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[Flourished Peony]

[Episode 2]

- My lady, watch your step. - Okay.

♫ The Luo River cleanses the moonlight haze ♫

♫ Flowing into a scorching long river ♫

♫ A jade-like face not yet indulged in mundane pleasures ♫

♫ Youth sets its own wandering path ♫

♫ Let not the secular world constrain ♫

♫ How can they guess with mundane eyes ♫

♫ Smiling as the storm stir the dust ♫

♫ Flowers should bloom proudly ♫

♫ Reflecting the color of the sky ♫

♫ Never withering ♫

♫ Do not fail the varied fragrance ♫

♫ Let not the secular world constrain ♫

♫ How can they guess with mundane eyes ♫

♫ Smiling as the storm stir the dust ♫

♫ Flowers should bloom proudly ♫

♫ Reflecting the color of the sky ♫

♫ Never withering ♫

♫ Do not fail the varied fragrance ♫

Minister Chen.

I've heard that your son would soon go to the capital to take the imperial examination.

My own son also wishes to participate in this year's Provincial Examination.

Why not let them travel to the capital together?

My son has gained the favor of the County Princess and is bound to be promoted.

In the future, our two families should interact more and support each other in official circles.

It will be beneficial.

Whoever forms an alliance with Prince Ning will become my comrade.

The Floral Envoy accompanies the County Princess to relax here.

It's obvious who is the son-in-law favored by His Highness.

I must remind you

to beware lest all your efforts be in vain.

Your Highness, we have arrived.

Greetings, Princess.

- No need for formalities. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Zishu, Long time no see.

How have you been recently?

All is well.

I've heard about what happened.

Please don't worry too much, Your Highness.

The floral banquet is ready.

Please invite the Floral Envoy.

The Envoy is resting after the tiring journey.

Please wait a moment.

Very well, very well.

My lord, it's time to get up.

Everyone is waiting for you.

Greetings, Floral Envoy.

Greetings to everyone.

Where did you get drunk last night?

You slept all the way and made us wait.

I wanted to leave more time for the County Princess' pleasantries.

Mr. Liu, you wouldn't blame me, right

Of course not.

The presence of the County Princess and Floral Envoy is honoring to my house.

Come, please.

My lady.

Your Highness, please.

Please watch your step.

This environment and these flowers have been specially prepared

for your arrival.

Your Highness, look over there.

There are a few very rare varieties.

Come on, have a look.

It's really beautiful.

The Luoyang officialdom is full of hidden talents.

Mr. Liu has put in great effort to gather so many renowned items rarely seen even in Chang'an.

My daughter-in-law is skilled at cultivating peonies.

She can cultivate even the most novel varieties.

Floral Envoy, if there's any you want, you can take it home to enjoy to your heart's content.

That's your dowry, my lady.

If they belong to the young lady.

I'll pass.

A true gentleman does not take what others love.

Today, I wanted to adorn my hair with fresh flowers.

But the inn was so shabby that I couldn't find a suitable one.

But this garden full of peonies does seem fitting.

This one, right? I see.

Hold on.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

The peonies are flattered by your affection.

But these peonies are the dowry given by my father and mother.

Even if I am dull, I dare not be unfilial.

I hope Your Highness can show mercy.

Whether you are filial or not is of no consequence to me.

Youzhen, Since it is her dowry, let it be.

Zishu, it's just a flower.

Can't you bear to part with it?

But…

As the daughter of the imperial family, you must have seen all the rare things.

To be honest, these peonies are just ordinary flowers in your eyes, Your Highness.

But to me, they are of considerable value to carry with oneself.

I hope you can show leniency.

Why bother quibbling with a woman of no significance like me?

After all is said and done, it's all about money.

Indeed.

Peonies are flowers in our eyes.

But in the eyes of merchants,

they are nuggets of gold.

That's true, Your Highness.

As long as we take the branches of these flowers, plant them in the soil,

and tend to them diligently,

next Spring, they will bloom, one flower becoming two.

They're more than just nuggets of gold.

They're practically a wealth-bringing deity that generates money annually.

How embarrassing.

Enough.

My wife is a vulgar huckster and has offended the County Princess.

Your Highness, please don't stoop to her level.

The County Princess is naturally beautiful.

Even without fresh flowers adorning her, her grace stands out.

Other vulgar powders and rogue creams in the garden cannot hold a candle to her.

Let it be.

Let's leave these nuggets of gold to the young lady.

I am magnanimous.

So be it.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Allow me to take you to the Water Jade Pavilion for a rest. This way, please.

