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 4=

I'm begging you, please.

I'll pay you back.

I'm not trying to find any excuses.

I really can't give it to you.

I have something.

Can I trade it with you?

Weren't you looking for the Night Revels

when you were in Yang's Mansion?

I have the original painting.

As long as you lend me the money,

I'll give it to you.

What did you say?

I have the original Night Revels.

It was painted by Wang Ai

on a five feet silken cloth,

and mounted upon Purple Magpie Brocade.

The hollow reel is made of sandalwood.

The painting is about a night banquet hosted by Xue Que,

the Transport Commissioner of Xichuan Region.

The host is in the center, and the guests are on either side.

There are music and dancing.

They eat camel hump

and dance Whirling Dance.

Elegance is a feature of my teahouse.

I have a few famous paintings.

A guest used this painting

to pay for his gambling debt.

Mr. Yang also likes calligraphy and painting.

Last year, when he had tea at my place,

he took a fancy to this painting

and tried to borrow it from me several times.

I couldn't afford to offend him.

So I asked someone to make a copy of it and sent him the fake.

He couldn't tell the difference.

He even thought I was sensible.

Otherwise,

I wouldn't dare

to ask him a favor

when Yin Zhang took the liberty to stop being a registered musician.

I swear to God,

if any word I said is not true,

I will degenerate into a lowly profession again

and never be born again.

Yinzhang's sister died because of me.

She's in such a position now.

I can't let her suffer and do nothing.

I need a lot of money to save her

and to deceive Zhou She.

Where is the painting now?

I put it in a safe place.

I didn't bring it with me.

I need you to trust me.

(Capital Security Office) This is the gold token you touched.

I cut off a little bit of the edge

because I didn't have any money to use.

It's not that I don't want to give it to you.

(Gu Qianfan)

It's because if I give it to you,

I won't have anything

to prove who I am.

How about this?

This is the superior Hetian Jade my father left me.

Take it.

You can get at least 200 strings of coins for it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Zhao Pan'er, listen to me.

You can't let anyone else know

that you have the Night Revels.

The Night Revels will cause more trouble

than dozens of lives in Yang's Mansion.

Do you hear me?

Take care.

Take care, too.

Otherwise,

I won't be able to pay you back.

By the way, how can I find you

after you go to the Eastern Capital?

There is Wang's Iron Foundry at the south end of the Zhou Bridge.

If you see a red flag hanging at the door,

go in and buy ten silver needles

from the owner.

Then he'll bring you to me.

If there has been no flag for some time,

you don't have to pay me back.

Stop!

This man has the smell of blood. Come here!

Who are you?

Where did you get the blood from?

I carried pigs for Butcher Zhang.

That's how I got some blood on me.

Oh, right,

Butcher Zhang also gave me a small piece of liver.

It's you.

Don't kill me.

I'll do whatever you say.

Throw the blades away.

Far away.

Far away!

Take off your belts

and tie each other's hands.

Do it.

Do it.

You, too.

What government office are you from?

I'm a Commandant of Ninghai Army.

(Xiangyun Pavilion)

(Xiangyun Pavilion)

(Xiangyun Pavilion)

(Wanted)

(Huating County)

(Huating county) I've been searching for four hours

and there is still no trace of Criminal Gu.

I have an idea.

Would he be bold enough

to go along Danzhou to the capital by sea?

What do you have in mind?

(Huating County)

I request

two light cavalrymen to search along the coast.

I heard that Criminal Gu is ruthless.

Kill him when you get him.

Yes.

Man.

Be careful, too.

(Wanted)

Hold on!

(Huating County)

He looks like the criminal. Interrogate him!

Yes!

Do I?

There are no more checkpoints ahead.

Can you let me go?

So you can go back to turn me in?

I promise I won't say anything.

Well, I can buy the knockout drug

and you can watch me take it.

Then I'll sleep for seven or eight hours.

(Chen Lian) You'll be far away when I wake up.

Have you not heard that I am ruthless?

Please spare my life.

I have an 80-year-old mother

and four or five hungry children to feed.

I really can't get in trouble.

