WEBVTT 00:09.000 --> 00:10.720 Zhao Si, this is our household. 00:11.440 --> 00:12.480 I am the patriarch 00:12.560 --> 00:13.800 and Shi Ying's elder brother. 00:14.920 --> 00:17.160 You're welcome to attend the wedding if you want to, 00:17.320 --> 00:19.800 (Fifth Master, Dou Shi Shu) and if not, you're free to leave. 00:21.640 --> 00:22.640 (Zhao Si) Leave? 00:26.240 --> 00:27.240 My foolish sister, 00:27.840 --> 00:28.960 did you hear him clearly? 00:29.960 --> 00:32.600 When your husband was studying in Chanxi, 00:33.200 --> 00:36.120 he was being well taken care of by your so-called best friend. 00:36.520 --> 00:38.760 And now she wants to marry into the Dou family. 00:39.560 --> 00:41.320 And now they're having a wedding. 00:42.400 --> 00:43.400 (Wang Ying Xue) Gu Qiu, 00:43.760 --> 00:47.040 you know how difficult it was for me to survive alone in Chanxi, 00:47.440 --> 00:48.800 enduring all kinds of ridicule. 00:49.000 --> 00:51.360 Now that my father has been reinstated and promoted, 00:51.720 --> 00:53.280 I could easily marry well. 00:54.120 --> 00:57.240 But I admire Shi Ying's honesty and kindness, 00:57.880 --> 01:00.640 (Seventh Master, Dou Shi Ying) and I cherish the close bond we share. 01:00.920 --> 01:03.120 That's why I decided to marry him as his concubine. 01:03.400 --> 01:06.520 It's common for officials to have multiple wives. 01:07.760 --> 01:08.920 Better a friend 01:09.480 --> 01:12.040 than some woman you don't know, don't you think? 01:14.520 --> 01:15.520 A friend? 01:18.680 --> 01:20.960 Is this how you repay my trust as a friend? 01:27.560 --> 01:29.560 You knew she is my best friend, 01:31.280 --> 01:33.120 and you knew he is my husband. 01:36.600 --> 01:38.760 -How could you... -Why couldn't they? 01:39.400 --> 01:42.120 Scholars of Shi Ying's age already have multiple children. 01:42.760 --> 01:44.440 You've been married for nearly ten years, 01:44.600 --> 01:46.320 and yet you've only given him one daughter. 01:46.400 --> 01:47.600 If he doesn't marry a concubine, 01:47.680 --> 01:50.760 are you trying to let our branch of the family die out? 01:51.040 --> 01:53.320 Shi Shu, please stop. 01:53.440 --> 01:55.160 It's stated clearly in our law. 01:55.280 --> 01:57.360 Taking a concubine requires the consent of the legitimate wife. 01:57.400 --> 01:58.920 My sister has every right to refuse. 01:59.200 --> 02:01.040 Young Lady Wang's father, Wang Xing Yi, 02:01.560 --> 02:04.400 is a protégé of the Grand Secretary, Wu Yi Fen. 02:05.160 --> 02:07.400 Upon his reinstatement, he's now a fourth-rank official. 02:07.480 --> 02:08.720 Marrying into the Wang family 02:09.640 --> 02:11.840 would be a tremendous boost to Shi Ying's career 02:12.280 --> 02:13.280 How could she refuse? 02:13.440 --> 02:16.160 So you think my family is too insignificant and powerless to be 02:17.400 --> 02:19.400 -of any help to you now? -Gu Qiu. 02:20.160 --> 02:21.440 I would never think that. 02:21.520 --> 02:24.200 The husband rules over the wife. It's the natural order of things. 02:24.280 --> 02:26.720 Our family needs this marriage alliance. 02:27.400 --> 02:28.400 Rubbish! 02:28.720 --> 02:30.920 Over the years, how much gold and silver has my family 02:31.000 --> 02:32.800 provided for your political connections 02:32.960 --> 02:34.720 and for Shi Ying's education? 02:34.880 --> 02:37.880 How much of it wouldn't stand up to scrutiny? 02:38.120 --> 02:39.800 Is that your so-called natural order? 02:40.360 --> 02:42.240 If you keep pressuring my sister, 02:42.440 --> 02:46.000 I'll submit a memorial to the court exposing everything. 02:47.160 --> 02:49.000 Zhao Si, hold your tongue! 02:49.960 --> 02:51.800 Are you really going to ruin both our families 02:52.080 --> 02:53.400 just for your sisters? 02:53.800 --> 02:54.800 Try me. 02:56.280 --> 02:57.720 Things aren't what they used to be. 02:58.560 --> 02:59.560 If it comes to that, 03:01.000 --> 03:03.000 we'll see whose future gets cut short. 03:11.120 --> 03:12.120 I told you, didn't I? 03:12.560 --> 03:13.560 Don't worry, Shou Gu. 03:14.000 --> 03:15.240 My father will take care of it. 03:16.520 --> 03:18.120 This concerns the future of Dou family. 03:18.440 --> 03:20.120 Uncle Shi Shu won't give up so easily. 03:20.960 --> 03:22.400 We must resolve this quickly, 03:23.000 --> 03:25.400 or things will become much harder once Wang Xing Yi comes. 03:27.400 --> 03:29.120 I only wanted someone to rely on. 03:29.560 --> 03:31.400 I never meant to hurt you 03:32.120 --> 03:33.600 or put Shi Ying in a difficult spot. 03:34.440 --> 03:37.040 Gu Qiu, if you really can't forgive me, 03:38.240 --> 03:40.440 grant me a white silk ribbon so I can hang myself. 03:43.280 --> 03:45.120 Spare me the act. 03:46.240 --> 03:47.440 If you really want to die... 03:50.720 --> 03:51.720 Here. 03:52.680 --> 03:55.640 Gu Qiu, since when have you become so cold-hearted? 04:02.520 --> 04:03.520 Ying Xue! 04:03.920 --> 04:04.920 Let go! 04:05.120 --> 04:06.840 -Ying Xue! -Let me die! 04:07.280 --> 04:08.280 Shi Ying! 04:09.440 --> 04:11.360 Let me die! 04:13.400 --> 04:14.480 Father. 04:18.200 --> 04:19.200 Shou Gu? 04:25.520 --> 04:27.000 I missed you so much. 04:28.920 --> 04:30.720 Who is this lady on the floor? 