay.

Wang's Restaurant and Pan's restaurant are also selling Orange Crab

at a 30% lower price.

Let them be.

What's wrong?

Is something bothering you?

I know something

and I'm a mess.

I don't know what to do.

Go for a walk then.

Don't think about it alone.

Will it work?

Yes.

I was exactly like you

when I just escaped

from Finance Minister Lin's place.

I didn't know where to go.

I dared not go back to you

or the Music Division.

I stayed in the temple and kept thinking.

My head was going to explode,

but I still couldn't figure it out.

Then dawn came and the rain stopped.

I just left the temple

and walked around.

But the more I walked, the soberer I got.

Then I reached the dock

and met you.

But what would have happened

if you hadn't met us

and chosen that path?

I would have come up with another solution.

In a word, there is always a way out.

You'll see a different scenery in a new place.

It's better than staying put anyway.

Could it be worse

that being chained to a tree by Zhou She like a dog?

You're right.

I should go somewhere else to think about it.

But where can I go?

The birth and death of all things

are determined by fate.

There is a predestined cause

for everything in the world.

Amitabha, benefactress.

I'm here to ask for your advice.

If I meet someone,

how to know if it's well-fated

or ill-fated?

You will have no fear when you don't care.

Don't be hindered by worry.

Whether it's well-fated or ill-fated

depends on what you think

instead of fate itself.

Thank you for your enlightenment.

Sorry to bother you today.

How should I thank you?

It's easy.

Just give away more vegetarian pastries next time.

Since you closed Half-hidden,

I haven't tasted

mushroom pastries for a long time.

There is indeed a predestined cause

for everything in the world.

Thank you very much.

Amitabha.

- Bravo! - Bravo!

Long time no see, Ms. Zhao.

Do you like the food?

Very much.

Ms. Zhao is back.

Ms. Zhao.

Ms. Zhao.

I thought you would go somewhere else.

Why would we go anywhere else?

Other restaurants also have Orange Crab

and Styrax Curcuma Wine now

that are even cheaper.

How would we go somewhere else

after tasting the food in Half-hidden?

We want the authentic flavor.

That's right.

We'll follow Ms. Zhao

wherever she goes.

We trust Ms. Zhao, right?

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

I have good news for you.

It's done. All done.

I followed your instruction

and explained to the Emperor,

Minister Xiao and Censor Qi respectively.

They were pleased with me

as you expected.

Not just them,

the Empress also feel indebted to you.

It's great.

Your idea

satisfied all parties.

I can rest assured.

No matter what happens in the court,

I'll be as stable as a mountain.

You will be in charge of the Capital Security Office

as a trusted man of Minister Xiao.

I'll work my way up in the Palace Domestic Service

and win the trust of the Emperor.

If we join hands,

we can achieve something great.

Don't worry.

I've got everything planned.

Zhao Pan'er won't be implicated

in this case in any way.

But judging from Qi Mu's look,

Ouyang Xu will be in trouble soon.

We can't imitate it?

As long as we put in some time to study it,

we can make a rough copy of it.

Not everyone has a sharp palate.

As long as our prices are lower,

there are plenty of people who loves taking petty advantages.

Sir, that's brilliant.

We just need

to soak some styrax and curcuma

in wine for two days.

I bought dozens of catties of styrax and curcuma.

Sir, smart move.

Mr. Cao, hello.

Drink and eat to your heart's content.

We are not like Yong'an Restaurant.

You can drink Styrax Curcuma Wine here

as much as you want.

Good. Good.

Is it salty?

Thanks, Mr. Wang.

- It's good. - Thanks, Mr. Wang.

Tomorrow we will offer Orange Crab

like Pan's Restaurant.

Please come.

Okay.

Wang Feng!

Enjoy your drinks.

Don't you know the rules?

Why did you steal

our recipe for Styrax Curcuma Wine?

What's the problem?

Is Styrax Curcuma Wine your secret recipe?

It is recorded in ancient books.

If you can use it,

why can't we?

Cut out the clever talk!

I'm telling you,

the restaurant guild has copied the recipe

and sent it to all kinds of restaurants in the capital.

I promise your amazing wine

will be seen everywhere in the capital within three days.

Keep fanning yourself. Why did you stop?

