Original subtitles

(Flourished Peony)

(Episode 1)

(Luoyang)

The young master of the Liu family is getting married.

Look at all that dowry!

Who is the bride anyway?

I heard she's the daughter of a merchant.

No idea how she managed to form a marriage alliance with the Liu family.

The bride has arrived!

Six chests of jewelry and fine accessories,

three chests of rare medicinal herbs,

five chests of silks and brocades,

- gold and jade... - This is disrespectful!

The bride is still here! This is outrageous!

Yu Lu.

One maid.

Young Lady.

Careful.

Why don't I hear the sound of any guests?

There isn't a single guest here.

The Liu family is all gathered around your dowry,

counting with their abacuses.

The groom didn't come on horseback to escort you,

which is already a breach of tradition.

And now there's no banquet,

and they're making us enter through the backyard.

Such disrespect to the bride is unheard of!

Your mother is bedridden,

and your father is busy taking care of her.

We considered your filial piety

about their well-being,

and figured you'd be worried sick

so we decided not to host a grand celebration.

I don't care for such formalities.

I leave everything to the decisions of you elders.

Master, it's all set.

The auspicious hour has arrived!

Ask Young Master to come to the main hall.

Yes, Master.

Dusk!

Dusk!

You're getting drunk on your wedding day.

This is unbecoming!

Get over here and perform the wedding rites!

It's your celebration, not mine.

Liu Zi Shu!

Master, please don't get angry.

Zi Shu has always been well-mannered and respectful.

He's being forced into marrying her,

it's only natural for him to be upset.

Qiu Shi, help Young Master over here!

Young Master.

Young Master.

Kneel!

Bow to the mirror!

Husband and wife are one, bringing eternal harmony and lasting happiness.

Young Master Liu isn't here yet?

Not a sign of him.

You're his rightful wife,

but they stuck you in this remote house

instead of his main chamber.

It's obvious that they look down on us because we're merchants.

Your family runs more than a dozen medicinal shops.

You've been surrounded by wealth your whole life.

You don't deserve such treatment.

It's almost midnight. I'll go find him myself.

Young Master...

Let's get one thing straight, He Wei Fang.

If it weren't for my father needing your dowry to get out of trouble,

you wouldn't have had a chance to marry into this family!

- Young Master... - Out of my way!

My family has been a noble household for three generations,

with titles and prestige.

Even if I can't marry the woman I love,

I should at least have a wife who comes from a noble family.

Being forced to settle for a merchant's daughter

is the greatest humiliation of my life.

So hear me now,

this marriage will be

in name only.

From today onward,

I'll never set foot in this room again!

It's your wedding night.

How could Liu Chang be so disrespectful?

He insulted and humiliated you.

How is that the behavior of a noble young master?

Young Lady.

Young Lady,

it's alright.

No matter what the future holds,

I'll always be by your side.

Young Lady?

Is Liu Chang gone?

Yes. He should be out of the courtyard by now.

Finally!

If he'd stayed any longer, my arms would've gone numb.

He didn't hurt you, did he?

I knew you wouldn't be hurt by someone so rude.

Hurt?

I'm relieved!

He didn't want to marry me,

but does that mean I wanted to marry him?

Liu Zi Shu may be a few years older than me,

but his temperament is so childish.

We're both stuck in this marriage against our will.

I didn't even complain,

and he's already acting like a victim.

There, there, Yu Lu, don't cry.

Now that my mother has taken the Liu family's medicinal pill,

her health has improved greatly.

So why should I be upset?

Yu Lu, hold this for me.

Young Lady, what are you doing?

It's about to rain. I can't let my flowers get soaked.

I'll help you, Young Lady.

Come, Yu Lu, give me a hand.

Lift it.

Come on.

- Put it down here. - Got it.

The Liu family treats us so poorly.

I'm afraid the days ahead won't be easy.

After the rain, the Jade Orchid's leaves

become even greener and more elegant.

(The next spring)

That jade pendant

has excellent quality.

A servant

is wearing something so valuable.

Isn't it improper?

Mother,

this jade isn't anything rare.

I only gave it to Yu Lu

as a birthday gift

because I thought it suited her.

Your family is a wealthy merchant household,

so you naturally don't think much of such things.

But if word got out that a servant

is wearing fine jade and gold,

people might think our family is wasteful and lax in discipline.

She should take it off.

You're right, Madam.

I'll remove it when I go back later.

This is for Yu Lu's own good.

