Original subtitles

[Flourished Peony]

[Episode 13]

Please show your pass.

Next.

Wait another half hour.

I could get home before curfew.

Walk across two more blocks, and we'll be there.

Curfew time is approaching.

No need to see me out. Please go back.

Your visits are too few.

The Commandant told me

to get you home safely.

Master Xu, the rain is heavy.

Be careful. The roads are wet and slippery.

No need to accompany me further.

You may go back.

Protect…

Master Xu, go.

Since you've seen it,

you can't live anymore.

No.

Don't.

You had a nightmare again?

No, I just dreamed

that we lost money in our business.

Shengyi, I feel better now.

I can work with you today.

We can't do business today.

You have some rest.

Why?

Master Xu died unexpectedly.

It's his burial today.

All the businesses in the city closed.

The people are gathering for his funeral.

When did Master Xu die?

What happened to him?

Some bandits infiltrated the city.

Three days ago, the night you brought back flowers,

Master Xu was kidnapped by them.

I hear the bandits are extremely vicious.

They killed Master Xu and all his guards.

Their bodies were swept away by the swollen river

and found the next day.

Fu went to take a look out of curiosity.

He said that the dead were unrecognizable.

Their death was tragic.

It was on the same day.

Indeed, fortunately, you didn't run into those bandits.

Even thinking of it now scares me.

They say Master Xu was a great scholar of our time.

He was deeply respected.

He often spoke out for us common folks.

Sadly, no good deed goes unpunished.

Shengyi, my cousin works at the Imperial Academy.

This must have hit him very hard.

I'll go see him.

You take your medicine now.

Okay.

Okay.

Master Xu, I failed to protect you.

Rest in peace, Master Xu.

I will forever remember you.

I will forever remember you.

I will remember you.

I'll always engrave your teachings.

Rest in peace.

Your virtues

will be forever remembered.

We shall continue the ambition and move forward.

Rest in peace. I will forever remember you.

Rest in peace.

Excuse me, please call Li Xing out.

Please wait a moment.

[Imperial Academy]

Li Xing.

Mudan.

Li Xing, I've heard about Master Xu's death.

Considering he was your teacher,

I came to see you. I'm so sorry.

Thank you for coming.

I have too many things to do. So I can't talk for too long.

I need to do things.

Li Xing.

May I ask if Master Xu was grey-haired?

There was a mole here.

You knew him?

It really was him.

I met Master Xu once.

I once received kindness from him.

Could you take me inside?

I'd like to pay my respects to him.

That's what I should do.

Never heard of it.

Come with me.

[Imperial Academy] Additional Secretary of Ministry of Works came.

For a nation,

the people are the foundation for peace.

Value talent over social status.

Think of the country and the people.

For a nation,

the people are the foundation for peace.

Value talent over social status.

Think of the country and the people.

I thought most of the officials were as irresponsible

as the County Magistrate of Luoyang.

To my surprise, Master Xu was a good official

adored by the masses.

Master Xu was dedicated to his official duties.

[Funeral] He devoted himself to his work.

He dedicated all he had to the nation and its people.

He had no children.

Yet, he had millions of students.

All of whom were his children.

Has the murderer who killed Master Xu been captured?

[Zu Ping]

Those bandits resisted desperately.

In the end, they were all slain by the Marquis.

But what's the point?

Master Xu is dead.

Li Xing.

Actually, Master Xu--

Vice Minister of Office of Imperial Ceremonies is here to pay his respects.

Why did he come?

For a nation,

the people are the foundation for peace.

His Majesty sent me to pay respects.

Master Xu.

His Majesty sent me to pay respects.

Master Xu.

Master Xu.

His Majesty sent me to pour libations.

Upon learning of your demise,

His Majesty fainted out of grief.

He regrets not seeing you one last time.

His Majesty has promised

he will surely follow your last wishes.

I'm also so deep in grief.

Over these years, I've always angered you.

I haven't made it right yet.

How could you suddenly leave us?

You were a great scholar

and a tutor of two emperors.

Your contributions to the nation are huge.

I've already ordered people

to erect a monument and write a biography for you.

Your name shall forever remain in academia,

left in posterity,

and remembered by the public.