04:31.360 --> 04:33.040 Why don't you tell Shou Gu yourself 04:34.560 --> 04:35.680 who she is? 04:37.760 --> 04:38.760 She... 04:42.320 --> 04:44.320 She's a guest here to offer her congratulations. 04:45.600 --> 04:46.600 Shi Ying... 04:47.040 --> 04:50.840 Why are you and Mother fighting over a guest? 04:53.520 --> 04:54.520 We're not. 04:59.040 --> 05:01.240 Father, Mother. 05:03.480 --> 05:04.480 Tuo Niang, 05:04.920 --> 05:06.680 please escort this lady out. 05:07.200 --> 05:08.800 I want to talk to my parents alone. 05:09.920 --> 05:10.920 Yes, that's right. 05:11.120 --> 05:13.160 Since she's just a guest, let's send her out first. 05:13.240 --> 05:16.200 We will let her know our decision later once we've talked over it. 05:16.400 --> 05:17.840 -I'm not leaving. -Get up. 05:17.920 --> 05:19.840 Let go of me. I'm not leaving! 05:22.800 --> 05:23.920 -She... -Ying Xue! 05:28.240 --> 05:29.240 Ying Xue! 05:29.920 --> 05:33.040 -I can't breathe. -It's all right. I'm right here. 05:34.240 --> 05:35.560 You're having an asthma attack. 05:37.800 --> 05:40.360 When I had a cold, Ying Xue took care of me so closely 05:40.680 --> 05:42.840 that she ended up developing asthma herself. 05:43.840 --> 05:44.840 Gu Qiu. 05:46.000 --> 05:47.240 I can't leave her like this. 06:19.760 --> 06:21.200 Madam, it is the legitimate wife's duty 06:21.280 --> 06:22.960 to organize the ceremonies for taking a concubine. 06:23.080 --> 06:24.600 Fifth Master asked me to deliver these for you. 06:24.680 --> 06:26.160 Please make the preparations soon. 06:27.760 --> 06:29.240 Aunt hasn't even agreed to accept her! 06:29.320 --> 06:30.320 What ceremonies? 06:30.880 --> 06:32.200 Get out! 06:33.440 --> 06:34.440 Mother, 06:34.760 --> 06:35.880 as long as you don't agree, 06:36.560 --> 06:38.360 given Young Lady Wang's family background, 06:38.560 --> 06:41.000 they won't allow her to remain an unacknowledged mistress. 06:41.560 --> 06:42.760 Even if she's fine with it, 06:43.080 --> 06:45.680 her father, Wang Xing Yi, would never agree. 06:46.200 --> 06:47.400 If we stall long enough, 06:47.480 --> 06:49.120 the matter might quietly resolve itself. 06:52.000 --> 06:53.000 Shou Gu, 06:53.680 --> 06:55.600 how did you become so wise at such a young age? 06:57.400 --> 06:59.440 My father says Uncle is a terrible man. 07:00.120 --> 07:01.560 It's better for you to divorce him 07:01.640 --> 07:02.840 and avoid all this suffering. 07:04.840 --> 07:07.240 Divorce has always been seen 07:07.400 --> 07:09.120 as a trivial matter for a man, 07:10.760 --> 07:12.080 but for me and Shou Gu, 07:13.120 --> 07:15.720 it would mean being judged and shamed for the rest of our lives. 07:17.080 --> 07:18.760 I can't ruin Shou Gu's future. 07:21.080 --> 07:23.400 Besides, after a divorce, 07:24.000 --> 07:26.000 the children always stay with the husband's family. 07:26.960 --> 07:28.200 How could I bear to leave her? 07:29.160 --> 07:30.680 I'm not afraid of anything, 07:31.200 --> 07:32.480 except seeing you suffer. 07:33.080 --> 07:34.280 If you want to leave Father, 07:34.600 --> 07:35.960 I'll go with you. 07:36.280 --> 07:37.480 Uncle understands the law. 07:37.960 --> 07:39.280 He'll surely find a way to help. 07:39.440 --> 07:40.560 I'll go ask him. 07:41.720 --> 07:42.720 I'm coming with you. 07:45.280 --> 07:47.320 Have the kitchen prepare tea to clear the lungs, 07:47.840 --> 07:49.800 and send someone to dust everything in the room. 07:50.080 --> 07:52.160 -There mustn't be any trace of dust. -Yes, Master. 07:52.840 --> 07:53.840 It's all right, Shi Ying. 07:54.800 --> 07:59.480 My sachet has ephedra to soothe my lungs. 07:59.680 --> 08:00.920 Just smelling it will help. 08:02.680 --> 08:06.440 It's just that the magnolias in the courtyard 08:06.960 --> 08:08.160 are in full bloom. 08:10.480 --> 08:11.480 Ah, right, 08:12.280 --> 08:13.440 you can't be around pollen. 08:54.720 --> 08:57.040 Stop it! Please stop! 08:57.200 --> 08:59.040 Why are you hitting the flowers? 08:59.280 --> 09:01.760 Please just stop! Stop! 09:01.840 --> 09:04.560 -Ignore her. Don't stop. -Stop! Stop! 09:06.320 --> 09:07.320 Seventh Madam. 09:09.160 --> 09:11.840 Who told you to hit the flowers? 09:12.440 --> 09:13.440 It was me. 09:19.160 --> 09:20.160 Gu Qiu, 09:21.440 --> 09:23.040 this is all just a temporary measure. 09:24.480 --> 09:26.400 Is taking a concubine a temporary measure too? 09:26.600 --> 09:27.600 Or is all this talk 09:28.480 --> 09:30.320 about heirs and your career just an excuse? 09:32.200 --> 09:33.720 You really love her, 09:34.840 --> 09:35.840 don't you? 09:38.520 --> 09:39.520 Gu Qiu, 09:39.680 --> 09:40.680 Ying Xue has asthma. 09:41.160 --> 09:42.400 These flowers have to go. 09:45.160 --> 09:46.160 They have to go... 09:48.840 --> 09:49.840 All these years, 09:52.840 --> 09:55.800 I thought I was the only one who could make you smile, 09:57.680 --> 10:00.280 the only one who could weigh on your heart. 10:01.960 --> 10:02.960 I didn't realize 10:07.280 --> 10:08.960 someone else could too. 10:10.720 --> 10:11.720 I'm begging you. 10:12.560 --> 10:13.920 Please, just this once. 10:32.360 --> 10:33.360 Go ahead. 10:35.280 --> 10:36.440 Have the flowers removed. 