Original subtitles

[Flourished Peony]

[Episode 27]

Lady Mudan and you have a tacit understanding

as if you have known each other for years.

She has helped us so much.

Have you properly thanked her for me?

There is no tacit understanding.

It is just that my plan was thorough.

You know, with her,

thousands of grateful words

are not as useful as a piece of gold.

Lady Mudan is tight-lipped

and quick-witted.

My teacher also praises her.

As a merchant, she can act

more discreetly than us.

Suizhi, have you ever thought…

No.

You care too much about her

to let her take the risk?

My affairs had nothing to do with her.

Why bother to drag down

the life of an innocent person?

What happened to Princess Shouchang was an accident.

It is not your fault.

If I had not insisted on taking His Majesty to Mengzhou that year,

Princess Shouchang

would not have met with misfortune.

When I entered the palace as a child, I had no one to rely on.

The princess treated me with the kindest love and benevolence,

like an elder sister of my own.

Yet I

could not even protect her.

[Elegant Song and Graceful Dance]

The scent of my lilacs is also very nice.

Yes.

How do you feel

after using these cosmetic items?

If there is any insufficiency,

you can speak frankly.

This face cream is very moisturizing,

but the fragrance is a bit strong.

I prefer something more elegant and subtle.

I see.

On the contrary, I like the rich ones.

This scent is very good.

You like this one?

Doctor Chun,

am I suffering

from some incurable disease?

I have just taken the pulse of ten people in a row.

Five of them had a weak pulse and cold body,

three had deficient qi and blood,

and there was also a case of liver qi stagnation.

If you continue as you are now,

caring only about appearances and ignoring the inside,

you will certainly be plagued by illnesses in old age.

Is it that serious?

Doctor Chun

is trying to scare you.

She worries that you won't

- take care of your health, right? - But…

However, you have reminded me.

Why don't we develop some more

nourishing and body-protecting pills

and also some medicinal decoctions

to properly condition the sisters' bodies?

How does that sound?

- Sure! - Sure!

Was there anything else

that was missing?

I think this is quite good.

- You like this one? - Yeah.

I think it could come in a few more colors.

That's a good idea.

Let's have more color options.

Your mouth could scare

the healthy into sickness.

But what I said is all true.

Appearances are not as important as the five viscera and six bowels.

Next time, I should bring more

hangover remedies and liver-protecting pills.

Yes, yes.

Doctor Chun is right.

But the women here have to upend

their days and nights, drink, and smile

to make a living.

In the millet case,

your medicinal decoctions have helped many commoners.

The matter of opening a shop for you

should be put on the agenda.

But I…

Can I really do it?

Selling pills and decoctions for body maintenance

and creating a place for women who have

difficulties seeking medical treatment,

aren't those what you have always wanted to do?

Besides, opening more shops

would mean more revenue for me,

which is beneficial for everyone.

Why not go for it?

It's just that your practicing medicine

has been a secret to your family.

If you want to open a shop to see patients,

I'm afraid there will be a risk of exposure.

That's not a problem.

Father has been

extremely busy recently supervising work

in the newly set up garden.

He won't have time for me.

If so,

everything is ready,

only waiting for Doctor Chun to make the call.

Okay.

Then I will concentrate on developing

medicines for nourishment

and opening up this shop with you as soon as possible.

Good.

Sorry about that.

What's wrong?

Nothing, you can go back first.

I happen to have something to discuss with Yunniang.

Yunniang?

Mudan, didn't you just leave?

Have you seen

those few guests before?

It's my first time.

I ran into them at the entrance.

It felt not quite right.

They had quick movements,

unlike ordinary scholars,

more like somebody who practices martial arts.

Besides, the scroll they carried was very heavy.

I'm worried that there might be…

Weapons inside?

Send messages and change the tune.

Yes.

Someone's here.

If I leave, what about you?

If we leave an empty house for them to search,

the secret passage might be exposed.

This is a child.

His movements are quick though.

Darned Jiang,

colluding with Prince Ning and indulging His Majesty,

you deserve death a thousand times over.

Today I've fallen into your hands.

It is our miscalculation.

You can kill or mutilate me all you want,

but you cannot kill all the righteous people in the world.

My lord, how would you like to deal with this?

