Original subtitles

[Flourished Peony]

[Episode 20]

No wonder Huanyun Tower does such great business.

The beds here are so nice.

Actually, tonight,

I've always wanted to find an opportunity

to have a real conversation with you.

What do you want to know?

I will tell you all that I know.

That's great.

You were so busy today,

and I couldn't bear to disturb you.

Fortunately, there's a lack of guest rooms

so I could put on a thick face

and squeeze into your room

to ask you for some business advice.

You are a shop owner yourself.

Huamanzhu is booming like a marketplace.

Why would you need advice?

There's so much that I don't know.

Now Huamanzhu is just one shop,

and I can manage it with some effort.

But in the future, I plan

to open many branches

and face more customers.

Mudan, you have ambition and courage.

Surely, you will achieve your wishes.

Yunniang, please tell me quickly.

Huanyun Tower sells beverages and food.

It also offers guest rooms.

There are even singing and dancing performances.

With so many activities

mixed with business,

how do you manage it all?

If you want to expand your business,

you can't rely solely on yourself.

You need to depend on talented people around you.

As the saying goes, a ruler has its short end

as an inch has its long side.

You have to put each of them

in their best-suited position,

letting your helpers

play to their strengths.

Your Highness.

I am deeply flattered

[With virtue comes capacity] by the County Princess' affection.

But it is not what is desired.

If the marriage is forced,

it will only be unfair to the County Princess.

I sincerely ask Your Highness

to annul the marriage contract between the County Princess and me.

Did you argue with Youzhen?

She has been pampered since childhood,

so she can be a bit willful.

Just indulge her more.

I have given it thorough consideration.

It's not a decision made in the heat of the moment.

I sincerely ask for your approval.

Youzhen has deep feelings for you.

For the sake of your official position,

she has pleaded with me several times.

Now you suddenly want to call off the marriage.

For one, it disrespects her affection,

and for two, where does that leave

the royal family's face?

Calling off the marriage

is my going back on my word.

I am willing to resign from my position as the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue.

However the king decides to deal with me,

I will have no complaints.

Have you thought this through?

Yes.

Okay.

As a father,

Youzhen's happiness

has always been of great concern to me.

I was once worried that you were only marrying her

for the sake of your career.

However, your words just now

were indeed the words of a gentleman.

It made me see you in a new light.

Come on.

You are a talent that can be shaped.

With a bit of experience,

you will certainly achieve greatness.

Here, I will transfer you elsewhere first.

As for whether you can rise again,

that will depend on your own abilities.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I am endlessly grateful.

Master, Master.

Prince Ning has already consented to the annulment of the betrothal.

Father, there is no need to waste any more words.

- I will beat you to death today! - Master.

It was my fault.

However Father chooses to punish me,

I am willing to accept it.

But there is one thing I must remind you, Father.

Today, Minister Chen has entered the capital.

With Father's talents,

you can persuade him

to preserve your position,

free of my effect.

Get up, get up!

It's just a little quarrel

among children.

Liu Shen said

that he would certainly

persuade Liu Chang

to reconcile with the County Princess.

Liu Shen

is too ashamed to see you

so he asked me to deliver

his month's tribute for him.

There are nine more boxes outside

Ever since Liu Shen

became the Minister of the Imperial Treasury,

his money and silk presented to you

have doubled.

Although Liu Shen

is timid and afraid,

He is a good money-maker

The grand cause

requires money and silk for facilitation.

We might as well

keep the Liu family

for financial purposes.

Fine.

Since you're willing to speak for him,

it seems he still has

some ability to win people's hearts.

You're wise, Your Highness.

Rest assured.

The dealings among the dukes and ministers

won't involve him,

but sometimes, the little devils are troublesome.

Those minor officials below

are just right for the Liu family

to step in and mingle.

If you send that young master of the Liu family

to serve as an official in such a place,

he won't be able to bear it.

Within a few days,

he will surely come back and beg for mercy.

Then,

he will please the County Princess.

He dared to insult my daughter,

even if he turns back in the future,

in these days,

he must learn his lesson.

Sheyan is so lucky.

Every time, you personally

go to the Imperial Stables Bureau to choose a horse for him.

Sheyan risks his life on my behalf,

running around day and night.

Naturally, he needs a few good horses.

You are always by my side.

You never make more than a few trips a year.

What is there to be jealous about?

That's not right, My lord.

I have not spared any efforts for you either.

