All language subtitles for EP07_ The Legend of Zhuohua [WeTV]

♪Roaming freely
through the cycles of time♪

♪In an ardent and liberated soul♪

♪Over thorny roads,
across treacherous heights♪

♪With whom do I travel along?♪

♪I'm willing to brave
life's twists and turns♪

♪For the well-being of people♪

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Promises made, heard and fulfilled♪

♪And it reaches far and wide♪

♪I will shine like stars
in the dark night♪

♪And stride through fate's ups and downs,
leaning toward the sun♪

♪Moments turn into eternity,
fleeting years become forever♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead,
the light within never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

♪And they will shape the dream
to completion♪

=The Legend of Zhuohua=

(Adapted from "She Was Once
a Playful Soul" by Sui Yu Er An)

=Episode 7=

(This is a work of fiction.)

Stop the carriage.

How much longer?

The carriage moves slower.

It might take several hours
to reach the capital.

Zhimo.

Inform Miss Mu's family

to wait at the entrance
of the examination hall.

I'll take your horse.

Yes.

Get off.

Get off?

Where's Young Lady?

Didn't she come back with you?

(Follow me.)

I recognize them.

Where are you taking me to?

To see Young Lady?

Let's go.

What's wrong?

You need to bring along
the writing case

to the examination hall.

Got it.

♪I'm willing to brave
life's twists and turns♪

How dare you barge into...

Greetings, Your Lordship.

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Promises made, heard and fulfilled♪

♪And it reaches far and wide♪

♪I will shine like stars
in the dark night♪

♪And stride through
fate's ups and downs♪

♪Leaning toward the sun♪

♪Moments turn into eternity,
fleeting years become forever♪

Juli.

♪Despite the long journey ahead,
the light within♪

♪Never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

Isn't that Lord Ding?

He actually sends
that female provincial graduate here.

Could it be that something
is going on between them?

(Sun Yunqian, the legitimate son)
If it's true,

(of the Sun family)
he wouldn't do this before the public.

Lord Ding is one
of the chief examiners this year.

Makes sense.

Young Lady, you made it here.
And you got here earlier.

Are you all right?

Don't worry, I'm fine.

Thank you, My Lord.

No need.

I just don't want to feel indebted.

My Lord, I have something
to tell you, actually.

Come with me.

My Lord.

You're not young anymore.

When my father was your age,

he had already had many children.

I'm a physician

and I'm kind of skilled.

You know this well.

To me, you're a heroic figure

and you respect talents.

I always have the urge

to do something for you.

The Mu family,

well, my father,

has a lot of secretive
aphrodisiac prescriptions.

If you need this,

I can give you a treatment
at a cheap price.

Young Lady.

This is my first time
showing my kind gesture

because Lord Ding is a decent man.

I wanted

to help him

with his coital difficulty.

And yet it ticks him off.

Maybe because

you offered that at a low price?

What?

Does he want it for free?

He's the mighty Lord Ding.

Can't he even afford this chicken feed?

Good, stop.

Stand in the line.

Did Lord Ding send you here just now?

Mr. Jinghong.

I'm Mu Zhuohua from Yanzhou.

I barely missed the examination.

Thanks to the generous Lord Ding,

I made it here on time.

There's only one female
provincial graduate whose surname is Mu.

You must be exceptional

to deserve praise from Princess Roujia.

I doubt if it's a praise

I warrant from Her Highness.

Her Highness
has a good judgment of people.

I wish you success in advance.

Thank you, Mr. Jinghong.

Who exactly is that woman?

At first, Lord Ding
sent her here himself,

and now, Mr. Jinghong approaches her.

Is she a daughter of a noble clan?

Didn't you hear
what Mr. Jinghong just said?

Princess Roujia praised her.

She must be great.

(Examination Hall)

(Men's Exam Hall)

Your Majesty.

Aside from nursing

the relapse,

His Lordship is all right.

You ought to diagnose him carefully.

You mustn't leave left out
any hidden sicknesses.

Your Majesty.

Imperial Physician Zhao is skillful.

He won't make any mistakes
on pulse taking.

Yes.