I will!

I'm gonna fan your face first!

Beat him!

I'll beat you to death!

Beat him!

Gently.

I don't understand

why you had to fight with them.

You can bear with it,

but I can't.

They are not stealing our recipe.

They are stealing our money, real money.

You always say

you don't care about money.

Can words be the same as actions?

I've been saying I'll quit gambling for almost ten years,

but I still haven't.

It hurts.

I'm hurt this badly.

Don't you have a conscience?

Nobody cares about me.

He Si.

Do you think

Young Master Chi deserves this?

He does.

You...

Traitor! I'll beat you to death!

Well, Young Master. There is something you don't know.

Ms. Zhao asked me

to buy all the styrax and curcuma on the market

seven days ago.

The more styrax and curcuma other restaurants buy,

the more money your pharmacy is going to make, right?

We also bought out the whole year's supply

of Jiangnan crabs for making Orange Crabs.

Places like Wang's Restaurant

don't know the secret of the ingredient.

They're using river crabs.

River crabs?

In two days at most,

the river crab meat will grow old and taste bitter,

and the dish will be ruined.

To run a business well in a long term,

apart from good dishes and abundant ideas,

keeping a firm hold on the source of supply is also required.

I've learned a few lessons

from the incident in the Tea Lane

and the ice event.

If we don't make big profits out of this,

how to cover the loss from the cheap food in Wanshui Pavilion?

The more guests in Wanshui Pavilion,

the more famous Yong'an Restaurant will become in the Eastern Capital.

It will also make Qianshan Pavilion

a must-visit for scholar-officials.

What's more, Styrax Curcuma Wine is not our only specialty

in Yong'an Restaurant.

Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,

we will launch Clove Amber Wine.

- Clove Amber... - Yes.

Our teahouse used to have so many kinds of drinks.

We can launch them one by one,

and they'll have to copy one by one.

Hold on. Hold on.

You lost me.

Did you also buy out cloves and amber?

You have a lot of money

and you told me I can withdraw as much money as I want.

How much money can you make?

Not much.

Before you become head of the restaurant guild,

I'll make you the deputy of aromatic drug guild first.

Pan'er, please marry me.

Let's do business in the Eastern Capital City together.

We will be able to conquer the business world.

Okay?

He is overjoyed.

Okay?

Okay?

Your master broke his head.

Take him to a doctor.

Let's go.

My face must be disfigured.

She doesn't like me anymore.

I'm so humiliated.

Everything is almost ready

for the next Flower and Moon Banquet.

Apart from Suniang,

I also invited some dancing performers from the Music Division

to play in the Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River.

They all want to perform here

after the Emperor came to Yong'an Restaurant, right?

It's not just that.

They used to perform at other restaurants

based on the status.

Although it looks glorious,

what they actually do is still entertaining guests.

Even during breaks,

they can only squeeze in the booth at the back.

We not only pay them more money,

but also take good care of them.

Many scholars

are also trying to please them for the poem review

every two weeks.

You planned it well.

I've been there,

so I know what they really want.

Let's do it step by step.

One day,

these two words "lowly status"

will no longer haunt us anymore.

Sister.

Do you really not consider Young Master Chi?

He is rich after all.

He is also willing to be subservient to you.

I just realized

that when you like someone,

you won't think too much about what you can get,

but what you can do

for him.

What do you want to do for him?

Force him out of his world

and into mine.

How is the prisoner I asked you to interrogate?

Didn't I tell you about it?

When did you tell me about it?

I got drunk that day and forgot.

I knew you couldn't do anything well.

He went from the post to the restaurant

and took off down the West Gate.

When did the flowers bloom?

They weren't there this morning.

Go to drink.

I have something to do.

Don't follow me.

Wait, Chief,

- Where are you going? - Chief!

Why don't you come with us?

Pan'er.

Do you want to see me?

Gu Qianfan.

The last time, you asked me to give you a chance.

I'll give you.

Pan'er.

It's just the sky, the earth,

you and me here.

That's why I dare

to risk all my self-esteem and pride

to ask you one last time,

are you still willing to marry me?

Yes.

No matter when you ask me,

I will always say yes.

But,

I know you won't forgive me.

Why?

Why?

Because your father is Xiao Qinyan?