You see, I have to occasionally repel

attackers that emerge,

and I have to put on an act with you throughout the year.

Alright.

I know your labors are meritorious.

That gold-inlaid knife in the armory

is yours to play with.

Really? Thank you, my lord!

I would lay down my life for you, my lord.

[Imperial Stable Bureau]

Mr. Liu.

Come on.

Taste this delicious delicacy.

Prefect Ge.

That's a water scoop for washing horses.

How can it be used for drinking water?

Why not?

Didn't you say it has been washed clean?

Did you neglect your duties?

Why try to frame someone?

Why do you have to make things difficult for me?

Why?

Mr. Liu.

You are no longer

the esteemed son-in-law of Prince Ning.

You don't need to use a jade cup to drink water.

This shabby thing

matches your status.

Pry open his mouth now.

Taste it.

It's very tasty, isn't it?

If you haven't had enough,

how about another ladleful?

Prefect Ge is better

at taming people than horses, isn't he?

Mr. Jiang.

What are you doing here?

The newcomer doesn't respect the rules.

It's embarrassing, Floral Envoy.

Are you here to choose a horse?

I will personally take you to choose one.

No need.

Zishu and I are old acquaintances.

Today,

just let him accompany me.

I'm impressed, Zishu.

You dared to turn down

the marriage proposal from Prince Ning.

Prince Ning had also tried to set you up

with the County Princess.

Didn't you refuse it as well, Mr. Jiang?

But the County Princess is infatuated with only you.

In my opinion,

she has made up her mind to marry you.

With such unwavering determination,

you could clearly be persuaded to go along with it.

Why insist on making things difficult for yourself?

Mr. Jiang, are you here to speak on behalf of Prince Ning?

Or is it for the sake of your neighbor next door

that you offer such advice?

It seems you are quite concerned

about the floriculturist in Jiang Mansion.

She faked her death,

regained a decent household register,

and opened Huamanzhu in Chang'an.

I'm sure she had help

from Mr. Jiang, right?

I simply provided some capital

and lied back to collect the interest.

Her success today

is all thanks to her own efforts.

Back then in Luoyang,

why did you help her get a divorce,

Mr. Jiang?

She was seriously bullied by the Liu family.

As her husband, you did nothing,

and yet you wouldn't allow others to carry out acts of chivalry.

Indeed, I have let her down in the past.

But I will not be trapped in this small stable forever.

Once I rise to prominence,

I will seek to marry her myself

with heartfelt aspiration.

Your thoughts are rather idealistic.

But have you asked

what He Weifang thinks?

If my heart is sincere,

it will surely move her.

Although, Mr. Jiang,

why are you so concerned about her future?

Are you afraid she won't continue to grow flowers and make money for you,

or have you developed other private feelings?

Whatever private thoughts I have are fine,

but if the County Princess becomes aware of your private thoughts,

I fear she might once again be in danger for her life.

That's all there is to say.

Take care.

Thank you for before,

Mr. Jiang.

My Lord.

Why do you meddle in other people's family affairs?

You're making trouble for yourself.

What do you mean by 'family affairs'?

They have long ceased to be a family.

Jiang Xiaohua is now my moneybag.

You have gold and silver mountains in the treasury.

Do you really need a moneybag that's full of holes?

Absolutely beautiful.

We've already bought the deed to the Huamanzhu property.

Now you're no longer the Qin Wuniang

at Wang Qing's mercy,

but the Shopkeeper Qin with your own storefront in Chang'an.

On this journey home,

you must stand tall.

But in past years when I returned home,

it was never so grand.

Won't it be too ostentatious?

Only by returning home in glory can you make your family

see you in a new light

and let them know

that your life has changed greatly.

Now you are the most

promising daughter in your family

with broad prospects ahead.

They will surely not look down on you anymore.

Come on.

Take this.

- Okay. - Go on with courage.

Father, Mother.

I'm back, sister-in-law.

- Wuniang. - Quan'er.

- Wuniang. - Auntie is back.

Close the door.

Come in quickly. Don't let others see.

- Come over, give it to me. - You have been abandoned.

Don't be so flaunting.

You don't know shame.

If the neighbors see,

I don't know what they'll say

behind my back.

I was almost beaten to death by Wang Qing.

That's why I divorced him.

I wasn't abandoned.

There's nothing to be ashamed of.

Anyway,

you were driven out of your husband's home.

I am so

disgraced by you.

Wang Qing seems quite decent.