Shadow Guards have reported

Wandering Needle to me.

I have tasked Du Chong

to sort out all the name lists

of Shadow Guards
from the past three years

and hand them to you.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I couldn't believe

there were spies in Shadow Guards.

Your Majesty.

Calm down, Your Majesty.

Don't hurt your health.

I'm fine.

When you told me you wanted to
go to Tiantong Mountain the other day,

and for some reason,

I was worried about you.

Fortunately, my men went there on time.

Otherwise...

In this chaotic world,

Northern Liang has painted us
as a target.

Many people want to kill me.

I won't let the hiding evil

off the hook.

Anyway, don't be anxious.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

I'd want to live a longer life.

Glad to hear that.

I rest assured

as long as you're safe.

Your Majesty.

Is the Dowager Empress
doing well lately?

I haven't told her

about your incident.

Please don't make Mother worried.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I won't disturb the Dowager Empress, then.

By the way,

you should go
to the examination hall now.

You're the invigilator.

Yes, Your Majesty.

(If Dowager Empress is associated
with the war at Juma River,)

(I should gather solid evidence
to prove that.)

(I mustn't upset His Majesty.)

(Yuan Chengming has been dead
for five years.)

(However, the empty grave
on the islet in the middle of the lake)

(is newly dug.)

(Also, why did Yun Xiangyue)

(not use her real name)

(to erect the tombstone
for her own father?)

(The alias is traceable.)

(It must be from
someone's scheme and guide.)

Zhijian.

Send someone to investigate
Yuan Chengming's tomb.

I need to know everything about it.

Yes.

The metropolitan examination begins!

The first session is
a compulsory subject.

The "Benevolence" chapter
in the Record of Sage.

Are you ready for this, Young Lady?

I... I think so.

Let me see.

The compulsory subject
in the first session,

it's under my control.

I have memorized all Classics

and they're at my fingertips.

Chen.

You're finally here, Uncle.

But you're late.

You're already here.
Can't I take a rest?

Of course, you can.

I didn't send someone to urge, right?

You can come at any time you want.

Speaking of which,

the female candidates

are mainly from a noble origin,

but it's a pioneering attempt, anyway.

Thanks to you, Uncle.

It's just that

given the resourceful prestigious clans,

it should be an easy task

to groom female provincial graduates.

But not many of them

could pass the metropolitan examination.

I always agree with anything you do.

But I don't really understand
why you allowed females to take part

in the imperial examination.

What do you not understand?

Even though women candidates
pass the palace examination,

they still have to

return to family life eventually.

What's the meaning

of them studying so hard?

They couldn't help in state affairs.

Isn't it best to spend their time

on learning women's morality?

The results have been the same

since this practice started
during the reign of Empress Yuanguang.

It's because of the ethos
of Southern Chen.

Even though this isn't a path
for everyone,

giving them an alternate path
and shutting them out of it

is different.

Everyone has their own aspiration.

Knowledge will only do us good.

For the same peach tree,

some ignore it,

some are enlightened by it,

some empathize with its delicateness,

while some appreciate its niceties.

Whether they will become officials

or be someone's wife and mother

after studying,

after all, they harvest

what they've contributed.

Uncle, what does the peach tree

mean to you?

It reminds me of a verse.

Peach blossoms
bloom in graceful brilliance.

♪Roaming freely
through the cycles of time♪

♪Pages turn, seeking knowledge untold♪

♪Dreams in your hair,
through life's stories unfold♪

♪Named on the honor roll,
how can one look back?♪

♪Life is a winding journey,
a lone path you grind♪

♪In an ardent and liberated soul♪

Uncle.

When will you give me that jade pendant?

I've asked you for it several times.

Do you really need this?

♪With whom do I travel along?♪

♪I'm willing to brave
life's twists and turns♪

♪For the well-being of people♪

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Promises made, heard and fulfilled♪

♪And it reaches far and wide♪

♪I will shine like stars
in the dark night♪

♪And stride through
fate's ups and downs♪

Time's up.

Stop writing.

Turn in your answer sheet.