Your Highness.

­

To do as one says,

I've come to help you get rid of the troublemakers.

Do you want the 100-set way

or the 80-set way?

I won't let go of even a single flower. I am very stingy.

So how can I afford to summon the Floral Envoy?

Moreover, my own troublemakers should rightfully be dealt with by myself.

No need to trouble you.

Floral Envoy.

Keeper Chen.

Long time no see.

You are as dashing and suave as ever.

- Yes. - I wonder where to buy this.

The Liu Mansion has never been this lively before.

Look at the lady of the house with that sycophantic look,

they even mock you for being vulgar.

Where are they any better?

If I don't pretend to be greedy for money,

how could the County Princess have so easily given up just now?

These peonies are the keepsakes my mother left me.

I must protect them.

What does it matter if people disdain me a little?

Are you here for the flowers?

There are more over there.

How brazen.

Don't say that. These are the young lady's golden goose.

The County Princess looks at the lord with deep affection.

She must have old feelings for him.

That's why she deliberately made things difficult for you, my lady.

It doesn't matter.

If Liu Chang and the County Princess wish to rekindle their past relationship,

they certainly won't make room for me.

If he initiates the divorce,

it would be the Liu family breaking the marriage contract first.

I have no reason not to agree.

To me, this may be a good opportunity.

But once divorced, others will regard you as a cast-off wife.

Arranging another marriage later on might be…

Silly Yulu.

Life is yours to live.

Why bother about others' views?

These two are the daughters of Commandant Wang.

Heye, Hehua.

Greet the Floral Envoy.

I've always thought

that corrupt officials are either fat-headed or weasel-faced.

I've never expected the Floral Envoy to be so dashing and handsome.

Look at those unmarried ladies.

Their eyes are practically glued to him.

Common folks tending to their own plot of land

are seen as vulgar and coarse in their eyes.

While the officials insatiably greedy who accept bribes are the best marriage material

and the ladder to climb up the ranks in their eyes.

The Current Officialdom is becoming more and more miasmic.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Noon has arrived.

Please take your seats.

Please.

Mr. Chen, apologies for the imperfect hospitality.

This is a small token of my feelings.

Come, please.

Mr. Chen.

Please.

- After you. - Please.

­All right.

Your Highness, please.

Please take the upper seat.

The County Princess actually took the seat of the Liu family's young lady.

Isn't this openly slapping Madam He's face?

The County Princess, recently widowed, went nowhere but Luoyang.

This Mr. Liu is a minor judge today,

but in the future, he might just be transferred to the capital and rise rapidly.

Your Highness, this is not proper etiquette.

Zishu, it has been a long time since I saw you.

I don't want to be too far from you.

Please, sit down.

My lady, shall we…

It's alright.

There are seats over there, let's go.

This garden is full of peonies.

There's no place for the Albizia flower.

No flowers, no fruit.

It does match.

Zishu, sit down.

Okay.

This family of troublemakers

is truly interesting.

This wine is good.

Chuanyu.

My lord.

How is this dance compared to the Pear Garden in the palace?

Naturally, it can't compete.

But it is quite presentable.

It's more than just presentable.

The look in the eyes and the posture of holding an umbrella clearly have a familiar...

murderous aura...

of martial artists.

Youzhen, be careful.

Protect the County Princess.

My lady, get up quickly.

Quickly.

- Go. - Don't move.

Treacherous official Jiang,

you let the emperor indulge in pleasure, bringing chaos to the court hierarchy.

The Integrity Society is here to act for heaven.

Overestimating one's own ability.

Does the Floral Envoy know kung fu?

I've never heard of it.

This is an imperial sword bestowed by His Majesty.

When the sharp blade is unsheathed,

it's as if His Majesty has arrived in person.

What are you waiting for?

Protect the royal sword.

Be careful.

Don't splatter blood everywhere.

Staining the beautiful garments of the ladies would be a pity.

Be careful, Yulu.

Don't cut my flowers. Fight over there.

My lady.

My lady, you scared me.

How could you just charge out like that?

I was scared. I thought they had cut my flowers.

- Are you alright? - I'm fine, are you?

- I'm okay. - Control your strength well.

Do not harm the flowers.

The gold nuggets of the young Lady Liu

are too expensive to compensate.

He was previously acting as a ghost inside the Fuyun Temple.

And now he fully reveals the posture of someone borrowing power.

This favored one by His Majesty is indeed not ordinary.

Kneel.

It was due to my negligence in checking identities thoroughly that the thieves mixed into the assembly.

