All language subtitles for EP08_ 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 8=

(This is a work of fiction.)

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?

Father,

I suddenly remember

that tomorrow
is the Floral Poetry Gathering.

I need to go back and prepare.

All right.

You may go.

That was captivating.

Help yourselves to the food.

I feel honored to be able

to witness
their graceful dance performance.

Then drink more!

Here.

Let me pour you some more.

Come and enjoy the drinks.

- Drink up.
- Juli.

Drink up. You must drink.

Here.

- Congratulations!
- Cheers!

Congratulations to you.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Congratulations.

Thank you very much.

Listen.

It's all thanks to you

that the value of my courtyard
is rising.

I can't take credit for that.

Look at Madam Lu.

She must be quite drunk.

Look how she's spilling her thoughts.

Come on, drink more.

It's such a joyful day.

Cheers.

(Mother, I've passed
the metropolitan examination.)

(Are you seeing this?)

(I am one step closer)

(to my dream.)

Young Lady,

someone's here.

All right.

You are...

Are you Miss Mu?

Yes, I am.

I'm Man. I serve Her Highness,
Princess Roujia.

Miss Mu,

the Princess is hosting
Floral Poetry Gathering

at the imperial garden tomorrow.

She heard you've brought honor to women

by ranking seventeenth
in the metropolitan examination.

She sent me here
to extend an invitation to you.

Accept it.

Thank you, miss.

- It's from Princess Roujia!
- An invitation from Princess Roujia!

Let's read what it says.

Young Lady.

(Invitation)

Young Lady,

do you think your poem

is up to par?

I...

You're right about that.

My poem is...

My Lord,

we obtained new clues
on the Revival Powder.

Fu Shengru, the former head
of the Imperial Academy of Medicine,

had developed a new medicine.

According to the records
of the Imperial Dispensary,

he used a significant amount
of Immortal Fruits.

Was Fu Shengru

the imperial physician
whose property was confiscated

after my mother's tragic death
during childbirth?

That's right.

He joined the Imperial Academy of Medicine
in the 25th year of the Yuanguang reign.

In the third year of the Tongtai reign,
he was promoted to the academy's head.

He later committed suicide
because his treatment of Consort Yun

was lacking.

After his death, his family's property
was also ransacked.

Why weren't the other
involved imperial physicians' properties

confiscated?

Perhaps, because he was the head,

he had to take
the primary responsibility.

Your reasoning makes sense.

However,

I think there's more

to this matter.

My Lord, are you suspecting

that the mastermind behind this
took advantage

of the late Emperor's fury
over Consort Yun's death

to hide some unspeakable secrets

and also destroy crucial evidence?

My Lord,

Mu Zhuohua's background
appears to be genuine.

There was nothing suspicious

during our trip to Tiantong Mountain.

Could it be that she has no connection
with the mastermind?

Do you actually

hope she's connected to the mastermind?

Well, I...

I only want

to find the mastermind quickly.

If she's an enemy,

we can gather clues from her.

She may not be directly involved in this.

But she has helped me clear up
quite a bit of confusion

and unravel the situation for me.

You're not really considering
having her work for you, are you?

I'm in a position
where dangers are everywhere.

And she's afraid of death.

So I won't.

Inform He Xin

to hasten

and personally go to Jiangnan.

Jinghong.

Sun.

Jinghong, you're finally here.

I'm Fang Zhiyuan.

I ranked tenth in this year's
national examination.

Shen, you ranked first in all subjects
and won first place.

I'm truly impressed.

You're flattering me, Fang.

Jinghong, let's sit over here.

I heard a group of matchmakers

were chasing you that day.

I wonder if you've picked
any matchmakers.

Please stop joking about this.

How can I consider getting married

when I haven't achieved success?

You achieved top scores
in two consecutive imperial exams.

How can you call that not a success?

I will not consider marriage

if I'm not a first-ranked official.

Oh, of course, your ambitions
are still sky-high.

It made us feel truly ashamed.

Stop joking about Shen already.

Jinghong, just ignore them.

Let's drink.

Everyone, enjoy your drinks.

He's nothing but an opportunist.

