Original subtitles

[Flourished Peony]

[Episode 28]

The Chen family has fallen from power.

Now, the position of Deputy Transport Officer is vacant.

His Majesty has asked me to recommend a candidate.

I'd like to ask Your Highness

to advise me.

If my marriage is canceled,

I'm afraid the rewards will also be gone.

His Majesty and you are very close.

He has been hoping

for a good woman

to attend to you.

You can't

let him down.

I have an idea.

You can marry

another good woman.

When His Majesty visited my house,

he saw He Weifang.

And His Majesty asked He Weifang

to learn dancing.

Today, Consort Shu was present

at the Xingqing Palace.

If I change the woman I'm marrying,

His Majesty will blame me for deceiving him.

Your daughter

wants Zishu's affection.

If I marry He Weifang,

it will cut off Zishu's thoughts of her.

It helps your daughter solve a problem.

If something happens to He Weifang,

my marriage

isn't the only thing to be spoiled.

Your daughter got injured.

It's a fact.

I don't want to see her hurt.

Besides,

I don't want to disappoint His Majesty.

What do you think, Your Highness?

See you.

What are you going to say to Her Highness?

The injury of Youzhen is irreversible.

Even if Lady He is killed,

it can't change the fact.

It's alright to do Mr. Jiang a favor

and get some benefits.

The position of Deputy Transport Officer

will be her future husband's.

Yes.

Go.

Let's go.

To see my concubine I'm about to take.

Taking her as a concubine

is a stopgap measure.

Well…

He Weifang.

Thank you, Mr. Jiang.

Everyone knows

Prince Ning dotes on his daughter.

But even so,

he favors his own interests.

But Mr. Jiang is different.

To save my life,

you risked yourself,

taking me as a concubine.

You're so righteous.

I'm very grateful to you.

Moreover,

I won't tell anyone about this place.

Marriage is a big matter concerning a woman's reputation.

Suddenly, you will be my concubine.

Do you not mind?

Life is bigger than reputation.

Moreover,

I am just getting married again.

But it's your first time taking a concubine.

People think you will

marry a troublesome merchant,

not your beloved.

Anyway,

it's not good for you.

If I care about trifles,

I'll be such a fool.

You're quite optimistic.

I just heard

you gave Prince Ning

the position of Deputy Transport Officer.

You have paid a huge cost.

I don't know what I can do

to repay you.

Don't think about it.

No one knows better than me

how to receive and give gifts.

I have my reason

to give a generous gift.

Rest assured,

I won't let myself be at a disadvantage.

Dealing with Prince Ning is mentally and physically taxing.

I'm hungry now.

Understood, then I'll grill some fish for you.

Come on.

I decided

to marry you.

As for the wedding banquet,

I will do my best to prepare.

You will have what a bride

should have.

Dowry, wedding attire and jewelry,

and wedding feast,

all these will be prepared as you wish.

You can use whatever

in my storeroom.

If you want anything else, feel free to tell me.

I will--

Don't hold a huge wedding.

Our marriage

is just a stopgap measure.

If it's too eye-catching,

it might give us away.

I just want to give you a good wedding

to make you happy.

It's not the first day you've known me.

If the wedding banquet

affects my business,

I will be unhappy.

So you tell me

what we should do about the wedding banquet.

Let's hold a small banquet.

Guests eat at the same table,

sharing three pots of osmanthus wine.

That's enough.

As you say.

Well,

let's hold a low-key wedding.

I object.

Come on.

This matter concerns Prince Ning.

It's a matter of life and death.

Don't leak any information

and involve your friends.

Mr. Jiang, you're pretty lucky

to marry Mudan.

If you don't

give her a big wedding,

I and Fu will object.

It's a joyous thing.

The news has already caused a stir.

Tomorrow,

people from all over the city will bring gifts to celebrate.

I fear they will wait in a long line to come.

I think you have to

hold a big wedding.

No, I won't.

As you know,

I hate elaborate formalities.

Besides, among the countless guests,

how many of them are sincere to celebrate?

They're just spectators,

wanting to see

how much Mr. Jiang

loves me.