10:38.920 --> 10:40.680 I knew you'd understand me, Gu Qiu. 10:45.280 --> 10:46.520 Thank you, Gu Qiu. 10:49.720 --> 10:51.480 Quickly! Remove the flowers! 10:51.560 --> 10:52.960 -Yes, Master! -Get rid of them all! 10:54.560 --> 10:55.560 Remove them. 10:56.440 --> 10:57.440 Over there too. 10:59.320 --> 11:00.320 There. 11:01.520 --> 11:02.560 There, and there. 11:11.680 --> 11:14.320 The magnolia blooms without leaves. 11:14.520 --> 11:16.160 When it has leaves, there are no flowers. 11:16.560 --> 11:18.680 It's a symbol of purity and loyalty, 11:19.440 --> 11:20.440 just like us. 11:21.560 --> 11:22.560 For the rest of my life, 11:23.480 --> 11:25.240 I will love only you. 11:28.200 --> 11:30.680 Be gentle, don't damage the branches. 11:31.280 --> 11:33.000 They'll bloom again next year. 11:35.480 --> 11:38.840 The hibiscus blooms in the morning and falls by dusk. 11:39.600 --> 11:42.840 How am I any different from the flowers? 11:56.080 --> 11:58.640 -Have some. -I have no appetite, Zhang Ru. 12:00.480 --> 12:03.440 You must have some. Dad told me to take good care of you. 12:13.360 --> 12:14.800 Bad man! We don't want you to push! 12:21.440 --> 12:24.320 Shou Gu, do you think I'm a bad person too? 12:25.960 --> 12:27.240 I don't know. 12:27.840 --> 12:30.560 You made this swing for Mother. 12:30.720 --> 12:32.840 Does it belong to Young Lady Wang now? 12:35.560 --> 12:36.560 Never. 12:36.720 --> 12:37.720 This swing 12:38.320 --> 12:40.080 will always belong to you and Gu Qiu. 12:40.720 --> 12:41.920 It won't be for anyone else. 12:42.680 --> 12:43.960 Zhang Ru and and I are small, 12:44.080 --> 12:45.840 yet even we find it crowded sitting together. 12:45.920 --> 12:48.480 How could Mother and Young Lady Wang 12:48.840 --> 12:50.440 sit on it together and keep it steady? 12:53.840 --> 12:54.920 I know 12:55.440 --> 12:57.200 your heart has a place for Mother, 12:58.080 --> 12:59.960 but it also has a place for Young Lady Wang. 13:00.720 --> 13:02.480 Have you ever asked yourself 13:02.960 --> 13:04.680 which weighs more? 13:08.200 --> 13:10.680 You and your mother 13:11.720 --> 13:13.280 mean more to me, of course. 13:14.360 --> 13:17.960 Then why would you rather hurt Mother to keep her? 13:18.320 --> 13:21.320 Is... Is taking her as a concubine really the only solution? 13:23.280 --> 13:24.280 Bad man! 13:25.480 --> 13:26.480 Shou Gu... 13:31.360 --> 13:32.360 So, you regret it now, 13:32.680 --> 13:34.360 and you want to settle this with money? 13:35.320 --> 13:36.680 If I must choose, 13:38.200 --> 13:41.560 I'd rather not hurt Gu Qiu and Shou Gu. 13:43.560 --> 13:44.560 It's too late for that. 13:45.680 --> 13:46.680 Zou Er, tell him. 13:46.960 --> 13:47.960 Yes, Master. 13:48.680 --> 13:52.120 Master Shi Ying, the doctor treating Young Lady Wang 13:52.560 --> 13:54.680 said her fainting wasn't just due to her asthma, 13:55.040 --> 13:57.440 she's over a month pregnant. 14:04.080 --> 14:05.560 I've let Gu Qiu down. 14:06.680 --> 14:07.960 And I've let Ying Xue down too. 14:08.240 --> 14:09.520 If you don't take her in, 14:09.720 --> 14:11.680 you'll be dishonoring our father's memory. 14:12.480 --> 14:13.680 Do you remember the oath 14:14.040 --> 14:15.560 he forced us to make before he passed? 14:16.840 --> 14:18.080 To carry on the family line 14:19.560 --> 14:20.800 and restore the family's honor. 14:21.320 --> 14:22.640 At least you haven't forgotten. 14:23.360 --> 14:25.000 I've lost two wives. 14:25.800 --> 14:28.680 If I wanted to remarry, there aren't any suitable matches left, 14:29.200 --> 14:30.560 so I've placed my hopes in you. 14:31.320 --> 14:32.560 I will treat your children 14:32.680 --> 14:35.080 like my own, and I'll personally see to their upbringing. 14:35.560 --> 14:36.560 Shi Ying, 14:37.160 --> 14:38.400 marry her as your concubine. 14:38.720 --> 14:42.040 This will secure your career and the continuation of our family line. 14:45.560 --> 14:46.680 Something bad has happened! 14:47.840 --> 14:48.840 Why are they shouting? 14:51.680 --> 14:53.040 Fifth Master, Seventh Master, 14:53.600 --> 14:54.600 Seventh Madam is... 15:07.560 --> 15:08.560 Madam... 15:09.480 --> 15:12.080 Why, Mother? 15:14.320 --> 15:15.320 Madam... 15:26.840 --> 15:27.840 Pass my order. 15:28.040 --> 15:29.240 Guard the main gate tightly. 15:29.320 --> 15:30.680 Not a word of this can get out. 15:30.840 --> 15:31.840 Yes, Master. 15:33.480 --> 15:35.040 Master. 15:40.840 --> 15:42.320 (The pure magnolia blossoms) 15:43.200 --> 15:44.840 (remain untouched by dust or filth.) 15:45.840 --> 15:46.840 (Shi Ying,) 15:47.840 --> 15:49.120 (as flowers bloom,) 15:49.560 --> 15:50.840 (they must also wither in time.) 15:51.560 --> 15:53.000 (Our love has run its course,) 15:54.320 --> 15:55.320 (and I do not blame you.) 15:56.480 --> 15:59.720 (But the one person I'm worried about, the one person I feel guilty toward,) 16:00.920 --> 16:02.080 (is Shou Gu.) 16:04.280 --> 16:06.360 (I want you to protect her for the rest of her life) 16:07.160 --> 16:08.520 (and never let her be wronged.) 16:09.840 --> 16:11.160 (You must promise me this.) 16:14.240 --> 16:16.520 Mother used that to hang herself. 