Original subtitles

=Tigers Sniff the Rose=

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

=Episode 19=

Father!

It hurts so much...

Enough!

Drop the act.

When have you ever planned things

so carefully before?

Did someone put you up to this?

(Father rarely praises me.)

Father,

I'm a grown man now.

I can handle

a little thing like this.

Well...

You're nothing but trouble for me.

You scared me to death.

Ouch!

By the way,

that assessor, Yang Si, from the Court of Judicial Review...

Did you know him before?

Why would I know him?

He's a nobody.

Listen to that arrogance.

Actually, seeing you act like a fool

puts my mind at ease.

Focus on recovering.

And stop running around.

You really gave me a scare this time.

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow, I'll assign you

some of my finest personal guards.

They'll keep you safe whenever you go out.

Thank you, Father! Thank you!

Shut up.

Your Highness.

How's Liu Wenji?

He just fell asleep.

Lately,

he's finally been sleeping a little better.

He was having nightmares every night.

It was heartbreaking to hear.

Back then,

Chunhua would cry herself to sleep

and wake up crying.

Zhang Jun brought this upon himself.

He got exactly what he deserved.

Both men rely on powerful backers.

It all comes down to whose backer is more ruthless.

If Zhang Jun had even a shred of decency,

he wouldn't try to silence Yu Xianyao

and provoke the man backing him.

But Yan Shang,

how could you be so sure

that every move

would fall into place as you want?

You give me too much credit, Your Highness.

I'm no prophet.

How could I predict everything?

I was just trying my luck.

If it didn't work this time,

I'd try again.

And if that failed,

I'd keep trying until I succeeded.

As long as Zhang Jun was alive,

I'd make him pay for what he did.

What a ruthless collator.

(Slowly. Take it easy.)

(Be extra careful these days.)

(Sumai Shop)

Wenji.

Look.

That's Zhang Cheng, the Minister of Revenue.

He was dismissed from office a few days ago.

(Sumai Shop) Now he's heading home with a coffin.

So...

Even an arrogant, spoiled brat like him

is helpless against someone more powerful.

Just like livestock,

he's at their mercy.

So this is how Sheng'an works?

Shang.

I want to see the Princess.

Don't thank me.

I only helped you

because of Chunhua.

Your Highness, I can never

repay what you've done for me.

But...

I have one more favor to ask.

Go on.

I'll see what I can do.

I'm not asking

for money or jewels.

I beg you to send me to the palace

to serve as a palace eunuch.

Wenji!

Have you lost your mind?

You want to enter the palace?

That palace

will swallow you alive.

Even royals die there. Countless of them.

Palace maids and eunuchs?

They're treated like dirt.

Just look at what happened to Chunhua.

I know.

Chunhua and I...

In the palace or out,

we're both disposable.

After all this,

with both your help,

I've finally figured it out.

Zhang Jun wasn't the only one

who destroyed my life.

And what happened to Chunhua

wasn't just the Prince of Jin and Lord Yu's doing.

In Sheng'an, power chews people up and spits them out.

Shang,

even you

have far more power than I do.

You can help me get revenge

and decide what happens to me.

And Chunhua marrying the Prince of Jin...

You decided her fate too, didn't you, Your Highness?

Shang,

I can't live like this anymore.

Powerless, at everyone else's mercy.

But...

Yan Shang,

you came to Sheng'an with nothing too.

Do you really think

I can't do what you did?

Is that it?

Wenji,

I've never underestimated you.

Well said, Liu Wenji.

I didn't want to help you,

but I've

changed my mind.

After all you've been through,

what's left to be afraid of?

When life knocks you into the dirt,

no one's going to pull you out.

You get yourself up

and keep going.

Liu Wenji,

once you're in the palace,

stay alive.

Don't make me lose respect for you.

I'm dying of thirst!

How's Yu Xianyao doing?

He's fine, of course.

He's probably running around already.

One little stab in the butt,

and the whole Zhang family goes down.

Zhang Cheng's nearly seventy.

His hair's gone completely white.

Now he's taking a coffin back home.

It's just...

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Look at the son he raised.

Maybe he looks pitiful next to Lord Yu,

but how many lives has he thrown away over the years?

Who's going to feel sorry for his victims?

About what happened...

Do you regret it?

You mean, saving Yu Xianyao?

I serve at the Court of Judicial Review.

I couldn't just let him die.

Yu Xianyao may be an idle good-for-nothing.

His misfortune was an act of fate.

Saving him was my moral duty.

Zhang Jun has committed countless wrongs.

