Original subtitles

[Flourished Peony]

[Episode 5]

Fortunately, the Qiongtai Yulu is still a seedling

and has not been dug up.

When we return home,

I will transplant you into the courtyard.

You've only had one family since you were married,

that is the Liu Mansion.

County Princess has already left.

Whether you nurture those flowers of yours

in the garden or in pots,

it's all up to you.

No one else will touch them again.

You've had too much to drink. What are you doing here at my place?

Shouldn't you be preparing the bridal gifts

with Master and Madam?

Okay.

Since you are here,

let's sign the divorce agreement.

I will leave early tomorrow morning,

definitely won't disturb you and County Princess's wedding.

My old affections with County Princess have long since been gone.

Today, she was overwhelmed with grief, and couldn't stop crying.

That led to what you saw.

If you hadn't brought the guests here,

things wouldn't have turned out this way.

Although County Princess can assure the Liu family's glory,

and the He family has no benefits for my career,

He Weifang,

I still want to give us a chance.

Enough, stop it.

I'll be nicer to you.

Then thank you for your favor, My lord.

It's a pity you're wrong.

Do you think what I care about is that your old affections with County Princess

and try to win your favor by asking for a divorce?

You're overthinking it.

The reason I want a divorce

is that I despise everyone in the Liu Mansion.

The divorce is already settled.

Don't waste any more words.

Just sign this today.

What are you doing?

You're crying today on purpose.

You just want to make a big fuss

and make me marry someone else, right?

So what?

It's a good thing for everyone.

Wouldn't it be a happy event?

My parents scheme against me. So do you.

I won't let your plan go smoothly.

Shu. Prepare a hot bath for me.

Tonight, I will spend the night in Young Madam's room.

Don't even think about it.

Help!

Want to run?

- Even after our wedding, - Help!

you still call me My lord.

Let me tell you. You should have changed your way of addressing me long ago.

Either tonight call me Zishu,

or call me husband.

Don't even think about it.

You can't defy your parents.

Nor can you resist County Princess.

You only take powerless me

to display your delusive freedom.

Let me go!

He Weifang, you married into a family of officials,

and enjoy all the honor.

I am knowledgeable.

It is just a matter of time to succeed.

Such a good marriage,

you should cherish it.

Why do you avoid me?

A family of officials?

Now you're no different from a thug or robber.

Even if you are royalty,

I look down on you just the same.

Let me tell you.

I'll be the thug tonight.

Once everything is settled, I'll see how you leave.

Someone!

Keep shouting.

Here is the Liu Mansion.

Someone!

Someone!

- He Weifang. - Someone!

Come back. Want to run?

Someone!

I'll help you up.

Don't come over.

Get lost.

I don't want you to leave.

Nor I would let you go.

I will explain everything to County Princess.

I won't let you be wronged.

He Weifang, think it over.

Don't be ungrateful.

Get lost!

The Integrity Society is composed of stray people and tax dodgers.

So are those who came to kill me.

That's right.

Those people's land was taken. When they were left homeless,

they were taken in by the leader of The Integrity Society.

In the society, there are masters teaching them literacy and martial arts.

Their original hometowns are around this area.

Who is the leader of The Integrity Society?

We haven't figured it out yet.

However, we found his lair is not in Luoyang, but Chang'an.

He didn't dare to take action in Chang'an,

and had to travel a thousand miles to kill me.

There's no one else around.

Talking like this, don't you feel dizzy?

The Integrity Society claims to rid the evil officials,

always assassinating corrupt officials and sycophants outside of Chang'an.

Even though the imperial court has repeatedly sent people to suppress,

yet they have been growing stronger.

Never making actions in their own territory.

No wonder they've remained so well hidden.

Quite clever.

Can those who attempted to assassinate me go on the journey with us?

I'll personally interrogate them on the way back.

I believe we will get something from them.

They are interrogated without getting severe punishment.

They can go on the journey with us,

even still can curse at you.

I'm sure it will be quite interesting.

I'd actually like to hear it.