16:16.800 --> 16:19.400 This was the surprise she prepared for you. 16:20.000 --> 16:21.840 It's the wine she buried on your wedding day, 16:21.920 --> 16:24.400 praying for your success in the imperial exams. 16:24.840 --> 16:28.280 She made your dream her own! 16:29.360 --> 16:31.080 It's my fault! 16:31.560 --> 16:33.120 I'm the one to blame! 16:33.280 --> 16:35.080 I found out that Wang Ying Xue was pregnant, 16:35.560 --> 16:38.480 and in a moment of anger, I told Madam. 16:38.760 --> 16:40.760 -I deserve to die! -Silence! 16:40.920 --> 16:41.920 Utter nonsense! 16:42.120 --> 16:43.560 She killed herself because she was consumed by jealousy. 16:43.640 --> 16:44.920 It's a sin of resentment and envy. 16:45.000 --> 16:47.400 Even in death, she wants to tarnish our family's reputation. 16:47.640 --> 16:48.640 Listen well, all of you, 16:48.920 --> 16:50.240 Zhao Gu Qiu died of illness. 16:50.960 --> 16:53.600 Anyone who dares to spread rumors will be flogged to death! 16:54.600 --> 16:57.320 You committed adultery and drove your legitimate wife to her death! 16:58.760 --> 17:00.640 Master Zhao, please calm down... 17:00.840 --> 17:03.480 Go ahead, celebrate your heir, the security of your powerful ties, 17:03.920 --> 17:05.880 and marry into prestige atop her corpse! 17:08.160 --> 17:11.240 I swear I will risk my life, my honor, and everything I have 17:11.320 --> 17:14.000 to drag you down with me! 17:16.000 --> 17:17.000 The flowers have fallen. 17:18.120 --> 17:19.120 Mother, 17:19.720 --> 17:22.560 I thought you were killed by someone. 17:23.520 --> 17:26.720 I never expected you would end your own life 17:27.800 --> 17:29.480 because you couldn't tolerate betrayal. 17:31.040 --> 17:33.760 (Dou's Residence) 18:23.160 --> 18:24.160 My condolences. 18:24.320 --> 18:27.080 Thank you for honoring us with your presence, Lord Li, Lord Liu. 18:28.640 --> 18:30.400 It's an unfortunate tragedy for our family. 18:30.560 --> 18:32.640 Madam Zhao was always frail. 18:33.320 --> 18:35.080 We thought it was just a minor cold, 18:35.160 --> 18:36.360 but who could have imagined 18:36.520 --> 18:39.400 it would take her life? 18:39.800 --> 18:40.800 Mother, 18:41.480 --> 18:44.520 your flowers will never fall again. 19:00.360 --> 19:01.800 This place is for close family. 19:02.040 --> 19:03.160 Are you Zhao or Dou? 19:03.480 --> 19:04.880 What right do you have to be here? 19:16.320 --> 19:17.320 Shou Gu, don't cry. 19:19.920 --> 19:21.160 Your mother has passed, 19:21.600 --> 19:23.640 but I'll take her place in caring for you. 19:24.080 --> 19:26.040 I'll treat you as if you were my own. 19:31.920 --> 19:32.920 Ying Xue! 19:33.800 --> 19:34.800 Father. 19:37.000 --> 19:38.480 Now that his wife has died, 19:38.720 --> 19:40.640 Dou Shi Ying drowns himself in alcohol, 19:40.760 --> 19:42.760 wallowing in despair and avoiding responsibility. 19:42.920 --> 19:45.840 (Wang Xing Yi) All the criticism and blame have fallen on you. 19:46.320 --> 19:48.760 Rather than being belittled in the future, 19:49.760 --> 19:51.520 you should come home with me. 19:51.880 --> 19:54.840 A daughter of mine would rather remain unmarried her whole life 19:55.800 --> 19:56.880 than become a concubine. 19:56.960 --> 19:58.480 Xing Yi, you misunderstood. 19:58.680 --> 20:01.280 We've told everyone that Madam Zhao passed away from illness. 20:01.600 --> 20:03.760 So your daughter would naturally marry in as the legitimate wife. 20:03.840 --> 20:05.040 We'll observe all the formalities 20:05.160 --> 20:07.640 and host a grand wedding banquet to ensure her dignity is upheld. 20:07.720 --> 20:10.280 The child she carries will be the legitimate heir of this family, 20:10.600 --> 20:12.920 cherished and respected by all. 20:13.600 --> 20:15.240 This is our family's treasury token, 20:15.440 --> 20:17.640 which has always been held by the household's matron. 20:17.840 --> 20:19.240 I now hand it to your daughter. 20:19.400 --> 20:21.720 She may use it as she wishes for the dowry and wedding preparations. 20:21.800 --> 20:23.840 Madam Zhao's dowry and personal belongings 20:24.000 --> 20:25.320 will also be at her disposal. 20:28.840 --> 20:31.080 Send the inventory list to my room later. 20:31.320 --> 20:33.280 From now on, I'll review all the gifts 20:33.600 --> 20:35.680 before they're put into treasury. 20:36.040 --> 20:37.040 Yes, Madam. 20:55.840 --> 20:56.880 Master Zhao, 20:57.120 --> 20:59.080 why didn't you let me know you were coming? 20:59.520 --> 21:01.520 Perfect timing, I just made some pastries. 21:01.680 --> 21:03.520 Let Dou Zhao and Zhang Ru have some. 21:04.160 --> 21:05.680 This was part of Gu Qiu's dowry. 21:11.840 --> 21:14.000 Aunt always wore that bracelet before she passed. 21:15.720 --> 21:16.720 Is that so? 21:21.520 --> 21:23.280 -You... -Listen now, Zhao Si, 21:23.560 --> 21:25.080 now that Gu Qiu is gone, 21:25.160 --> 21:27.560 the bond between your family and the Dou family is severed. 21:28.480 --> 21:31.560 I am now the rightful and legitimate wife. 21:32.400 --> 21:34.080 You may throw your weight around for now, 21:34.360 --> 21:35.960 but can you stay here forever? 21:37.120 --> 21:40.080 Aren't you worried that once you're gone, 21:40.520 --> 21:42.240 I'll take out all this anger 21:42.920 --> 21:44.520 on Dou Zhao? 21:46.480 --> 21:47.480 This is so delicious! 