Master Xu.

Master Xu.

Li Xing, was he also a student of Master Xu?

Ever since he became a jester,

Master Xu has never acknowledged him as his student.

He's crying so sadly.

Was he very close to Master Xu before?

In the court, he shields his own faction and excludes the dissident.

He was always against Master Xu.

He even turned His Majesty

and Master Xu against each other.

No matter how hard he's crying,

it's all an act.

He is shameless.

So, no one can deal with him?

Even if he commits a felony, will he be pardoned?

His Majesty is deceived by him.

He's long been deaf to the advice of others.

No, I can't watch him make a scene.

I could get a divorce before

because Jiang Changyang was my backer.

If I tell on him,

the truth about Master Xu's death might not be revealed.

I'm afraid I might be silenced by him.

Master Xu, I'm sorry.

Please take the Floral Envoy away.

Please let Master Xu rest in peace.

Master Xu.

You check why He Weifang is here.

Yes.

[Imperial Academy]

Thank you.

You're welcome. Take care.

See you.

Shengyi, what do you think?

This shop is quite good.

Let's settle on this one.

So, we can--

Are you okay? What's wrong?

- Mudan. - I'm fine.

Why have you been out of sorts lately?

You've been freaking out about something.

Due to the recent insurrection of the bandits,

I always feel a bit uneasy.

The bandits have been killed by the authorities.

I watched them being executed.

They're totally dead. No need to worry.

Yes, they all died.

I have nothing to worry about anymore.

I want to discuss something with you guys.

[Property for Sale] We can't always live in Mr. Jiang's house.

When our business gets better,

let's move out.

Then Ms. Sun can live with us.

the more people, the merrier.

Okay. It's yours.

- Let's go. - Alright.

Let's go.

Lady He seems to be avoiding you.

Every time she comes to take care of the Qiongtai Yulu,

you're always not home.

And she comes and goes in a hurry.

She no longer likes chatting and joking with others like before.

Lady He has relatives in Chang'an.

Li Xing, a student of Master Xu, is her cousin.

Mr. Jiang, in the middle of the night,

why are you sitting on the wall?

Can't you knock on the door?

How could you climb over the wall?

You're freaking me out.

I was just watching the night views on the wall of my own house.

I didn't mean to scare you.

Could it be

that you're afraid of something?

What are you talking about?

Alright, I can't lie to you.

Here's the thing.

I have selected a shop in the West Market.

I've been troubling you all this time.

So after my shop opens,

I'll pay you back.

I'm easygoing.

So, you're becoming more presumptuous.

I invested money in you for profits.

Yet when you're capable, you want to leave.

You wish.

Yes, I'm just asking you about it.

If you don't agree, I'll forget it.

You're incredibly obedient

and not even talking back to me.

I'm really too tired.

I've used all my energy on many things.

Mr. Jiang, have some water.

The Herbaceous Peonies

were bought five days ago?

I don't quite remember. What about it?

Five days ago, Master Xu of Imperial Academy

was robbed and killed on his way home.

You don't remember this either?

Of course, I know about this.

It caused an uproar throughout the city.

Now that you've reminded me, I remember.

Indeed, the flowers were bought that day.

Is there something wrong?

I have most of the money you earn

through hard work.

So you're sort of one of my people.

None of my followers are dressed as plainly as you.

Isn't the money you've earned enough to buy new dresses?

You're acting very strange.

You asked me when I bought these flowers

and found my clothes odd.

What's wrong with you?

One night, when I was walking at night,

I saw a flower from a distance.

I wondered why there was an Herbaceous Peony in a quiet, secluded alley.

I went to see the flower.

And to my surprise, I found this.

You always haggle over every ounce,

Since I tore your dress,

naturally, I have to compensate.

What do you say?

This is just a very ordinary piece of cloth.

I'm not the only person in Chang'an wearing this.

Mr. Jiang, did you find this piece of rag

just to make fun of me?

It seems I misunderstood you.

That's because

you aren't sincere with me and hid something.

You keep saying things to me like they're supposed to mean something.

What is wrong with me?

When you came to Chang'an, you said you had no relatives.

What about Li Xing?

