Original subtitles

[Flourished Peony]

[Episode 23]

Yunniang found out

the County Princess was behind it.

So, I know it's not easy to save you.

My teacher wrote to me,

telling me to hurry back.

He says if I fail to save you,

I won't need to go back to see him.

Please thank Master Xu

and Yunniang for me.

I came all this way to save you.

Aren't you going to thank me?

Thank you, Mr. Jiang.

So,

I didn't come in vain.

Leave me here.

I'm leaving.

Mr. Jiang.

I have a request.

Could you possibly buy me?

Otherwise, as an official servant,

I can never leave here.

I want to continue doing business.

- I want to-- - You want me to get you

out of trouble so that you can return to Chang'an.

I heard

that your shop has already…

Yes, I've lost my shop.

I've lost everything.

Mr. Jiang.

You know it.

I have business acumen.

If you

help me leave this place,

I will surely rise again.

Anyway, I can be

a big money maker.

If you agree,

we can discuss the ratio

of profit sharing.

I can give you an additional 20 percent.

[Buyer: Jiang Changyang]

You've already bought me.

So,

just to gain more benefits from me,

you didn't let me know?

I didn't mean it.

You mentioned profit sharing,

didn't you?

You can pay back the money

for buying you monthly.

You're cunning.

You can't suffer any losses.

That's why I can be your master.

Don't worry.

I never beat or scold my maids.

From now on, the money you earn is mine.

But your life

is still in your own hands.

I'm leaving.

What are you waiting for?

Waiting for me to get you on?

♫ If the heart is like frost ♫

♫ Congealing so much of the past ♫

Hold on tight.

If you fall, I won't take responsibility.

Go home.

♫ If love is like frost ♫

♫ Can this ten thousand miles of roaming winds and waves ♫

♫ Can it ♫

Fu.

Your leg injury hasn't healed.

You can't go to the barracks.

Yes, Fu.

Take care of your leg.

I have no choice.

Mr. Jiang has yet to return.

We've done what we can.

How can I save Mudan if I don't try it?

We don't know if she's dead or alive.

Are we going to sit here and do nothing?

I will go with you.

We'll wait at the entrance of the barracks.

Someone will eventually come out

to buy supplies or do things.

I believe that we can ask for news about Mudan.

Fine.

But I can't leave my home.

If my father finds out,

I'm afraid I can't get out again.

I'll prepare plenty of medicines and tonics.

Just in case they can be delivered to Mudan.

There should be someone guarding the house.

Chun.

Don't let Wang Qing take Mudan's flowers again.

- Let's go. - Go.

- Who's there? - Go have a look.

- Mudan! - Mudan!

I'm back.

How did you get out of the barracks?

Well…

It was Mr. Jiang.

Mr. Jiang saved me.

I'm sorry, Mudan.

I failed to protect Huamanzhu for you.

All of our money

has been confiscated.

It's okay.

No big deal.

Anyway, I can open a shop again.

Wait.

Let's go.

What happened to Fu's leg?

When fighting with Wang Qing,

she got injured.

Don't worry about it.

Chun has already bandaged it.

I got you all into trouble.

Did the officials give you a hard time?

Mudan.

We are family.

Don't blame yourself.

Mudan.

Thanks to your benevolence

and far-sighted planning.

When I joined the incense powder business,

you advised me and Fu

to open individual accounts.

Well,

your property has been confiscated,

but mine and Fu's are safe.

We can make a comeback.

Let's put it aside for now.

You and Fu are both injured.

You stay home for a week.

You both need time to recover.

Don't be so serious. I'm good.

Mudan.

Fu, be careful.

I know these things

are very important to you.

I hid them

before the officials arrived.

Thank you.

Don't mention it.

Everything will be fine.

You're severely injured.

W-Why am I crying?

I'm fine.

It's all right now.

Alright, let me check your body in the room

and see if you have more injuries.

Let's go.

What a ruthless person.

As bad as this fruit.

A rotten, sneaky person.

Mudan.

Don't be sad for such a person.

It's not worth it.

Be careful.

The Herbaceous Peony's blooming season is over.

It is now the season for summer flowers.

You're skillful.

Follow me to the Huamanzhu

to take care of the flowers.

I also need you

to make the incense powder.

So, can you--

I have told you.

I will never help you.

Nor will I manage the shop.

If you don't want to,

let's go to Madam He's home

to bring back her precious flowers.

We should keep them.

It's reassuring.

Fu is guarding Mudan's home.

Even if you can snatch those flowers,

you won't take care of them well.

Don't waste your time.

Madam He is just an outsider.

I'm your husband.

