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=Tigers Sniff the Rose=

(Based on the novel of the same name by Yiren Kuikui)

=Episode 4=

I'm feeling generous.

I'm willing to give you another chance.

You've served me well these past few days.

I'm quite pleased.

Before I recover and take my leave,

if you manage to please me,

then I'll...

I'll take you back with me.

And I'll have you castrated.

You'll become

a eunuch attending to me day and night.

I'm teasing you.

Look how scared you are.

Right here, right now,

I do rather like you.

You always know what to say.

Keep me company and chat with me tonight.

All right.

That day, the county magistrate said

your father was Yan Zhanzhi.

Why did your whole family

move to Lingnan?

Do you remember

the Rebellion of the Seven Military Governors?

Ten years ago,

seven military governors led their troops into the capital.

Sheng'an was engulfed in war, with marauding soldiers everywhere.

Father fled south with our family.

(The Rebellion of the Seven Military Governors, The Yan Family Flees South)

(Xie Jinghui, Yan Shang's Mother) (Here, have this. Eat slowly.)

(Yan Sanlang, Yan Shang's Younger Brother)

(Young Yan Dalang) (Come on, eat while it's warm.)

(Stop!)

(Don't run!)

(Run!)

(Run!)

My mother and younger brother

both died in that war.

My elder brother was badly wounded

and was left deeply traumatized.

My father was crippled

and gave himself over to drink and despair.

From then on,

the gifted Scholar Yan would be no more.

They say the imperial streets were strewn with nobles' bones.

The Yan family wasn't

the only one wiped out.

That's right.

It wasn't just one family

or one clan

that perished in the Rebellion.

(Young Mu Wanyao)

Yan Shang.

I'm leaving

first thing tomorrow.

Once we part,

we'll likely never

see each other again.

Take care, Your Highness.

It's not even dawn yet,

and you've already lost your resolve to come along with me?

I've done all I can.

I suppose

this can't be forced.

I've always had trouble sleeping.

Since this is our last night,

tell me a story.

If it helps me sleep soundly,

I'll grant your request.

How about it?

Go ahead.

Lingnan has many strange tales.

My favorite of them all

is called Lady Jiang.

Legend says a woman of the Jiang clan once went into the mountains for herbs.

But then,

she encountered a tiger.

Did it eat her?

With the tiger's sharp claws and fangs,

a frail woman like her

could never fight it off.

So,

she made a dire wager

with the tiger.

What was the wager?

She said,

"Meeting you today, I know I won't survive.

If you consume me entirely,

I'll die without complaint.

But,

if you fail to eat me,

even if I die and become a vengeful spirit,

I'll never let you go."

The tiger began to devour her.

It had almost devoured her completely.

(The daughter of the Yaoguang Star will bring prosperity to the dynasty.)

(Given the Princess's auspicious name,)

(she's the ideal bride for Meng Baiyu.)

(Once the Princess marries,)

(North Jing will know peace.)

The disparity in strength was immense.

Defeat seemed inevitable.

And yet,

a piece of her little finger fell into a crack.

However hard the tiger clawed,

it couldn't get it out.

At daybreak the next morning,

the villagers were astonished

to see her dressed in crimson, riding the tiger

back home.

She had won the wager.

She said,

"Starting today,

I am the tiger's master."

That's the end.

Get some rest, my lady.

(At that moment,)

(my heart thundered in my chest and my blood ran hot,)

(yet I felt no fear.)

(What I'd long kept hidden in my heart)

(had been laid bare by his words.)

(The tiger lurking in my heart)

(could no longer be restrained.)

(That's right.)

(No more shrinking back or hesitation.)

(Moving forward is just one big gamble.)

(If I lose,)

(I die, that's all.)

(If I win,)

(I become the tiger's master.)

That's a wonderful story.

It speaks right to my heart.

Yan Shang,

what do you want?

I want to go to Sheng'an

and enroll at the Imperial Academy.

All right.

I promise.

Shang.

Father.

Are you leaving?

I've failed you as a son.

I can no longer stay to care for you.

Sheng'an is a vast place.

Plenty of room for you to make your mark.

I've spent my life achieving little, and now I'm old with nothing to show.

If there's one thing I'm proud of,

it's you.

Go on.

♪Books bear no blade♪

♪Yet tens of thousands of scrolls can pierce the sky♪

Sheng'an may be vast, but it's not easy to live there.

♪My body is the furnace, flames reach the clouds♪

If one day you've had enough and grown tired of it,

come back to Lingnan.

Whatever fortunes life brings,

you'll always have a home here.

♪In all I do, I have no regrets♪

What's wrong?

♪With the world in my heart, I leave the shore♪

Nothing.