21:53.840 --> 21:55.800 Have some more if you like them. 21:56.600 --> 21:59.400 Just tell me what you love to eat, and I'll make it for you. 21:59.480 --> 22:02.360 Shou Gu is still young and naive, after all. 22:03.080 --> 22:06.120 Give her a snack, and she forgets everything. 22:11.240 --> 22:13.720 Young Lady Wang, my stomach hurts so much! 22:15.640 --> 22:16.640 What's wrong? 22:21.120 --> 22:22.120 Shou Gu! 22:22.240 --> 22:24.760 You wicked woman, what did you put in there? 22:24.840 --> 22:27.040 -Call a doctor! -Go! Go! 22:27.120 --> 22:28.560 Shou Gu, throw it up. 22:30.800 --> 22:31.800 Come on. 22:39.560 --> 22:40.840 Poor girl. 22:42.120 --> 22:44.000 (Old Madam of Dou family, Madam Cui) You're finally awake. 22:44.360 --> 22:45.360 Shou Gu, 22:45.840 --> 22:47.080 this is Grandmother Cui. 22:47.560 --> 22:48.800 She's your grandmother. 22:51.480 --> 22:52.680 Grandmother. 22:54.360 --> 22:55.360 Give me a hand. 22:57.520 --> 22:59.400 It's no wonder Shou Gu doesn't recognize me. 22:59.960 --> 23:02.880 I've been estranged from those two ungrateful sons for a long time. 23:03.840 --> 23:06.560 If not for Gu Qiu writing to me before she hanged herself, 23:06.840 --> 23:08.120 asking me to look after you, 23:08.520 --> 23:12.000 who knows how many lives they'd destroy before they would stop? 23:13.400 --> 23:14.400 Shou Gu, 23:14.560 --> 23:16.560 what happened today? 23:17.360 --> 23:19.840 Young Lady Wang broke Mother's dowry. 23:20.960 --> 23:23.600 She said if I behaved, I could have more pastries. 23:24.120 --> 23:25.120 The doctor said 23:25.560 --> 23:27.440 Shou Gu was poisoned with ephedra. 23:28.120 --> 23:29.560 Ephedra is a powerful drug. 23:30.320 --> 23:32.200 For Wang Ying Xue, who suffers from asthma, 23:32.520 --> 23:34.240 ephedra is an essential medicine. 23:34.360 --> 23:37.080 But for a child, it's a deadly poison. 23:37.640 --> 23:39.280 She's trying to wipe out all opposition 23:39.680 --> 23:41.400 and seize the family fortune. 23:41.840 --> 23:42.840 You wicked woman! 23:43.160 --> 23:44.800 The evidence and witnesses are all here, 23:44.880 --> 23:46.000 and you still deny it? 23:46.400 --> 23:49.040 My daughter would never stoop to such despicable acts. 23:49.480 --> 23:51.520 Let's sit down and sort out this misunderstanding. 23:51.840 --> 23:54.400 The law clearly states 23:55.160 --> 23:57.440 that poisoning with the intent to kill warrants execution. 23:57.520 --> 23:58.800 Even if the victim survives, 23:59.000 --> 24:01.520 the perpetrator is to receive 100 lashes and three years of labor. 24:01.600 --> 24:03.800 All three of our families are officials. 24:04.280 --> 24:06.120 If this matter reaches His Majesty's ears, 24:07.040 --> 24:09.600 could it really be dismissed as a mere misunderstanding? 24:10.400 --> 24:11.400 I didn't poison her! 24:12.000 --> 24:14.000 I don't know how she ingested ephedra. 24:14.560 --> 24:16.640 Mother, you've lived on the family estate for so long. 24:16.760 --> 24:19.920 How can you believe one-sided accusations and condemn me? 24:20.200 --> 24:21.200 I refuse to accept it. 24:21.240 --> 24:23.840 Since you address Old Madam as your mother-in-law, 24:24.040 --> 24:25.560 you shouldn't defy her authority. 24:26.240 --> 24:28.920 Old Madam is the only daughter of the Cui family of Ji'an. 24:29.000 --> 24:30.680 Her ancestors were founding contributors to the dynasty, 24:30.760 --> 24:31.920 honored in the imperial ancestral temple. 24:32.040 --> 24:33.640 The Cui family has been a lineage of officials for generations. 24:33.720 --> 24:34.920 Half the court officials today 24:35.000 --> 24:37.360 were students of the Cui family academy. 24:37.560 --> 24:39.120 Considering her status and reasoning, 24:39.480 --> 24:40.840 how could you not accept her judgment? 24:40.880 --> 24:42.320 Old Madam Dou, you're actually... 24:42.400 --> 24:43.560 My surname is Cui. 24:43.960 --> 24:45.360 I do not take my husband's surname. 24:45.560 --> 24:46.560 Please sit. 24:46.920 --> 24:48.360 If this matter reaches the court, 24:49.000 --> 24:50.560 we all know how it will turn out. 24:50.960 --> 24:51.960 Lord Wang, 24:52.160 --> 24:53.760 you once risked demotion 24:54.280 --> 24:56.880 to speak out against the horse market ban, 24:57.160 --> 24:58.880 earning a reputation for integrity. 24:59.120 --> 25:00.920 But now, fresh from reinstatement, 25:01.320 --> 25:03.200 you allow your daughter to commit such crimes. 25:03.320 --> 25:05.280 What do you think His Majesty will make of this? 25:05.320 --> 25:06.680 Forcing a marriage, 25:06.800 --> 25:08.520 driving the legitimate wife to hang herself, 25:08.600 --> 25:11.560 poisoning the legitimate daughter, and seizing the family fortune, 25:12.320 --> 25:15.760 how do you propose we settle these three charges? 25:18.800 --> 25:20.520 How do you think 25:21.520 --> 25:23.040 we should settle it, Old Madam Cui? 25:25.880 --> 25:28.760 If ours and Wang families can settle this privately, 25:29.360 --> 25:32.240 it would provide Shou Gu with real security. 25:32.800 --> 25:34.080 I've instructed my son 25:34.160 --> 25:35.520 to transfer all of Gu Qiu's dowry 25:35.600 --> 25:37.880 to Dou Zhao, 25:38.080 --> 25:40.120 amounting to 3,000 taels. 