♪Moments turn into eternity,
fleeting years become forever♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead,
the light within♪

♪Never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

♪And they will shape the dream
to completion♪

Well done.

Very well done.

I have a sheet here

with perfect answers.

Perfect answer?

Take a look at it.

Take a look at it.

Am I right?

Read this.

It must be Shen Jinghong.

Don't you believe him?

Let's make a bet.

The answer sheet belongs
to Shen Jinghong, no doubt.

What are we betting on?

The fine brew in your residence,

Shiduanxiang.

Or maybe

your jade pendant?

It seems

that you've been coveting
my jade pendant.

Please take a look at it, Your Highness.

Sure.

It isn't Shen Jinghong's writing.

I have another perfect answer here too.

- One more?
- I see.

I heard that there are
several tricky questions

in Classics.

Anyway, it's good to have
more competent candidates.

Please read this, My Lord.

Uncle.

Shen Jinghong writes this.

Yes, it is.

It's a shame

that you lost.

Because the answer sheet we bet on

should be this one.

To my surprise,

we have another candidate
who's on par with Shen Jinghong.

There are many talents in this world.
No need to be surprised.

This candidate may have a good memory.

But the two following sessions

are the real test of their strength.

Qi, keep this in mind.

Women should study more

and have our own pursuits.

Even if you're confined
in your maiden chamber,

you mustn't be

a tractable girl.

You must remember this.

Never hand over your destiny

to someone's hand.

All right, my child?

The second session is poetry.
"Yellow Flowers Scatter Like Gold."

(The second session is poetry,
which I'm not good at.)

But Tutor Shang told me

to try to stay on-topic,

maintain a rhymed flow,

and keep the verse neat.

Ridiculous. This is ridiculous.

More than half of them went off topic.

The title is
"Yellow Flowers Scatter Like Gold".

This question seems simple,

and yet it filters so many out.

Most of them take the yellow flowers
as chrysanthemums.

They're not aware

that it's from the verse,

"The green branches remain as verdant,
but yellow flowers scatter like gold."

It wrote about the scenery
of Grain Rain around the Spring Equinox.

The yellow flower here refers
to rapeseed flowers.

If the candidates mistook it
as chrysanthemums of the autumn,

they're eliminated.

This candidate didn't go off topic.

However,

it doesn't rhyme

and is poorly written.

Rapeseed flowers in the village.

Day after day,

they are busy extracting oil
from the rapeseed.

No one cares about poor peasants.

This is a set of writing tools
from a literati in Qingzhou.

It's for you.

Wish you good luck.

The third session is
political discourse.

Discourse on subduing border intruders
and pacifying the residents.

(Discourse on subduing border intruders
and pacifying the residents?)

But the political discourse
in the third session...

Tutor Shang approves
of your article, right?

He said your idea is unconventional
and amb...

Ambitious and bold.

Yes, he did say

my article is ambitious and bold.

However,

he also said my idea was wild

and might be shocking.

So,

if a rigid and conservative examiner
reviews my article,

he might give me the lowest grade.

That's bad.

(Here's what I'm going to do.)

In the first session,
I'll do what I know.

In the second session,
I'll do what I can.

And in the third session,

I think I have to pray to the deity.

Time's up.

Stop writing.

Turn in your answer sheet.

They're out.

Son.

Young Lady.

Daughter.

Young Lady.

Juli.

You're finally out.

Father.

What's wrong?

Young Lady,

you smell.

That hurts.

I didn't mean to do it.

I'm worried sick about you.

Juli, you know what?

I had a fever three days before I entered
the examination hall.

This metropolitan examination
gives me a hard time.

Young Lady, did you do well
in your exam?

I don't know.

I've done my very best.

By the way, Juli,

let me tell you this.

The political discourse...

Forget it. Let's not talk about it.

I want delicious food now.

Do we have any good food at home?

Of course, the food is ready.

There are many delicious food.

What do we have?

Crispy pork knuckles.

Wow.

I thought you made it steamed.

This is deviant.

This question is about
how to subdue border intruders.

And yet, this discourse

wrote about the nurture
of enemies on the border.

But I find it sensible

after reading it, though.

