Original subtitles

♪Who gazes at the stars in the sky♪

♪Heading towards the shore in a broken boat♪

♪This time, I'll hold onto fate and never bow down♪

♪Family bonds are hard to maintain♪

♪Who will take me to the fearless dream♪

♪As the wind and rain come and fade♪

♪A lone sail sways♪

♪A flower blooms alone amidst the thorns♪

♪Its petals are pierced by thorns♪

♪Yet it turned into a pair of wings flying against the wind♪

♪Everything grows through the heart♪

♪Even if dreams are lost♪

♪Smoothing out the surging waves♪

♪Breaking through the tumultuous sounds of the heart♪

♪Having the courage to resist♪

♪Embracing the chant of destiny♪

♪Only love brings light♪

♪Only love embraces the thorns♪

♪Everything grows through the heart♪

♪Having the courage to resist♪

♪Embracing the chant of destiny♪

[Blossoms in Adversity] ♪Only love brings light♪

[Episode 1]

[Report]

[Lord Hua, Hua Yizheng]

Sir,

we'll arrive in Qiongzhou tomorrow.

The rain causes such a bumpy journey.

Why don't you write the report tomorrow?

Each day brings its own set of tasks.

Watch out, Sir!

Zhong,

go check on Zhi.

Yes, sir.

Someone else, climb up there!

The sail rope is tangled. It's not coming down!

What a huge sail!

The one in the cabin

is a censor from the Imperial Capital.

And you're slacking off?

Whether he is a censor or not

has nothing to do

with us poor folks!

If we can't bring down the sail,

we'll all die!

Pay up.

If you don't pay,

we'll quit.

Right?

- Yeah. - Let's go.

Let's go.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Come back.

Come back!

Come back.

Come back!

Who are you?

Hurry back.

Get back in there!

Don't leave!

Zhi!

Zhi!

Zhi!

Zhi, it's dangerous!

Zhi!

Zhi, it's dangerous!

- My lord. - Don't shout.

Don't distract her!

Many years later,

I still remember that scene.

The storm

connects the sky and the sea.

The heavy waves

reach the skyline,

get spilt by the thunder

and fall back into the sea.

That was the most splendid scene

I've ever seen when I was little.

I chewed over and over

about that scene

during years of my unpleasant life.

[Hua Zhi, the eldest granddaughter of the Hua Family]

Miss Zhi,

the Shen Family will send the betrothal gifts tomorrow.

- How can you...? - Baoxia.

How can you still have the mood

to spend time on these craps?

My parents arranged the betrothal.

What does it have to do with me?

[Baoxia, Hua Zhi's maid] You don't even know if the man

is tall or short,

fat or skinny.

Aren't you curious?

Grandfather says he's nice.

And you have seen him for me.

He's quite handsome, indeed.

But that's not important.

Miss Zhi,

this is a solemn matter to you.

You should think it over.

My parents have made the decision,

so what's the use of me thinking it over?

Let alone it's just the betrothal,

even if after the marriage,

I'll still be doing my own business,

and you'll do yours.

As long as I don't care,

it's no big deal.

Be careful!

Tell them to make this area

a bit nicer.

Yes.

You two

hurry up.

Be careful!

- Yes. - Yes.

Miss Zhi,

what are you looking at?

This courtyard,

does it look like a cage to you?

No, it doesn't.

I've seen Bolin's

cages for birds.

They're round

with lids on top.

Our courtyard doesn't have a lid.

Still, you can't fly out of it.

Miss Zhi.

As per the annual convention,

the royal family is bestowing Spring Festival couplets.

The madams

are all in Cheng Garden

waiting for them.

Why don't you go take a look too?

Everyone is there?

On my way here,

I happened to see

[Yingchun, Hua Zhi's maid] the other girls

heading to the garden too.

Let's go, to the west side gate.

The soup is ready.

Fudong.

Where are you going?

Just leave it here.

[Fudong, Hua Zhi's maid] What about the soup?

Just leave it.

We'll have it when we're back.

Mr. Zhong.