25:40.400 --> 25:42.240 Your family should compensate the same amount. 25:42.320 --> 25:43.320 That's impossible. 25:43.800 --> 25:45.560 Your family was a family of merchants. 25:45.880 --> 25:47.360 You can afford 3,000 to 5,000 taels, 25:48.280 --> 25:49.960 but my father has just been reinstated. 25:50.280 --> 25:52.440 Where could he possibly find that kind of money? 25:52.520 --> 25:54.080 Well, he can borrow from others. 25:54.280 --> 25:56.480 Over the years, my sister must have given you 25:56.560 --> 25:58.320 at least a hundred taels. 25:58.840 --> 26:01.400 With your father as a fourth-ranked official, 26:01.760 --> 26:03.840 borrowing a thousand taels shouldn't be hard. 26:04.400 --> 26:05.400 As for the rest, 26:06.320 --> 26:07.320 draft a promissory note. 26:07.440 --> 26:10.240 Whether it's five or ten years, you will pay it off one day. 26:10.520 --> 26:12.040 But Shou Gu is so young. 26:12.400 --> 26:14.040 How could she manage all this wealth? 26:14.280 --> 26:16.720 That's not your concern, Young Lady Wang. 26:17.840 --> 26:19.840 The victim here is Shou Gu. 26:20.320 --> 26:22.040 Our opinions don't count. 26:24.960 --> 26:26.280 Go and ask her 26:26.800 --> 26:28.000 what she thinks. 26:28.720 --> 26:29.720 Yes, Old Madam. 26:37.640 --> 26:39.760 The real victim here wasn't me, 26:40.520 --> 26:41.520 it was my mother. 26:43.080 --> 26:45.040 She died with a broken heart. 26:46.680 --> 26:48.640 If Young Lady Wang marries into our family 26:49.080 --> 26:50.520 and I'm forced to call her mother, 26:52.000 --> 26:53.880 how could my own mother ever rest in peace? 26:54.240 --> 26:55.560 Shou Gu wants Young Lady Wang 26:56.000 --> 26:59.920 to kneel in mourning for her mother for three years and not marry into 27:00.600 --> 27:02.720 -the Dou family during that time. -That won't do, Mother. 27:02.840 --> 27:04.120 If we don't take her in officially, 27:04.200 --> 27:06.640 how can her child be considered legitimate? 27:06.800 --> 27:09.560 We can't allow our bloodline to be left outside. 27:09.720 --> 27:10.800 If it's about legitimacy, 27:11.480 --> 27:13.280 a formal remarriage document will suffice. 27:13.560 --> 27:15.240 But I'm carrying your family's child. 27:15.920 --> 27:17.280 What if kneeling harms the baby? 27:17.720 --> 27:19.480 After the new wife enters the household, 27:19.600 --> 27:21.880 she will go to the Youmin Temple for three years 27:22.600 --> 27:23.760 of reflection and repentance. 27:23.920 --> 27:26.120 Let's ensure no bad karma falls on the child. 27:26.360 --> 27:27.520 Once the baby is born, 27:28.400 --> 27:31.320 they will be raised by a nanny with teaching experience. 27:33.760 --> 27:36.040 Shi Ying, say something! 27:36.840 --> 27:38.320 I've wronged Gu Qiu. 27:39.880 --> 27:41.600 I'm willing to observe mourning for her 27:41.880 --> 27:43.240 and separate from my new wife. 27:44.400 --> 27:46.520 Ying Xue will go to the Youmin Temple, 27:47.160 --> 27:48.960 and I will move into Gu Qiu's room, 27:49.640 --> 27:52.480 offering incense and reciting prayers for her day and night. 27:58.280 --> 27:59.320 I'm sorry. 27:59.840 --> 28:01.320 I've learned my lesson now. 28:01.840 --> 28:03.120 We'll pay the compensation. 28:03.600 --> 28:07.000 Please spare my child. 28:51.720 --> 28:53.040 I'm sorry, Shou Gu. 28:54.000 --> 28:55.840 I won't be able to watch you grow up. 28:57.520 --> 28:59.800 Mother, I don't blame you. 29:05.120 --> 29:06.680 I never wanted to be your burden 29:08.080 --> 29:09.720 or watch you suffer for life. 29:11.400 --> 29:12.400 Don't worry. 29:14.080 --> 29:15.720 I'll take care of myself. 29:36.400 --> 29:37.560 The magnolias have fallen. 29:38.720 --> 29:39.960 The swing is covered in dust. 29:41.520 --> 29:42.920 This is no longer your home, 29:44.320 --> 29:45.320 nor is it mine. 29:47.560 --> 29:48.560 Mother, 29:49.520 --> 29:50.960 if your spirit lingers, 29:52.400 --> 29:54.040 may you soar beyond these high walls, 29:54.840 --> 29:55.840 past this residence, 29:57.160 --> 29:58.400 and find freedom and peace. 30:08.840 --> 30:09.840 Madam. 30:10.240 --> 30:11.240 Good. 30:12.440 --> 30:14.120 (Zhending, Cui Family Estate) 30:14.160 --> 30:15.320 It's such a beautiful estate. 30:23.240 --> 30:24.320 Greetings, Old Madam. 30:24.360 --> 30:26.480 -An Su, greet Old Madam. -Greetings, Madam. 30:27.880 --> 30:29.600 This is Madam Miao and Mister Miao, 30:30.120 --> 30:31.160 neighbors from the estate. 30:34.160 --> 30:35.280 Entering a new home, 30:35.400 --> 30:36.840 we must first dust ourselves off. 30:37.640 --> 30:39.080 Sweeping away the past 30:39.320 --> 30:40.600 brings in blessings and fortune. 30:41.320 --> 30:42.360 This is yours. 30:43.320 --> 30:44.600 And this is yours. 30:45.280 --> 30:46.720 And one for you. 30:48.840 --> 30:51.000 Grandmother, what flower is this? 30:51.600 --> 30:52.600 Nine-Layered Purple, 30:53.400 --> 30:55.320 a humble wildflower. 30:55.880 --> 30:57.760 Peonies and orchids are delicate and beautiful, 30:57.840 --> 30:59.640 but they compete for nutrients, 31:00.120 --> 31:02.800 can't survive heavy rain and drought, 31:03.720 --> 31:05.320 and constantly need human care. 31:05.720 --> 31:07.320 Wildflowers are different. 