♪With rain ahead, I cross the pass♪

♪Who'll wait with me for the boat home?♪

♪By noon, the mist will lift♪

Father...

Take care.

♪With rosy clouds, I bid the moon goodnight♪

♪And trade my old robes for new♪

Shang,

take good care of yourself on the road.

I will.

Don't fall ill.

Brother,

safe travels.

Xiaozhou,

if one day

I can return,

from then on,

our family will stay together

and spend the rest of our lives

in this little thatched cottage.

If I don't return,

you'll have to

keep this family going.

Our elder brother has had it hard.

Take good care of Father.

Brother...

Must you really go?

Brother!

Remember to write to us.

Father and I can read your letters to our brother.

♪I still fear my ambitions may go unfulfilled♪

I will!

♪I gaze at high peaks and sails far away♪

♪With the world in my heart, I leave the shore♪

♪Frost on my shoulders, joys and sorrows stretch afar♪

♪A thousand miles of lights keep me company♪

♪By noon, the mist will lift♪

♪Rivers will bend♪

♪Today, lean on the rail with me again♪

♪Tread the boundless clouds and rise with the wind♪

♪March to the gates with fearless hearts♪

Yan Shang,

have you thought this through?

Sheng'an's no easy place to live.

Across the whole Huai Dynasty,

every predator is packed into Sheng'an.

Whether it's intelligence,

scheming,

flattery,

or influence,

someone will always outdo you.

Every day, every moment,

they're locked in fierce competition.

Listen,

don't think being clever

means you'll make a name for yourself at the Imperial Academy.

I grew up in Sheng'an.

I've seen countless brilliant people

never get the chance they deserve

and live out ordinary lives.

Thank you for the warning.

Your Highness,

we're ready to depart.

Shang!

What are you writing?

(Dear Brother and Sister, greetings. Ten days on, a thousand li apart.)

A letter home.

I'll send them all home together once we reach Sheng'an.

"Dear Brother and Sister, greetings.

Ten days on,

a thousand li apart."

How nice it must be

to get a letter like that.

I've never gotten a letter from anyone.

We're nearly at Sheng'an.

You'd better spend less time on trivial matters

and more time reading poetry and prose.

Imitate the masters and submit your work.

That's the shortcut to success for a scholar.

What a shame.

I'm no good at writing poetry

and I don't even like reading it.

That's not good.

Fang Tong,

where are we now?

My lady,

we're almost at Lantian Relay Station.

How come it's starting to rain?

My lady,

the rain is too heavy.

Let's wait a while before we go on.

There could be mudslides and rockfalls.

All right.

Speak.

Your wound has only just healed.

Go easy on the wine.

You do like to meddle.

What are you doing?

I...

I'm covering your ears.

How did you know?

That day in the cave,

you had a terrible fever...

Shut up!

Your Highness,

the rain has stopped.

What else do you know?

Nothing else.

Tell me the truth.

If I do,

you might get angry.

You think I'll be pleased

if you stop halfway through?

Speak!

I also know

that perhaps on a stormy night,

someone tried to kill you.

You were in grave danger, on the brink of death,

and it left you traumatized.

Go on.

Perhaps it happened

when you were married off to North Jing.

I'm sorry.

Yan Shang,

if you dare tell anyone

what we discussed today,

I'll rip out your tendons and skin you alive!

I promise.

I won't tell a soul.

The Sheng'an you've longed for is right ahead.

I'll give you this chance

to reach it on your own.

Fang Tong, let's go.

Understood.

(Sheng'an)

(Come have a look!)

(Hot steamed buns!)

(Fresh out of the steamer!)

(Come and see!)

♪In the name her father gave♪

♪Into savage lands, to tame tigers and slay wolves♪

♪The fate is sealed, a destiny bestowed by Heaven♪

♪When did you decide to defy it, to change it?♪

♪Defy its might, and the submission it demands♪

♪Defy its scorn, stain the sky with blood♪

♪If I could meet my former self again♪

♪Don't be afraid, I'll become a demon for you♪

♪Through fire, I'll turn the dark towers♪

♪Bright as day for you♪

♪Though this world is hard to cross♪

♪I'll lead you through♪

♪I dare face the unknown, with my sword in hand♪

♪Slay wolves, tame tigers, breach the city gates♪

(If you wish to fight a tiger,)

(you must first risk your life.)

(This is my hunting ground.)

(Sheng'an,)

(I'm back.)

♪One song of slaughter follows another♪

(I don't know when it began,)

(but Sheng'an says you're overbearing)

(and won't let the people eat fish.)

(The Eastern Palace accepting sea bass now)

(may have an ulterior motive.)