Sorry for the wait.

My mother and the others have gone to Chen Garden for the show.

Let's go.

Zhi!

We have to come back when it gets dark!

Sure.

Yingchun, guard the side gate.

Okay, you take care.

Let's go.

Take good care of her.

Zhi,

make sure to shut the window.

Don't let any stranger see you.

You useless thing!

You can't even settle such simple accounts?

Get yourself back

and settle it properly

before you report to me.

Yes. I'm on it right away.

Madam Xia,

the ones from suburb,

Mr. Guo and Mr. Liu have arrived.

They've all been seated outside.

This is the recent rent list.

The characters are so tiny.

Read it out for me.

Yes.

Shahe Village,

twenty hu of white glutinous rice,

ten hu of green glutinous rice...

Wait.

All these charcoal braziers.

Why place them in front of me?

As if there isn't enough smoke.

[Madam Xia Jin'e of the Hua Family] Madam Hua will arrive any minute.

She will be sitting here!

Open your eyes wide

and look around.

[Nobel and Virtuous] The winter in the south is nothing like in the north.

Even in the twelfth month, the trees are still lush.

Hurry up.

[Madam Zhu Yingzhen of the Hua Family] [Madam Qi Huilan of the Hua Family]

I can't even breathe.

Let's go out for some fresh air.

Yingzhen,

Madam Hua will be here any minute.

It's better not to go far.

Yuniang,

are you feeling hot too?

Yes, a little.

Zhe Gui,

open the window.

Didn't you hear the ladies?

Yes.

Open it now!

This is nice.

It's best to have a breeze sitting in front of a brazier.

It was so hot just now,

felt like sitting in an oven.

Now is much better.

Madam Lin is here.

Let me see your cricket.

No.

Let me see your cricket.

Stop running!

All flustered.

If you trip and hurt your face,

you can forget about taking the imperial exam.

Go, go and play.

[Lin Wan, wife of Lord Hua]

Madam,

don't worry about them.

These naughty kids.

a fall will help them grow.

Are the ones from the imperial palace here yet?

Not yet.

I'm afraid we'll have to wait

until night for the couplets to arrive.

I'm sorry that you have to

keep waiting along with us.

I'm old. I don't need much sleep.

It's okay.

You are so

energetic.

We can't compete with you.

Thank you for the compliment.

This year,

two of your sons

have been promoted by His Majesty.

So I, your daughter-in-law,

hired a great troupe

that has performed for His Majesty.

People're waiting in line to hire them.

It's for the New Year.

Come and have a look!

[Bronze Ware]

Zhi!

We're here.

Zhong.

The copper crow I ordered the other day,

please get it for me,

then hand this to the coppersmith,

ask him to cast it.

Alright.

If he has any question,

come to me immediately.

This is the deposit.

Alrighty.

We're ordered to search this place.

Everyone freeze!

You all need to answer questions.

You,

freeze!

You two, come here.

Sir, what are you doing?

Sir,

Sir,

Get away!

Sir, what are you doing, Sir?

Where are you going?

They're patrol officers.

I think they're searching,

maybe for a thief.

That's not right.

Look, there's another one at the end of the queue.

Come here.

You've got the wrong guy!

Let's go.

You, this way,

come over here.

I haven't done anything...

Who's that?

How come he's not doing anything?

He's an inspector from the Seven Constellations Bureau.

Behave yourselves!

Get everything clear!

Get everything clear!

When I was a child, once I cry,

Mom would say

"The inspectors are coming"!

Now I have truly seen one for myself.

They usually don't show themselves,

only work for the royal family.

Don't our lord

and his sons

all work for

the royal family?

Please let me go!

You,

go.

My cabbage!

There were two loads of them!

Oh my goodness!

I’d rather die!

My cabbage!

Here, take this money,

and go home.

Your kindness will be rewarded.

It'll be rewarded!

[Shen Qi, the eldest grandson of the Shen Family]

Be gentle, you guys.

Be gentle, this...

Where did this drawing come from?

That old man who just left.