Such thing

invites gossip.

I'll hold onto the pendant for now.

When the day comes for Yu Lu to marry,

it will be included in her dowry.

Your concern is much appreciated.

I'm glad you understand me.

How have things been between you and Zi Shu lately?

He still won't stay in your house?

Yes.

A wife's duty is to follow her husband's lead.

If you can't win Zi Shu's favor,

it reflects poorly on your virtue.

Do you understand?

I am dull and uninteresting.

That's why Zi Shu doesn't like me.

Please punish me, Mother.

I'm not going to punish you,

but I'll give you some advice.

The imperial examinations are approaching.

While Zi Shu may already be a provincial scholar,

even a learned man

needs money and connections to smooth the way

if he hopes to pass the next level.

As his wife,

it's your responsibility to help him with these matters.

Knowing Zi Shu's temperament,

I doubt he'd agree to use money to navigate officialdom.

Zi Shu is single-mindedly devoted to his studies.

He doesn't understand the ways of the world.

Mu Dan,

you come from a merchant family.

You are worlds apart from Zi Shu in many ways.

The least you can do is contribute financially.

I'm suggesting this

to help you both grow closer.

Do you understand?

I understand.

Zi Shu, you're here.

Mother.

Come, sit down.

Yes, Mother.

Zi Shu, you've lost some weight.

Preparing for the exams is important,

but you must also take care of your health.

I understand. Thank you for your concern.

Alright, let's eat first.

Speaking of the exams,

Mu Dan goes to Fuyun Temple every time

to pray for your success.

You should thank her for that.

Success in the exams relies on real talent and hard work.

Why would I need the help of gods and spirits?

Does she think I'm so lacking in ability

that I can only rely on divine intervention?

I never think that.

Don't say that.

Mu Dan only does it for the sake of your future career.

Speaking of your career,

Mu Dan has some thoughts to share.

Tell Zi Shu your idea.

Yes, Mother.

When you enter the officialdom in the future,

you'll inevitably need to network

and smooth things over with others.

I've set aside some funds

to make things easier for you...

I've spent years studying tirelessly

with the goal of achieving greatness.

When I make the honor roll, it will be through

my own ability and dedication to serving the court.

Don't use your merchant family's narrow-minded ways

to taint my path to success.

Why are you angry?

Mu Dan is only thinking of your best interests.

Is she really thinking of me,

or does she simply believe

I'm incapable of advancing on my own

and must rely on such underhanded methods?

It's not as serious as you're making it out to be.

Forget about it then.

I'll talk to Mu Dan and make her understand.

Now, let's eat.

Please excuse me, Mother.

You,

that was too blunt.

Couldn't you have softened your tone and coaxed him a little?

You saw it yourself just now.

Zi Shu has made up his mind.

I doubt any further persuasion will work.

You...

You've spent most of your life at home,

you don't understand the intricacies of the court.

Zi Shu is upright and principled.

He doesn't want to lower himself by sending gifts or currying favor.

But for the sake of his career,

we have to plan ahead for him.

But Zi Shu

has rejected the idea.

So what?

If you're worried about upsetting him,

we will do it behind his back.

Mu Dan.

Master and I

will remember this favor.

Good girl.

Focus on gathering the funds.

You're excused from morning greetings this month.

Thank you, Mother.

Today,

you're going to Fuyun Temple to pray for blessings.

Don't dress so extravagantly.

Yes, Mother.

Remember to eat vegetarian, it's important to avoid any meat.

If you aren't sincere, the blessings won't work.

Yes, Mother.

This is infuriating!

Madam Liu is the one who wants to spend money to pull strings,

but she made you bring it up to him.

She and her son act so virtuous

while making you play the villain.

They won't even let you wear new clothes or eat meat.

They control what you wear, what you eat, where you go.

Even the servants in this household live more comfortably than you do!

Look at you,

your face is all red with anger.

Say it with me three times,

I won't get mad, I won't get mad, I won't get mad.

I won't get mad, I won't get mad...

How can I not get mad?

A year ago, the Liu family's finances were in shambles.

They saw our family as their golden goose,

proposing a marriage alliance.

And now?

They take your money with one hand

while nitpicking and criticizing you with the other.

Liu Chang, especially, has humiliated you time and time again.

And this Rules for Women,

they made us hang it up just to lecture and control you.

This is nothing short of outrageous!

When Mother was gravely ill back then,

only the Liu family's royal-granted Zixi Pill

offered a sliver of hope.