(Yu Cheng'an, Duke of Zhao, Cav. Gen.) I forbid the people from eating fish?

(Army-Inspection Commissioner) This rumor is quite telling.

(If that's the case,)

(for a treacherous eunuch like me,)

(I can least afford to disappoint the Crown Prince.)

(Mu Yu, Emperor)

I heard that yesterday,

a guest visited the Eastern Palace

and presented Your Highness with two sea bass.

Is that true?

Perhaps yes.

(Mu Xun, Crown Prince) Perhaps not.

I never concern myself

with kitchen matters.

Oh,

Your Highness,

you're so young

yet your memory is already failing.

I've heard that

you not only accepted the fish

and ate them after they were cooked,

but even rewarded the man who brought them.

Who would've thought

even trifles about the Eastern Palace's meals

would reach your ears.

Every matter in Sheng'an,

great or small,

concerns the safety of the imperial nobility.

I am duty-bound

to inquire.

Your Highness,

just tell me one thing.

Did you receive

those two fish

or not?

Xun.

Xun.

Your Majesty.

Who would've thought?

Two mere sea bass

could make the heir to the throne

so reluctant to answer.

Cheng'an,

Xun is still a child.

Impulsive and hot-tempered,

with a poor memory too.

Don't hold it against him.

Why is Your Highness sweating so much?

Could it be

the cold night air

has given you a chill?

You're in the prime of life,

yet so frail.

For the sake of the realm,

you must take better care of yourself.

Cheng'an,

let it go.

After all,

you've watched him grow up.

Xun,

apologize to Lord Yu,

and

let this matter be settled.

Xun.

Greetings, Lord Yu.

Greetings, Father.

I'm back.

Danyang, you're back.

Rise.

Thank you, Father.

Brother Xun, you're here too.

Princess Danyang.

Is there...

Is there something on my face?

It's been a long time, Lord Yu.

I've missed you.

On this trip south,

I picked up lots of local specialties.

As soon as I returned,

I sent them straight to your residence.

But you weren't there.

I guessed

you must be in the palace chatting with Father.

It seems

Your Highness enjoyed

your trip very much.

Not at all.

This trip south

was to pray for my mother's soul and help her spirit find peace.

I wouldn't dare indulge myself.

Is that so?

Then why have I heard

that along the way, you...

Lord Yu,

please stop.

Brother Xun is still here.

If you say it,

I'll never be able

to show my face again.

What is it?

Now I'm quite eager to hear.

Xun,

you may leave.

Yes, Father.

Please wait, Your Highness!

Your Highness,

you should heed the lessons of those before you.

That's right.

Xun,

when you return,

deal with those cooks from yesterday.

From now on,

be careful with all ingredients

going in and out of the kitchen.

Yes, Father.

I was wrong.

Cheng'an,

what has she done wrong again?

She hasn't exactly done anything wrong.

Princess Danyang was merely

indulging in a little youthful romance.

It's harmless enough.

Youthful romance?

Father,

I know I was wrong.

Your Majesty,

enjoy your reunion with Princess Danyang.

I'll take my leave now.

Lord Yu, rest...

Lord Yu, rest well.

And take care of yourself.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Father,

the weather's turned cold

and your old ailment has flared up again.

It's nothing.

But look at you.

You must have

had a hard journey.

Being out on the road

isn't hard on me.

But you remain in the palace,

unable to leave.

You're the one who's had it hard.

Here's Princess Danyang's gift list.

The gifts are in the reception hall.

Would you like to look it over?

No need.

Handle them as you see fit.

By the way,

(Zheng Xing, Palace Attendant) besides my residence,

where else did she send gifts?

The Liangyi Hall and the Eastern Palace.

What did she send to the Eastern Palace?

Female musicians bought in the south.

Danyang...

She really doesn't know

how to cater to anyone's tastes.

You're truly wise, Godfather.

I heard the cooks at the Eastern Palace

have all been taken care of.

Your Highness.

Endurance is a blade over the heart.

I know how much you're suffering.

But for now,

please endure a little longer.

One day,

that treacherous eunuch will surely be killed.

And this realm

will belong to the Mu clan in the end.

What is it?

(Yu Niang, Eastern Palace Adviser) Princess Danyang has sent gifts.

They request that Your Highness receive them in person.

Thank your lady for her kindness.

Go back where you came from.

The gesture is appreciated.

I'll escort you ladies back.

You?

Will Your Highness be free tonight?

I'd like to play a piece for you.

Prince of Qin Breaking the Battle Array.

All right.

Danyang,

did Father ask you

to pass me a message?

Your Highness,

Princess Danyang

is drinking at Cuiyun Tower tonight.