Stop him!

Go!

Get off!

Sir,

It's my lord's daughter inside the carriage.

She hasn't got married yet.

It's inappropriate for her to show herself.

Old man,

take a good look at this.

Even the princesses

and all the other noble ladies

would have to cooperate.

Guards!

Yes!

Can someone please tell me

among the 537 articles in the criminal law,

which specific one have I violated

that made you march through the street

to get me?

In all my years of service,

this is the first time I'm hearing

of someone daring to argue with the Seven Constellations Bureau

about the law.

So it's a Seven Constellations Bureau business.

I've heard that the Censor, Lord Hua,

has presented three reports this month

complaining about you guys.

From the look of things today,

you're well-deserved.

How did you know that?

This is ridiculous.

Who are you

to criticize court affairs!

Did you draw this?

Passing such bizarre items in secret,

seems like you're plotting something,

or even attempting to rebel!

You could've asked me about it.

But instead, you charged me.

So ridiculous.

Get off the carriage, now.

I will be asking questions.

Alright.

Stop, don't do that!

I am Shen Qi.

Madam, do not be afraid.

I'll reason with him.

You actually have the audacity to

force an unmarried girl

show her face in public.

Where did this young man come from?

He's likely to get in trouble.

Sir, please stand back.

I am innocent.

I'm not afraid to confront them.

Absolutely not.

I just heard you talk about the laws

that were unknown to me.

I am deeply impressed.

As a man,

If I can't protect a defenceless woman,

I'd rather die.

I was wondering who you are.

So you're from the Financial Department,

and the Shen family.

Exactly.

Hua Zhi,

It's Shen Qi. The eldest son of the Shen family!

No wonder this voice

sounds so familiar.

Is he the one who's going to

bring us betrothal gifts tomorrow?

Since you're Mr. Shen,

I must treat you with respect.

Guards,

throw this Mr. Shen here

out.

Yes!

Let's go.

Let me go!

Let me go!

Under the Emperor's ruling,

Is there no justice at all?

Below the royal family,

the Seven Constellations Bureau is the justice

and the law.

Such a disgrace to the society!

Today,

unless you step over

my dead body,

or I'll never

let you humiliate this lady!

Who are you?

So, it's a bronze crow, huh?

How does he know?

What is this?

Just an instrument.

It measures the wind direction,

and predicts the weather.

Where is this bronze crow?

You're lying!

Here it is, the bronze crow.

You look

not like a soldier nor a hunter.

You're not from the capital, are you?

I indeed am from the capital.

I've been in the military for years.

Now I'm on my way to visit my family.

A soldier?

Where's your certification?

I‘m a registered soldier,

but I don't have any certification.

You're quite calm.

Alright,

they don't seem involved in a rebellion,

but you do.

Guards,

search him!

- Okay. - Okay.

The blade is sharp.

Sir, be careful.

Take him back for interrogation.

- Yes. - Yes.

Stop!

What crime has he committed?

Why are you taking him away?

Mister Shen,

listen carefully.

There're people forging weapons privately,

suspected to be spies from Zhao Empire.

His Majesty ordered us to search for them.

This man's background is unclear,

and is carrying a sharp blade.

Are you going to vouch for him?

To my surprise,

now it's the turn of the Seven-Star Bureau

to run amuck in the Imperial Capital.

Take him!

Let's go.

I'll vouch for him!

I will come with you.

No need for a big fuss.

Do you know what kind of place

the Seven-Star Bureau is?

No matter how strong you are,

you'll get tortured and even die in there.

Mister, I see a frostbite on your hand.

I guess you're from the north of Mountain Kun,

a land of extreme cold.

Smart.

You have calluses on your thumbs

and scars on your shank's mouths.

These are the proof of pulling reins and drawing bows,

left by your habits as a soldier.

I think you are definitely

good at both archery and riding.

You flattered me.

People from the Zhao Empire

usually pull the bow string with three fingers.

Their scars are different from yours.

The vest he's wearing

is made from red bear hide.

