Original subtitles

♪When sorrow and joy blend into ink♪

♪Flowers fade, rain falls, helpless as time♪

♪Lament this frail body, tangled in love and hate♪

♪Yet I still wrestle with fate♪

♪Snow drifts down, burying all glory♪

♪Blame this destiny granted to me♪

♪Trapped in the chains of love and cause♪

♪When the dust finally settles♪

=Glory in Shadows=

=Episode 11=

No matter what, the General is his father.

He may be born of a concubine,

but he will call me Mother.

Why wouldn't I be pleased?

Even so, he will still be

the eldest child of the Li family.

Your pregnancy is a blessing, Concubine Qin,

but do not let it cloud your judgment.

The first trimester is critical. Use the utmost caution.

Since you are unwell,

cease these idle thoughts.

Focus on rest and inner peace.

General, you have been toiling all day.

I have personally prepared

some chicken soup for you.

Leave it there.

Is there anything else?

I am here at your command.

No need. You may leave.

Last time...

You favored Concubine Qin in the study

last time, didn't you?

Why am I any different?

General, look at me.

I am not inferior to her in the least.

General!

Have you no shame?

In broad daylight!

General!

Yaochu.

What are you doing?

You're my wife.

What do you think I'm doing?

You used to neglect both concubines.

But since you've favored Concubine Qin,

why not add Concubine Tang to the mix?

Why use me as your shield against her?

Is Concubine Qin your only favorite, or are you

simply not up to the task?

♪A foolish dream turns earnest with you in it♪

♪Even a feigned play can grow into true affection♪

♪Too many dusks walked alone beneath my umbrella♪

♪Yet I crave the warmth left in your embrace♪

♪Among thousands of bright lamps, is there one that waits quietly for me?♪

♪Time grinds past the rings of memory♪

♪Only you keep me warm in the long night♪

♪Scars left by the days gone by♪

♪Lie upon the lines of our hands together♪

♪I hold out a heart sincere and true crossing the deep courtyard♪

♪Just to trade it for one kiss from you♪

♪Praying our hair turns gray without regret♪

There's no limit to what you'll do.

I just wanted to show you

I am more than up to it.

So?

No longer keeping yourself chaste for Concubine Qin?

That sounds like

you are jealous.

♪I'm waiting for fate to write one lifelong pair♪

♪Waiting for you to run toward me♪

I like that.

♪From now on, through mountains and rivers afar♪

♪I am no longer walking alone♪

Why does Qin Ruoyi catch his eye,

but I do not?

Why does he favor them both,

yet deliberately shun me?

Why?

I am his concubine too!

Shen Yaochu claims to be on my side,

yet she keeps him all to herself!

Ma'am.

Tang, why such a temper?

Instead of watching me, you should

worry about Her Ladyship.

She and the General are inseparable now.

Once she bears him a child,

your child will amount to nothing.

Shen is the Principal Wife.

You and I are merely concubines.

No matter our schemes

or the children we bear,

they are nothing

next to a legitimate heir.

What are you getting at?

Tang,

we have had only each other to lean on in this manor.

Our bond

goes deeper than words.

Misunderstandings aside,

a common enemy now looms.

Why not bury the hatchet

and fight side by side?

You see the situation.

She is currently the favorite.

Tang, are you truly content to

spend your life beneath her thumb?

Fine.

Once Shen is out of the way,

let our wits decide our fate.

Good.

It's a deal.

I shall take my leave.

Ma'am,

do you believe what she said?

She has crossed you before.

She is a plotter,

but I am no fool.

I am vulnerable now

and must seek allies.

Since we share the same rank,

she is my best option for now.

Why is your morning sickness so severe?

Have you seen a physician?

Yes, and I've been taking

the prescribed medicine.

But for some reason,

I still feel nauseous.

I can hardly keep anything down.

Tell your private kitchen be more attentive.

Have them prepare whatever you crave.

We only have one cook.