Because your father

once was the imperial official who impeached my father,

who

got my parents killed,

and made me become a pariah?

You knew it.

This is an unbridgeable

blood feud between us.

I don't deserve you.

I don't deserve to be with you.

It's only unbridgeable for you.

Yes.

Even if Xiao Qinyan impeached my father,

even if he's a treacherous official now,

he only did what he had to

as a speech official.

I became a pariah

not because of your father,

not because of the Emperor.

My father made his own choice.

He knew it was a crime to open the gate and release them.

He still did it anyway,

because he couldn't stand by and let the northern people

kill the people of Song.

When my father's old subordinates came to redeem me,

they told me, in his last breath,

my father said he was sorry for my mother and me

but he didn't regret it.

Gu Qianfan.

Do you remember

I said the same thing to you?

I will never regret being with you.

But I'm still Xiao Qinyan's son.

So what?

Your last name is Gu, not Xiao.

Did you ever hurt my father?

Do you know my mother?

Twenty years ago,

we didn't know each other.

What blood feud do we have?

Stop it. You know what,

I want to hold you in my arms right now,

but I can't do it.

This is too heavy.

Even if you can let it go now,

a few years later,

a few decades later,

this is gonna be

a wound between us

that bleeds every time we touch it.

I can't act on impulse

and ruin your life

because of my selfish desires.

Ruin my life?

Do you think

I'm saying this

on impulse?

I'm telling you I'm not.

I've seen

the vicissitudes of life at the Music Bureau.

And all those tragedies.

Finally, I realized

we should embrace what comes regardless of where it leads us.

You've wasted the first half of your life

because of your ill relationship with your father.

Do you still want

to sacrifice the rest of your life?

Qianfan.

You've been nice to me.

But has it ever occurred to you

how hurt I was

when I couldn't find you?

I never thought about killing myself

even when Ouyang Xu did that to me.

But that day,

when the wind

wiped this place out,

and I couldn't find you,

I did want to jump off the bridge of the Bian River.

Pan'er.

You gave this to me.

Watch this.

I don't want to waste any more time.

I'll let go of all my self-esteem and pride

and ask you one last time.

Are you willing to let go of the past

and be with me again?

♪Having survived the winter♪

I'll count to three.

♪Smiling in a spring breeze♪

One.

♪I'm immersed in it♪

Two.

♪Whose breath warmed my cold heart♪

♪And stirred up ripples♪

♪A figure♪

Yes.

I'm willing to spend the rest of my life

loving you and protecting you.

I'm willing to use the rest of my life

to atone for my sins.

♪My mind is still and peaceful♪

I do.

♪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♪

♪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♪

Pan'er and Gu

get back together.

Really?

Does it have anything to do with you?

Greetings to Your Majesty.

How dare you?

I'm guilty of failing to stop him.

Go ahead and say it.

Your Majesty, I deserve death.

I framed the Empress.

But I was misled by malicious people

into believing slanders.

If you don't believe me,

you can ask...

I'm so disappointed!

One word for you.

Stupid!

Your Majesty, watch the steps. Be careful.

I'm getting old.

I've been fighting with these courtiers for decades.

But now I've fallen for their tricks!

Ouyang Xu is a novice.

Clearly, he was used by Qi Mu

without realizing it.

If it weren't for this fool

to slip out in front of me,

I wouldn't have known

he and Qi Mu

already met each other in the Western Capital!

I guess Qi Mu

faked the Night Revels

in advance

and asked someone

to give it to Ouyang Xu on purpose.

Your Majesty, please cool down.

How?

How can I calm down?

These Scholar Ministers

obviously wanted to use Ouyang Xu's life

to frame my Empress!

Tell the Empress

that I will have dinner with her

and Prince Sheng.

Yes.

As for Ouyang Xu,

well,

I don't think he should stay in the capital anymore.

Let the Ministry of Personnel

send him to a small county

and make him a registrar...

Never mind.

He just told me

he couldn't bear to waste Gao Hui's youth

and wanted to break off his engagement with her.

He is a good man.

Make him a Controller-general in a small state

by convention as he is the Third Graduate.

I need to make Consort Xian look decent.

Or people will criticize the Gao family.

Your Majesty, you're wise.