When we decided to become sworn sisters,

we did all the necessary rites.

A wedding is a major event.

How can it be hastily done?

That would be too absurd.

Your friends know the inside story

and esteem you.

But strangers

only know you were a servant in the military.

You do business

and will marry an official.

Suizhi

must hold a big wedding

to show his love for you.

Only then can you

put an end to others' gossip about your social climbing.

You mortals

don't understand Mudan.

This is my wedding with Mudan.

Mudan decides

how to hold this wedding.

Mr. Jiang knows me well.

I have never cared

about others' gossip.

I wish for a simple wedding.

Our good friends

come to celebrate

with earnest feelings.

That's bigger than betrothal presents

and a grand wedding.

Wait,

Mudan and Suizhi are about to get married.

Why did Mudan still call you Mr. Jiang?

I've also mentioned this to her.

But she's got used to calling me that.

She forgot to change how we address each other.

Mudan seems forthright,

but she's bashful.

It's not urgent to change how we address each other.

I need to talk to Mr. Third.

I'll come back to drink

with you later.

Okay.

Mudan.

This is all too sudden.

Do you truly want

to be his concubine?

- He isn't forcing you, is he? - No, he isn't.

Don't worry.

We can't control what he did before.

After the marriage,

if he makes you sad,

I'll beat him up.

Alright.

Come on, let's eat some meat.

Okay, let's eat.

It is undercooked.

It's alright.

I'm starving.

Even though I won't invite guests,

I still need to maintain appearances.

I need help from the Bureau of Etiquette,

the Bureau of Attire, and the Bureau of Food.

I need to arrange the wedding ceremony.

The wedding cakes

will be sent to the officials throughout the city.

Do you need help from the Bureau of Beds?

It's just for show.

I don't need to sleep with her.

But I've heard

that there are specifics about the bridal bed.

It's unlucky to make it wrong.

So I need their help.

Have you thought of names for your children?

I told you. It's all fake.

Don't be silly.

You're the Vice Minister of Office of Imperial Ceremonies.

You've held various feasts.

You look so serious

about this fake marriage.

Will you make it real?

I'm taking a concubine.

If I don't hold my wedding publicly,

Prince Ning will become suspicious.

Don't be a blabbermouth in front of Mudan.

I don't want her to get me wrong.

You came

right after Prince Ning left.

Perfect timing.

What are you here for?

I heard County Princess Ji'an fell off a horse

and Lingge helped Mudan out of her predicament.

That's why I came.

Consort Hui angered Consort Shu.

You don't know how to please her.

So you want Mudan

to help you, right?

Your house

is small and simple.

However, Lady He,

a capable businesswoman, lives here

and never leaves.

I have a fancy palace.

Yet Lingge frequently moves out.

I can't even get her back.

You have a fake marriage with a lady you like.

Meanwhile,

my woman is leaving me.

Don't worry.

In the past,

Consort Shu was lonely in the palace.

From now on, Mudan will keep her company.

Mudan is very clever.

She will unloose the knots that upset Consort Shu.

[Youqi Pavilion] Youzhen.

Youzhen, don't be like this.

Youzhen, calm down.

Youzhen.

Stop it.

Three years ago,

my marriage

was exchanged for the loyalty

from the prominent families.

Now, my suffering

has become a good deal for you and the Floral Envoy.

Right now,

I can no longer

do anything

for you.

I'd rather die than live

in humiliation.

Youzhen.

Don't think of it.

I remember

what you've suffered.

You will be compensated in the future.

Will I have a future?

Now everyone in Chang'an knows

that I've been humiliated by a merchant.

I can't have children.

There is nothing He Weifang can do

to pay for what she did to me.

If I can't give birth to children,

will Zishu still be willing

to marry me?

Even if he is,

he will take concubines

to have children.

What should I do then?

You--

Your Highness.

Liu Shen and his son are here.

Father.

I can no longer face Zishu.

If he despises me for this--

He won't dare.

Lie down.

Lie down, Youzhen.

Since you two are engaged,

you should share weal and woe.

You've suffered a lot.

As your husband,

he should

comfort you

and be with you.