The Zhao people revere bears as sacred beasts,

and would never skin them for clothes.

All these can prove

that he's from the Northern Land of Daqing

instead of the Zhao Empire.

That makes sense.

That makes sense.

We must not wrong this righteous man.

If you kill an innocent

to get the credit,

tomorrow,

someone might file another complaint against you.

This is ridiculous.

You...

Who the heck are you?

She is

the legitimate granddaughter of Minister Hua,

the eldest daughter of Secretary Hua,

a lady from a true noble family.

How dare you even...

Ask about her name.

Oh my!

You see,

this is a huge misunderstanding.

You're from the Hua Family!

No wonder you have such discerning eyes.

Yes.

I'm such a fool.

So, will you still arrest this man?

Please, Miss Hua,

such a nobody

is not worthy of that.

Oh,

I still have works to do.

There are several streets to search.

I'll just take my leave.

You should get back on the carriage.

Don't let people keep staring at you.

Let's go.

Move, quickly.

Come on!

Make way!

Thank you.

It is I who should thank you.

Hua...

She is the eldest daughter of the Hua Family?

Mister Shen,

Miss Zhi asked me to thank you.

It's terribly cold. You should hurry back.

Miss Zhi,

what do you think

of Mister Shen?

He is indeed a person of honesty.

As long as you like him.

Mr. Zhong, faster.

Mister, why aren't you riding the horse?

This horse is old.

It has accompanied me from the north to the south.

I rushed back this time.

It got injured on the way.

Walking like this is easier for it.

On your way back here,

did you cross Mount Tuotuo

and the Kushui River?

At this time,

the river must be a brilliant blue.

Even if you passed by hurriedly,

you won't forget about it.

The Kushui River has been dry for years.

People from the Northern Land

barely know about it now.

Crossing the river like you said,

that was something years ago.

Yes.

Miss, you're supposed to stay home.

How do you know so much about the Northern Land?

I'm not born to hide behind the door.

I shall take my leave.

Miss Zhi,

have you truly seen

the frozen river where the carriages cross?

I mean, in here,

even the leaves in winter

are still green.

It's warm here,

because we're located in the southeast.

If you go north past the river,

you'll see the river water freeze.

And if you go west, there'll be deserts,

snowing, with no one there.

Since I returned to the capital

four years ago,

I've never seen snowfall again.

Wow, amazing!

[Hua Bolin, eldest son of the first-born son of the Hua Family] Awesome.

[Hua Boyu, eldest son of the third son of the Hua Family] I want to be an acrobat too.

Silly child.

If it weren't for the extreme poverty,

who would want their kids to be acrobats?

Boli's Mom,

why be so strict

with him?

He's not allowed to watch the show

nor to play.

Even the maidservants

are plain-looking.

Are you expecting to raise a sage?

You don't understand.

There is a difference between the noble and the lowly.

Our Boli

must stay far away from these people.

I don't want him

to marry

a lowly girl in the future.

Father,

this coat is worn out.

Let's pick a new one.

It'll last a few more years.

Father, all these years,

you've been on trips as a Censor. There are things you don't know.

At New Year, all the officials' families in the capital

hire troupes.

You never changed your old accent,

but you've learned a lot

the extravagant habits here.

We only get to celebrate

[Hua Pingyu, eldest son of the Hua Family] during these few days.

We didn't spend too much money.

Apart from my little brother,

the three of us

are now serving in official posts.

Father,

we don't need to be too frugal.

There's another thing.

These couple of days,

were there any gifts sent to us?

I strictly followed what you taught me.

Whether in the court or the city,

no matter the gifts were pricy or not,

and under whatever names,

I rejected them all.

None of them was sent here.

Only the tenancy agreements from our estates have been brought in.

And your students,

Yu Zhengyao and Chen Zhi,

have sent cards.

I have told them

to only send cards.

The eldest son of the Shen Family hasn't sent a card yet.

Perhaps tomorrow,

he'll send it along with Zhi's betrothal gifts.

Father.

It's getting dark.