Sun Yunqian's father

is the Minister of Works, Sun Ru.

By the way,

have any of you seen
the other peculiar person on the list?

Are you referring

to Mu Zhuohua who ranked seventeenth?

Exactly.

This is the highest ranking
for a female participant

in the examination.

I remember Mu Zhuohua.

She excelled in the Classics subject
just like Shen.

The Classics?

But there were only two perfect papers
in the Classics.

Rote memorization
is enough for the Classics.

True talents

are shown in poetry
and political discourse.

Her poetry is average,

and her political discourse
are slightly above average.

There are one hundred candidates
this year.

Out of the one hundred candidates,

ninety-nine of them

advocated war.

They all answered,
"Eradicate enemies on the border."

But there's one paper
that scored as the second-highest tier

that advocates peace

and answered,
"Nurture enemies on the border."

Advocating peace?

With Northern Liang?

Northern Liang invades
our Southern Chen borders.

Their treacherous intentions
never cease.

How can we submit
to such humiliating negotiations?

How can such a paper

score the second-highest tier?

Don't you all agree?

Can someone like this

truly care about our country's future?

"Nurture enemies on the border"?

I can't believe she actually wrote this
as her answer.

That's how narrow-minded

an ordinary woman is.

Jinghong,

what do you think?

I think

Ms. Mu's essay is very interesting

and insightful too.

Jinghong, why would you say that?

Only those who fear death

would write such a strategy.

A true man

should stand upright.

Advocating peace
doesn't mean fear of death.

Appeasing others
without resorting to warfare

is the wisest course.

Those Northern Liang people

are resolute and willing to die
than submit.

For a woman,

fear to lose her life is common.

It's not surprising she advocates peace.

Women are born delicate and vulnerable.

This world of politics and warfare

has no place for them, to begin with.

Mu Zhuohua is probably

too afraid to come today.

With her poetic talent,

attending would likely
be an embarrassment.

A woman

(Nurture enemies on the border)
mingling with men,

that is truly inappropriate.

It will also compromise her virtue
as a woman.

- You're right.
- That's right.

What ill fortune.

Why worry about ill fortune
when you're not marrying her?

I heard Oriental magpies singing joyfully
early this morning.

I knew it was a sign of good news.

Indeed,

I could already hear people talking

about me from afar.

I, Mu Zhuohua,

am honored of meeting my peers.

Ms. Mu.

Shen,

congratulations
on securing the top rank.

In the Wenzheng Parlor,
I had the privilege

of witnessing your remarkable elegance.

Truly talented and remarkable,

unaffected by gossip,

and not conforming to mediocrity.

Truly admirable.

Ms. Mu, you're flattering me.

Ignorant woman.

Who are you calling mediocre?

She's on the list by pure luck.

Yet, she dares to boast in front of us.

I...

Do you think she'll lose to them?

Excuse me,

I was only complimenting Shen.

How come it's boasting?

I accept being called a woman.

But I'm puzzled

about being called ignorant.

I studied hard

and sit for the examination
with my ability.

After being evaluated
by the esteemed examiners,

I managed to pass the examination.

How can that be labeled as ignorance?

Oh, I get it now.

If you put it this way,

it seems I'm not a "master of both
literary and martial arts."

You...

Well said.

- Greetings, Your Highness.
- Greetings, Your Highness.

You may drop the formalities.

I'm not talented.

It's all thanks to your presence

that I'm able
to host the Floral Poetry Gathering.

Your Highness,
you possess both virtue and talent.

You're a model for women everywhere.

Do you know me that well?

All you did

is hear some things about me

and concluded

that I am virtuous and talented.

But when it comes to Miss Mu,

you assumed she lacked talent and virtue

when you heard that she's a woman

with a humble background.

- Forgive us, Your Highness.
- Forgive us, Your Highness.

What is the level of your knowledge

compared to the examiners?

- We are inferior.
- We are inferior.

Since you're aware of that,

why do you question
the examiners' judgment?

In terms of talent,

I'm not comparable to all of you.

To avoid facing public criticism

and gossip,

I can step down from being the host.

You can consider me here
to enjoy the flowers.