This time, he crossed the wrong person.

He brought this disaster on himself.

Weigh each case with care,

and follow what is just.

Just what I'd expect from you.

What about you?

You dared to provoke a tiger.

Weren't you afraid of getting caught up in it?

What's that got to do with me?

Wanyao, let's not play games.

You have no grudge against Zhang Cheng or his son.

Why get involved?

I don't know what you're talking about.

All I know is

Yu Xianyao and Zhang Jun both got what they deserved.

And another thing.

This is the second time you've interrogated me.

Why do you keep taking these risks?

Then let me ask you something.

The night before the exam results came out,

you went to Cuiyun Tower,

and met military men who'd entered the capital in disguise.

Who were you risking your life for?

Looks like I was right.

Wanyao, this is a very serious matter.

So you won't tell me the truth either.

Am I right?

Come on.

I want to see the Crown Prince.

(Chongli Hall)

I've come here today to ask

why you are

meeting with frontier generals.

You needn't worry about me, Wanyao.

I don't know

what they're up to in Sheng'an.

Yang Si served in the army.

He got along well with them

and couldn't refuse their invitation to meet.

Even Yintaimen didn't find out.

That's all there is to it.

And there

won't be any more meetings.

You mean to win over military commanders

and unite the frontier garrisons

so that one day

you can rival Yu Cheng'an's Shence Army.

Am I right?

Your Highness,

Wanyao has always been rather outspoken.

Wanyao.

Why have you come here

to tell me all this?

If I were afraid for my life,

I could simply pretend I knew nothing.

If I wanted to betray you,

I'd have told Yintaimen long ago.

I know you've always underestimated women.

But women can operate in secret

without raising suspicion.

I'm willing to help you

reach the frontier armies

in different provinces,

even meet them secretly in disguise.

After all, everyone knows

how willful and reckless I am.

Sending letters demanding gifts from the provinces

would be perfectly in character for me.

And with my scandalous reputation,

frequenting pleasure houses

and drinking all night wouldn't seem unusual.

Wanyao, it's too dangerous!

If you dare to go this far,

why not trust me for once?

All right.

(Cuiyun Tower)

♪A rough-cut gem, held close to heart; Lean bamboo bones, yet mountain-bold♪

♪A rough-cut gem, held close to heart; Lean bamboo bones, yet mountain-bold♪

♪Books bear no blade; Yet tens of thousands of scrolls can pierce the sky♪

♪Books bear no blade; Yet tens of thousands of scrolls can pierce the sky♪

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

♪Winds gather, then drift apart♪

♪I see no court, only a boundless world♪

Mr. Wang.

Over here!

Coming!

Someone close the window, please!

♪I gaze at high peaks and sails far away♪

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

♪With rain ahead, I cross the pass♪

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

♪By noon, the mist will lift; rivers will bend♪

♪I'll take the open road and journey home♪

♪With rosy clouds, I bid the moon goodnight♪

♪And trade my old robes for new♪

Let's go. He'll only get on your nerves.

♪The midsummer breeze blows soft and sweet♪

♪Fireflies dance freely through the night♪

♪Chasing the beauty of this fleeting world♪

♪A thousand lights turn night into day♪

♪Cicada songs mingle with the wine♪

♪Their songs linger through the passing years♪

♪Life is but a fleeting stay; How lucky I am to walk this path with you♪

♪Life is but a fleeting stay; How lucky I am to walk this path with you♪

♪Playing out life's game, forever by your side♪

♪Innocent years drift gently by♪

♪I thought time might stand still; Forever at that crossroads♪

♪I thought time might stand still; Forever at that crossroads♪

♪Watching flowers bloom and fade; Weathering life's rise and fall♪

♪Watching flowers bloom and fade; Weathering life's rise and fall♪

♪Turns out, unspoken tenderness; Is starlight caught in your eyes♪

♪Turns out, unspoken tenderness; Is starlight caught in your eyes♪

That's what you get for sneaking food!

Have you no shame?

You're a disgrace to us palace eunuchs!

What are you looking at?

What are you waiting for?

Get back to work!

What have I always taught you?

Are you trying to make me angry?

Hurry up!

Scrub!

Keep scrubbing!

I'll deal with you when we get back!

Sneaking food, of all things!

Sir.

Greetings, sir.

We're short-handed at Hongwen Hall.

Could you spare two men for a few days?

You're asking me to lend you some men?

Yes.

We're swamped with paperwork for the holidays.

Even working from dawn till dark, we can't finish copying it all.

You have so many eunuchs at the Imperial Cuisine Service.