Take him back to heal from the injuries

and treat him well.

Pah! You scoundrel!

What, playing the good guy now?

I've just taken a bit of money, that's all.

Why do you spend all day

yelling and calling for violence?

You there outside, why peep and pry?

Come in.

Get up.

Treacherous official Jiang!

Indulging the ruler in pleasure, bringing calamity and chaos to the court.

The Integrity Society is here to carry out justice on Heaven's behalf.

You sure know how to recruit talent.

You flatter me.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to talk business.

Mudan noticed something was wrong

with the scroll those young fellows carried

so I was able to notify you in time

to send the honored guest away early.

In that case,

Mr. Third owes you a favor.

We're all friends here.

It was just a small effort.

But where did you

hide Mr. Third?

Does this room of yours

have any secret chambers?

This room needs cleaning.

Perhaps you two could move next door?

Yunniang.

What happened?

The blade was poisoned

with monkshood poison.

I overlooked that.

Quick, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and call a doctor.

Yes.

There's no time.

The poison acts very fast.

There's still time.

I seem to have read about this poison in a book before.

Someone come! Quickly!

Fetch the rose oil I gave Yunniang before.

And get some licorice, honey, mung beans, and ginger.

- Yes. - Go quickly.

Bear with it.

The wound was cleaned very promptly,

and the medicine was aptly used.

The poison has not yet invaded the viscera.

Mr. Jiang, you can be at ease.

Later, prepare the medicine according to my prescription.

Rest for a while and she will fully recover.

Thank you, Doctor Fu.

You're welcome.

You haven't told me yet

how Mr. Third disappeared.

Alright.

I'll take you there.

Aqi, take good care of Yunniang.

Yes.

[Jiang Mansion]

You didn't get hurt at all,

yet you're all wrapped up like this.

Now everyone in the city

knows that you've been attacked again.

If it wasn't spread around,

how would others know

how difficult my role as the Floral Envoy is

and how many people hate me?

I appreciate it.

After the Chen family was imprisoned,

I feigned support for Prince Ning.

Now that I've been the target of an assassination,

doesn't that dispel

Prince Ning's suspicions of me?

Your Majesty, gold, silver, and fine wine are all prepared.

Per your instructions,

we brought this year's tribute of donkey-hide gelatin.

After so many assassination attempts,

someone finally knows to give me some compensation.

It's not for you.

What I did yesterday was just a simple gesture.

There's no need for such extravagance.

Lady Mudan, you helped me avoid a fierce fight.

This thank-you gift is well deserved.

But someone is quite stubborn.

I'm not just here for myself,

but also on his behalf.

Thank you for the timely reminder

and for saving Yunniang.

Some people's gold and silver

are not to be taken.

I'll take this fine wine as a thank-you gift then.

Mr. Third is so understanding

to give me what I like.

This is thanks to

someone's reminder.

I can't believe you're turning down money.

Could it be you want Mr. Third to owe you a debt

so that you can get something more valuable in the future?

In terms of dark thoughts and long-term vision,

I am far from matching Mr. Jiang.

If Mr. Third truly wishes to thank me,

feel free to visit more often

my Huamanzhu.

It just so happens

that we've recently introduced some

cosmetic items, come and take a look.

If there's anything you like,

you can buy one or two

to give to your wife.

Good, I will come more

to your shop.

Great, all of these are here.

Did you like the Fire Gold Peony

you previously purchased from us?

We have cultivated a few more

precious night-blooming cereuses.

They will blossom in a few days.

Why not buy a pot

to enjoy under the moonlight with your wife?

I'm afraid

that she wishes to enjoy it with someone else.

Lady He,

you really like to bring up the most awkward subjects.

There's a story there.

I advise you not to ask too much.

The more distressed a person is,

the more they should talk about it.

What if someone has a solution?

My wife

grew up with me and my cousin.

We were very close.

Originally, she was engaged to my cousin.

But unfortunately, there was a misfortune in the family,

and my elder brother passed away.

That was how she became my wife.

I know

she married me

because of the family's command

and not because she loved me.

Do you, Mr. Third,

have feelings for your wife?

I've been fond of her since I was young.

However…

I really didn't expect

Mr. Jiang

to have such a romantic friend.

Mr. Third's affection is profound.