No matter the dish,

the flavor never changes.

Oh, right.

I once tasted a pastry made by Her Ladyship.

It was delicious!

Your Ladyship, that's amazing.

I would love to have a taste.

May I ask you to cook it for me?

After all,

you are this child's legal mother.

Me?

The lineage is everything.

As the Principal Wife,

it is your duty to ensure the Li bloodline prospers.

It's just a bit of cooking.

I appreciate it, Old Madam.

What say you, Your Ladyship?

Very well.

But a pregnant woman's diet

is of utmost importance.

If someone were to tamper

with my dishes

and harm the fetus,

would I not be branded a child-killer?

The Li household is strictly governed.

Such a thing would never happen.

Yes, Old Madam.

But one must always guard against mishaps.

How about this?

When I cook,

you supervise from my side.

From picking the ingredients

to Concubine Qin tasting the final dish,

you shall witness it all.

Only then can the food be truly safe.

As the matriarch,

am I expected to be with my son's concubine all day?

As the Principal Wife,

am I expected to

cook for your son's concubine all day?

Insolence!

The capital is full of renowned chefs,

yet you insist I cook for her.

Your intentions are as plain as day.

Sorry, I...

overstepped.

Old Madam, please do not be angered.

That was your brilliant plan?

She didn't take the bait. What can I do?

Reading?

What a scholar.

What brings you here today?

Shouldn't you be with Concubine Qin?

And why would I be there?

She's carrying your child.

You ought to show her more care.

That sounds quite jealous,

My Lady.

I am the Principal Wife.

I should be magnanimous.

Don't flatter yourself, General.

Let us hope so.

So, you're not flattering yourself.

You're just far too promiscuous.

Did you have arsenic for lunch?

Your tongue is remarkably sharp.

My Pleasure.

Have less arsenic. It's bad for your health.

My Lady!

My Lady,

Concubine Qin had a nightmare.

She claims something foul is afoot

and has woken the whole house.

Let her make a scene if she wishes.

My Lady,

should we go and see?

Why bother?

She can fuss all she wants. I'm going to sleep.

What happened now?

Old Madam,

I have nightmares every night

and I feel unwell.

Last night...

Last night, I saw

a shadow drifting past my window.

I was petrified.

Nonsense.

Perhaps someone brought

something sinister into the residence.

For the sake of my child,

could we invite a Taoist priest?

It's also for your safety, Old Madam.

Alright.

Thank you, Old Madam.

(What are they brewing this time?)

My Lady,

Concubine Qin must be up to something again.

She even roused the entire household.

Let her play her games.

The more she stirs, the more she trips.

And then, I have her.

Could Concubine Qin truly be plagued by something sinister?

I heard the peach tree in her garden

has mysteriously withered for no reason.

Go take a look.

Yes.

Old Madam,

this manor is vast.

We must dip willow branches in the talisman water

and sprinkle some in every room.

Only then can these evil spirits be driven out.

Tell the maids to start sprinkling.

Yes.

♪New snow falls thick beneath the eaves♪

♪Covering the courtyard gate♪

♪Your gaze melts winter into spring♪

♪Turning back from the boundless multitude♪

♪Gazing at you in that fleeting moment♪

♪All the hardships fade into drifting dust♪

♪A foolish dream turns earnest with you in it♪

♪Even a feigned play can grow into true affection♪

♪Too many dusks walked alone beneath my umbrella♪

♪Yet I crave the warmth left in your embrace♪

♪Among thousands of bright lamps, is there one♪

♪That waits quietly for me?♪

♪Time grinds through the rings of memory♪

♪Only you keep me warm in the long night♪

♪Scars left by the days gone by♪

♪Lie upon the lines of our hands together♪

♪I hold out a heart sincere and true♪

♪Crossing the deep courtyard♪

♪Just to trade it for one kiss from you♪

♪Praying our hair turns gray without regret♪

♪So that true love will finally come to be♪