At that time,

no matter what they asked of me,

I would have agreed.

But that pill was nothing more than a hollow reputation.

Didn't Madam pass away not long after...

Life is unpredictable.

We can't blame others for that.

This family is nothing but a pit of fire.

Not only was Madam not saved, but your whole life has been sacrificed too.

Yu Lu,

the Liu family kept their word

and provided the medicine.

How could we go back on ours?

Don't worry, I'm not so fragile.

It's just cold treatment and disdain,

I can endure it.

Alright, let's get going.

Go.

Young Madam, remember,

you must kneel for ten full hours.

Pray with sincerity,

burn incense, and remain in silent devotion.

You must kneel until the hour of You.

It is now the hour of Chen,

so you may begin.

I will wait outside the hall.

Don't worry.

Divine spirits above,

I've come to disturb you once again.

May my sincerity move the heavens.

Please bless my mother's soul

to rest in peace,

free from all pain and suffering.

Young Lady, Xiang Fu has fallen asleep.

You can relax now.

Are you alright?

Go and get the money.

- Give me a hand. - Got it.

Here, slowly.

Yu Lu, keep watch here.

- I got it. - I'm going now.

You must be exhausted. Have some water.

Thank you, Mr. Lin.

Take it slow, no rush.

Here, have some dates.

I'm worn out today.

I'm so glad I could have some water and take a break here.

Among all the officials and ladies who come here to pray,

only your in-laws impose such harsh demands.

They're making you kneel for so long

without food or water.

They're simply torturing you.

Master Liu blindly trusts the words of bogus fortune tellers.

They insist I must kneel for ten full hours,

or they claim the Liu family won't receive any divine protection.

You've been suffering since you married into the Liu family.

Back in the He family,

in your own shop,

everyone doted on you.

But now,

you're growing more and more worn down by the day.

If your father knew,

he would be heartbroken.

Now that my father's shop has closed another branch,

he's already troubled enough.

I don't want to give him any more reasons to worry.

Anyway, enough about that.

Here's the money for Jiu'er's treatment. Please take it.

No, no.

Take it.

I can't take your money anymore.

You've been helping us for over half a year now.

Jiu'er has gotten much better now.

I don't even know how I can ever repay you.

Recovering from a serious illness requires proper care,

especially now when the last few doses of medicine are crucial.

Mr. Lin,

you were my father's old employee.

If our family's business hadn't struggled these past years,

closing shop after shop,

you wouldn't have lost your job

and ended up working at the temple.

This small gesture is the least I can do.

Take it.

It's for Jiu'er.

Take it.

On behalf of my daughter,

thank you.

You're welcome.

What's wrong, Mr. Lin?

Did you hurt your back?

It's just an old issue acting up again.

Nothing serious.

Where does this flowerpot need to go?

- Let me deliver it for you. - No, I can't let you do that.

This pot is meant for the Celestial Master's Temple in the south.

It's quite a distance from here.

Did you forget? I grew up helping my mother tend to peonies.

I used to carry flowerpots and fertilizer all the time.

This is nothing to me.

Besides, it's almost sunset.

I need to get back to the main hall anyway.

It's no trouble at all.

I'll get going, Mr Lin.

Thank you, Young Lady.

Take a break.

I always thought divine beings were kind and benevolent,

but the Celestial Master looks so stern.

No wonder you're known for punishing scoundrels.

That Liu family, a den of schemers, torments me daily

and even forces me to pray for Liu Chang's success.

In that case,

I'll pray to you instead.

May my husband

run out of paper in the privy,

lose his hair when combing,

take a concubine who cheats on him,

and fail miserably in his exams!

Yu Lu was right.

The Liu family is a pit of fire.

When Mother was gravely ill,

Father had to humble himself and beg them for the imperial medicine.

We had the money, and they had the medicine.

It should have been a simple transaction.

But no, Master Liu listened to

some bogus fortune-teller

who claimed my horoscope would bring prosperity to their family.

They insisted I marry into their family in exchange for the medicine.

And that wasn't enough, they treat me like a money tree.

They demanded that half of my family's business profits

be handed over to them every year.

My father's business has been declining ever since.

But they didn't stop there.

They secretly embezzled my dowry

and even confiscated Yu Lu's jade pendant.

Their greed knows no bounds!

They're utterly shameless!

Who's there?

I am the Celestial Master who has descended from the heavens.

Your sincerity has moved me.

So I have come to help you

overcome your troubles.