It's truly the ironies of fate.

Praise him if you will.

Why mock me?

Lady Mudan.

What on earth should I do

to win her favor

and make her fall in love with me?

This matter of affection

is profound.

But I think

treating her with sincerity

is always right.

How about you…

No.

Wait.

I've just figured it out.

Does your so-called deep affection

mean seeking pleasure

with Jiang Changyang

while sending her off with expensive gifts?

You've had too much.

But she's not wrong in asking.

Your words and deeds don't match.

You profess your love aloud,

but what about your actions?

You take no action.

You're right, Lady Mudan.

I ask you,

apart from sending

expensive gifts,

have you ever tried to understand

your wife's likes and dislikes?

Have you ever accompanied her

in doing what she likes?

I truly have never asked

what she truly wants.

I'm right, aren't I?

I dare not,

and I don't know how to ask.

What's there to fear?

It's alright.

You can actually consult me.

I can

teach you some methods.

This matter of affection, well,

in fact, in treating ladies…

Why are you coming closer?

What does it have to do with you?

Is Mr. Jiang also pining for someone?

I, as the illustrious Floral Envoy,

how could I have unrequited love?

You've seen

those beauties by my side.

They are merely putting on an act for the occasion.

Who would dare entrust their lifetime to you?

Mr. Jiang probably doesn't even

know what real emotions are.

Never mind.

I also disdain to attend your lecture.

For the welfare of women all over the world,

I'm not even willing to share with you.

If you don't share, fine.

As if someone wants to hear it.

Then don't sit here.

Why can't I sit here?

This is my home, the Jiang Mansion.

He can't win against me, so he's getting angry now.

You can't believe

all her nonsense.

Just on the account of getting drunk in broad daylight alone,

the Noble Consort would not be happy.

Suizhi.

Have you figured out

a name for you

and Mudan's child?

You're kidding.

She and I are not yet married.

Yet, you don't deny

that there are mutual feelings of admiration.

We only have financial dealings

between a tenant

and a creditor.

If it's only this type of relationship,

why do you dare not speak frankly

when you want to thank her

and insist that the wine was sent by me?

Just now, the two of you sat on the swing together,

flirting and bantering.

What a loving couple.

Yet I only have a stone bench to sit on,

completely an outsider who can't join the conversation.

It's rare to find a woman who can handle you.

You might as well combine the two houses into one.

We were not flirting and bantering.

It was bickering and arguing.

Quarreling and clamoring

are better than full-on courtesies.

Sometimes, she and I are worse than strangers.

You big romantic.

Mind your own business first.

Don't come teaching me.

Your Majesty, when you returned home drunk yesterday,

the Imperial Concubine had visited

and taken away those night-blooming cereuses

and the cosmetic items.

Your words and deeds don't match.

You profess your love aloud,

but what about your actions?

You take no action.

Change my clothes.

I will go and see Lingge.

Early this morning,

the Noble Consort moved to Xingqing Palace,

saying she wanted

to have some quiet days.

Should we go to Xingqing Palace?

Forget it.

I'm afraid if I go,

it will disturb her peace.

My lord has not left home,

but his servant Qiushi

always stays and observes at Huamanzhu,

clearly under his instruction.

That lowly servant has taken the business

all the way to Pingkang House.

Truly shameless.

Your Highness, do you wish to shut down her shop?

- Move aside. - Move aside.

[Huamanzhu]

- Get out. - Get out, get out.

- Come on. - Don't leave.

- Hurry up. - What?

Don't leave. Why?

Who are you?

On what grounds are you driving our guests away?

Which esteemed person

do you all belong to?

What brings you here?

Lady He.

Who did Huamanzhu offend to have so many mansion guards here?

I've heard that Huamanzhu's cosmetic items are widely praised.

County Princess Ji'an is willing to help you expand your clientele.

She invites you to bring these items

and go to Xingqing Palace immediately

for the nobles to try.

This attitude of yours hardly seems like an invitation.

It's clearly coercion.

This is a great opportunity to connect with noble ladies and officials' wives.

You are of lowly status.

You've won County Princess' favor.

You should know a good opportunity when you see one.

Since it's an invitation from the County Princess,

we cannot refuse it.

Don't worry, guys.

It's a misunderstanding, no harm done.

