Original subtitles

=Against The Current=

(Adapted from He Yanshan's novel, Orchid Fragrance Fate)

=Episode 3= (This drama does not correspond)

(to any real historical dynasty.)

(The systems, culture, attire and other dynastic elements have been adapted.)

Father.

Now that you're back,

you should rein in that boorish behavior of yours.

This is not that filthy military camp of yours.

I care about my parents.

I rushed back the moment I received my transfer order.

Now that I've seen how energetic you are, Father,

I'm relieved.

I still need to greet Mother,

so I'll be leaving.

(Lin Family, Rongzhang House)

Greetings, Mother.

I'm glad that you've returned.

I'm so glad.

(Qin Shunhua, Lin Jinqi's Mother, Lin Family's First Madam)

Hurry.

Let me take a look.

Come.

Have you lost weight?

Qi.

You've suffered.

I got scratched

when I was cleaning the weapons.

It only looks scary.

Are you sure?

I'd never dare lie to you, Mother.

You were gone for six years.

Finally, you're back.

From now on, I want you by my side,

living your life with your wife.

Give birth to children soon.

Then,

both our families will be at ease.

It's all thanks to Old Master Zhao

that you no longer have to fight.

You get to return to Jinling

and even get a promotion.

When you see your wife later,

say a few gentle words to her.

You are right, Mother.

(Lin Family's Zhichun Hall)

(Zhao Xingtang, Lin Jinqi's Wife)

Young Madam,

Young Master has returned.

(Qingxiang) Judging by the time,

he should probably arrive in Zhichun Hall by now.

(Zhao Xingtang's Head Maid)

That's his business.

Should I go out and kneel to welcome him?

I dare not trouble you, Young Lady Zhao.

- Young Master. - Young Master.

Young Master.

Young Master, you're back.

I haven't congratulated you

on getting your promotion

to a top position.

Young Lady Zhao,

when did you learn to be so pretentious?

Why not behave like you used to?

We'll be direct and upfront.

I'm more used to that.

As expected of Young Master,

who has become the assistant commander.

You're acting so mighty now.

However,

when the Lin family

came rushing to beg the Zhao family for a marriage back then,

why didn't I see you

acting all high and mighty?

If you have the time,

you should advise the Zhao family's Old Master

not to be so greedy.

I dared

to join the army back then

because I didn't want

to become a puppet of the Zhao family.

A mere assistant commander

made me transfer from Jinzhou back to Jinling.

Do you still expect me

to be grateful to the Zhao family?

You...

Whenever you want a divorce,

just tell me.

I will send you away with a parade.

You ingrate!

If it weren't for the Zhao family,

the Lin family would've shared the same fate as the Shen family!

Trying to burn bridges now?

Dream on!

(Lin Family's Sanjue Hall, Lin Jinqi's External Study)

Young Master.

The head butler

has been waiting for a while.

Mr. Yang.

Young Master.

I called you as soon as I returned

because I've missed you

and wanted to greet you in person.

Thank you for remembering me.

The second reason

is that Zhichun Hall's maids

seem unfamiliar to me.

If I know what was going on, I can still see it's the Lin Residence.

If I didn't,

I would've thought that I'd wandered into the Zhao Residence.

After you joined the army,

the Young Madam took charge of the household.

The maids who used to serve you

were getting old.

Young Madam said they might have other ideas

and no longer be loyal,

so she either got them married,

or sold them off to others.

Where's Yuchan?

Young Madam

married Yuchan off to the youngest son

of the head shopkeeper of the rice shop, Liu.

Isn't the head shopkeeper of the rice shop

called Wang?

Shopkeeper Wang made a mistake

and was punished by Young Madam.

The second shopkeeper, Liu,

was promoted.

I remember the youngest son of the Liu family

was a fool.

Yes.

What are you doing?

Get up.

Stand.

Now that I'm back,

Zhichun Hall

belongs to the Lin family.

I understand.

It smells amazing.