His Majesty summoned us at this hour,

could it be about the matter of naming an heir?

It's said when His Majesty was young,

he often discussed state affairs with the officials at night.

Today is different.

Where are your brothers?

The carriage is ready.

They

are waiting at the door.

Alright.

Madam,

it's the Preliminary Eve.

Tomorrow the Shen Family will come to set the betrothal.

It will be another bustling day.

Yinzhu,

get the box for the betrothal letters

and bring it here.

Yes.

No need.

As long as you made sure they're ready.

It's Hua Zhi’s betrothal

and her auntie has been doing all the hard work.

Thank you.

If there's anything I can help...

What can you do?

You're bad at talking

and weak.

You can't even command the servants.

You're not helping at all.

Yingzhen

leads a life of leisure.

She doesn't worry about anything.

Unlike me,

doing all the hard work,

prestigious on the outside, suffering on the inside.

One child after another.

Looking after these kids

is endless.

Hua Zhi is like her mother,

naturally blessed.

In this house full of girls,

she's the eldest one,

[Hua Ling, eldest daughter of the third son of the Hua Family] so she got the best of everything.

[Hua Qin, daughter of the third son's concubine]

[Hua Rong, daughter of the eldest son's concubine] The Shen family, for example,

we have been close with them for generations.

They worked so hard

raising Shen Qi into a great man.

And now he's gonna be Hua Zhi's husband.

Isn't she blessed?

Ling is talented,

Qin is skilled in embroidery,

and Rong has a charming face,

but all those are useless!

Indeed.

I heard

Miss Ling's poetry

is well-known in the city.

Those scholars,

after reading her work,

[Concubine Qin, concubine of the third son] are all immensely impressed.

Who cares about men's compliments?

That's why I said Zhi is blessed.

If born into an ordinary family,

a girl like her,

who knows nothing about cooking and needlework,

would probably

be difficult to get married off.

But we're the Hua Family. We're noble.

I'm worried after she gets married,

she might suffer hardship.

Madam Hua,

don't worry.

You see,

when your fourth daughter-in-law

first came here,

wasn't she

incapable of all the housework?

Now, she can do anything.

Except for

giving her husband a son.

Madam Hua,

I'll surely guide Zhi well.

Stop placating me with nice words.

If you could guide her,

how would she turn out

to be like this?

Where is she?

I saw her at the west side gate this afternoon.

She went out.

When she comes back,

tell her to come see me.

Yes.

Minister Hua.

Minister Shen.

Minister Shen.

Minister Shen.

Why the panic?

Minister Hua,

[Shen Zhongxing, minister of the Financial Department] we should both be careful tonight.

I hear His Majesty is furious.

He's summoned not only all the officials

but also the princes.

Furthermore, there's a rumor,

even Prince Ling's heir from the north

has been secretly called to the capital.

That man is the late emperor's grandson.

It seems

something big is happening tonight.

[Hall of Supreme Harmony]

Your Highness.

[Gu Yanxi, son of Prince Ling]

His Majesty is waiting for you at the Chenglu Palace.

Your Majesty,

the prince has arrived.

Uncle.

[Gu Chengtao, emperor of Daqing] Yanxi.

You've grown taller than me.

There's something

I want you to know about.

Tonight, all ministers are summoned to the palace

for two matters.

One,

to name an heir,

and two,

the case handling by the Seven-Star Bureau

regarding illegal weapon-forging.

The year isn't over yet,

and the letters you sent to suggest me to name an heir

almost collapsed my desk.

It seems that Prince Xian

is quite popular,

and Prince Hui is not far behind.

I have no idea about this.

[Gu Yanrui, Prince Hui] I don't intend to fight with my brother.

I implore Your Majesty to discern clearly.

[Gu Yangong, Prince Xian] What do you mean?

The selection of the crown prince

is entirely a matter of His Majesty's consideration.

It has nothing to do with our intentions.

So, how do you think

naming an heir and the weapon case

are related？

I will thoroughly investigate this case

to set Your Majesty's mind at ease

and to reassure the court.