As you can see,

even the County Princess Ji'an has heard about

the reputation of Huamanzhu,

which is why so many people were dispatched

inviting me to visit the palace.

We have a full stock today.

You should grab the chance.

Otherwise, in the future,

the nobles will have snatched it all up.

Then you won't be able to buy it.

Please wait a moment longer.

I will follow you into the palace shortly.

Madam.

Everyone, do not panic.

Believe what our owner says.

Don't panic, there's nothing to worry about.

Mudan.

They surely have ill intentions. You cannot go.

I know.

Given the situation,

they've made up their minds to cause me trouble.

What to do if I refuse today and they come back the day after?

If they keep coming

to cause trouble,

we won't be able to do business.

Come on, help me.

The left shed.

An advantage gained.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Congratulations on the long-waited engagement,

Your Highness.

It is my honor today

to have been invited here.

I've specially brought new products from our store.

Ladies and gentlemen, please take a look.

Here we have rose-scented skin powder,

clove-scented skin powder,

Wanfang Yin, and Si Wuxie.

These bottles contain the new floral dew concocted by the store.

If you are interested,

you're welcome to try them.

These are objects used by commoners and those of lowly status.

How dare you present them to the County Princess?

Uncouth people only have money on their minds.

Otherwise, they wouldn't debase themselves

doing business at a place like a dance pavilion.

I kindly introduced more clients to you.

But alas, they look down

upon someone like you.

You might only enter

the royal garden once in your life.

Leaving at once

would be a pity.

You should stand in the middle of the horse field

and enjoy a good view.

Noble Consort, County Princess Ji'an

had informed beforehand

that she would bring the ladies to play polo

and wanted to borrow the horse field.

Should I summon them to come over and pay respects to you?

No need.

I haven't played for a long time either.

Let's go and watch the excitement.

What's going on?

Why do all the horses avoid that worthless woman?

- County Princess. - County Princess.

Princess.

Quickly go to the Imperial Pharmacy to summon the royal physician.

Yes.

Greetings, Noble Consort.

You caused the princess to fall off her horse

and should be taken into custody

waiting for the princess's decision.

If the County Princess didn't

stab the horse with a hairpin in haste and rashness,

why would the horse lose control?

The innocent horse has already lost its life.

Are you going to cost another human life too?

Noble Consort, please listen.

This lowly slave rashly

barged into the royal garden.

The princess was trying to uphold the royal dignity

by fiercely letting the horse run.

Today, when the princess's people came to Huamanzhu to invite me,

many commoners witnessed it.

Just now, in full view of the public,

I was all the more without any transgression.

I ask,

by what crime do you

intend to take me into custody?

You are…

someone from Jiang Changyang's mansion.

Yes.

His Majesty has a very close relationship with Jiang Changyang.

If he knows that a person from his close friend's mansion

has been bullied to such a wretched state.

I fear it would enrage him greatly.

Come with me.

Don't be nervous.

Change to a more comfortable sitting position.

Thank you, Noble Consort.

To tell you the truth,

I can't feel my legs already.

There are no outsiders present now.

Noble Consort,

why not also change to a comfortable position?

Give me a hand.

My legs are numb too.

The royal flower masters are indeed extraordinary.

I have never seen such a delicate and ordinary landscape.

It's my first time entering the palace,

so I feel a bit excited.

You must find it amusing, Noble Consort.

Come over and sit.

I've always thought

that the nobles in the palace

were all arrogant, haughty,

and unapproachable.

I didn't expect

to find someone like you with such spirit and grace,

friendly and approachable.

Only you see me

that way.

If it were someone else,

they would say that I

am not gentle or virtuous enough.

Are you treating me so kindly

because of Mr. Jiang?

Before you mentioned Huamanzhu,

I didn't know who you were.

I only know that those who are innocent should not be punished without cause.

I'm trapped in the palace all day,

scarce knowing the interesting events outside.

Why not come and tell me about them every month?

Sure, what would you like to hear about?

I've heard that the Jiang Mansion

is filled with beauties.

And the Floral Envoy calls friends and associates every day,

frolicking in the mansion.

Is it true?

The romantic affairs of Mr. Jiang

have reached your ears.

The rumors are not wrong.