Right, regarding the matter of Fuyun Temple,

you must properly handle it before leaving.

At this late hour,

you come bearing injuries.

I don't think you come to ask for medicine?

You are wise.

The affair of Liu Chang has been exposed, and he has taken his anger out on me,

even resorted to physical violence against me.

I wish to file a report and divorce,

but the officials in Luoyang cover up one another.

I have no choice but to ask you to stand up for me.

Good try. But you are not careful enough,

you used scissors in your right hand to get this wound,

hence the angle of the cut is downward to the left.

Furthermore, the blood on your sleeve

is all flaw.

With this, there would be no flaw at all.

Thank you for the reminder.

You seek freedom without fear. I really admire it.

But this fan was a gift from His Majesty, very expensive.

If you do not help me,

this fan Is the evidence that you hurt me.

I hope you could think thrice.

You set me up.

Not really. Just taking what we each need.

You have seen my flaws.

And I have also seen yours.

With just a copper coin, you claim it as my flaw.

It's the first time I've ever had a threat this light.

I know.

Given your wisdom,

you surely won't leave any handle in the hands of someone like me.

But a person with no way out

must give it a shot, if the chances are slim.

Moreover, if you help me,

there would be benefits for you.

What benefits can I get by helping you?

If I leave the Liu Mansion,

County Princess will surely be Liu Chang's legitimate wife.

The two of them will become a couple.

Isn't that what you hope for too?

In the past, I wanted to help you.

Yet you rejected it, finding it too expensive.

Now you are seeking help here.

It is evident that there's a reason for the expense.

All right, I will do you a favor once.

Thank you.

However, I have another favor to ask.

I am afraid they will cover for each other and shirk responsibility.

Could you gather some people

at the entrance of the yamen and support me tomorrow?

You are quite clever, knowing to use public opinion to pressure people.

Fine. I will hire some people for you

to watch this play.

However, whether to watch a play,

or to do you a favor,

you must pay me.

Mr. Liu has just made out with

the newly widowed County Princess,

and then he beat his wife.

So shameless.

Indeed, look at her, covered with blood.

He's so ruthless.

- Exactly. - So shameless.

Cold-blooded.

Silence.

Silence.

Sir, the injuries have been examined and confirmed.

Sir, last night we just had a few arguments,

and there was a bit of shoving.

How come I don't remember hurting your shoulder?

You were so drunk

and couldn't remember anything.

What do you remember?

Do you remember the bruises on my hands?

How about the wound on my forehead?

My back, my limbs, and the large areas of bruising and abrasions.

Have you forgotten all that?

I didn't mean to hurt you.

With so many injuries on her body,

yet you still deny it?

Exactly.

Shut up.

I handle my own family affair,

what does it have to do with you?

You've hurt her and still are so arrogant?

In this court, you reek of alcohol.

It's simply lawless.

- You! - Sir.

Recently, there has been unrest in my family.

So my son was drowning his sorrows in liquor.

And now he has spent the night sleepless,

and he's so confused to speak clearly now.

Please take him to the back room

and call a physician to sober him up.

Father.

Nonsense really gets in the way of judging the case.

After Mr. Liu sobers up, then we shall continue.

Yes.

Please, Mr. Liu.

Sorry for that.

It's quite normal that a young couple argue and quarrels.

Yes.

It is a domestic affair, after all.

Family shame should not be aired in public.

We should shut this yamen for now,

so we can discuss appropriately.

Listen, she gets injured like this.

And yet he said it to be a domestic affair.

Fellows, once the gate is shut,

they must shield one another

and turn the big issue into a small one.

We can't let them shut the gate.

You!

Disturb the court

and even slander the imperial court officials.

Do you want to come in to be punished?

Shut the gate.

- Shut the gate. - Shut the gate.

- Why shut the gate? - Why shut the gate?

Wait.

Do you want to cover up for each other?

Sir, the reason the yamen holds court sessions

is to gain the people's trust.

Yet my husband had an affair first, and beat me thereafter.

If the Liu Family is upright, then why shut the gate?