Fortunately, the County Princess was not injured.

But still, it disturbed the elegant interest of the County Princess and the Floral Envoy.

Please forgive me.

The Liu family failed to inspect and startled the County Princess and the Floral Envoy.

Please show great magnanimity and deal with it leniently.

Zishu, what are you doing? Get up quickly.

Get up.

For the sake of you, I won't pursue it.

What do you say, Floral Envoy?

Forget it.

This matter can't really be blamed on Lord Liu.

You… It was just a matter of poor luck.

If today the one receiving us was the Keeper Chen, there would still be such a commotion.

Assaults, assassination attempts.

It happens several times each month.

I'm already used to it.

Look how skilled my subordinates are.

Mr. Liu, no need to take it to heart.

Everyone, get up.

Thank you for your clemency, Your Highness, Floral Envoy.

Having committed many evils, he has invited pursuit and killing.

He doesn't take it as a warning, and yet, he's proud of it.

You have broad minds.

I am ashamed for not measuring up.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Didn't you change the way of addressing me just now?

Why are you reverting to it again?

I still prefer you to call me by my name.

Youzhen, it's chaos here.

Let's go admire the flowers somewhere else

so that the servants tidying up won't bother you.

- Okay. - Please.

Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming.

Please forgive me for my poor hospitality.

Mr. Liu. You are humble.

In today's floral banquet, the peonies are dazzling.

We were honored to feast our eyes in the light of the County Princess and the Floral Envoy.

The County Princess and the Floral Envoy are staying here.

It will certainly lead to many banquets and feasts in the future.

Our two families must interact with each other more frequently.

Of course.

Floral Envoy. This banquet cannot continue.

I shall take my leave first.

Everyone, please hold on.

Now that the assassin has been captured, where is everyone going?

Let's continue drinking and the entertainment.

That's the proper thing to do.

Exactly, exactly. I will summon people to clean up immediately.

- Servants. - No need for that.

Leave it to my men.

They are experienced.

Chuanyu.

Yes.

You know what to do.

- Take the assassin away. Tidy up the scene. - Yes.

Aren't all corrupt officials afraid of death?

Even so, the Floral Envoy still has the mood to continue feasting.

One who is shameless never worries about anything.

- Shameless Jiang. - Kneel properly.

Ladies and gentlemen, please.

Please move to the garden.

This way, please.

Seeing how proficient these subordinates are,

I can't help but want to shout 'bravo'.

Although I don't mind assassination,

before I came, His Majesty specifically instructed me

to see if Luoyang is as outstanding and spiritually vibrant as the rumors say.

How should I report today's events to His Majesty when I return to Chang'an?

- I… -

I don't need your courtesies.

Well, Floral Envoy, how much tangible courtesy can exempt one from the crime of negligence?

This crime can be big or small,

depending on how fast my returning carriage goes.

I am a forgetful person.

If the journey back is long enough,

by the time I return to Chang'an, I will have forgotten everything.

Then, His Majesty will only know that Luoyang

is warm with flowers blooming and the common folk prospering.

The gifts for His Majesty and the Floral Envoy

will be enough to make it difficult for the horses to take a step.

Please rest assured.

Mr. Liu is a clear-headed person.

In the future, you will certainly rise rapidly through the ranks.

Thank you, Floral Envoy.

Having had plenty of wine and food, why not play something to stretch our limbs a bit?

I remember that Zishu is quite fond of archery.

Do you have a target for archery?

Yes, yes.

County Princess, please.

Please.

Mudan, go prepare some refreshments.

- After you, Suizhi. - Please.

How did it go off-target?

Jiang. A gust of spring breeze just came by.

Although it messed up your aim, it is a good omen of success in the spring breeze.

Jiang. Joyous events are approaching.

You have such sayings in Luoyang.

Well…

No competing for the colors of spring, in autumn, it shall ascend into the cloud-filled skies.

Floral Envoy. This truly is a great omen of good fortune.

- That's right. - Well said, well said.

Great fortune, great fortune.

Great fortune, oh great fortune.

Archery is uninteresting.

Better to switch to pitching pots, huh?

- Alright. - Pitching pots.

Right, right.

Pitching pots, pitching pots is good.

Let's all go to the garden to pitch pots.

County Princess, please.

- Let's go. - Please, please, please.

After you.

- Jiang. - You go ahead.

Why does this person deliberately hide his abilities?

And why did he aim solely at this wealth-attracting copper coin?

A small token of appreciation.

- Thank you. - Take care, take care.