31:07.840 --> 31:09.480 They thrive without perfect conditions. 31:09.640 --> 31:13.160 Scatter their seeds, and they'll cover the mountains in bloom. 31:18.560 --> 31:21.720 That day, you took the poison yourself, didn't you? 31:22.960 --> 31:24.320 Ephedra is bitter. 31:24.400 --> 31:25.840 At a toxic dose, 31:26.640 --> 31:28.880 it's so bitter that it's nearly impossible to swallow. 31:31.240 --> 31:32.520 That child is so precocious. 31:33.400 --> 31:34.760 She must hate me to the core. 31:35.640 --> 31:37.560 She will always disobey me in the future. 31:38.040 --> 31:39.040 I must get rid of her. 31:39.400 --> 31:41.320 Young Lady, don't you have ephedra on you? 31:42.000 --> 31:43.840 That substance is harmless for adults, 31:44.000 --> 31:45.720 but children mustn't come into contact with it. 31:45.800 --> 31:47.640 Even in tiny doses, 31:47.720 --> 31:48.800 long-term use 31:49.120 --> 31:52.200 will lead to depleted vitality and weakened lungs. 31:53.360 --> 31:56.480 And I'll appear to be caring for her 31:56.720 --> 31:57.880 with utmost devotion. 31:58.720 --> 32:02.360 People will see me as a virtuous wife. 32:10.560 --> 32:12.520 Wang Ying Xue was trying to back me into a corner. 32:12.840 --> 32:14.640 Rather than waiting for her to make her move, 32:15.560 --> 32:17.360 I chose to take the poison first 32:17.840 --> 32:19.000 to protect myself. 32:22.240 --> 32:23.240 Grandmother, 32:23.400 --> 32:24.920 I am not an evil person. 32:25.840 --> 32:27.120 To those who are kind to me, 32:27.360 --> 32:28.800 I would risk my life to repay them. 32:29.520 --> 32:30.720 But for grievances and wrongs, 32:30.800 --> 32:32.320 even if it costs me dearly, 32:32.800 --> 32:34.400 I will ensure they're repaid in full. 32:39.480 --> 32:40.480 Shou Gu, 32:42.080 --> 32:43.080 remember this, 32:45.160 --> 32:47.840 I forbid you to do such things again. 32:48.520 --> 32:50.000 I brought you out of the residence 32:50.320 --> 32:52.480 because I value your maturity and intelligence. 32:53.200 --> 32:55.120 If you limit yourself to petty family rivalries, 32:55.200 --> 32:56.800 you'll grow twisted and narrow-minded, 32:57.040 --> 32:59.560 confined to scheming over a mere patch of land. 32:59.600 --> 33:01.840 You will lose sight of the vastness of the world. 33:02.720 --> 33:06.040 I want your brilliance to reach beyond the household, 33:06.640 --> 33:08.280 to the mountains, rivers, and lakes, 33:08.600 --> 33:10.280 and even to the country and its people. 33:10.360 --> 33:13.280 That is where you will truly shine. 33:17.320 --> 33:18.880 This is my mother's bracelet. 33:19.200 --> 33:22.880 Even something broken can shine again. 33:23.680 --> 33:24.680 Grandmother, 33:25.240 --> 33:26.240 I understand. 33:27.120 --> 33:28.160 Coming to this estate, 33:28.400 --> 33:30.880 I've realized I don't want to be a delicate, sheltered flower, 33:31.320 --> 33:34.920 but to become as resilient as the Nine-Layered Purple, 33:35.200 --> 33:36.840 able to withstand wind and rain. 33:37.720 --> 33:38.840 From now on, 33:39.400 --> 33:41.840 I will live well for myself. 33:47.600 --> 33:49.120 I studied under learned masters 33:49.640 --> 33:51.520 (Chen Qu Shui) to gain knowledge of the world. 33:56.000 --> 33:57.000 Will you pay or not? 33:57.680 --> 33:58.680 Do you hear me? 34:00.240 --> 34:01.240 They deserve it! 34:14.840 --> 34:17.760 (Su Lan, Su Xin) I recruited skilled maidservants for protection. 34:23.800 --> 34:26.720 Finally, I established myself in the world of commerce, 34:27.200 --> 34:28.680 achieving success in every venture. 34:54.400 --> 34:57.720 (Futing, Duke of Ding's Army Camp) 35:03.200 --> 35:04.200 Run! 35:05.800 --> 35:06.800 Next! 35:10.400 --> 35:12.280 (Ding) 35:19.320 --> 35:20.320 Grand General, 35:20.440 --> 35:22.320 -a child has come to enlist. -Faster! 35:22.680 --> 35:23.880 We guard the border 35:24.000 --> 35:26.240 so that children can stay safe at home, 35:26.320 --> 35:27.320 far from disaster. 35:27.600 --> 35:29.680 I never take in children here. Send him away. 35:30.240 --> 35:31.320 (Yan Chao Qing) Grand General, 35:31.440 --> 35:33.120 please turn around and take a look first. 35:34.840 --> 35:36.320 (Duke of Ding, Jiang Mei Sun) 35:36.440 --> 35:37.440 Catch up! 35:37.720 --> 35:39.320 (Young Song Mo) Grand General! 35:49.280 --> 35:50.440 You've come to enlist, huh? 35:51.480 --> 35:52.800 Have you lost your mind, brat? 35:53.600 --> 35:55.120 Running away from home to join the army, huh? 35:55.240 --> 35:57.280 -Stop right there! -Calm down now, Uncle. 35:57.400 --> 35:58.520 I didn't run away from home. 35:58.640 --> 35:59.840 I'm here to enlist for real. 35:59.920 --> 36:01.680 You think enlisting is some kind of game? 36:01.840 --> 36:03.160 Stop right there, do you hear me? 36:03.480 --> 36:06.520 Kid, if your father finds out, he'll ground you for a year, 36:06.600 --> 36:07.920 and I won't speak up for you. 36:08.040 --> 36:09.160 You've got two choices now. 36:09.280 --> 36:12.040 Either leave on your own, or I'll have you escorted back. Your choice. 36:12.120 --> 36:13.800 You'll have to catch me first. 