He also has a friend named Mr. Third,

who climbed a wall and fell into someone's yard

while trying to peep at the flower-planting girl.

Mr. Third, huh.

Noble Consort,

it's time to take your medicine.

Come in.

Noble Consort.

Noble Consort, what medicine are you taking?

This cannot be disclosed.

I have had trouble sleeping recently,

so I had someone prepare

medicinal soups for nourishment.

I've hated bitterness since I was young.

Therefore, when it comes to drinking medicine,

it is quite unbearable.

It's no trouble.

May I have a copy of the prescription?

Do you understand pharmacology?

Just now at the horse grounds,

I smelled the fragrance of wine.

Did you do something?

I have some understanding of horses' habits.

I know horses

do not like alcohol or vinegar,

so I took the floral water I brought in my case

and applied it to my wrists.

That's why the horses were unwilling to come close to me.

Thus, I avoided a disaster.

Mudan, you are very astute.

Noble Consort, you flatter me.

I understand a little pharmacology.

And I have a female physician accompanying me.

Noble Consort, to thank your help,

I am willing to offer whatever little I can.

This is a prescription

from the palace's top female physician.

Are you able to improve it?

I don't intend to modify the prescription.

It's just that Noble Consort dislikes the bitter taste,

so I thought

perhaps I could try and find some medicinal dishes

or something else to replace it.

This way, it can spare the Noble Consort

the daily agony of taking the medicine.

[Prince Ning's Mansion]

[Youqi Pavilion]

Your Highness.

The princess has fallen from her horse,

with her abdomen trampled by a horseshoe.

She has lost too much blood,

and I'm afraid…

What?

I'm afraid she may have difficulty bearing children in the future.

What did you say?

I have already written out the prescription.

But…

but those herbs can only serve a nourishing purpose.

Leave me.

Yes.

Youzhen.

Tell me.

What exactly happened?

Greetings, Your Highness.

Your Majesty, my lord went out to drink

and has not yet returned.

Do you need anything?

Hand over the private slave He Weifang.

I sent the person to Huanyun Tower to learn some skills.

If she doesn't learn the Green Waist Dance, she's not allowed to return.

How convenient.

The County Princess just got injured,

and you have just sent this person away.

I will send someone now

to bring He Weifang back.

Since she is from my mansion

and has offended the County Princess,

it is proper for me to accompany her

to apologize to the County Princess together.

Suizhi.

Are you hiding something from me?

She's a mere private slave,

yet you find all kinds of excuses for her,

even disregarding our past friendship.

Your Highness,

I have made arrangements to take He Weifang as my concubine.

I will soon bring her into my household.

Who knew such a commotion would arise?

To be honest, Your Highness,

back in Luoyang,

I had already taken a liking to He Weifang.

Liu Zishu can't forget about her

even after their divorce.

It is evident that this girl

has her charms within the boudoir.

I am a normal man.

Your romantic pursuits are known to all.

But previously,

you have just rejected the marriage proposal with the County Princess,

and now you want to take in

a private slave, a discarded wife?

Is she indeed different from the rest?

I had previously said I would never marry.

It was no idle talk.

I am only taking her

as a beautiful maidservant to generate money, that's all.

As I'm sure you're aware,

she has just arrived in Chang'an not long ago,

but she has opened two shops consecutively.

There are two things I love in life, beauty and money.

How can I not take

such a wonderful person into my pocket?

But that would be shortsighted.

Would what I promise you

be less than a woman?

Your grace is naturally unsurpassed.

But I have always

been a greedy person,

unwilling to let a single gold coin slip through my fingers.

Moreover,

I have already reported this news to His Majesty.

Upon learning that I am taking a concubine,

His Majesty rejoices and bestows upon me a great gift.

I am planning to discuss it

with you, Your Highness.

The Chen family has lost power.

Now the position of Deputy Transport Officer of all routes is vacant.

His Majesty allows me to recommend the capable,

and I am planning to seek your advice

in selecting one or two candidates.

If this happy event is gone,

I'm afraid the reward will be gone too.

His Majesty has brotherly affection for you.

He has always been hoping

for a reliable woman

to serve by your side.

How can we let him

have a vain joy?

Here, just choose another

beautiful and gentle woman

and take her as a concubine.

♫ 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 ♫