The rest of you may carry on
as you wish.

Your Highness, please calm down.

The fault lies

with me today.

Indeed.

As the principal graduate,

you lead everyone.

If you were impartial

and set an example,

they wouldn't act improperly

and unjustly criticize a young lady.

Your Highness's advice is wise.

We read countless books

but cannot compare
to Your Highness's experiences.

We studied the words of sages.

Yet, we fail to comprehend
their meanings.

I'm fortunate to have learned
from Your Highness.

Your words hit me

like a wake-up call.

What Mu Zhuohua said earlier was true.

Your disrespect towards her

not only questions her talent

but also challenges
the examiners' integrity

and the court's fairness.

This Floral Poetry Gathering
is widely watched.

Do you really think
I'm the only one here today?

If this matter gets out,

what will become of your reputation

and future?

Chen,

don't forget.

We're just here to watch.

Jiao is biased
toward that female candidate.

I can't sit by and do nothing anymore.

The court is capable of tolerating
when being questioned.

Besides, Mu Zhuohua's ranking

is indeed debatable.

We're in luck.

First Prince and Lord Ding

are speaking up for us.

First Prince isn't siding with us.

He's clearly unhappy about Princess
criticizing Shen Jinghong.

Greetings, Your Highness.
Greetings, Lord Ding.

Since the rankings
have already been announced,

how can you say they're debatable?

Her essay

has poor intent

and is full of nonsense.

Greetings, Uncle.

Greetings, Lord Ding.

This is my answer.

(Isn't this the small fry
at Wenzheng Parlor)

(that Uncle was interested in?)

(Uncle seems to have
a special interest in her.)

Oh,

it's just during the grading,

a few examiners had some differences.

Isn't that right, Uncle?

You end what you started.

Don't drag me into this.

Today is the Floral Poetry Gathering.

You're all here to compose
and recite poems.

Don't let our presence

get in your fun.

If it weren't for your bias,

I wouldn't have come.

Who is biased?

They haven't even read her essay.

Yet, they criticize her gender

and background.

Do you think this is fair,
Your Highness?

These people are biased.

But Shen Jinghong didn't judge.

Why did you scold him so harshly?

As the top scorer,

he should set an example.

If he can't set an example,
then he's not worthy of being first.

Since he's in a high position,

it's natural
to have higher expectations.

You always have reasons for everything.

Uncle,

what do you think?

Human nature is naturally biased.

To see past someone's appearance

and identity

is indeed difficult.

Uncle's words make sense.

Previous Floral Poetry Gatherings
were about flowers.

Everyone composed poems individually

and was judged by people.

Then, some would ingratiate themselves
with influential people.

This also lacks fairness in judgment.

Today's event might be better
if we follow the examination format.

Everyone anonymously writes poems.

One person will read them

and let everyone judge.

What do you think?

Who's hosting this, you or me?

You, of course.

So, did you set these new rules

just for entertainment?

Since Uncle and I are here,

we'll naturally participate.

I'm just curious

about what rewards you prepared.

Do what you want.

I'm hosting the Floral Poetry Gathering.

Of course, I've prepared some rewards.

Everyone, please take your seats.

My Lord.

When one overachieves,
one will invite trouble.

Keep a low profile.

I shall remember Your Lordship's advice.

What's the matter?

Uncle,

I'm going to prove

to you

that the person I've chosen

will be more exceptional than that girl.

I shall wait and see.

(With His Lordship's
striking appearance,)

(it wasn't my fault to mistake him)

(for a male prostitute back then.)

Today's poetry gathering's theme

is peonies.

The reward

shall be this
Green Dragon Rests in the Ink Pond.

As for the other reward,

it shall be

the "Chronicles of Cangling".

"Chronicles of Cangling"?

"Chronicles of Cangling"?

(It's the final work of Mr. Cangling.)

(There's only one copy in this world.)

(I can't believe
it's the reward for today.)

(If "Chronicles of Cangling"
is the reward,)

(I don't mind being like a bird
that dies in pursuit of food.)

Come here.

(My Lord, please forgive me.)

(I can't keep a low profile.)

Ms. Mu.