Don't worry.

I'm here for you.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Your Highness.

This is good medicine.

His Highness got this from His Majesty.

Please take it.

Liu Chang is not worthy of Your Highness.

And he's unfaithful

and ungrateful.

You got hurt for him,

damaging your health.

I feel so sad about this.

Your Highness, why must you marry him?

I'm from a royal family.

My father's love for me

cannot outweigh his interests

and power.

I'm clear about this.

So, I cherish Zishu.

At least I don't

have to calculate the gains and losses

of my love

for him.

I'm afraid

this is the only pure thing

in my life.

Well…

Are you going to let me live with your family

after marriage?

Your Highness.

Zishu is my only son.

My family is not lowly.

How can you let my son

be childless?

Zishu will be ridiculed.

Youzhen

was hurt because of your ex-wife.

I fear she can't give birth to children.

Zishu feels sorry

for what your daughter has suffered.

He will love her and care for her more.

If he has a concubine-born child in the future,

the child will be adopted by your daughter.

Adoption

is a good solution.

If you wish to continue the family line

your son can adopt a child

from a distant relative.

Isn't that quite good?

Youzhen

is suffering

because of Zishu's unfaithfulness.

If he has concubines

and illegitimate children,

I fear the same thing will happen again,

causing big trouble.

Your Highness.

If Youzhen feels worried,

I will explain to her

to reassure her.

You know Youzhen

very well.

This is the only way

to reassure her.

It's settled.

I promise

I will help you

become a chief minister.

I understand your deep love

for your daughter.

You care about Youzhen

very much.

However,

it's not a small thing.

I must consult with the elders in the family.

I beseech Your Highness

to give me some time to consider it.

My father and I

shall take our leave.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, please don't be mad.

Considering that Youzhen loves you,

I've mercifully compromised.

I have said it.

This is the only way.

Sign the contract to marry into my family.

Then you can

make any request.

How absurd her love is.

Her suffering is immense.

So you make me suffer more?

She is unable to bear children.

So you force me to marry into your family

and end my family line?

Zishu.

I'm from an old and well-known family.

I don't have to rely on marriage

and sell myself to survive.

I can marry Youzhen.

But I can't marry

into her family.

Fine.

Then the Liu family

can be childless today.

- Your Highness, I'll sign. - Father.

I agree

on behalf of Zishu.

Father.

I do not agree.

Step aside.

[Marriage Contract] Father.

All marriages are arranged.

As your father,

I have the right

to arrange your marriage.

It's a joyous thing.

Youzhen is faithful to you.

You should do the same.

Your Highness.

Don't be mad.

Well,

very clever of you.

Send him out.

Yes.

Your Highness, Zishu…

Zishu is stubborn by nature.

I will try to persuade him again.

I know

you're powerful.

But even if you trap me in the bridal chamber,

will you tie me to Youzhen for a lifetime?

Zishu,

you think

it's unfair for you

to marry into my family

and will be childless, right?

Fine.

Then I will

do you a favor.

In this way,

you will be willing

to marry Youzhen

and live in harmony.

Someone.

Prepare

a pair of good walking sticks

for Zishu.

Yes.

You

just think too highly of yourself.

Arrogance

and determination

are meant to be tempered.

Figure it out sooner.

Don't keep Youzhen waiting too long.

Chun.

Fu.

As Mudan's good friends,

you want to test me for Mudan.

I understand.

I have said it.

I have no wife

or kept woman.

I never like any dancing girls.

Those women are merely

in an employer-employee relationship with me.

Crap!

Fu.

Nonsense.

You said before

that you and Mudan were in an employer-employee relationship.

Did I ever say that?

I fell in love with Mudan

at first sight.

I do business with her

to express my love for her.

Sure.

That's true.

Gradually, we started

to love each other.

Anyway, Mr. Jiang

is not a lecher.

And Chun has already

taken his pulse?

He is in good health.

Very good.

However…

Go on.

You say it.

- You frequented dance houses. - With women around you.

Could it be just

drinking and chatting?

Your thoughts are so sordid.

I flattered those dancers and musicians against my will

for Mudan's business

to get better.