Mr. Li, here you go. Thank you.

Mrs. Zhang, please take care on your way.

- Thank you. - See you again.

Thank you.

I just ran into that lad at the second gate and found out

that those carriages brought by the Floral Envoy were all empty.

Those carriages were personally bestowed by His Majesty,

representing the supreme honor and favor of His Majesty.

And the rule of the Floral Envoy is to travel with empty carriages and return fully loaded.

Indeed, he is the number one greedy official in the world.

The Floral Envoy is unfathomable, and not as simple as he appears.

Let's not interfere with this matter.

The most important thing is to go and find the lady of the house

to move the peonies back to my courtyard as soon as possible.

Only then can I be at ease.

But it's impossible for Mudan to raise so much money all at once.

And there is no way to get it from home.

It seems that the only option is to sell the imperial-granted Zixi pills in order to raise the funds.

The tribute medicine can save lives when the time comes.

They can never be sold.

When He entered the family, didn't her father give us a large sum of money?

Now it's all spent. How have you been managing the household?

My Lord. Two distinguished guests have come.

Not to mention the expenses

of the banquet hosted for them,

they are going to stay here for a while.

Even if we had a gold mine,

it would not be enough.

Women simply

lack foresight.

The future career prospects of our son

and the Liu family's reputation

all depend on these few days.

But right now…

Didn't someone make an offer

on He's dowry,

those few shops?

Have Xiangfu take the accountant

and sell them.

It should tide us over for a while.

Don't even think about touching the tribute medicine.

We must not let He discover

that what we gave back then was a forgery.

If her father gets wind of it,

it will be difficult to ask him for money to grease the wheels in the future.

Don't act impulsively.

Let's go back first.

Let's go back,

I thought…

I thought Mother was too ill.

Even with the expensive Zixi pills,

it didn't turn the tide.

But I never expected…

I never expected the pills to be fake.

Why did they deceive me?

Why?

I clearly could have had more time.

I could have more time

to look for other miraculous medicines.

My lady.

My lady, don't be like this, my lady.

My lady.

It's all because of my incompetence.

It's all because of my incompetence.

If I had discovered earlier that the Zixi pills were fake,

I could have wasted no time in seeking medical advice.

Mother… Mother might have been saved.

She wouldn't have left me.

I was foolish, I was too foolish. I'm stupid. A fool!

Don't be like this, my lady. Don't be like this.

My lady.

The Master has been selling medicine for so many years,

but he's never seen a real Zixi pill.

The fake medicine and the one described in the medical books smell and appear exactly the same.

Furthermore, as soon as Madam took it, there indeed was some improvement.

It's only natural that you didn't notice.

It's the Liu family to blame, not you, my lady.

My lady, if Madam sees you

this heartbroken and self-reproaching, she will definitely be heartbroken.

That's right.

I shouldn't torment myself for such a family.

Their lies have delayed the treatment period for Mother.

I will certainly make them pay the price.

I will certainly make them pay the price.

But we are weak and alone. How can we fight against them?

If we confront them now,

they will surely deny everything.

How about… How about we tell the Master about this to seek justice?

the Master about this to seek justice? xxx

to seek justice? xxx

No.

We have no evidence now.

Even if we involve Father, it would be of no help.

it would be of no help. xxx

Even if we turn Liu's house upside down and find the real tribute medicine,

and find the real tribute medicine, xxx

they will not admit it.

When that happens and the families fall out, we of the He family, being mere merchants,

we of the He family, being mere merchants, xxx

might bear the stigma of being ungrateful and treacherous.

of being ungrateful and treacherous. xxx

What we can do now is to withdraw from the Liu family intact.

is to withdraw from the Liu family intact. xxx

Once we get home, we'll plan our next step.

we'll plan our next step. xxx

In any case,

I cannot stay a moment longer at this place of cruelty.

at this place of cruelty. xxx

My lady, you want a divorce.

That's right.

Liu Shen insisted on me marrying into the Liu family for my birth characters.

for my birth characters. xxx

He will surely not let me go easily.

Tomorrow the Liu family will accompany the County Princess on a trip.

We can take this opportunity to take back the dowry shops.

to take back the dowry shops. xxx

We must not let them sell them at will.

My lady.

Liu Shen does not want to let me leave.

But the County Princess and Liu Chang can't wait for me to disappear.

can't wait for me to disappear. xxx

Yulu, pass the message for me.