Wuniang must have been disrespectful

and annoyed him.

Come, let me have a look.

- Son. - Mother.

Let's see what you have brought.

Which couple doesn't quarrel?

A woman should be gentle,

and the home will be harmonious and peaceful.

Your sister-in-law is right.

You can't be

so delicate as a wife.

Only when your husband is pleased,

can you live well.

Come on.

Son.

Mother, don't move.

What time is it? Why haven't you started cooking yet?

What are you standing around for?

Go do some work!

Look at how lazy you are.

No wonder Wang Qing beats you.

Go, go, go. Go wash the clothes.

Let's see what else there is.

Wuniang.

Wuniang.

You have finally returned.

I missed you so much.

Liulang.

Me too.

Wuniang.

In the past, when flowers bloomed, you always made osmanthus cakes for me.

Today, you can taste my cooking.

It's really delicious.

Liulang.

You've really grown up.

Wuniang, you should have left Wang Qing long ago.

You must be living comfortably now.

You've become even more beautiful.

This osmanthus tree

is the only bit of color in our home.

Why chop it down?

Our brother wants to make a wooden horse for his son.

Why did you bring back so many useless things?

If you have spare money,

buy your nephew some more clothes

or a silver lock.

Wuniang sent back money regularly.

Every piece of clothing Father and Mother wear was bought by her.

What did you do for them?

I gave birth to her, and I raised her.

Isn't she supposed to do these things?

If I didn't marry her off to Wang Qing,

how could she go to Chang'an

and live these good days now?

I started living good days only after I left Wang Qing.

I opened a shop with two sisters

and these come from our flower shop.

They are in high demand and short supply in Chang'an.

In the coming days, we plan to open a branch store.

Sisters? What sisters?

Open your eyes and look.

These people in front of you are your real family.

Family?

What have you done for me?

Have you ever cared about me?

Stupid girl.

Father, what are you doing?

A woman regards her husband as her heaven.

Now your heaven has come crashing down,

and yet you're here, smug and self-satisfied.

Wuniang. Wuniang.

You can't recognize a single character,

and you want to do business.

Are you cut out for it?

You had a livelihood

by relying on Wang Qing.

You met some slick people,

made some money,

and you've become cocky.

You're just doing odd jobs for others.

Without others, what skills do you have?

Alright.

You show your face all day long,

not abiding by women's morals.

Which respectable family would want her?

- Think carefully about it! - Alright, alright.

Wake up now! You step aside.

Wuniang.

How can you defy your father?

Did some indecent person outside

lead you astray?

A woman must eventually marry.

No matter how much money you make,

it's meaningless without sons and daughters.

You might as well go find Wang Qing

and offer him an apology

so that you can go home and live a good life.

I never said I wouldn't marry.

But Wang Qing

is not a good man.

Wang Qing won't take you back.

You wish.

Go and cook now.

Wuniang.

We all want the best for you.

It doesn't matter if Wang Qing doesn't want you anymore.

Your father

has already

arranged a new husband for you.

Let's meet him later.

Who is it?

At the east end of the village,

the Zhou family.

They only have one eldest son,

who is over 40 years old

and already has two children.

You are a cast-off wife

who has had a miscarriage.

Whether you can still bear children is yet another issue.

Apart from a widower,

who would want you?

The Zhou family has land.

If you take good care of it,

it will be more stable

than your life in Chang'an.

Okay, this is the last time I'm applying the medicine.

From now on, whether you touch water or work the soil,

it will be fine.

This scar is so smooth.

It surely won't leave a mark.

Chun's medical skills are miraculous.

Truly impressive.

Alright, Mudan,

stop flattering me.

It's the efficacy of the medicine.

Whoever administers it, it's the same.

No wonder when I sent

the sick workers to find you,

none of them seemed happy to get well.

Your mouth

is really hard for people to deal with.

I only speak the truth.

Why wouldn't they be happy?

It's okay that you don't understand

the flexible skills in dealing with people.

You'll learn in time.

Chun.

If this ointment

can remove scars and lighten spots,

it must be needed by many women.

Previously, we incorporated madder root into the fragrance,

and it was quite popular.

Why don't we

integrate medicine into makeup?

How about we create some nourishing facial balms

and sell them at Huamanzhu?

In that case,

wouldn't it be able to help more people?

Yes, I have thought about it.

If the balm sells well,

I will set up a separate shop for you

and let you be the owner.