Booming business makes our life better.

Don't be angry anymore.

Well,

think about our future children.

Please.

Dear God,

if you truly exist,

I hope you protect Mudan

and make her return safely.

I'm as guilty as sin.

Even the gods don't forgive me.

A candle in the wind

requires two persons to light it.

With one person left,

it will go out.

Mudan.

You're back.

I didn't see you at the tavern.

I guessed you might be here.

You have had rough days.

In that case,

why did you betray me?

Why did you stubbornly

choose to do it?

I have never thought of betraying you.

The person I least want

to hurt is you.

All I want is to have a home.

I didn't know Wang Qing would trap me

to accuse you.

Anyway, it's too late

to explain.

I have hurt you.

If you wanted to reconcile with Wang Qing,

why did you not tell me in advance?

Am I not worthy of your trust?

Have you forgotten

how Wang Qing hurt you?

He beat his former wife.

His sweet nothings

are like this candlelight.

It seems warm.

But it's not solid.

A gust of wind can put it out.

You have Chun

and Fu.

Mr. Jiang and your ex-husband pursue you.

But I have nothing.

I don't have a good family like Chun.

I can't make you laugh

like Fu.

I can't make you proud of me.

As Huamanzhu grows,

more capable people will be around you.

One day,

you will not need me anymore.

Shengyi.

We are friends in trouble.

When I had nothing,

It was you who stayed with me.

We started in this temple.

Nobody can replace my friendship

with you.

Fu and Chun are my friends.

But they're also your friend.

Shouldn't we help each other

and be considerate?

Now,

I've been reduced to a lowly status.

And you've had tough days again.

Shengyi.

Don't you think it's too costly

to see the truth?

I'm sorry.

Mudan.

I'm so sorry.

Whatever I do,

I can't repay you in the slightest.

Now seeing you well,

I am very content.

I won't appear before you again

to make you sad.

I just said so much

not to make you sad.

I wanted you to face reality.

Don't make the same mistake again.

Shengyi.

If you're not living well,

then come back.

I have told you.

I share the money I earn

in Chang'an with you.

I share my house

with you.

I didn't change my mind before.

I don't today.

I won't in the future.

I can never become Qin Shengyi.

I am still Qin Wuniang.

I can't go back anymore.

Why can't you go back?

I'll eventually get Huamanzhu back.

In my heart,

you will always be Shengyi.

[Sheng]

[Yi]

I won't come here again.

Mudan.

May all whom you meet

be loyal friends.

Never meet someone

like me.

What are you doing?

Who?

Who sent you here?

Lady He.

Mr. Jiang has brought the items

from your hometown.

You actually

brought them all back to me.

Is there something wrong?

This was for Shengyi.

I thought

when she got married,

I'd give this to her as her dowry.

You've done what you can.

She refused to come back.

You're a carefree person.

Why are you

getting upset for nothing?

Outside the barracks,

who earnestly promised me

to make a comeback?

Sentimentality can't help you earn money.

Don't worry.

I'll reclaim Huamanzhu as quickly as possible

and bring you profits.

How much did these things cost?

I'll pay back the money for these things

and the money

you bought me

once I earn the money.

I can't remember all these things.

Count them later.

Report the amount to her tomorrow.

Yes.

- Try this candied fruit. - These Hu cakes should be eaten soon.

Did you go to the Zhang's Starched Noodles

I recommended?

Sure, but I didn't eat.

Why not?

Too many diners.

There was only one bowl of noodles left when I got there.

I happened to come across an old man.

He wanted to buy noodles

for his daughter who fell off a cliff.

As a good person,

I gave the noodles to him.

That old man misses his daughter.

I gave up the noodles.

So, he gave me some Hu cakes.

The heat is okay.

Give me the Hu cake. It's ready to bake.

Have a try.

Does it have a taste of home?

Is that man

in good health?

He's all well.

However,

he misses his daughter very much.

He fears

that she's a lonely soul with no one to care for.

That's good.

A traveler is tired of seeking fame

and returns home when spring comes.

You've already been

back to He Weifang,

Go back home

if you're homesick.

You once asked me

why I didn't go back to my family

after leaving the Liu family.

Actually, I did go back then.

I returned by carriage.

When I was nearly home,

I saw the candlelight in my home.

I thought the candles were lit for my return.

But when I got closer, I saw my father standing

with the Liu family's servants.

They were about to search for me.

I heard my father say

that the Liu family was good

and a woman must get married.

If they found me,

they would send me back to the Liu family.

At that moment,

I realized

I could never return home again.

Parents love their children

and plan for them.