Four or five hungry children to feed?

How old are you?

17.

When did you get married?

You're in good health.

I said that

in hopes of your mercy.

I was recruited when I was 14.

I'm the only boy in my family.

Can you bear to watch

three women have no one to depend on?

Lock the door.

Okay.

If you keep nagging,

I'll tell others

you're my accomplice next time.

What's your name?

Well...

I'm asking you.

My name is Chen Lian.

Who gave the secret order to kill me?

I don't know that.

I saw the sealing wax of emergency

on that secret order,

but I really have no idea

who is coming after you.

Are you hurt?

Do you need me to apply medicine to you?

No.

The fire coral is rare indeed.

No wonder it's the superior Nanyang's stuff.

Nanyang's stuff?

Yeah.

There is a lot of good stuff from Nanyang these years.

It's also cheaper than before.

My mother has a set of jewelry like this.

But it's not as good as yours.

(The Emperor issued an order.)

(Capital Security Office)

From now on, the merchants from Java, Chenla, and Srivijaya

are only allowed to dock in Guangzhou.

(Aim to Stabilize the Country) Merchant ships are banned

from Fujian and Guangdong. Liangzhe, and Shandong...

Fire coral, the superior Nanyang's stuff.

It's cheaper than before.

She was so kind

to lend us the whole second floor

of Xiangyun Pavilion.

How could you be so sure

that she would let us use it?

Because only the people in the lowly profession

will be sympathetic to what happened to Yin Zhang.

Zhou She is a discerning businessman.

Ordinary things can't fool him.

Only Xiangyun Pavilion can arrange such a setting

in a short time.

(Gu Qianfan.)

(I'll do my best.)

(May you turn calamities into blessings)

(and land on your feet.)

Where is the nearest Maritime Trade Office?

Hangzhou.

Who is the Maritime Trade Supervisor?

I don't know.

But according to the practice of the imperial court,

isn't the magistrate of Qiantang holding the post concurrently?

You stay here tonight.

Go to the beach with me tomorrow morning.

Did you rob the fire coral from someone

or did you buy it?

Why don't you sell it to me?

I promise it'll be in your interest.

(Capital Security Office)

(Capital Security Office)

(Happiness and Pleasantness)

Guard outside for me.

Yinzhang?

Yinzhang?

Yinzhang?

Yinzhang?

Yinzhang?

Pan'er.

Keep it down.

I know I was wrong.

I shouldn't have disobeyed you

and eloped with Zhou She behind your back.

After I got here,

he gave me 50 floggings

and asked me to give him the money.

I have no money and I don't know what to do.

Say no more. I know it.

I'm here to save you.

Take me out of here now.

Not now.

Why?

Only Sanniang and I came to save you.

Your legs have been hurt.

Even if we carry you on our backs,

someone's gonna find us out.

Besides,

what about the money you were swindled out of?

What about your broken leg?

You're right.

Pan'er, it's fine that he lied to me and hit me,

but he sold my Moon Pipa

and burned my music books.

You must let him be punished.

You must.

Then do as I say.

Stop crying. Let's get down to business.

What did you tell him about me?

I told him you were also a registered musician

and you treat me like your own sister.

Now you're running a teahouse.

You didn't say anything about my relationship with Ouyang

and Sanniang, did you?

No.

I know you don't like him,

so I rarely mention you to him.

I don't think he knows Sanniang very well.

He hit you

only to get money from you, right?

Eat the dessert first.

Tomorrow morning,

you have to act like you can't take it anymore.

Tell him

you still have some secret money

at Quanfu Inn.

He can get ten strings of coins every time

when he says your name.

Zhou She is now under pressure to pay the debt.

If he gets a taste for it,

he is gonna treat you well.

You must seize the time to recuperate.

Do you get it?

Wait for my news.

Will it work?

Did I ever fail you

when I promised you something?

By the way, Pan'er,

I heard children singing nursery rhymes in the street

that the Third Graduate's surname is Ouyang.

Is he your husband?

That's great.

You surely know how to pick a man.

You could tell at a glance that he is destined for greatness.