I just want to refine my medical skills,

heal the sick, and save lives.

Looking after a shop to make money

is something I neither want to do nor can do.

Think about it.

If you have your own store,

it will be your small world

where you can practice medicine more freely and safely.

It's good for both you and the patients.

As for how to manage it,

I can help you in the future.

Or you can hire someone to take care of it.

If I could practice medicine at ease,

I might as well give it a try.

However,

can I really do it?

Rest assured.

My judgment of people has never been wrong.

Once the shop opens,

there will definitely be many people

who come specifically for you.

By then, Huamanzhu can also proudly bask in the glory.

Yes, proudly bask in the glory.

You can't recognize a single character,

and you want to do business.

Are you cut out for it?

You are just doing odd jobs for others.

Without others, what skills do you have?

Yes, what skills do I have?

You're just taking me along

out of kindness.

Others can also be so close to you.

When have I ever made you proud?

Chun, you will make

a good shopkeeper.

You've been sitting here for so long

hemming and hawing.

You seem like you have something to say.

What is it? Just say it.

No, nothing.

I…

If I reveal it,

I'll definitely get beaten.

Understood, the moral code of martial artists.

Keeping promises is rule number one.

Then you must absolutely not say it.

- We won't listen. - Won't listen.

It's not… it's not that serious.

It's just…

My mother

suffers from ill fortune.

Her stomach is full and her knees are swollen.

She passes gas every day.

I am truly bothered by it.

Chun,

if you can help her,

whether you want

some exquisite ginseng

or some handsome man,

I will bring them all to you.

Of course, I would want the ginseng.

Handsome man,

what would I want that for?

Don't tell my mother.

If she finds out,

she'll definitely punish me again.

She seems to be

usually good-natured,

but when she gets fierce…

What are you doing here?

It's the child's memorial day.

I knew you would come.

You're sad, but how could I be heartless?

Every time I think of our child,

I am still in deep sorrow.

Drop your insincere act.

In all these years, when have you ever burned paper for him?

Before, I was unwilling to face it.

Now, I have come to my senses.

It was my negligence.

I didn't take care of your health

and let you overwork yourself

which made us lose the child.

Hit me.

Just hit me. Hit me now.

I hate myself even more.

I had a moment of folly

and let you leave.

Those sisters of yours

have never been married

or become mothers.

They have no idea of your suffering.

After your miscarriage,

you became weak and susceptible to cold.

I brought this hand warmer

to keep you warm.

The child is gone.

Our marital fate has ended.

What's the point

of doing all this?

All things in the past

are all my fault.

I only beg the heavens

to grant me another chance.

I will surely treasure you, love you,

and protect our home.

Wuniang,

in this world, apart from me,

who else would think of you and miss you like this?

I can't leave you.

I know you must feel the same.

Let's be good.

We'll have children again in the future.

Wuniang. Wuniang.

Wuniang.

Wuniang.

Mr. Jiang, I allowed you

to drink with me in the pavilion,

but I didn't allow you

to steal my chicken.

Ordinary merchants

would give gifts to their major clients.

I am your biggest creditor,

yet you won't even offer a bite to eat.

You're so stingy.

How can you do good business?

Who says there's no food?

All of this is for you.

But not that chicken.

It's for someone else.

Who?

Do you have your eye on some young man?

Let me take a look for you.

When have you ever seen me take an interest in a young man?

Shengyi is coming back tonight.

Surely she is exhausted from the journey.

I prepared this for her

to help her recuperate.

Shengyi

never shies away from hard work.

No matter how tough or tiring, she never complains.

I know she tends to be sensitive to the cold.

I guess it's the lingering ailment from her time at Wang Qing's place.

She won't let Chun

to take her pulse.

So

I can only pay

more attention to her diet.

I lived in the south of the Yangtze for several years when I was a child.

Locals would wrap a chicken in lotus leaves and roast it.

In doing so,

the roasted chicken

will have a natural fragrance of herbs.

I heard that Doctor Chun was making medicine

and left a few lotus leaves in your room.

Now is a good time to try.

That's right.

Don't worry.

That's fire. Would I dare to touch it?

That's true.

Don't touch my chicken.

My chicken!

Jiang Changyang!

My lord, I…

have followed your instructions

and delivered the Dendrobium to the backyard.

But Lady He is still angry.

She even called you a chicken thief.

That Dendrobium was a reward from His Majesty,

rare and precious.