But sometimes, their plans

are not what the children desire.

The County Princess is loved by Prince Ning.

Yet she has to marry someone

she does not love.

My father loves me.

But he believes

the wisest choice for me is

to get married

and have my children.

He doesn't understand.

I don't want to be a paper kite that is controlled by others.

I want to be a free-flying bird.

Moreover, he has a concubine

and Man'er.

He has to support a whole family.

Even if I go back home,

it will only bother them.

In that case,

it's better not to go back.

Anyway, I know he's living well.

Jiang Changyang.

Thank you for bringing this to me.

Chuanyu wanted to have noodles.

It's not a problem for me.

You've pretended to be a bad guy for too long.

Have you already forgotten

how to be a good person?

You helped me.

Yet you denied it.

I was wrong about you before.

In fact, even today, I don't know

what kind of person you are.

But I know

you are a good gentleman.

Whether I am an official's family member

a flower merchant, or an official servant,

you have never looked down on me.

Jiang Changyang.

You're my creditor.

♫ Can this ten thousand miles of roaming winds and waves ♫

Other than that, can we

♫ Finally touch a sunny day ♫

become good friends?

♫ Clouds are hidden by night ♫

Are you drunk?

♫ Fleecy clouds in the sky ♫

Sure, I'm drunk.

That's why I had the courage to say this.

♫ The moon falls on my shoulder, a path of dim yellow ♫

Well,

we've long been friends.

♫ If the heart is like frost ♫

♫ What's the harm in a life of solitude ♫

♫ Yet you shine as light ♫

♫ Piercing through my heart ♫

♫ If love is like frost ♫

♫ There's a flickering candle ♫

♫ No words are said ♫

♫ Yet for you ♫

♫ I'll go ahead ♫

My lord.

Any news?

She would rather be an official servant

than marry me?

That's impossible.

I will ask her personally.

My lord.

She has already left the barracks.

Previously, you couldn't

select a good horse.

Today, a good horse has arrived.

Mr. Jiang, see if you like it.

Thank you, Zishu.

You don't have to

deliver a horse personally.

I think you know

what I'm here for.

Get on the horse.

Take this horse for a walk.

Yes.

You failed to manage your family,

causing me to lose Huamanzhu, a money spinner.

Are you here for my compensation?

I can give however much you want

as long as you

sell He Weifang to me.

He Weifang is a human, not a horse

in the Stables Bureau.

I can't sell a human

to you.

That's not what I meant.

If you respect her,

you should ask her if she wants to go with you.

Or,

you know

that she will refuse you?

Why are you so certain

of what she is thinking?

We live side by side,

facing each other night after night.

What do you think?

Jiang Changyang.

Back in Luoyang, did you have a thing for my wife?

You can have any woman if you like.

Why steal the woman I love?

It's not your place to judge me.

Moreover,

He Weifang

doesn't love you.

You're being narcissistic.

How proud He Weifang is.

If she has a choice,

she won't willingly be a maid.

Did you intercept the letter

I sent to the barracks?

I didn't see it.

When I arrived at the barracks,

she was nearly ravaged

and killed by those soldiers.

Liu Chang.

You don't need me to tell you

who ordered those soldiers, do you?

You never

understand He Weifang,

the County Princess,

and yourself.

Return the horse to Mr. Liu.

Let's go.

Yes.

You've been punished for what you did.

You don't have to give me this.

As long as you remain honest and upright,

there will still be a place for you in the guild.

Thanks for your tolerance.

I'm very thankful.

However, I suddenly lost my position

as deputy head.

People gossip about me.

Mr. Lv.

Considering our old friendship,

can you be more merciful to me?

If possible,

give me another chance.

You have done something wrong.

There's no reason to change your punishment.

Do not mention it again.

Yes.

Madame Tang

will celebrate her 80th birthday.

Has anyone taken on her floral banquet?

Madame Tang

is fastidious.

She has a title.

Her words can crush a person.

Nobody dares to take her order?

As far as I know,

the newly appointed deputy head

does not have orders from nobles.

Why not let him do this job?

Aside from Madame Tang,

Tang Silang is a notorious man.

When his father's birthday banquet was not well prepared,

he destroyed the restaurant responsible

for the banquet.

Yuying.

What are you up to?

You got the wrong idea.

I am just concerned for the guild.

Look,

we'll reply to the Tang family tomorrow.

If we refuse again,

Tang Silang will certainly

make a scene at the flower guild.

I'm afraid

we have to take this order.

Sir.

Sir, Wang Qing, the new owner of Huamanzhu, is here.

Although Lady He is unyielding,

she truly loves flowers.