He is your cousin.

I don't know what I did wrong

to make you investigate me.

Li Xing is my cousin.

But when my mother was still alive,

she cut ties with my aunt.

We were not close.

Otherwise, why didn't I ask him for help when I was in trouble?

Why did I borrow money from you?

After Master Xu passed away,

Li Xing led others to curse me by writing poems and essays.

This has nothing to do with you?

That's why you're questioning me?

Mr. Jiang, I swear

I have nothing to do with this.

I have what I have today

thanks to your help.

How could I possibly join others in gossiping about you?

Previously in Luoyang,

you defended justice and helped me get a divorce.

Not long ago, I witnessed you adopting orphans with my own eyes.

I care not what others think of you.

In my eyes,

you are a person of benevolence and virtue.

How could I possibly be so ungrateful and look for trouble?

You're just timid.

If you have an opportunity,

I fear you're the first to scold me.

You're open-minded.

What else do I have to complain about?

I just like

to joke with you.

Don't be serious.

I promise. My lips are sealed.

Jiang Changyang.

I'm just an ordinary citizen.

I just want to make a little money for a living.

I hope you remain a wise person all your life.

Even if you can fly high,

don't forget

who pulls the strings.

Understood. I do whatever you say.

A flower shop opens.

Go and look. Maybe they're doing promotions.

Huamanzhu

is open.

[Huamanzhu]

They've actually opened a shop.

Ladies and gentlemen, Huamanzhu opens today.

To celebrate the opening,

within three days, a purchase of one item gets a discount of five wen.

For two items, twelve wen, with no upper limit.

Welcome everyone to come, please.

Please come in.

Let's go in.

- Please come in. - Come on.

[Opening] Please come in.

You look exceedingly beautiful today.

- Mudan. - Please come in.

- Mudan. - Congratulations.

Fresh flowers, fragrant powder.

You actually redeemed it back.

To open the shop, you've invested all your money.

I know you've always had this on your mind.

Good things come in pairs.

Thank you, Shengyi.

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

Madam, this kind of fragrant powder

is made from this flower.

It smells so good.

This one has a sweeter taste.

Stir it a bit.

Put it through a sieve.

Please enjoy.

Thank you.

Please.

Welcome to come again.

We have two ways of selling Herbaceous Peonies.

First, you can pre-order the seedlings according to color.

We will plant them for you in the autumn.

When the flowers bloom next year, you make the payment.

Second,

buy and take away immediately.

So you mean

all the Herbaceous Peonies here

are available to sell?

Yes, but the flowers have their own habits.

The flowers in season

have a slightly shorter blooming period.

However, the good thing is

that you can enjoy the blooming flowers in time

without waiting a whole year.

Of course, it's up to you to choose.

It depends on your preferences.

It's better to enjoy it at a good time.

Who knows what will happen next year?

Madam, I'll buy

two purple peonies

to enjoy their stunning beauty.

Alright, please go to the main hall

and pick the flowers you like.

We'll have someone deliver them to your residence later.

Thank you.

I would like to buy two peonies.

Can you transplant them in my courtyard today?

The flowers cannot be transplanted when they are in bloom.

Otherwise, it'll damage their roots and stems.

If you want,

wait until autumn, which is a suitable season to transplant.

I can transplant them for you then.

Alright then, I'll order two plants.

Okay, this way, please.

Okay.

[Jingsheng Hall]

Your Highness, the Yellow River dyke in Xiangzhou has been breached.

The people from the Ministry of Revenue will be sent to provide disaster relief.

Please allow me to go there.

Disaster relief is a huge issue.

You're new here. It's not appropriate for you to intervene.

Besides,

Youzhen can't let you suffer.

Good.

Although I don't have much experience,

I'm not afraid of hardship.

If you do this job, have you ever thought about

what you will benefit from it?

Your Highness, I am an official.

It's my duty to devote myself to the nation.

I never expect to benefit from it.

Zishu, you should take a more long-term view.

Do you know who's the master

of this world?

There are many officials in charge of disaster relief.

It's not easy for you to stand out among them.

It's of no benefit to your official career.

I've already arranged another task for you.

It is simple and will allow you to make connections with important officials.