(Gu's Mansion)

You know I've been living

in the Capital Security Office over the last months.

I haven't been back.

The house has been not cleaned.

So...

Is there no one else in your family?

No.

They are all gone,

but I have you now.

What's the matter?

Xiao Qinyan tried to break us up earlier.

I didn't know about your father at that time.

So he released news on purpose to let me know it.

That's when I started

to be afraid to see you.

To end my relationship with him,

I gave him some of my blood.

How could you be so silly?

What if you hurt your hand so badly

that you can't swing a sword anymore?

It doesn't matter.

I'll be a civil official if I can't swing a sword.

If I can't even hold a brush,

I guess I will count on you.

Okay, you can count on me.

All of the furniture needs to be repaired.

The books need to be taken out to dry.

I want a dresser.

I'll have someone make you a shelf

to place all kinds of your weapons.

Some nails in the wall can do the job.

Don't you want to see some flowers and plants

when you're back home?

Don't you want to eat

on an exquisite table

and use azure porcelain bowls

and ebony silver-inlaid chopsticks?

Shouldn't there be a couple of warm stoves next to our bed?

If you put it this way,

I also want a swing in the yard.

I remember I really wanted

to play on the swing when I was a kid.

But my grandfather wouldn't let me.

Chi Pan's family next door had one.

He wouldn't let me play, either.

We have such a big yard.

I'll put ten swings here

and play on different ones

in the morning, in the afternoon and at night.

When I'm too old to play,

our kids can play.

Speaking of your dresser,

I'm also going to buy a screen.

I saw one with mother-of-pearl in the palace.

It's really beautiful.

You're gonna love it.

Well done.

It's not in vain to ask the Princess' Lady-in-waiting to give him a hand.

Yes.

Without your secret support,

Ouyang Xu would never have a chance to meet His Majesty.

There is one thing I don't understand.

Why would you...

Return good for evil?

I dare not.

Ouyang Xu is just a pawn.

I want the puppies and the old dogs

to bite more fiercely

so that His Majesty will trust

those Scholar Ministers less.

You did a good job today.

Your nephew

will be taken good care by my brother in the army.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Do you

mean it

or fake it?

You've been serving His Majesty for years.

Don't you hate me for holding your nephew hostage?

All I know

is the more tactical you are,

the better you will assist the new emperor

in administering the country.

I'm also aware

you don't advise His Majesty to make the crown prince

because you worry that the crown prince

won't be able to review the memorials after he administers the country.

His Majesty is a benevolent ruler,

and a good husband.

But he can't protect me forever.

I'm just trying to protect myself.

That's all.

Pan'er.

You're back!

Be honest with us. Where were you last night?

I went to his place.

It was too late. I didn't want to disturb you

so I didn't come back.

Commissioner Gu finally took you to his place.

Even Chen Lian doesn't know where his house is.

Why did you change your clothes?

It was too late to come back.

We chatted for a while.

My clothes got dirty,

so we went to the garment shop and bought one.

Are you making fun of me?

Aren't you afraid I'll dock your pay?

My salary is...

Why are you standing here?

Were you at Gu Qianfan's last night?

Morning, Mr. Chi.

Where is Sanniang?

Why?

Zifang is bothering her in the kitchen.

Is he here?

He has been pestering Sanniang.

Sanniang's son behaved well

when he just came to the house.

He used whatever we gave him.

Why?

Then he acted weird.

Especially this morning.

Sanniang asked him to go to school,

but he wouldn't go.

I'll teach him a lesson.

Why?

You can't do this to me.

I'm in a much better mood

now seeing you like this.

Pipa Siren, aren't you too annoying?

Do you want to me frighten you into crying again?

Go ahead.

If I'm frightened,

you can forget about your Flower and Moon Banquet.

You deserve it.

You own so many shops,

but you have to come here every day asking for displeasure.

You know Pan'er doesn't like you.

Why? Why?

I'm smart

and charming.

I have money and talent.

How is Gu Qianfan better than me?

I don't know you well,

but I do know one thing.

Pan'er will never like an awful man like you

who made her do a soft dance.

Well, I can dance for her as an apology.

She did one.

I'll do three dances.

She is way out of your league.

I'm way out of your league!

Why are you laughing?

Am I not right?

You're right.

♪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♪