I heard your father bought another painting yesterday.

He received

quite a handsome reward this year.

He just got lucky.

Why is she acting so arrogant?

She gets to eat meat.

Of course, she's arrogant.

All right.

I've talked

to Liu, the second shopkeeper of the fabric shop.

After the Chinese New Year,

he will ask for his master's blessing

to marry you to his eldest son.

When the time comes,

you'll get to stay in a big house

and eat meat every day.

Don't forget

to take care of me, your mother.

Mother.

This...

The reward

from yesterday's painting?

It's all thanks to Lanxiang

for teaching me how to verify the authenticity of paintings.

I didn't make a mistake.

Father, it's because you are smart

and use what I taught you.

Here.

Let me show you.

If this goes on,

will we have made enough

to redeem our whole family

in another couple of years?

Probably.

Once we are no longer slaves,

we will find you a good family to marry into.

Then, your father and I will not be embarrassed

when we meet your biological mother in the underworld.

That's enough.

That's enough.

Let's eat.

Yes.

Here.

You are still growing.

Eat more.

Eat.

Father.

Here.

Take one.

- You, too. - I don't want it.

I'm young.

I'll get a wing.

I still need to spread my wings and soar higher.

All right.

Let's accept her blessing.

We'll let her bring our family to greater heights.

I'll eat a leg.

Eating a leg

makes me run faster

so I can catch up to you two.

Eat.

Orders from the head butler.

Everyone, come out and listen to his orders.

Orders from the head butler.

(Han Dongqing, Madam Qin's Housekeeper) Every daughter

who has reached the age of 14

and is yet to marry someone

must enter the residence and work as servants.

(Lv Er, Lv Ji'er's Father)

Madam,

why are they

summoning the daughters into the residence?

This is the master's order.

You're just a slave.

Why are you asking so many questions?

Lv Ji'er.

Yes.

Xu Lanxiang.

Both of you,

get ready.

Tomorrow morning,

I'll come and pick you two up.

- Dear! - Mother!

- Dear! - Mother!

Lanxiang must not enter the residence.

Otherwise,

I'll be too embarrassed to meet her biological mother in the future.

Mother,

calm down.

There's another way.

What alternative is there?

I think

the master summoning people into the residence

is a strange move.

Logically speaking,

families like the Lin family

have rules when they pick servants.

They won't

suddenly issue an order

and only summon ladies who have come of age.

She's right.

In the past,

if someone wants to send their daughters

into the residence,

they have to pay

the madam.

No matter what,

there's one type of person

that the Lin family will not accept.

Which kind?

The ones with an illness.

Why did I forget about this?

Let me tell you.

Find someone

to pay some money

to the madam.

Ask her to report

Lanxiang's illness,

so she cannot enter the residence.

I'll ask the head shopkeeper to plead for us right away.

I'm sure the head shopkeeper knows her.

Go.

Money.

Money.

Lanxiang.

Help your father take it out.

Take it.

Let me tell you.

We can still make more money,

but Lanxiang must never enter the residence.

I know.

I've let you down.

Mom.

Don't say such a thing ever again.

You and Father gave me a new life.

Even if I die,

I will never let you enter the residence

to serve others.

Mother.

I'm not afraid of doing that.

I can do anything now.

Don't worry.

Drink your medicine.

The temperature is just right.

So pretty.

With this face of yours,

as long as you stay smart in the residence,

there'll surely be a man who fancies you.

When the time comes,

you'll be able to dress fancily

like the other women in the residence.

You'll even have a maid serving you when you go out.

When you finally live a good life,

don't forget to put in a good word for both your younger brothers.

Quick, lie down.

It'll be fine.

Have you prepared everything?

There's no problem, right?

Don't worry.

When I told the head shopkeeper last night,

he agreed to help

immediately.

He said he was close to Madam Han

and even took all the money.

Since he took our money,

nothing will go wrong.

Everyone, wake up! Wake up!

Mother.

Madam Han is here.

Go outside.