Mudan, Zishu is gentle and kind,

could never commit such acts of violence.

The Liu family has always been lenient.

Since you married into the Liu family,

we cherish you like a treasure

and provide you a wealthy life.

Now, you are complaining us,

as if we would bully you.

I'm so sad.

It's not that I want to complain to you,

but what you say is too partial and unfair.

I come from a merchant family,

and knew I have married someone noble.

Therefore, I've been careful and submissive in everything.

But what about Liu Chang?

Not only did he openly consort with someone else,

but he also committed violence against me.

Under such circumstances, yet you claim to treat me like a treasure.

Sir, I'm here today

to seek help.

Madam He. This matter concerns great.

How dare you make false accusations?

A husband's having an affair is due to the wife's incompetence and negligence.

You still haven't given birth.

Then, Mr. Liu is reasonable to have an affair.

You are childless and prone to jealousy,

and disobedient to your in-laws.

If you two must part,

you should be the one to be divorced.

If you continue to obstruct the court officials,

then there will be an additional charge of disturbing the court.

According to the law,

you shall receive twenty heavy beatings.

- What? - Twenty heavy beatings?

You're just killing her.

Madam He is covered in injuries,

and still has to endure twenty heavy beatings.

- It's killing her. - Exactly.

Shut up and leave.

It's so ridiculous.

You are treating human lives with utter disregard.

Sir, I've been married into the Liu family for less than a year.

How can I have a child?

No matter how Liu Chang treats me,

whenever the Liu family needed money, my parental family would help them.

Even my own dowry contributed quite a bit.

I serve my in-laws every day,

have been attentive to them from morning to night.

I have been kind and dutiful to the Liu family.

Why should I be beaten? And why should I be divorced?

I refuse to accept this.

How dare you argue here!

Someone! Just…

Mr. Jiang.

It's all her fault to ruin your sweet dream.

Sorry about that.

Sir, I laughed because of you.

Me?

If your wife cheats on you behind your back,

and beats you bloody out of shame and anger,

and then she divorces you, claiming that you are incompetent.

Isn't that funny?

Well…

[Court] Human life involved,

yet it is being dealt with gate shut and said to be a domestic affair.

You can't even do a puppet show like that.

Mr. Jiang. Since ancient times, the husband is prioritized.

- The matter between a couple is a family affair. - Yes.

Moreover, no one gets killed.

Mr. Jiang, you are busy and also have to serve His Majesty.

These trivial matters of our Liu family

shall not further occupy your time.

Well, I will send someone to take you back home.

This time of mine is for His Majesty.

His Majesty has long been living in the deep palace.

Compared to these rare treasures,

what he cherishes more are these strange tales and odd events.

Ever since I stayed at the Liu Mansion,

these amusing incidents have been happening one after another.

His Majesty will surely inquire me out of curiosity.

I wonder which event I should tell him.

At the floral banquet, an assassin infiltrated.

Within your jurisdiction,

such a grave mistake has been made.

Mr. Jiang.

Fortunately, you are brave.

The assassination attempt failed.

I have already prepared you an apology gift.

There's no need to tell His Majesty about this.

Well, well.

We are all serving His Majesty.

Yes.

Recently, you have been living at the Liu Mansion.

You must have heard something about what happened to Madam He.

I would like to hear your opinion.

That day, at the Water Jade Pavilion…

Mr. Jiang.

The matter at the Water Jade Pavilion is also quite a romantic tale.

The two are mutually in love,

and will marry soon.

Right, Master Liu?

Yes.

Then congratulations to your son and County Princess in advance.

However, it is true that Madam He has been injured.

Let's deal with it one by one.

Yes.

Just now, you mentioned the law.

So judge it as what's written in the law.

I'm not very familiar with them.

Chuanyu.

According to the law, to those who beat their wives.

At the least, let the wife go and divorce, and return the dowry.

At worst, sever ties and offer compensation.

Those who beat their wives are sentenced to prison for wounding with intent.

No.

Is what he said correct?