Otherwise, could you

get many orders?

Yes, indeed.

Lady He

wants a simple wedding.

But Mr. Jiang risked being impeached

and invited female officials to help.

It's all done according to the rituals

of marrying a wife.

I swear

I'm sincere to Mudan.

However, Mudan doesn't

change her mind.

Yeah.

Previously,

I dared not believe in your sincerity.

Now that Chun has taken your pulse,

I am clear about it now.

I'm lucky to marry you.

But look at you two.

You don't

look intimate at all.

Mudan

put her mind on business before.

And I never loved any woman.

Now this is my first relationship.

I'm unfamiliar with it.

However, the two of you have never been in love, right?

It's normal that you can't tell the affection

between me and Mudan.

Well…

Look,

Mudan can't help smiling

for marrying a man like me.

In front of your friends,

no need to hold back.

Just laugh if you want to.

Yes, look,

you're showing the affection

between lovers

as the book says.

Affection.

Yes, affection.

So, tell us.

Before,

how did you two fall in love

and flirt

right under our noses?

He brought back the Hu cakes

my father made

from Luoyang.

They were delicious.

Tasty?

What about you?

I had feelings for Mudan

when I saw her in Liu Mansion

in Luoyang.

Back then, she was still married.

So I had to hide my feelings.

I'm surprised to hear that.

It does make sense.

What about after you met again in Chang'an?

- She went up the mountain-- - He was--

He was forced by the powerful to get married.

I helped him out.

She went up the mountain to pick flowers and encountered a fierce tiger.

Fortunately, I saved her.

So, you helped him, or he helped you?

We helped each other.

A bad official and a bad merchant

are a perfect match.

I lent her money to do business.

It happened

that we became neighbors.

As time went by,

we fell in love.

♫ If love is like frost ♫

We drank and chatted

every night.

Gradually,

we were in love.

So, finally,

we're together.

Do you have any more questions?

No more questions.

Lady He.

My master has received your introduction.

I'm here to escort you.

Coming right away.

Look, it's the same as the book says.

Let me help.

You do your things.

I'll be waiting for you to have dinner at home.

I'll go see Mudan out.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Alright.

Mudan has Mr. Jiang.

I'll go back to have dinner with my mother.

Mudan just

packed up so many things.

Where is she going?

The one who saved Mudan at the horse field

is not in good health

and can't take strong medicine.

We have studied the prescriptions she normally uses.

The cause of the illness is postpartum depression

and lack of sleep.

So we developed

some nourishing bath beans

and aromatic incense,

hoping to make her feel better.

Alright, you treat the patient.

I'm going back home.

Go inform Mr. Third

to immediately rush to Xingqing Palace.

If Mudan makes his woman happy,

he should thank me.

Yes.

My lord, you want to send a betrothal gift to Lady He,

but you fear she won't accept it, right?

I got a message from Fu.

It's about something she must accept.

How would you like to thank me?

What Lady He longs for

is definitely not gold, silver, or jewels

but the garden her mother liked,

Fragrance Garden.

A few days ago,

Fragrance Garden was for sale.

Lady He borrowed money from the pawnshop,

wanting to buy it.

Unexpectedly,

Lv Wanrong bought it first.

She earns money through business.

Yet she never spends on herself.

Turns out she saves money to buy the garden.

You can

afford that garden.

Let's pay a visit to Lv Wanrong.

I suppose he won't refuse to sell it to you.

Mudan has her pride.

She must want to buy the Fragrance Garden on her own.

If I buy it for her,

it will hurt her pride.

She will think

her efforts are all in vain.

Moreover,

Lv Wanrong is her friend's father.

He bought it legitimately.

If I force him to sell it to me,

I'll be blamed by Mudan.

A man and woman in love

should help

and think of each other.

Since when have you become a love expert?

I've never seen you with a woman.

I'm going to see Mr. Third.

I like riding and shooting.

Yet I'm not interested

in delicate things.

Unexpectedly,

your incense smells so good.

Smelling good is not the point.

The point is, it's specially made for you.

You breathe its fragrance into your lungs

to cure your illness.