His Lordship says you'll write better
if you're not hungry.

Thank you.

(Just like a starving squirrel.)

(His Lordship and First Prince
sure have a lot of free time.)

(Their presence)

(has turned the poetry gathering)

(into the complex world
of government officials.)

(They're just making things worse.)

Time's up!

(I struggled to come up
with these four lines.)

(I really want to win
the "Chronicles of Cangling.")

(I must find a way.)

Thank you.

I'm sure

you'll win first place.

There are strengths and weaknesses
in everything.

One must remain humble
to have achievements.

Arrogance leads to failure
in most things.

Understanding others is wisdom,
and knowing oneself is enlightenment.

Did you write
that borderland poem today?

Today,

I wrote about
blooming Yulan magnolia flowers.

A good poem

needs the right person to read them

to truly appreciate their essence.

Then...

Mu Zhuohua,

why don't you do it?

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

I lack poetic talent

and cannot compose a good poem.

I'm here at Her Highness's command

to read a poem for everyone.

Number one.

"As peonies fade,
apricot blossoms bloom.

Peonies overshadow the green moss.

I resent the heartless willow trees.

Lonely mountains frequently
host monkeys at night".

Number five.

"Born with golden and jade-like petals.

Partial to the old village.

When will we reunite?

Safe within my thoughts of longing."

This one is good.

I wrote it.

Number fifteen.

"Rosy clouds accumulate like gold,

a cluster of red tassels

embellishes the landscape."

The choice of words
and sentence construction

is quite straightforward and rough.

- Indeed.
- It's not good enough.

"Facing hardships on horseback,

a clean administration brings peace."

Uncle.

It's nothing.

This is undoubtedly His Lordship's poem.

This is likely the first-ever

borderland peony poem in history.

Indeed.

This is groundbreaking,

creating a new style.

Absolutely.

Uncle,

is this poem really that good?

I somehow feel

it's not as good as the fifth one.

The one with "Born with golden
and jade-like petals."

Number thirteen.

"Countless flowers vie for beauty,

new branches are delicate
and pristine as frost."

Now, let's announce the voting results.

Number five.

Ms. Mu.

Number fifteen.

Reading the poems was quite a task.

Number fifteen.

Number one.

Number three.

- Number five.
- Please have some tea.

Number fifteen.

Thank you, My Lord.

Number fifteen.

Number five.

Number fifteen.

(Did he notice
that I took advantage of him?)

Number fifteen.

Number fifteen.

Number fifteen.

Number fifteen.

Number one.

Number thirteen.

Number fifteen.

We have the results.

The winner is the author
of poem number fifteen.

So now,

let's have the author
of this poem step forward.

It must be His Lordship's poem.

It has to be.

Yes, definitely His Lordship.

Uncle, you won.

Of course, it's the outcome I desired.

It doesn't matter.

But you don't usually
compose poems this bad, Uncle.

I wrote

that poem.

Mu Zhuohua?

How could this be?

How is that her poem?

Truly a talented woman.

Congratulations.

This year's winner
for Floral Poetry Gathering

is you.

The Green Dragon Ink Pool
and the "Chronicles of Cangling"

are yours.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Gosh, that's the "Chronicles of Cangling".

How could it...

How could this poem win first place?

Are these people blind or foolish?

Perhaps being too clever
has led them astray.

Don't you understand yet?

In fact,

we should've never come today.

To be honest,

it's truly hard to comprehend

that today's winner isn't you.

Circumstances and luck play a role.

Winning also depends on fate.

Congratulations, Ms. Mu.

Shen.

I envy you

for getting hold of the unique copy
of "Chronicles of Cangling".

Shen, rest assured.

I will lend it to you.

In that case,

I'll thank you in advance.

Shen,

I...

I wonder if I am the first person

who has won against you
in a poetry contest.

(How come she does not know)

(how she got)

(first place?)

Yes, you're the first.

You're a literary genius.

I'm truly impressed.

Really?

If so, it's indeed an honor.

Thank you, Shen.

This poetry contest today

is truly unfair.

Weren't the rules changed
according to your wishes?

But...

How could Mu Zhuohua win first place
with her talent and ability?