Yes.

How fair.

Good.

Thanks to the Floral Envoy for speaking out and helping.

- Good. - Thanks.

Good, well said.

- Thanks. - Good.

Thank you.

- Good. - It's fair.

Sir, I'm here today

not for seeking wealth, nor for revenge,

but a way out.

I hope you permit me to divorce Liu Chang,

to sign the agreement today,

settle accounts and leave the Liu Mansion tomorrow.

From then on, I'll part with the Liu family,

and no longer be involved.

Mudan, you are from a merchant family,

and simply do not understand the complexities of divorce.

Both the couple and their parents must all consent and stamp their seals.

The government has to redraft official documents and household registrations.

The dowry also needs to be taken out of storage and inventoried in detail.

Well, how can it be done so quickly?

Besides, you are still injured.

Let us handle it slowly.

I am afraid I do not understand the procedures,

therefore, before reporting to the yamen, I've made the preparations

for it.

I have already written and stamped the divorce agreement,

and the dowry list is also in order.

The dowry I voluntarily offered to you

has already been deducted,

considering it as a filial tribute to the in-laws.

But I hope you give the money back to me

that you made from selling my vessels

and the shops secretly.

Well…

Young Madam, you are…

Now that the divorce is settled,

I am no longer Young Madam of the Liu family.

My name is Mudan.

Lady Mudan, you are really smart.

It's a pity that you're trapped within the confines of the boudoir.

If you want to manage my accounts,

I will reward you handsomely.

I am sincere.

Thank you for your appreciation.

I am more than willing.

But Chang'an is too far away.

We are okay with everything else.

But this peony flower is already deeply rooted in the courtyard,

if you wish to dig it up,

then the courtyard will be in a mess.

They're just some flowers after all.

Just let it go.

At the banquet a few days ago,

Master Liu boasted to the guests that the famous peony is worth a fortune.

I can't let it go.

Mr. Jiang was present at the time. Do you still remember?

A golden lump. How can I forget it?

Sir, Master Liu.

Please stamp on it.

The Liu family has been in officialdom for years. I bet you are quite wealthy.

You have this little money, right?

I have my seal at home.

And this is the account for the whole year.

I can't even calculate it.

I need to get the accounting office to go over everything.

It will take quite an effort.

Moreover, we have had many tasks at hand recently.

Even if we were to rush it,

it would take until next month at least.

All these things Master Liu mentioned,

getting the accounting office to clear and check the accounts. How many days required?

Three days will be sufficient.

After three days, come here to sign and stamp the documents.

After exchanging the official document,

the divorce will be settled.

- Good. - Excellent.

Floral Envoy is really impressive.

Excellent.

Parting ways brings relief to both sides.

It's also quite a good story.

Then let's call it a day.

What are you waiting for?

The matter is settled. Court is adjourned.

Jiang, just kill me.

Why bother?

No matter where you take us,

we are united as one, and will curse you.

I don't care.

Whatever.

When we reach Chang'an, I'll have plenty of ways to punish you.

We have a long future ahead.

Heaven is blind, and corrupt officials hold power.

If you dare, kill me now.

I'll turn into a vengeful ghost.

I will ruin your ancestral grave

and make you restless day and night.

Bah! Jiang!

Just same old cliché.

Boring.

My lord, we can set off now.

Who are you waiting for?

I have put on such a big show,

and done a great deed of kindness.

Even I can't get any fame, but at least get some money.

Mr. Jiang, please wait.

My lord, you are really amazing.

You have helped me fulfill my wish.

I am here to see you off and repay the kindness.

This is for you.

I care about the people and uphold justice.

It's all for the justice, not for the money.

It's okay, not too light.

Money is cold,

how can it compare to the warm roasted pancakes?

A full three jins.

You can have them to stave off hunger on the road.

This gift is heavy enough, right?

Just kidding.

The Liu family doesn't return my dowry to me.

I am also short of money.

Consider it a debt I owe you.

Chuanyu.

The first person in the world who dares to owe me is here.