The incense used during the day

contains dried chrysanthemums

purple sandalwood, and peony bark,

which can soothe the liver and relieve depression.

And the incense used at night contains clove,

poria, and amber,

which can soothe the nerves and get better sleep.

What a clever thought.

They're much better

than the herbal medicine.

You've lost sleep

for a while.

Your stomach has a problem.

So, you can't take any herbal medicine.

The nourished food

medicinal incense,

and the things used in daily life can help.

Gradually, through the mild conditioning,

it will work better

than the herbal medicine.

Your--

Get out of here.

Mudan is smart.

You ask her

to develop more suitable stuff for Lingge.

Send it to me.

I will personally give it to Lingge.

If Lingge gets happy,

she will return to the palace with me.

As long as Your Majesty pays well,

no matter how many you want,

Mudan will make them for you.

No offense, but I have something to say.

You have mental knots.

I tried to give birth to my child.

I wish I could be with him day and night.

But I must follow the rules

and let the maids take care of him.

I rarely see him.

And I'm always judged harshly.

You may inform His Majesty of this.

Perhaps His Majesty

will allow you to live with your child

and personally raise your child.

Though I'm Consort Shu,

I am also his subject.

His Majesty has other women.

I don't think he cares for me.

He won't disregard the rules

for me.

Life's short.

What matters to you is your health

and living happily.

Since His Majesty has another woman,

you should love yourself even more.

Do not pin hopes on the heartless man.

Perhaps you'll feel happy.

What is she talking about?

She is stirring things up.

You often go to Consort Hui's palace.

It is indeed a fact.

Jiang Changyang.

Prince Ning placed Consort Hui in the palace.

Can I not go?

I hoped she could untangle Lingge's mental knots.

But what did she do? She persuaded Lingge to give up on me.

It's a mental knot.

She must find the source.

You're already so protective of her.

What about me?

Since I became a Consort,

no one has ever said something like this to me.

They only care about

whether I've managed the harem well

and whether my son

is smart and sensible.

No one has ever asked

what Huangfu Lingge truly wants.

So, what do you want?

Since I entered this palace,

I can't

hope for what I want.

Perhaps,

it's the safest to love myself.

That's right.

Let go of your knots,

and your illness

will be cured sooner or later.

In Xingqing Palace,

you might as well live more freely.

Just curse when you're angry.

Cry when you're sad.

Seek joy when you're bored.

Feel free to chat

with me.

But I eventually have to go back.

I have to face those

I don't want to face,

listen to those hypocritical words,

and force a smile

to show my dignity and virtue.

Mr. Third.

Don't get the wrong idea.

No need to tell Lingge that I've come.

Let Mudan

keep Lingge company.

Mr. Liu, time to eat.

I don't want to eat.

I'll starve myself to death,

to repay the County Princess.

I would trouble you

to convey a message to my parents.

I'm incapable of revitalizing the family.

And I am not a good son.

I hope they will not be sad.

Guess what? Your parents

are overjoyed today.

They've gratefully

accepted the betrothal gifts from His Highness.

They said

you must stay,

alive or dead.

Your broken leg

has been exchanged for a huge fortune.

They are happy about that.

Get out!

If you wish to die,

well,

how about you

eat a wedding pastry first?

Get out of here.

I won't marry Prince Ning's daughter.

Leave these wedding pastries

to His Highness.

You got the wrong idea.

These pastries are from your ex-wife, He Weifang.

She's marrying the Floral Envoy.

His Highness said

you would have an appetite

upon seeing these pastries.

Impossible.

Impossible.

Impossible.

Those of high and low status must not intermarry.

Just a word from the Floral Envoy

can change her household registration.

The County Princess was injured because of your ex.

Your ex should have been cut into pieces.

Unexpectedly,

she gains the favor of Mr. Jiang.

So His Highness spared her life for the time being.

You haven't forgotten your ex, have you?

But look at your current state.

You're no match

for Jiang Changyang.

Life matters.

So what if your ex becomes a concubine?

So what if you marry into a new wife's family?

Anyway, we're living in a world

where only the strong survive.

♫ 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 ♫