What is the Seven-Star Bureau for?

I don't need a prince to investigate the case.

You two may step aside now.

It is rather strange, though.

Minister Hua has always been outspoken.

He often directly point out my errors.

How come about this weapon case,

you have not written a word to me?

Could it be

that the whole world is wrong?

Is there really something that even Minister Hua

dares not speak of?

Regardless of whether the two matters are related,

you only trust the Seven-Star Bureau.

Whether Prince Xian

or Prince Hui is named your heir,

you simply consider it

a private affair.

So, my advice

makes no difference.

I established the Seven-Star Bureau.

Shouldn't I trust it?

Prince Xian and Prince Hui

are my sons.

Is this not a private affair?

What time is it?

It has just passed the hour of Xu.

The couplet bestowed by the Emperor has not yet arrived.

That's not what I asked about.

Has the lord gone to the palace?

Don't worry.

He used to

stay overnight in the palace.

Yinzhu,

bring the warmed bird's nest soup

to Madam Lin.

My eyelid keeps twitching.

Your Majesty, please calm your anger.

My father misspoke.

Please forgive his rashness,

and see his loyalty.

Shut up.

Incompetent coward.

Compared to your father,

you fall far short.

Minister Hua,

go on.

The Seven Constellations Bureau disregards the national laws,

indulges in private executions and arbitrary killings,

causing panic throughout the court and the country.

The common people are trembling with fear.

The position of the Crown Prince

remains unsettled for too long.

The princes are in constant conflict,

and the officials ganged up,

each serving their own master.

Your Majesty, please think of the state,

and the common people.

Please eradicate corruption and pests,

and to choose the Crown Prince decisively.

The world as the master,

the sovereign as the guest.

What the sovereign manages

is indeed the world itself.

How can one foster an ulcer to trouble the whole world,

to regard worldly affairs as one's personal business?

Hua Yizheng!

Your Majesty asked me to speak.

I dared not to.

And as I've started,

I needed to finish.

It seems there's truly

no word that you, Hua Yizheng,

dare not to say.

Hua Yizheng!

do you know

I have tolerated you for years?

Relying on what is called your stubborn integrity,

you incited scholars from all over

to accept you as the leader.

But you forgot

that the Gu family runs Dayqing Empire,

not the Hua Family!

Today, I shall fulfil your wish.

Your entire clan shall be stripped of their positions,

and your family will be exiled to the north,

never to be employed again.

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty, please calm your anger.

Your Majesty, please rethink about it!

I

will follow this decree.

Your Majesty, please show mercy!

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty, please show mercy!

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty, please show mercy!

Hua Yuzheng is old now.

He's incorrigibly obstinate.

Fortunately, there is a loyal minister

who can speak the truth to me.

Do you know

who I am talking about?

He knows each one of you

very well.

In the fourth year of the Chengtian era,

and the ninth year, the eleventh year,

five prime ministers, one after another,

were imprisoned and had their properties confiscated.

In the seventeenth year,

Prince Qi plotted treason

and was demoted to a commoner.

Those, were all his achievements.

Today,

I will let you meet him.

Changqing,

summon

Qi Ruhai from the Seven Constellations Bureau.

I

Qi Ruhai, head of the Seven Constellations Bureau

Is there a result for the weapon case?

I have found

the mastermind behind it

is none other than Prince Ling's heir,

Gu Yanxi.

♪Not a patch of land is wasted♪

♪No tea plant is left withered♪

♪The sky drops rain, birds eat worms, and chickens leave manure♪

♪Using effort and sweat to water and nourish♪

♪The tea leaves may be rustic♪

♪But the taste is of spring♪

♪Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves♪

♪Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together♪

♪Not a patch of land is wasted♪

♪No tea plant is left withered♪

♪The sky drops rain, birds eat worms, and chickens leave manure♪

♪Using effort and sweat to water and nourish♪

♪The tea leaves may be rustic♪

♪But the taste is of spring♪

♪Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves♪

♪Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together♪

♪Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves♪

♪Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together♪