Why did you call me here?

call me here? xxx

Everyone thinks that peonies are exclusive to the nobility.

that peonies are exclusive to the nobility. xxx

But they forget that they originate from the mountains and forests

that they originate from the mountains and forests xxx

and once bloomed and withered away freely.

and withered away freely. xxx

The flowers before us

are the fine specimens

gathered by Mother while accompanying Father on his business trips traveling across all regions.

traveling across all regions. xxx

Mother brought them to me and taught me how to cultivate them with care.

and taught me how to cultivate them with care. xxx

Without my mother,

there wouldn't be the grand spectacle that made the County Princess and the Floral Envoy praise unanimously.

that made the County Princess and the Floral Envoy xxx

praise unanimously. xxx

Did you call me here just to tell me how precious these beloved golden nuggets of yours are,

how precious these beloved golden nuggets of yours are, xxx

how rare they are, and how magnificent you were at today's floral banquet?

and how magnificent you were at today's floral banquet? xxx

If you wish to bestow a reward, you may say so directly.

you may say so directly. xxx

For the sake of these flowers, as long as it's not too excessive,

as long as it's not too excessive, xxx

I can agree to it.

I want a divorce.

What did you say?

I said,

I want a divorce.

What nonsense are you talking about?

Is it because of me and the County Princess?

- My relationship with Youzhen… - That's right.

That's right. xxx

You and the County Princess are mutually in love, a match made in heaven.

a match made in heaven. xxx

While my status is humble, detrimental to your reputation, so,

detrimental to your reputation, so,

I am willing to leave the Liu family to make your relationship possible.

to make your relationship possible. xxx

You speak so many self-deprecating words to grant yourself a favor, don't you?

to grant yourself a favor, don't you? xxx

Indeed. Merchants value profit over righteousness.

Merchants value profit over righteousness. xxx

Don't forget that it was the He family who came asking for medicine.

that it was the He family xxx

who came asking for medicine. xxx

And now that the benefits are exhausted, you think of breaking the agreement.

you think of breaking the agreement. xxx

Our marriage began all because of a sorcerer's words.

all because of a sorcerer's words. xxx

Even if there's no commiseration, you should understand the other's helplessness.

you should understand the other's helplessness. xxx

Since you're weary of me and this marriage arrangement, why not let me leave?

and this marriage arrangement, why not let me leave? xxx

why not let me leave? xxx

- This way, you'll also be free. - I disagree.

I disagree. xxx

Why?

Isn't this what you've always wanted?

What I want is not for you to decide. is not for you to decide.

is not for you to decide. xxx

You married into the Liu family.

Where you go and what you do is all decided by me, your husband.

I have not yet said I will divorce you. On what grounds do you bring up divorce with me?

On what grounds do you bring up divorce with me? xxx

Matters of divorce won't be my initiative.

won't be my initiative.

You can submit documents to the authorities.

In the eyes of the public, it will be you getting rid of me.

it will be you getting rid of me. xxx

In your eyes, do I care that much about how those unrelated people see me, is that it?

about how those unrelated people xxx

see me, is that it? xxx

- Liu Chang. - What I truly care about is whether my marriage stays or ends is all up to me.

is whether my marriage stays or ends xxx

is all up to me. xxx

Others have no right to manipulate me, let alone you.

let alone you. xxx

He Weifang, listen well to me.

Although our marriage lacks substance, the name of it is not for you to just discard.

the name of it xxx

is not for you to just discard. xxx

Unless I divorce you, otherwise, don't think of leaving this place.

otherwise, don't think of leaving this place. xxx

Team Credit

♫ In endless Chang'an, the zither's melody distant ♫

♫ Plum and willow trees bask in the sunshine, as splendor returns with the year ♫

♫ Copper palace battlements, songs and dances, glass goblets ♫

♫ Idle clouds and duckweed, a thousand flowers burst forth ♫

♫ Time passes gracefully, affairs settle like fading smoke ♫

♫ Let the years go by, carried by the wind to early desires ♫

♫ If the heart is like water, the bloom is ever-present ♫

♫ Still cherish the moon of my hometown, to meet for long ♫

♫ The distant night sky strewn with stars, reflecting the lovely moon ♫

♫ The peony's magnificent beauty fills the fragrant garden ♫

♫ With a heart as my lantern, I don't mind the distant mountain paths ♫

♫ The flute's sound, a fleeting life's wishes fulfilled ♫

♫ Time passes gracefully, affairs settle like fading smoke ♫

♫ Let the years go by, carried by the wind to early desires ♫

♫ If the heart is like water, the bloom is ever-present ♫

♫ Still cherish the moon of my hometown, to meet for long ♫