She hasn't been to the Eastern Palace tonight.

What exactly is this about?

This is no place

for you to make trouble.

I came

for one reason only.

If Your Highness wishes to achieve this great cause,

I am willing to be your blade.

Danyang,

tell me,

is it as I suspect?

In the past,

I had no choice.

But now that I've returned,

I refuse to keep living in a daze.

I'm willing to help you kill that treacherous eunuch,

reclaim power over the realm,

and avenge the humiliation of our clan!

Danyang,

I underestimated

you before.

I realized it too late.

You and I are both of the Mu clan.

We share honor and shame, life and death.

In the past,

I gave in to despair

and hid away just to stay alive.

Starting today,

I'll do all I can to help you.

I'm willing to do whatever it takes

for this cause,

fighting to the death!

(Your Highness.)

(By now,)

(she must've reached Sheng'an.)

(Heaven's favored daughter)

(has returned home from ten thousand li away.)

(She must be fast asleep by now.)

Brother,

there's something

I have no one else to ask.

Less than six months after I married into North Jing,

I heard of Mother's death.

But I remember she was always in good health.

How exactly

did Mother die?

It's a well-kept secret.

Even I don't know

the full story.

I've only heard rumors.

I heard

that Father and Mother plotted

to lure Lord Yu into the palace and kill him.

But the plan was exposed

and failed at the last moment.

That treacherous eunuch confined

both Father and Mother.

Mother

had a fiery temper

and died by cutting her own throat.

Father fell ill with grief

and has remained ill ever since.

It must be the deepest wound

of Father's life.

I'm glad I asked you

and not Father.

Though I wasn't born to Mother,

she always treated me

as if I were her own.

You're the only daughter Mother bore.

Now,

her soul rests in the underworld.

As your elder brother,

I should take good care of you.

Danyang, don't worry.

Whether we succeed or fail,

I'll do all I can to keep you safe.

Brother,

if I feared death,

would I have come to you?

Our alliance

matters a great deal.

The fewer people who know,

the safer you'll be.

Just now,

I thought of a solution.

Do you remember my study companion,

the Yang family's third son,

Yang Si?

You and Yang Si were childhood sweethearts.

Everyone in the palace saw it.

Yang Si is my study companion.

Being close to me is part of his duty.

How about

I arrange your marriage to him?

With Yang Si by your side,

he'll also do all he can

to keep you safe.

Brother,

it's been years since I saw Yang Si.

Our alliance concerns our clan and the realm.

No need to involve marriage.

Danyang,

I trust you, of course.

But this would provide another layer of cover

and reduce the risks considerably.

Even without this alliance

between us,

with Yang Si involved,

we can still act in concert.

All right.

I understand.

I'm a woman, after all.

Let me

think it over.

That's fair.

Our lives are already

in each other's hands.

From now on,

there's nothing we can't discuss.

It's late.

I'll take my leave.

Let's discuss this further another day.

(Mu Xun,)

(you're counting your chickens far too early.)

(Or perhaps)

(you don't even bother hiding your intentions from me.)

(Next Episode Preview)

Your Highness.

Qilang,

come visit my residence tonight.

Don't you want to be my Prince Consort?

Why do you keep avoiding me?

Just stay the night here.

♪Be the ferry where you wait for the sun♪

♪Be the blue silk that catches your tears♪

♪Be the sleeve we held, worn by dust and years♪

♪Let's conspire to grow old together♪

♪Let me be a captive beast bound by the same lock as you♪

♪Through trails of mud and blood; let grief drown in your eyes♪

♪Soar with the wind; plunge into hellfire as one♪

♪Burning bright as a song♪

♪See how roses and green bamboo enchant♪

♪Be the vow I make with all my heart♪

♪If we say forever, then forever it shall be♪

♪Not a single hour less♪

♪However deep the snow, I'll wait if you're there♪

♪We'll be gods above, or wandering souls♪

♪In heaven or the underworld, you're all I need♪

♪If we can stay, let's return to the village of our first meeting♪

♪May time be free of fear and pain; boats rock, lights fade, seasons turn♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

♪Sharp winds or fierce rain, nothing can break us♪

♪Be mine in this world; be mine in this life♪

♪My last untouched innocence♪

♪If only we could return to the village where we first met♪

♪Stay by me; help me forget the frozen dream of last night♪

♪Fireflies glow, flowers kiss our lips; just us, through dawn and dusk♪

♪May time be free of fear and pain; boats rock, lights fade, seasons turn♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

♪By your side, through joy and pain, is that eternity?♪

♪Till fireworks flood the town♪

♪Till the lake is still and clear♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

(No animals were harmed or mistreated in production.)

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