Sensible? This is ridiculous.

What's with the noise?

Where's your manner?

Your Highness.

We come across a political discourse

and we have a debate

over it.

Bring me the sheet.

My uncle and I will read

what's written on it.

Please read this, Uncle.

(Mu Zhuohua)

(is bold to write this.)

(But it does make some sense.)

(It's right that war brings harm
to people, and the expenses are high.)

(This method might be feasible.)

Is this candidate from Northern Liang
or Eastern Xia?

This person actually takes
the outsider's side.

Southern Chen should employ
Confucian teachings

to enlighten foreign clans

and set it as the national religion,

like the Western Regions do.

If this is a feasible way,

Uncle,

what's the meaning

of us waging wars all along?

For the opportunity

to have a say over them.

I think I've seen

this handwriting before.

It's similar to the perfect answer
of the first session.

This candidate wrote
the poor verse yesterday.

This candidate might have a good memory
and is insightful.

Could be a compatible rival
against Shen Jinghong.

I think

this person is just average.

We mustn't let this person
pass the examination.

(Ciming Hall)

Your Highness.

Was it Mu Zhuohua?

Yes.

Lord Ding sent her
to the examination hall himself.

All the way from Yanzhou.

Your Majesty.

Is she the daughter
of one of the deceased warriors

like Yun Xiangyue?

The Emperor halted my action
against Yan.

I can't sit by and wait
till his lead points to me.

I need to know everything about her.

The more detailed, the better.

Start investigating.

Yes.

Merciful deity.

I did nothing wrong.

Everything I've done

is for the sake of Ju and Chen.

Sadly, they always take Yan's side.

That truly upsets me.

As of now, I have to protect myself too.

Things are getting more difficult
for me.

Merciful deity, please.

(Flower Alley)

Young Lady!

Young Lady.

Young Lady, I returned from outside
and was told

that the results announcement is today.

Is that so?

Young Lady, why aren't you
anxious about it?

Everyone is waiting
for the announcement.

We should go there now.

No, this is beneath me!

The principal graduate wouldn't
check for their rank by themselves.

They always stay composed

and wait for the good news at home.

Wait for good news at home?

Yeah.

That makes sense.

You're surely the principal graduate.

Young Lady.

You must stay here and go nowhere.

Wait for your word of success.

I won't go anywhere. Go ahead.

I mustn't go. No, I can't.

If I fail the examination,

I'll be a laughingstock

under the announcement board.

Oh, my.

What was wrong with me?

It's apparent that both Lord Ding
and First Prince

support wars.

Why did I write nonsense like such?

Wait.

Had I written an ingratiating answer

that defied my own will,

it wouldn't have been a good answer.

Forget it.

Just let it be.

I'm going

to pack the luggage

and seek another place to stay.

I will study for another three years
and resit

for the metropolitan examination.

I can't really ask Lord Ding

to support me for three years.

Is she back already?

Miss... Miss Song.

Why are you here?

Are you feeling unwell?

No, I'm good.

Can't I come here

to pay you a visit?

Of course, you can.

Miss Song, come on in.

Zhuohua.

All of the ladies
like the scented sachets

you gave them.

They'd like to order a dozen from you.

And yet you're leaving soon.

Actually,

you can stand on your own feet

in the capital

with your healing skill

other than fixating on the examination.

Miss Song, the capital is too lively

to be a place to study.

Becoming an official
is my life's pursuit.

And I work as a physician

just to feed myself.

By the way, Miss Song,

I will give you the formula

for the scented sachet later.

The imperial examination
is a tough journey.

So,

don't get upset

if you fail it.

Zhuohua, your courage in trying it

has already set you apart

from the rest of the women in this era.

Think about it.

Not many people in this world

dare put all their eggs in one basket.

It's tough for women

to live in the current society.

So,

I hope

you will live your life,
come what may. All right?

I will, Miss Song.

Young Lady!

You made it!

Me?

I made it?

Am I the principal graduate?

You're overconfident, Young Lady.

The principal graduate
can only be Mr. Jinghong.

What about me?

My rank?

You won 17th place.