Hurry.

I'll carry your things for you.

Both of you, stop playing.

Madam,

please take good care of Ji'er.

Has she left?

I think she'll leave soon.

Xu Lanxiang.

Xu Lanxiang.

It's time to leave.

What's going on?

Why isn't she out yet?

She's coming out.

Madam.

Hurry

and call your daughter out.

Don't waste everyone else's time.

Madam,

can we speak in private?

Madam, look.

My daughter is ill.

She's not fit

to enter the residence in her current condition.

She looked fine yesterday.

Why did she get ill all of a sudden?

I heard people say

that both of you care about your daughter a lot,

but she's just entering the residence

and is not going to die.

Since Lanxiang is pretty

and has a nice character,

she might get lucky and improve her life in the future.

Madam,

my daughter is really ill.

She cannot enter the residence.

Well...

Didn't the head shopkeeper...

What are you talking about?

I still need to pick up others.

Hurry up.

Don't waste time.

You took our money

and still ask my daughter to enter the residence?

Are you out of your mind?

When did I take your money?

Everyone is listening.

Don't simply accuse me.

If I don't take your daughter away,

my reputation

will be ruined.

Go.

Drag her out.

Yes.

This guy...

No!

No!

Mother.

Mother, listen to me.

Something must have gone wrong with the head shopkeeper.

Father was scammed.

When someone bullies him, he won't make a noise.

If they bully us,

he will surely not forgive them.

Xu Lanxiang!

Come out immediately!

Madam,

listen to me.

She is still taking medicine.

She does have a...

No!

Mother!

- Madam. - Persuade Father.

Madam.

Lanxiang!

- Lanxiang! - Lanxiang!

Father!

Let go of my daughter!

Lanxiang

has an illness.

- She can't enter the residence. - Let go of my daughter!

She will spread the illness to the residence!

Don't do this. Don't be stupid.

Father, calm down.

It's my first time

seeing someone like you who doesn't know your place.

I'm telling you.

This is an order from the butler himself.

Anyone who dares to go against the order

will be sold!

You can't take my daughter away!

Madam, you've misunderstood.

I'll go with you.

Please let me say a few words to my parents.

Cut the nonsense.

Take her away.

You can't take her away!

Father, calm down.

- I'll be fine. - Enough!

- Take her away! - Don't take her away!

- Father, calm down. - Lanxiang!

I'll be fine!

- I'll be fine! - Don't take my daughter away!

- Go. - Don't take my daughter away!

Take care.

Go.

Lanxiang!

Does your family have a death wish?

Madam.

Lanxiang!

Madam.

Madam.

Lanxiang!

Madam, don't be sad.

Lanxiang

is a lovable child.

She will be fine.

She will be fine.

What have you done?

Didn't you get everything ready?

What's going on?

He lied to me.

They lied to me!

How dare they harm my daughter?

Xu.

Don't come near!

Put down the knife. Why is he taking the knife?

Is he going to kill someone?

Lanxiang told me to stop her father.

I...

Madam.

Wujiu!

Liu Wujiu,

come and help!

Anything is worth something.

It does help us financially.

Indeed.

If he comes back,

you must settle the accounts.

Head Shopkeeper,

do you think

Xu Wanquan will come and cause trouble?

He's nothing to be scared of.

I don't think he's that brave.

You...

What are you doing?

You harmed my daughter.

I'll kill you even at the cost of my life!

Madam.

I want to go back for a while.

Not only am I worried about my father,

but I'm also doing it to ease your burden.

Help me ease my burden?

My father is an honest man.

You are wise, Madam.

I'm sure you've guessed

that my father got scammed.

He might kill someone.

What does that have to do with me?

If my father ends up killing someone,

he will surely drag you into this.

Madam, you are honest and innocent.

But I'm sure you've heard

the saying that rumors are scary.

The bystanders

and people who dislike you

will not verify the truth.

They will only make the rumors worse

and ruin your reputation.

Someone! Hurry!