Wang Qing can't even plant flowers.

Yet he used despicable means

to take over Huamanzhu.

The guild doesn't welcome such a shameless man.

Kick him out.

What?

Did Wang Qing

say anything?

Wang Qing says

he wants to take the Tang family's order.

Why are you so late today?

I treated two patients

with abdominal pain.

Any news from the flower guild?

The flower guild gave that business deal to Wang Qing.

Really?

Mudan guessed right.

After inquiring for many days,

I learned that nobody dares

to host Madame Tang's birthday banquet.

Wang Qing has never done business with the noble.

He only knows he can make a lot of money.

Yet he doesn't know how hard it is

to earn money from the rich.

I just need to go with the flow

and use a small trick

to let him hear about this.

With his greedy nature,

how could he possibly miss it?

How did it break again?

The hoes I bought

are not very good.

Tomorrow, I will buy new ones.

Take a rest.

You've worked for so long.

Have some tea.

Come, Chun.

Mudan.

You designed such a big trap

for Wang Qing

not just to get Huamanzhu back

from him, right?

What do you mean?

Sit.

I've inquired a lot.

Many businesses order flowers.

But Mudan chose Madame Tang's order.

You know

Madame Tang is fastidious.

You also know

she's influential in the capital, right?

Exactly.

I established Huamanzhu.

I will take it back

and recover its reputation

ruined

by Wang Qing.

You want to host Madame Tang's floral banquet.

Since Tang Silang and Mr. Jiang

are good friends,

why don't you let Mr. Jiang pull some strings?

The regular customers of Huamanzhu

heard that I was saved by Jiang Changyang.

In their eyes,

I am no longer a shopkeeper

but a maid.

Moreover,

I have neither a store

nor sufficient floral materials.

How could I possibly take on this deal?

But Huamanzhu can.

[Huamanzhu]

Well,

how come all the flowers have been sent back?

We've paid a considerable deposit, right?

How could you

deliver these terrible flowers for Madame Tang's birthday banquet?

Before dawn,

we picked flowers and loaded them.

The Tang family's garden is outside the city.

Enough of excuses.

These flowers can't last a few hours.

What will happen tomorrow?

Deliver two carts of fresh flowers.

They're all the flowers I can deliver.

Please do me a favor.

Go away.

Whatever you do,

tomorrow's birthday banquet

must be successful.

If the flowers are fewer or wilted,

and you mess up the birthday banquet,

you won't be paid

or spared.

Sir, the servants of the Tang family are that fierce.

If we mess up the birthday banquet

and offend the nobility,

I'm afraid we might lose our lives.

Why don't we buy some fresh flowers?

All the money was spent on these flowers.

I have no extra money.

What did the guild head say?

The gatekeeper didn't let me in.

According to the guild head,

Huamanzhu

isn't a guild-affiliated flower shop.

The flower guild has mercifully

sold many flowers to you.

But you can't

borrow floriculturists

from the flower guild.

What should we do?

What are you doing?

- Lady He. - Shengyi.

I was instigated by this evil woman.

It was she who asked me to sue you.

Now, I have brought her here.

Do with her as you will.

Shengyi, get up.

Wang Qing failed to deliver flowers to the noble.

You shut up.

Get out of here!

Do not touch her.

Shengyi, get up.

Get up.

Come on.

Are you alright?

I'll get a physician for you.

No need.

Don't dirty your clothes.

She's already a broken woman.

No one accepts her but me.

She will only be with me.

Lady He, there's no need to talk to her.

Let's talk.

I'm happy

to talk to Shengyi.

You shameless man,

didn't you say you would make me lose everything?

What are you doing here?

I don't want to talk to you.

Get out!

I made a mistake before.

You're protected by the Floral Envoy.

A lowly person like me can't afford to offend you.

I'm here

because you and Wuniang

are good friends.

I know that after you return to Chang'an,

you have no means of making a living.

Coincidentally,

I have taken on a birthday banquet.

As long as you help me with that

and get it done successfully,

I'll sell Huamanzhu

to you at this price.

It is laughable.

Huamanzhu was mine.

You're doomed this time.

You're begging for help.

Yet you have the audacity to sell my shop to me.

How do you know?

Generally, the birthday banquet for the noble

is undertaken by the flower guild.

Do you know

why you

got this business deal?

Madam Tang is extremely picky,

and Tang Silang is unscrupulous.

The flower shops in the flower guild

don't dare to take it on.

Huamanzhu

has not joined the flower guild.

Even if you mess this up,

it won't implicate them.

For him,

you're just a good scapegoat.

♫ 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 ♫