36:13.960 --> 36:15.360 You're messing with me, aren't you? 36:15.440 --> 36:17.480 -Somebody, tie him up! -Yes, sir! 36:28.280 --> 36:30.880 Grand General, we might need more men to tie him down. 36:32.000 --> 36:33.840 I didn't think the brat could run this fast. 36:35.800 --> 36:37.840 What are you standing here for? Go help them! 36:37.920 --> 36:38.920 Yes, sir! 36:44.280 --> 36:45.280 Young Master. 36:47.120 --> 36:49.880 You're not even as tall as a pirate's blade, 36:50.240 --> 36:52.600 and you're already thinking about killing pirates? 36:53.640 --> 36:54.640 Isn't that a little... 36:55.840 --> 36:57.320 Now, am I good enough to kill them? 36:58.520 --> 37:00.560 Extraordinary! Truly extraordinary! 37:00.640 --> 37:01.640 Outrageous! 37:03.800 --> 37:04.800 Get down! 37:07.240 --> 37:08.240 Hand me the blade. 37:12.560 --> 37:14.000 Think you're so capable, do you? 37:14.360 --> 37:15.360 Take him back home. 37:15.840 --> 37:16.840 Uncle! 37:17.280 --> 37:18.680 If you turn me away too, 37:19.400 --> 37:21.040 I'll truly have nowhere to go. 37:29.320 --> 37:30.800 Got kicked out by your father again? 37:33.680 --> 37:35.040 Unbelievable. 37:36.120 --> 37:37.840 What kind of father is Song Yi Chun? 37:38.840 --> 37:42.680 Uncle... No, Grand General, please take me in. 37:43.440 --> 37:46.280 I'm ready to go through fire and water without hesitation! 37:48.280 --> 37:49.600 Go through fire and water? 37:50.200 --> 37:51.360 Do you even know how to start a fire and cook? 37:51.480 --> 37:52.480 A cook? 37:52.760 --> 37:54.200 -I want another role. -If you don't want it, go now. 37:54.280 --> 37:55.640 I'll do it! I'll do it! 37:55.880 --> 37:56.880 Get to work then. 37:57.800 --> 37:59.840 Jiang Mei Sun! Just you wait! 38:00.000 --> 38:02.240 One day, I'll rise from a cook 38:02.680 --> 38:04.320 to a Grand General who protects the nation! 38:40.320 --> 38:41.320 Give it to me! 38:46.360 --> 38:47.360 Come! 38:49.280 --> 38:50.280 Come on. 38:53.160 --> 38:54.160 Look! 39:09.320 --> 39:11.560 Zhao, you've sold off more than half of your cloth shops 39:11.640 --> 39:13.360 and rouge stores in Guandong, 39:13.680 --> 39:16.280 only to buy dozens of silk factories and tea estates in Futing. 39:16.360 --> 39:18.120 (Miao An Su) Although the prices were low, 39:18.320 --> 39:20.240 these are tough businesses with thin margins. 39:20.640 --> 39:23.280 On top of that, Futing has been plagued by pirates for years. 39:23.800 --> 39:25.600 Nine out of ten trade ships are looted. 39:25.960 --> 39:27.360 Isn't this too risky? 39:30.240 --> 39:32.360 We've reclaimed all the islands along the coast. 39:33.360 --> 39:34.360 Cherish this, 39:34.720 --> 39:36.360 there aren't many battles left to fight. 39:49.320 --> 39:51.400 The court assigned Duke of Ding, Jiang Mei Sun, 39:51.600 --> 39:52.920 to pacify the seas years ago. 39:53.400 --> 39:55.440 The pirate chaos will soon be quelled, and maritime trade will flourish. 39:55.920 --> 39:58.760 These seemingly insignificant silks and teas 39:58.920 --> 40:00.800 will one day be worth more than gold. 40:00.880 --> 40:03.040 That's why we must secure these businesses now. 40:03.320 --> 40:05.200 They'll bring exponential returns later. 40:19.720 --> 40:21.400 Is everything that happened in my dream 40:21.920 --> 40:23.200 destined to come true? 40:28.320 --> 40:29.320 Little one, 40:29.680 --> 40:30.800 why are you so upset? 40:31.320 --> 40:33.960 Someone actually believed a story I made up. 40:35.440 --> 40:37.760 So, how do you like my tale? 40:38.760 --> 40:39.760 You wrote it? 40:41.480 --> 40:42.800 I've tried my best, 40:43.240 --> 40:44.800 yet why couldn't I change the outcome? 40:45.320 --> 40:47.800 Throw a stone into the river. 40:49.880 --> 40:50.880 Throw a big one, 40:51.720 --> 40:53.360 so big you can't even lift it. 40:57.960 --> 40:58.960 See, 40:59.120 --> 41:00.760 no matter how big the stone, 41:00.960 --> 41:02.920 it only creates ripples for a moment. 41:03.640 --> 41:06.280 You can't change the river's course. 41:06.680 --> 41:10.760 Then how can I change the river's course? 41:10.840 --> 41:11.840 If one day, 41:12.240 --> 41:14.440 you possess the strength 41:14.520 --> 41:16.600 to collapse the towering mountains 41:17.040 --> 41:18.160 before you, 41:19.440 --> 41:23.280 then the river's course will change. 41:37.520 --> 41:38.520 Fate 41:38.920 --> 41:40.200 is not unchangeable, 41:40.880 --> 41:41.880 nor is it insurmountable. 41:43.160 --> 41:44.160 This time, 41:44.800 --> 41:47.160 I will gain the strength to topple mountains. 41:50.120 --> 41:51.120 I will take control 41:51.800 --> 41:52.920 of my destiny. 41:58.720 --> 41:59.920 (Dou Shi Shu) 42:00.240 --> 42:01.240 (Wang Ying Xue) 42:17.120 --> 42:19.320 (Song Mo) 42:33.880 --> 42:37.040 This family banquet is set up just to let Grand Secretary Wu's eldest grandson 42:37.120 --> 42:38.760 meet the Dou family daughters, isn't it? 42:39.320 --> 42:41.320 Song Yi Chun delayed critical military operations. 42:41.600 --> 42:42.800 Add 30 lashes. 42:42.920 --> 42:45.720 Grand General, please let me take the punishment in my father's place. 42:45.840 --> 42:47.640 An outstanding son with a useless father! 42:47.800 --> 42:48.760 How foolish!