I charge a high interest. You won't be able to pay it back.

In my opinion,

you should go with me to Chang'an to work as an accountant.

You can make a fortune, for real.

Only the bold can make a fortune.

But I am timid.

Wishing you a smooth journey.

Till we meet again, I will repay your kindness.

Well, the pancakes are tasty.

I brushed them with two layers of nectar.

This is a secret recipe from the He family. Try some.

Eat it while it's warm.

My lord, it's really tasty.

Indeed, it's better than money.

Set off.

[Liu Mansion] Set off.

These days, I've been so busy.

And I didn't even have the chance to apply spring fertilizer for you.

I didn't expect you to be so great

and even sprout flower buds.

Once Liu Chang stamps the divorce agreement,

we'll go home together.

Mudan.

I like Mudan.

Shuai.

Let's go home together, okay?

Let's go. I'll make something tasty for you.

The Floral Envoy and others have left Luoyang.

We can take action now.

[Divorce Agreement]

After He Weifang married into the family,

she has been diligent.

Why are you being so ruthless?

I just wanted to divorce her,

but she was too greedy, insisting on taking her dowry with her

and stirring up a lawsuit, ruining the reputation of my Liu family.

Forming a marriage alliance with Prince Ning

is the Liu family's only chance for a comeback.

We must have money at hand.

We can't let her survive anymore.

It's my father who agreed to divorce, not me.

Where's He Weifang? What is she doing right now?

My lord, she has prepared the carriage,

and is busy packing personal belongings, taking inventory of the storage.

Shu has packed the luggage and loaded them all onto the carriage.

After you stamp on the divorce agreement,

then she can return to her parental home.

My lord. At this point,

nothing can be saved now.

County Princess demands the Liu family to promptly make a marriage proposal.

She wants to be the legitimate wife.

If the agreement is broken, then it would be a calamity.

My lord.

What?

I am merely an object in this family,

arranged at their disposal.

My marriage and my divorce

are not within my own control.

I can't keep the person I wish to keep,

and I can't get over the affection I don't want.

I understand. Previously, you've missed County Princess day and night.

But unexpectedly, upon meeting again,

she is greatly different from before.

You feel so upset.

Youzhen said to be considerate of me,

but just oppressed me by power.

The youthful affections of the past

have all been erased by power.

People do change.

Madam He is different from today as well.

I thought

He Weifang was

a weak and commonplace woman.

But unexpectedly,

she would be happy, angry,

and can resist and strive.

If I had been sincere to her,

perhaps everything would be different now.

I had done something I didn't want once,

and now, I absolutely can't make the same mistake again.

Just find that divorce agreement

and burn it.

Just burn it.

[Divorce Agreement]

The Zixi pills given to Mrs. He by my parents are fake.

If Mudan knew it,

she might end up hating the Liu family even more.

My lord, did you hear anything?

No. What's the matter?

The Master entrusted me to deliver some things to her.

She seemed a bit unhappy,

and argued with me loudly.

Before I could finish speaking, she ran off.

My lord, did you see where she went?

She went that way in a panic.

It should be towards the Water Jade Pavilion.

Thank you, My lord.

Come out.

Be careful.

Why did you save me?

You are my legitimate wife,

and I have never thought of harming you.

Mudan, as long as you are willing to stay,

I will surely protect you.

You're a man who can't even marry and have children at his will.

What do you have to protect me?

Liu Chang, our divorce is already settled.

Now what's lacking is just an official document stamp.

He Weifang, it was I who saved you.

And who wants to take my life?

Have you thought it through?

Crystal clear.

The carriage you prepared is at the side gate.

But what about divorce agreement?

Can't you see the situation?

If you want to live, hurry up and leave.

Madam He is so cunning and she ran away.

I can't find her anywhere in the mansion.

You! How can you let a weak woman

run away?

Where could she have run off to?

She must have gone to her father.

Take some skilled servants with you

and go to the He family.

After seeing her father,

figure out clearly what to say.

Do not fail again.

Yes.

♫ 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 ♫