You're gonna get me out of here, too.

Honey, look how stubborn you are.

As long as you give me your secret money

and help me get through this,

everything will be all right.

I need some invigorating oil.

Not to mention invigorating oil,

as long as you listen to me,

this house and this mansion

will all be yours.

You are not lying to me, are you?

How would I lie to you?

I married you

in hopes of growing old together with you.

You broke my leg.

I have nothing to eat.

I'm starving to death.

Poor girl.

Tell me the code for the money

and I'll get you something to eat.

I'll buy you whatever you want.

Really?

Of course.

The code is "moonlit river in spring".

You're not lying to me, are you?

Believe it or not.

I'll wait for you to kill me.

I just want to use the money

to trade for a few good days to live.

You won't even trust me in that?

I trust you.

Come on, sit down.

Don't cry. Don't cry.

Bring the good wine and the good food.

And also the invigorating oil.

Take good care of my wife.

Honey, enjoy the meal.

Then take a good bath

and get some sleep.

I'll be right back.

This way, please.

(Guo Si Teahouse)

This way.

Our teahouse has the best view.

You can see clearly those Nanyang merchant ships

in the harbor from here.

Waiter.

Do you have more Siamese,

more Japanese,

or more Nanyang merchants eat here?

They all eat here.

Well,

I'll have what they have for two.

All right.

(Guo Si Teahouse)

I think the maritime trade tax is 50 percent.

If three or five of the twenty or so

Nanyang merchant ships cook the books,

the man in charge is gonna make a fortune, right?

Why do you ask so many questions?

Do you really want to be my accomplice?

Yes.

Yesterday,

(Capital Security Office) I saw your token with a lion head

when you put away the fire coral hairpin.

It turns out you are the commander of the Capital Security Office.

I'm not stupid.

I've figured it out

after what you said yesterday.

The magistrate of Qiantang

was bold enough to violate the strict order of the imperial court

and open the pass secretly.

Well, Commander.

Can I ask you a favor?

We kind of got off to a bad start.

Can you give me a chance

to follow you and serve the court?

Are you not afraid to implicate those women in your family?

I'm a criminal.

A criminal? You must be joking.

How could a hero like you be a criminal?

Let me be honest with you.

Actually, I'm also from the Easter Capital.

I was transferred to this awful place

with my superior.

I eat rice and fish every day.

It's driving me crazy.

I miss the steamed buns

made by my mother,

the noodles made by my eldest sister,

and the lamb stew made by my second sister all the time.

Commander.

I want to work for you in the Capital Security Office.

I'll be satisfied

to be a handyman.

Do you want to be a criminal like me

just for steamed buns and noodles?

I can show you my heart right now.

All right. Stop it.

Here is a chance for you.

Do you see that guy over there?

Get him here quietly.

Remember not to alarm anyone.

(Quanfu Inn)

There are ten strings of coins.

You wouldn't give it to me until I beat you.

Eight strings of coins

are probably enough to cope with Xu.

I'll gamble the rest two strings

at the casino and double it.

Do you have no eyes?

You...

Well?

What do you want?

What do you want?

I was walking on my way. What do you want?

What do you want?

So what that I hit you?

Xiaosi.

Don't waste your time on a rough fellow.

Zhou She?

You...

Why are you in Huating County?

Where is Yinzhang?

Ms. Zhao.

Yinzhang...

She is at home.

Did you actually marry her?

I'll beat you to death! You heartless, unfaithful man!

You...!

Unfaithful? What are you crying about?

You deserve it!

My sister is crazy about you,

but you left her and eloped with her best friend.

You deserve a beating!

Beat him!

I...

How did you fall for him in the first place?

He's such a faker.

He only sees the shiny fake silver,

but he turns his nose up at the real gold!

We're in broad daylight!

Do you know who I am?

How dare you beat me!

- The bead is worth at least 2,000 coins. - I'll beat you to death!

Beat you to death!

Check out his clothes.

I think he just got off the boat.

If you don't kill me today,

I'm gonna kill you all!

Screw you!

Well done.

Go ahead.