When a higher position becomes available,

you can be promoted.

Great.

I will take my leave.

Liu Zishu is conceited.

He does not know

what he should do as my son-in-law.

Your Highness, Mr. Liu is still young.

He just needs more guidance.

Your Highness is ambitious.

He will have the chance to show his abilities.

Good.

My lord.

Weren't they originally in His Highness's study?

Where are they to be taken now?

My lord,

every day, officials send

articles and poems of flattery here.

His Highness has ordered me to regularly burn them.

After all, these things take up space.

Burn them?

My lord.

No wonder Prince Ning rejected my proposal.

It turns out he never even read my articles.

In his eyes,

I am just an incapable person who pleases a woman.

I'm not different from music and dance performers.

I've asked for leave on your behalf.

Let's stay at Mount Li for a while tomorrow.

The scenery of Mount Li is beautiful,

but the food there is not very good.

How about we bring the chef from Fuguilou along?

I can't always ask for leave.

Otherwise, what's the point of the Ministry of Revenue hiring me?

If it's all about eating, drinking, and relaxing,

why should I come to Chang'an?

Did the Ministry of Revenue upset you?

No.

Since we're leaving the city tomorrow,

I must return to finish my work right now.

I'm afraid I can't have dinner with you tonight.

My lord, please stop drinking.

You need to get up early tomorrow.

If Lady Li smells the scent of alcohol on you,

she might guess you didn't go back to work.

I didn't spoil her mood.

I just drank in secret to drown my sorrows.

Why should I do anything

with her permission?

You may go. Leave me alone.

My lord.

Get out of here.

Take care. Come again.

Okay.

How much is this?

This is for decoration. It's not for sale.

- Please come in. - If you like it, it's yours for free.

If you buy five plants, we'll give you a free one.

Take care.

I came all this way for nothing.

Tomorrow, you must personally deliver the incense powder to me

and have tea with me.

The day before yesterday,

your wife bought the incense powder from my shop.

Has she used it all up so soon?

Well then, I'll visit your wife tomorrow

for her patronage.

I don't buy it for her.

Madam, please don't cause me trouble.

I am not good at telling lies.

Tomorrow, l'll send the cleverest clerk

to deliver the goods to your residence.

My lady.

My lord, you…

You drunken man, didn't you see me?

Do you know each other?

No, we don't.

Shouldn't you apologize before you leave?

When you harassed a woman on the street,

you bumped into me.

You're just a minor official.

Aren't you supposed to work right now?

Now, you're drunk and spouting nonsense.

I can tell you're a good-for-nothing bum.

You have good looks,

but you only dare to act recklessly here, right?

Do you know who I am?

Stop staring at me.

I don't care who you are.

Who is this man?

Beat him hard.

Beat him to death.

It hurts so much.

Hit him.

Hit him hard.

[County Princess Ji'an] This is a token.

Stop.

My lord, you work for Prince Ning?

Why didn't you tell me just now?

I made a stupid mistake.

I'm such a fool. Please spare me.

Keep hitting me. Why have you stopped?

Please spare me.

Get out of here.

Well…

Get lost.

Yes.

Get out of here.

The shopkeeper asks you to leave.

Please do not affect our business.

She gave this medicine to me?

Yes, please leave right now.

Thank you.

When I had no official post,

you were distant and cold to me.

Now that I am an official,

you still do not look up to me.

Others respect this token.

Yet in your eyes,

I have always been just Liu Zishu.

I didn't expect that you had been married before

and had experienced such terrible things.

I didn't intentionally hide it.

I just felt that speaking of it would only cause unnecessary trouble.

You won't blame me, will you?

No, we won't.

You dared to curse the County Magistrate

to defend yourself and obtain a divorce.

You are truly a heroine.

Liu Chang is different from his parents.

He ponders his mistakes and apologizes.

Wealth does not blind him.

He is much better than Wang Qing.

He's sincere towards you.

Such a gentleman cares about you,

which makes me envious.

Shengyi, truly caring for someone is not like this.

He doesn't care what I think and pesters me.

It shows his selfishness, not deep affection.

You don't need to envy me.

♫ 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 ♫