He's trying to kill me! Someone!

Murder!

Murder!

Someone, hurry!

I'll kill you!

Someone!

It's fine now.

It's fine now.

Let go of me!

You harmed my daughter

and scammed me out of my money!

I'm going to kill you!

Xu Wanquan!

Don't spout nonsense!

Tell me.

Which piece of silver here belongs to you?

Those are our family's hard-earned money.

Xu Wanquan.

You've been the third shopkeeper for too long

and forgotten that you're a slave, right?

Every shirt you wear

and every bite you eat

belongs to your master.

You have no personal assets.

Even if you do,

it still belongs to your master.

Nonsense!

Two years ago,

Shopkeeper Wang from the rice shop

also thought the whole business

was his own.

A simple word from Young Madam

made him poor.

His whole family was sold off.

I am a slave,

but so are you.

You scammed me out of my money.

I'm going to report you to the officials!

Come here.

Go.

Go and make a report.

See if the officials

will return your money.

If you're going to report me,

I can report you

for attempting murder.

Your crime is unforgivable.

When you are thrown in prison,

your daughter,

a servant who just joined the residence,

will be defenseless.

We can do whatever we want to her.

Let go of my father.

Let go of him.

Speak of

the devil.

Lanxiang.

Aren't you going into the residence this morning?

What?

Can't bear to leave your parents?

Lanxiang.

I've let you down.

He scammed me.

Our money...

What are you talking about?

I've said it, right?

Servants can't have personal assets.

I'm returning this money

to our master

so the master

can deal with it.

Head Shopkeeper, you are right.

Although the officials don't care if we don't make a report,

according to the law,

slaves still can't keep any personal assets.

You are wiser than your father.

Everyone

saw it clearly today.

Your father

rushed to me with a knife

and claimed he wanted to kill me.

I have witnesses and evidence.

If I send him

to the officials...

Those who assault someone with a weapon,

regardless of the situation,

will be flogged 100 times and imprisoned for 10 years.

My father attacked someone with a knife.

He should be heavily punished according to the law.

However, there's another law

saying that when a thief steals,

everyone who benefits,

regardless of status,

will be punished equally.

Those who steal 80 silver

will be hanged.

Slaves who steal their master's assets

will follow this law.

What do you mean?

As the head shopkeeper of Rongbao Pavilion,

you are even trying to steal my family's 20 silver.

If you don't lack money,

that means

someone is going to check the accounts.

Shopkeeper...

Just send my father to the officials.

When two slaves argue,

they'll have their own arguments.

The master will surely send someone.

When the time comes,

do you dare explain everything

in front of everyone?

Let go.

Let go!

Lanxiang.

Weren't you taken away by Madam Han?

I pleaded with Madam Han.

She allowed me to come back for a while.

Don't worry, Father.

After I enter the residence,

I'll be fine.

You and Mother have to take care.

I'll still say the same thing.

We won't be slaves forever.

One day,

we will be able to redeem ourselves.

Father, my mother

and you must live well.

Otherwise,

I will be alone

in this world.

I won't be able to live on.

I will remember.

I will live well.

All of us must do so.

Lanxiang!

It's fine.

It's fine. Don't worry.

(Glorify the Family Name)

The first person on the left of the front row

is the third daughter of the Zhou family,

Zhou Gantang.

The person next to her

is Lv Ji'er.

The third person in the middle

is Du Xiaolian.

The fourth person is Xu Lanxiang.

These four girls

are the prettiest.

(Xu Lanxiang, Lv Ji'er, Zhou Gantang, Du Xiaolian)

Calm down.

Young Master will be here soon.

Young Master.

Young Master.

You said you have something urgent to tell me.

Don't tell me

it's to have a reunion dinner with me.

Young Master,

try this soup.

Young Madam made it herself.

What is it?

Tell me.

Father organized a banquet today at the Zhao residence

to welcome you back home.

How unfortunate.

I still need to hand over my duties at the Garrison.