The people's choice.

We have to acknowledge it.

Uncle, say something.

This is a matter for you young folks.

What does it have to do with me?

You're so protective of Shen Jinghong.

Is it to let everyone know
he's under your wing?

What if they do know?

I know your love for talent.

But Shen Jinghong is wild and unruly.

You need to be cautious.

How is Shen Jinghong wild and unruly?

Jiao,

you misjudge people.

But Mu Zhuohua

can be considered a talented individual.

She has unique ideas

and eloquent speech.

In the palace examination,

she might even gain Father's favor

and be listed among the top scholars.

I didn't expect
that you actually admire her so much.

She has some likable cunning thoughts.

Indeed, she's quite endearing.

Even Shen Jinghong

treats her differently.

In my opinion,

her admission to the Hanlin Academy

is almost certain.

Mu Zhuohua is just being opportunistic
and playing it safe.

She's also fearful of death.

But you and Uncle...

Could I really have misjudged her?

Never mind.

You can value your Shen Jinghong.

But you shouldn't single out Mu Zhuohua.

You were born noble.

But you don't understand

how difficult it is for a woman like her

to have such an accomplishment.

Your Highness.

Mu Zhuohua took the examination
as a woman

and competed
with all those men for a place.

It was already incredibly challenging.

Today, I took her side

and criticized you harshly.

Please don't take it personally.

Your kindness and compassion
are renowned.

How could I ever mind such things?

What do you think
of her winning the poetry contest

today?

Some strive to win
by traveling far and wide.

Some strive to win
through intricate plans.

Some strive to win
by any means necessary.

Mu Zhuohua

displayed clever tactics in this matter,

which is truly admirable.

You do stand out from the norm.

Your insights are keen

and clear.

Your Highness,

someone left a painting here.

(Pure and Radiant Yulan Magnolia)

Have some water.

Princess Roujia sure is nice.

Guo Juli is also nice.

You sure are.

You're the closest person to me.

Young Lady,

so is Lord Ding good or bad?

I don't yet know

about Lord Ding.

But I feel he doesn't trust me.

Guess what?

At the poetry gathering,

he poured a searing hot tea for me.

I think he was punishing me

for associating his name
with that lousy poem.

But he didn't expose it publicly.

So he's considered a decent person.

Look at these flowers.

You can show me around while at it.

My Lord, this courtyard
has been abandoned for a long time.

There is dust everywhere.

It's all right.

When Fu Shengru's properties
were seized,

only some worthless household items

and an aged yellowed medical book

were left behind.

There are also some moldy herbs
in the storage room.

My Lord,

I quickly searched through everything.

But I didn't find any clues related
to the Revival Powder.

Nothing here either.

My Lord,

how about asking Imperial Physician Zhao
to come and take a look?

Bring him here
after cleaning this place.

I want to inspect
Fu Shengru's belongings one by one.

Yes, My Lord.

(In the war at Juma River,)

(thirty thousand people died in vain.)

(The world fears me)

(and narrow-minded people resent me)

(because they believe
I have disloyal intentions.)

(I've always had a clear conscience.)

(But I never expected)

(even those close to me
would suspect me.)

(For this, they're even willing
to undermine the country's foundation)

(and sacrifice so many lives.)

Is it true

that there's no familial bond
within the royal family?

Familial bond?

Humph.

The Merciful One can see clearly.

I gave all my affection
to my own flesh and blood.

Why should I give any to others?

When I was young,

I was willing
to share my affection as well.

But what did that bring me?

Your Highness,

the investigator has returned
from Yanzhou.

I think there is nothing suspicious

about Mu Zhuohua's background.

(Mu Zhuohua Family Background)

She is from Yanzhou.

She's related to the Mu family
in Huaizhou.

Her family is pretty wealthy,

which gave her the chance to study
and take exams.

If she really has nothing to do
with the past events,

why did Liu Yan take her
to Tiantong Mountain?

I heard

she has an attractive face.

It looks like Lord Ding

is not immune
to feelings and desires, after all.

A young girl like her

probably can't cause much trouble.

But just to be safe,

keep an eye on her.

♪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♪