Do you wanna kill us?

Beat him!

I'll beat you to death!

Let's go.

I'll break your legs if you walk slowly!

What kind of people are they?

Why is this happening to me?

They are heading for the Xiangyun Pavilion.

Xiangyun Pavilion?

The rooms there are twice as expensive as Quanfu's rooms.

Who is that young woman?

She is pretty and rich.

You...

It's mine!

Hey yourself!

Get off!

Let's go.

(Do you mean the Commandant of Ninghai Army hurt you?)

But those who came after us

are clearly the people

of the Director-in-chief of Xiuzhou.

The people on both sides

have disliked each other since the time of Wu Yue.

How would they help each other easily?

It occurred to me

the county magistrate of Qiantang who issued an arrest warrant

accused you of being a pirate confidently,

and that's weird.

Commander, it's done.

Forty-nine punches. Not one punch less.

Do you still remember me?

Do you dare to pretend to be from Ninghai Army again?

I'm Wei Wei from Qiantang.

The county magistrate, Zheng Qingtian,

forced me to do all of this.

Commander, mercy.

Spare my life.

Mercy.

Are coral hairpins like this

from the Javanese merchants

who docked illegally in a port?

Yes.

It was also ordered by Zheng Qingtian.

He said one tael of terebinth

from Guangzhou is sold for 30 million or 40 million copper coins.

The maritime trade tax is half of it.

If we contact with the Nanyang merchants in private

and ask them for 10 million coins,

the Nanyang merchants would prefer to dock in Hangzhou.

How much money do you get out of this business

every year?

Not much.

I'll say it! I'll say it!

200 million coins.

200 million...

Tell me,

which officials did Zheng Qingtian buy off?

And who

in the Capital Security Office

gave away our whereabouts?

I don't know.

You don't know?

I don't know.

I really don't!

All I know is that it's a courtier in the capital

who even gave an order to kill you on sight!

How much did Zheng Qingtian

spend on it?

200 million coins.

He converted the money into a receipt of the Gold and Silver Shop

and sent it to the capital by a pigeon.

Zheng Qingtian said

if you report it to the Emperor,

we will be all dead.

He had to spend so much money

to buy us a way out.

The Emperor's body gets worse day by day.

The Empress will get the power one day.

But among those courtiers,

she only trusts Xiao Qinyan.

I hope I can solve this case for her this time

and become her trusted aide.

Commissioner said the secret of the Empress

should be known by as few people as possible.

Does it mean Gu Qianfan should be...

Do you hate Gu that much?

He got promoted faster than you,

but he risked his life for it.

I'm not doing this for myself.

I just hate it

when he disrespects you.

You told him

to be lenient in the case of Marquis Jing.

All right.

In the worst case, we'll do it your way.

I heard she is a reformed famous unsurpassed beauty.

She used to be an official's lover.

But one day the wife came to her place and beat her.

Then the husband gave her some money and let her go back to her hometown

- with the rest of her assets. - Brother Zhou.

Do you miss me?

She booked three rooms at once.

Please.

Sister.

Why hasn't he come up yet?

Did you slap him too hard

and scare him away?

Ms. Zhao.

He's here.

I'm Zhou She.

I just found your gold hairpin

and I'm here to return it to you.

Ms. Zhao.

Ms. Zhao?

Ms. Zhao...

It's you.

Yes.

What are you doing here?

Ms. Zhao doesn't feel good right now.

Get out of here.

I'm here to return the hairpin.

Let me in.

Fan.

You're a heartless hypocrite.

Do you hear that? She is calling me.

I'm guilty.

You and Zhou She...

Zhou She?

I made you angry.

You can beat me or scold me as you want.

How dare you break into our house in broad daylight.

Get out.

I haven't returned the hairpin.

Let me...

Get out.

I'll beat you to death.

You insensible thing.

Tell me.

Except that I can't play the pipa,

what about me is not as good as Song Yinzhang?

Nothing.

Is she more beautiful than I am?

No.

Is she more sensible than I am?

No.

She is even no match for your finger tail.

You're lying.

I'm not lying.