Her family runs a pharmacy,

so she must know its worth.

It is far more nourishing than roasted chicken.

Why should she scold me then?

Lady He said

'Taking without asking deserves a scolding.'

My lord,

you clearly know there's nothing special about this chicken,

so why steal it?

What do you know?

What I'm seeking is delight.

My lord.

[Evidence of Guilt]

After all this time,

this is all you've confessed?

And it's 30% true and 70% fake.

It's time to serve some substantial dishes.

Cui Mao.

How do you like

this wine I'm serving you?

Jiang Changyang

So you've been acting all along.

You brought me here.

Aren't you afraid of someone finding out?

Clearly, you knocked out the official

and ran away.

What does that have to do with me?

The official escorting you

has reported your death from illness on the journey

to avoid punishment for dereliction of duty.

Now, no one knows you are still alive.

I have a habit

of preparing a good jar of wine

for those who come in.

If one is innocent,

I give it to him to drink when he leaves.

If one is guilty,

I will take this wine

and pour it on his grave.

You, on the other hand,

are slow to confess.

The wine has aged.

I have said

what should be said.

Trading official posts

was all my doing.

Apart from that,

I have not committed any other crime.

Is that so?

The merchant Li from Huameng County

had his goods robbed on March 30th.

His family heirloom jade pendant

soon appeared on Cui Mao.

Li went to report to the officials,

and that very night, his whole family was silenced by bandits.

At the end of last autumn, the Cui Mansion

encroached upon 200 mu of the Yang family's good farmland.

I forgot to tell you.

No one has entered this dark chamber

and come out innocent.

For each day you don't confess,

I'll find another day's worth of evidence against you.

Six Types of Embezzlement and encroaching lands

are all serious crimes.

You won't be able to live.

But you can choose

to suffer less torment before dying.

Still not talking?

Alright.

I'll have a late-night snack first

What have you done to my son?

Are you desperate?

If you confess,

you're afraid that those behind you will massacre your entire family.

If you don't confess,

you're afraid that I'll kill your eldest son.

I will bear

all the crimes.

I'm begging you.

Please don't harm them.

The crimes you have committed

are unknown to your wife and son.

Indeed, they don't deserve

to die because of you.

If I admit guilt and sign,

once this testimony

is submitted,

Prince Ning will find out that I'm still alive. By that time, I…

By that time,

I will have already sent them out of Chang'an,

and no one will be able to find them.

But as I send them away,

I will not take the money you've embezzled.

In the future,

they will live in poverty,

but they will also live peacefully and quietly.

At the mourning hall,

your son wept incessantly.

I told him

that I have immense magical powers,

capable of sending this pellet drum to the underworld

and delivering it to his father.

He believed me

and asked me to bring you a message.

He said

even though he couldn't ever see his father again,

he would always remember his father.

He hoped that in the next life,

his father would be a good official

so that they could continue the father-son bond.

Shengyi.

Shengyi, are you asleep?

Shengyi.

I saw you went straight back to your room once you returned.

You looked very weary.

Did something happen

at home?

Would you like to talk to me about it?

Everything at home is still the same.

There is nothing to say.

Mudan, I am a bit tired.

I want to rest early.

Drink this tonic soup while it's hot.

Your body will feel better after drinking it.

Whenever you want to talk to me,

call me anytime.

Here.

Did you specifically make it for me?

Of course.

I originally roasted a chicken for you,

but it was stolen by the neighbor.

Fortunately, he was sensible enough

to send over fine Dendrobium.

I won't say more, come on.

Hurry and drink it while it's hot.

Rest early, and don't think too much.

My lord, the evidence is ready.

When shall we set off?

Naturally, the sooner the better.

But we need an excuse

to go to Luoyang.

His Majesty has a heavy heart

because his teacher has passed away.

The Floral Envoy wishes to find fine items

to ease His Majesty's mind. How about it?

Go call for the lunch meal.

Pack up after eating.

Yes.

Mr. Jiang.

Lady He.

Greetings.

Weren't you scolding me last night?

Did you take the wrong medicine today?

No, I took the right medicine.

Thank you for the Dendrobium you sent yesterday, Mr. Jiang.

After eating it, Shengyi felt much better.

So here I am, bringing a thank-you gift.

Such an expensive tonic was

only exchanged for these few shabby cakes.

Enjoy your meal, Mr. Jiang. I will leave now.

Wait.

♫ 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 Fragrance 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 ♫