17th place?

Blimey! 17th is a good rank too.

Great! You really made the cut!

This is what I'm going to do.

I'll bring the good news
to all the ladies.

That's great, Young Lady.

17th? Did you get it right?

Yes, you won 17th place.

I made it! Hurrah!

This is indeed a great surprise.

Miss Mu made the cut!

She's the 17th.

- 17th? That's great.
- Exactly.

17th place?

Yes.

Come here.

She made it. She won 17th place.

What?

I've been looking for you, Madam Lu.

Zhuohua made the cut.

Really?

Yes.

Ladies, gather here.

Zhuohua made the cut!

I told you.

I told you this early.

People who rent my house
come out as great literati.

Rightfully so.

The former was a poet

and now is a metropolitan graduate.

Miss Mu won 17th place.

Miss Mu won 17th place.

Come over.

She won 17th place! She made the cut!

Miss Mu won 17th place.

Zhuohua.

Miss Mu.

Miss Song, Madam Lu.

I gathered everyone here
to congratulate you.

You're all here?

I'm so glad for you.

Thank you, Miss Song. Thank you so much.

Clap!

Thank you so much, ladies.

Thank you so much, ladies.

Thank you.

A woman?

The candidate who wrote about nurturing
enemies on the border was a woman?

The candidate who's been on par
with Shen Jinghong

is actually a woman?

Yes, so it seems.

Mu Zhuohua.

Mu Zhuohua?

This name rings a bell.

Think harder.

I can't recall anything.

But I must find a chance

to meet her in person

to vent...

To vent my anger.

She actually wrote nonsense.

How could she win 17th place?

(Memorial Tablet
of Empress Yuanguang, Liu Huan)

We've been separated for five years.

This is your first time

paying respect to the ancestors
after coming back.

I'm to blame
for not staying in the capital

to do my duty as a daughter.

It's fine. Your great-grandmother
is always kind to her children.

She won't blame you.

(Empress Yuanguang)

Great-grandmother is
the only woman monarch in the dynasty.

I heard that during her reign,

she first allowed females
to take part in the imperial exam.

Yes, she did.

I'm just following in her footsteps.

Father, your decision

is the greatest grace for all women.

If I weren't a princess,

I'd like to partake
in the imperial examinations

as a commoner.

Perhaps

I could realize my ambitions

like Great-grandmother did.

Instead,

I would prefer you to lead a happy life.

Among my children,

you're my favorite.

Also, I feel so sorry for you

in particular.

Why did you say so, Father?

You lost your mother when you were little
and had been staying in Jiangnan.

Of all my children,

you're the only one
who didn't stay with me.

And when your husband was chosen,

Xue Xiaotang died
in the war at Juma River.

Come to think of it,

you've been alone all these years

and moving around.

I owe you

too much.

Please don't say that, Father.

Though I've been living
in Jiangnan alone,

I keep receiving care
from Great-grandaunt

and you.

I never feel lonely.

From now on,

I want to stay by your side

and never leave again, Father.

Sure.

It's my eager intention

to have you with me.

By the way,

back then, Xue Xiaotang
passed away unexpectedly

and you insisted on
being in mourning for him.

Now that the five-year mourning
is up soon,

what's your plan?

♪Unceasing love stalks my mind♪

♪Couldn't get over it♪

♪Memories touch the edges of our souls♪

♪Nowhere to anchor, lost in the expanse♪

♪We gaze at each other
in the drizzling rain♪

♪But you have gone without a trace♪

♪Leaving me all alone in the world♪

♪Like waves without a shore♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim
with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you
throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know, clearly I understand♪

♪We swear to stay together
in every lifetime♪

♪For this heartbeat,
I can suffer for aye♪

♪Never part ways,
we made this promise long ago♪

♪Love and hate entwined, unforgettable♪

♪Even if we are far apart♪

♪Two souls embrace in chaos♪

♪Impossible to erase, destiny's light♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim
with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you
throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Our minds occupied with each other♪

♪For this heartbeat♪

♪I can suffer for aye♪

♪Want to have one more glimpse of you,
even just for a second more♪