If that's the case,

Celestial Master,

how exactly do you plan to help me?

How dare you!

The nerve of you to pretend to be a deity in the Celestial Master's Temple!

You don't believe me, huh?

I will tell you what I know.

Ah, you're the daughter-in-law of the Liu family.

Your grandfather is Liu Shen, the assistant of the regent of Luoyang.

Oh, is that so?

The Celestial Master is supposed to be majestic and awe-inspiring.

The way you look...

Are you really a deity?

How can you judge by appearances?

I manifested here

just to help you.

For just 100 bolts of silk,

I will fulfill your wishes

and drive away all your troubles.

Oh, really?

Let me show you what I think of your scam!

Trying to swindle me? Do you even know the market rate?

Even hiring a killer only costs 80 bolts!

And you dare try to scam me!

Everyone in Luoyang knows there's only one

high-ranking official surnamed Liu,

and you dare pretend you divined that?

Easy, easy!

How can a gentlewoman

like you be so fierce?

A sneaky fraud like you dares to call me fierce?

Let's go, I'm taking you to the authorities!

I am Celestial Master. I cannot leave the temple hall.

Besides,

it's already sundown.

For all you know,

the officials might not even be on duty.

Consider yourself lucky today.

Forgive our disturbance.

That lady...

She left.

Young Master.

What happened?

I think the knockout drug we bought this time wasn't strong enough.

He suddenly woke up and gave me quite a scare.

You're clearly asking for a lesson.

How could you handle things so carelessly?

They were supposed to stay unconscious for two hours.

I'd barely rested for an hour, and one has woken up.

He even made such loud noise.

That almost gave us away.

It was my negligence.

He knocked over the candle stand when I wasn't looking.

Please punish me.

People say scholars are weak,

but clearly that's not always true.

Calm down now.

You're my honored guests. It took a lot of effort to bring you here.

Why bother messing with these scholars?

Because

it's fun.

What's your plan now?

Are you staying here at the temple?

I'm here

under orders from King Ning

to accompany the county princess on a leisurely trip.

She's visiting the Liu family

to see an old flame,

so of course, I'll be tagging along.

From the looks of it,

that conniving Liu family seems rather amusing.

Wouldn't it be a shame

not to pay them a visit?

(To Zi Shu)

(Zi Shu, it has been so long since we parted.)

(I have missed you deeply.)

(As I write this letter, )

(I am filled with both joy and sorrow.)

(Joy, for my husband has passed, )

(and I am finally free;)

(sorrow, for it has been years since we parted, )

(and I do not know where your heart lies now.)

(My longing for you)

(is beyond words.)

(Fortunately, I will soon be in Luoyang for a short respite.)

(I eagerly await our reunion.)

It's been three years.

I never thought we'd have the chance

to meet again.

You Zhen,

I wonder

what you look like now.

Young Lady, let's apply the medicine.

Alright.

Come.

It's swollen again.

Madam Liu is so cruel.

She made you kneel for so long. She wouldn't even allow a cushion.

It's fine.

You know, when I delivered flowers to the Celestial Master's Temple today,

I took the opportunity to make a wish.

I prayed that Liu Chang would run out of paper in the privy

and lose his hair when combing.

I wonder if the Celestial Master will grant it.

Liu Chang really is insufferable.

Madam forces you to scrape together money for him.

Instead of being grateful,

he yelled at you.

If he were really so honest,

he'd return every coin your family has given to help his family!

Liu Chang is annoying! Liu Chang is the worst!

Shuai Shuai is absolutely right.

Liu Chang is the worst.

Shuai Shuai, you're the cutest!

Madam is trying to curry favor behind Liu Chang's back.

When he finds out, he'll blame you.

Why don't you just tell him the truth?

What good would that do?

I'm an outsider.

They're mother and son, thick as thieves.

What, do you think he'd actually fight with her for me?

But you're caught in the middle, being blamed by both sides,

it's so unfair.

You've always been lively and clever since you were little.

Before you got married, you managed your family's accounts so well.

Ever since you moved into this family,

you've been trapped in this little house.

You've been enduring humiliation every time you see them.

After kneeling all day, my legs are stiff.

I need to stretch a bit.

Here, Yu Lu.

Catch.

Being forgotten in this little house isn't so bad.

No one bothers me; it's peaceful.

I have you,

these flowers,

and Shuai Shuai to keep me company.

When I have nothing to do,

I lift some stone locks or work out a little.