I appreciate your father's offer,

but I'm afraid I have to decline.

Lin Jinqi!

I came just at the right time.

See?

Young Master and Young Madam are both here.

Madam Han, you're here?

Please come in.

Stand properly.

Greet Young Master and Young Madam.

- Young Master. - Young Master.

- Young Madam. - Young Madam.

There are 12 hereditary slaves

who came of age this time.

First Madam chose these four

and ordered me to bring them

to Zhichun Hall to serve you both.

Please tell First Madam

we appreciate her kindness,

but Zhichun Hall has enough staff.

Young Madam,

First Madam said

it's tough managing the household.

Now that Young Master has returned,

Zhichun Hall

will need more servants.

First Madam

really liked

these four servants' appearances and personalities.

They are way better than the previous ones who were rude.

She also mentioned

that Young Master's return

made her

feel at ease.

If she can see

you two giving birth to a few children,

she will be

very relieved.

Since they were picked by First Madam,

just keep them and assign them some chores.

What is your name?

What does your family do?

What do you know?

Tell me everything.

My surname is Zhou.

I am Gantang.

How dare you.

How dare you

share the same name as Young Madam?

Slap yourself.

I deserve to be punished!

I deserve to be punished!

From today onward,

your name is Yingge.

Thank you for granting me a name.

Young Madam,

my mother was First Madam's dowry servant.

(Zhou Gantang (Yingge)) I'm good at gardening,

making pastries,

and making fragrances.

My surname is Du.

My name is Xiaolian.

My father

(Du Xiaolian) used to serve under the Second Master.

After he passed away,

my mother became a nightsoil collector.

I... I don't know

what I can do.

My mother says I only know how to eat.

Don't be rude in front of the Young Madam.

My surname is Lv.

My name is Ji'er.

My grandfather was the vice manor head.

I can cook and do laundry.

I raise my younger brothers at home.

I'm also good at embroidery.

Young Madam, look.

I made this pattern.

My surname is Xu.

My name is Lanxiang.

My father is the third shopkeeper of the curio shop.

I...

Ji'er and I

grew up in the same household.

We usually cook, do laundry,

and embroider together.

This is a handkerchief I embroidered.

That's enough.

Qingxiang.

Take them away

and teach them the rules.

Assign some chores to them.

Yes.

=Against the Current= (Next Episode's Preview)

Look. What is this?

Money?

You're becoming a bigger fool.

This is money given to me by Young Master.

You get money just by delivering him a pot of tea?

Young Master said I'm capable and quick-witted.

Young Master asked me

why the Young Madam came to our place

in the pouring rain yesterday.

I told him about the sutra.

Now, Young Master will surely remember my name.

Young Madam also remembers your name.

♪Spring slips from the branches once more♪

♪Flowers bloom unseen, as they have before♪

♪All the joys and sorrows come and go♪

♪While loss leaves winter in the heart♪

♪Though all the world may fade♪

♪Time rolls on as countless lives rush by♪

♪Night winds wander through the halls of long ago♪

♪No page could hold the longing words can never show♪

♪Every joy and sorrow in this fleeting life♪

♪Fades into the past as new wounds rise♪

♪While whispers of perfume linger beneath the eaves♪

♪Let the cold wind rage, let the wild rain fall♪

♪Let sorrow spill like shadows over all♪

♪Let love fall to pieces, let old anger burn away♪

♪Let the past die with yesterday♪

♪One last fire, one last cup of wine♪

♪And silver moonlight to guide me through the night♪

♪Let beginnings fade as endings come to call♪

♪From this endless dream, there's no return at all♪

♪Let the cold wind rage, let the wild rain fall♪

♪Let sorrow spill like shadows over all♪

♪Let love fall to pieces, let old anger burn away♪

♪Let the past die with yesterday♪

♪One last fire, one last cup of wine♪

♪And silver moonlight to guide me through the night♪

♪Let beginnings fade as endings come to call♪

♪From this endless dream, there's no return at all♪