Well, if that's the case,

why would Fan send me away?

Just because I used to be in a lowly profession,

I don't even deserve a chance to serve him?

You deserve.

Fan, you...

Why did you send me away?

You listened to that woman and sent me away.

Be careful.

Stop crying. Stop crying.

And you!

Why did you elope with that slutty woman,

Song Yinzhang?

Stop crying.

You're breaking my heart.

He cares about your past, but I don't.

What's wrong with the lowly profession?

Aren't Xue Tao and Hong Fu

both first-class beauties?

Do you mean it?

Yes.

Pan'er, don't be sad.

Let bygones be bygones.

Forget it.

That's right.

Come on, get up.

Get out of here.

If a woman

doesn't have a husband,

she will have no one to depend on.

Even if she has thousands of strings of gold and a bucket of beads,

her life will still be meaningless.

Be careful.

You're right.

Come on, get up.

Get up.

Let's stay away from the window.

You're drunk. Don't catch a cold.

Come in.

Bah.

When you were in Qiantang,

I heard you were famous.

I asked Sanniang to send you a bouquet

and invite you over to have some tea.

You just ignored me.

Did that happen?

Are you trying to deny it?

Get your servant, Zhaocai, here

and I'll confront him.

What did he say that day?

He said

you were listening to Ms. Song's Melody of White Feathers Garment

and you didn't have time for our stupid tea!

I sold that boy

a long time ago.

Ms. Zhao.

Look, this is a misunderstanding.

Since the first time I saw you,

I knew

you are a thousand times better than Song Yinzhang.

The reason I made a mistake

of leaving Qiantang with Song Yinzhang

is because I was afraid I would lose control of myself

and break my promise to her.

All I want to do

is to worship at your feet.

Do you mean it?

Of course. I can't be more sincere.

If I lie to you in any way,

I'll become

a little turtle

as a stepping stone under your bed.

You are

an interesting man.

I was insensible before

and I made you angry.

I'll drink the wine as an apology.

Please forgive me.

Ms. Zhao, where are you going

via Huating?

Go home.

I'll leave tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Why the rush?

Your body is precious,

and the journey is tiring.

Why not rest a few more days?

Huating is a beautiful place.

Let me tell you about it.

Please ask the waiter

to bring some stomach-warming wine and food.

Bring the Yuquan wine.

Get Mr. Xu here.

Okay.

The Yuquan wine won't get people drunk.

Let's take our time to talk over food and wine.

You dropped it.

Let me bring it to you.

If I were a man,

I wouldn't be able to resist Pan'er, either.

Commander.

If what Wei Wei said is true,

most of the resident magistrates here are unreliable.

After all,

the whole Capital Security Office is at the command of Lei Jing now.

Other people are unreliable,

but not Wan Qi.

He is the one I trust the most

in the Capital Security Office.

Is he your brother?

We're sworn brothers.

Right now everyone out there is trying to kill me.

He's the only one who would

escort me to the Eastern Capital.

All right, you can leave.

But...

I know

you follow me because you want to go to the Capital Security Office.

But it looks like

it's basically impossible.

You are still young.

Don't risk your life

for your wrong decision out of impulse.

Commander.

Leave.

(Wine)

(Wan Qi, Stationed Officer of Xiuzhou of the Capital Security Office)

Qianfan?

Qianfan!

You're so drunk.

Don't drink that much alone.

Are you okay?

I'm a living devil.

I'm not that easy to die.

I saw the secret order from the office.

They are pursuing you everywhere.

I'm glad you're okay.

Man.

How did you offend Commissioner?

Let's not talk about this now.

I'm here today

to see if the secret order is real.

I'll get it for you now.

You got some good wine here.

Catch it.

I didn't know my life is worth that much.

20 million strings of coins.

What are your plans now?

Are you going back to the capital and explain to Commissioner

or are you going to keep running?

I know a way to get you to Fusang.

I've got the money and the luggage ready for you.

You can leave anytime.

Come on.

Come on.

By the way, you must haven't eaten yet.

Let me get you something to eat.

Give me a minute.

♪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♪