Life here isn't exactly unbearable.

As for Liu Chang,

though I dislike him,

I can understand why he treats me this way.

Understand? What's there to understand?

He's nothing but a pretentious hypocrite!

Liu Chang has spent years

studying tirelessly,

just to pass the imperial exams

and bring honor to his family.

In that sense,

you could say he's at least ambitious.

You always say that,

but if he were really that great,

wouldn't you have fallen for him by now?

Fallen for him?

Never.

I give credit where it's due,

but criticism where it's deserved.

Liu Chang despises our arranged marriage far too much.

It was the Liu family's pride that made him bend the knee,

and the difference in status that tore him and the county princess apart.

Yet, instead of coming to terms with these truths,

he channels all his anger and resentment out on me.

It shows how narrow-minded and bitter he is.

Someone like him is not a man to entrust your life to.

So,

we'll each live our own lives,

and leave each other in peace. That's for the best.

You always see things so clearly.

In the years to come,

we'll just grow flowers, play with the birds,

and enjoy tea together.

Tea is so dull.

Go, fetch our wine instead.

Yes, Young Lady.

Shuai Shuai.

We have nothing to do tomorrow. Let's drink until we drop!

Alright.

Young Lady!

Young Lady, something's happened.

Wake up, Young Lady!

What's going on?

Is Madam asking me to stand in the ancestral hall again,

or has the household run out of money

and wants to go to my father for help?

Princess Ji'an is visiting our residence tomorrow.

What does that have to do with me? Just ignore her.

To prepare for her visit, Master Liu has ordered

all the peonies in our house to be dug up.

When did this happen?

I heard from the servants that they came to dig them up last night.

Hurry, hurry!

What's happened to these flowers?

You call yourselves gardeners?

You can't even move a few plants properly!

If Her Highness sees this tomorrow,

your deaths won't be enough to earn her forgiveness!

Father.

Mu Dan, thank goodness you're here. Please save these flowers.

Father,

if you needed flowers,

I could have personally gone to the market to pick some for you.

Why did you have to dig up the ones from my courtyard overnight?

Your peonies are rare and exquisite.

Ordinary flowers from the market can't compare.

Besides, I heard you were drinking last night

and went to bed early.

I didn't have the heart to disturb you.

Mu Dan, you're not upset with me, are you?

I wouldn't dare.

Good girl.

I didn't want to trouble you to handle this yourself,

but who would've thought your peonies would be so delicate?

The gardeners I hired can't take care of them properly.

Mu Dan, take a look.

Can they still be saved?

Mu Dan, you must save these flowers.

Tomorrow, we're expecting not just

Princess Ji'an, the beloved daughter of King Ning,

but also Jiang Chang Yang, a favorite at the imperial court.

You may not know this since you spent most of your time at home,

but Jiang Chang Yang isn't just a deputy minister

at the Court of Imperial Entertainments,

he's also the Flower Bird Envoy,

tasked with gathering rare treasures from across the land.

If he finds out that the flower banquet has no flowers,

it's tantamount to deceiving the royal.

Our entire family would face severe consequences!

Father, there's no need to say more.

No matter who comes tomorrow, I don't care.

What... What does that mean?

These peonies are my mother's keepsakes.

Whether or not esteemed guests arrive tomorrow,

or whether the flower banquet happens,

I will do everything in my power to save them.

Good.

As long as you can save these flowers

and entertain the guests tomorrow,

you may choose anything you want

from our family's treasures after the banquet.

These peonies are my treasures.

As long as they're safe,

I desire nothing else.

Focus on saving them.

If you need anything, just let me know.

Yu Lu, go back to our house and bring the remaining fertilizer

and original soil.

Yes, Young Lady.

You two, these flowers must be watered with well water

that has been drawn and left to settle for two days.

If there isn't enough stored water in the residence,

fetch two buckets of river water from outside.

Did you hear that?

- Yes, Master. - Get to it!

Excuse me.

Her Highness dislikes ginger.

Replace the ginseng ginger tea with jasmine pearl soup.

It's refreshing and good for the complexion.

Oh, and don't forget to use dew water.

Young Lady, is this alright?

- Yes. - Got it.

Young Master,

Young Madam is working so hard for the flower banquet.

Her hands are covered in dirt. She looks completely disheveled.

She looks nothing like the wife of a noble family.

Since the ginseng ginger tea is already prepared,

it'd be a waste to throw it out.

Send it to her house.

Yes, Young Master.