All they do is deliver meals.

They've got time to spare.

Why not

let them give us a hand?

Please don't tease me, sir.

Servants like us

can barely read a word.

How could we possibly do that?

Even if we could read,

messy handwriting wouldn't do.

Yan Shang,

you must be joking.

See?

Right?

Would any of you like to help?

You see, sir?

None of them...

I...

I'd like to help.

Don't talk nonsense!

He's only been here six months.

He's still learning his duties here.

King Wen wrote the Book of Changes in captivity.

Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals in adversity.

Can you write that down?

(King Wen wrote the Book of Changes in captivity.)

(King Wen wrote the Book of Changes in captivity.)

(Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals in adversity.)

Well...

That's actually quite impressive!

You've got real talent hiding here.

No, no, not at all.

Good work.

Come help us out.

Liu Wenji.

You...

You'd better do a good job.

Thank you.

Let's go, Yan Shang.

Here.

Have some water.

You won't have a moment to spare later.

Oh, don't!

I'm used to doing this at the local school.

I spent ages thinking about it yesterday,

but I still couldn't figure it out.

So today, I'm going to

give it another thorough look.

All right.

Yan Shang?

Cui Ren.

Come take a look.

(Liao rises west of Pingchun. Its northern source is Mt. Dayi.)

This...

This is excellent.

Here.

Take a look.

Beautiful calligraphy.

Look at those powerful strokes!

Did this young eunuch copy it?

(Liao rises west of Pingchun.) How many years to forge such strokes?

There's such vigor in every character.

Look at how the strokes flow.

It's seamless from beginning to end!

At last, we've got someone to help with all this copying.

Just look at this.

Well, all right, everyone.

It's getting late.

We should get back to collating the texts.

Right.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Wei Shu?

What brings you here?

The Censorate has granted us seven days off for the New Year's Day.

I'm planning to visit my hometown.

I came to say goodbye.

Very good.

At least you remembered to tell me.

Come with me.

(Dong'e Ejiao)

I got these for you.

(Dong'e Ejiao) Take them all.

Your Highness,

I can't accept these!

Returning home in glory

has always been a cherished tradition.

(Dong'e Ejiao) Besides,

you work for me now.

You wouldn't want to embarrass me when you go home, would you?

But...

(Dong'e Ejiao)

Thank you, Your Highness.

No wonder he's so educated. Even his name has "Wen", as in "culture"!

He's got a head full of knowledge.

Jealous?

You could ask Godfather

to give you a better name.

Like what?

Adding "Hua" to mine and "Xi" to yours?

So it's like, I'll be Chen Lianhua and you'll be Wang Xiqing?

Those aren't bad!

Listen to yourself!

At first,

all he did was run errands and do odd jobs.

Everyone looked down on him.

But then, somehow,

everyone started treating him better.

Well, he does have beautiful handwriting!

You have no idea.

Can you believe that?

Speak up! What happened next?

Lord Yu!

What happened next?

- I wouldn't dare, my lord! - We wouldn't dare!

What's there to be afraid of?

I have some time to spare today.

Go on.

Let's hear something I don't already know.

We'd never dare gossip about affairs in your residence.

We were talking about the Imperial Cuisine Service.

I don't care where it happened.

Tell me.

Get up and speak.

Well, Lord Yu,

a new eunuch joined the Imperial Cuisine Service recently.

- That's right. - Not only can he read and write,

but his calligraphy is exceptional.

He caught the attention of Hongwen Hall.

They took him off his usual duties

and put him to work copying manuscripts.

What's his name?

My lord,

his name is Liu Wenji.

Yes, Liu Wenji.

(Lunar New Year's Eve)

(Shentu)

May Huai prosper and its people live in peace.

(Yulei) May sacred wood ward off all misfortune,

(Shentu and Yulei) and blessings fill our home.

May you enjoy good health in the new year, Father.

(Shentu; Yulei)

Good.

I wonder

how much longer this aging body of mine

can keep protecting you all.

Father!

Don't talk like that on New Year's!

When you were little,

your hands were so soft and chubby.

Holding one felt like holding a little dumpling.

Back then, my hands

weren't so dry and wrinkled either.

Where does

all the time

go?

I remember

one New Year's Day,

I was hosting a banquet at Hanyuan Hall.

You suddenly came running in.

You were

only about this tall.

You were

wobbling as you ran,

demanding a taste of wine.

So,

your mother took a chopstick,

dipped it in just a little wine,

and let you lick it.

You were so little.

You wouldn't remember.

I do remember.

The wine burned my tongue.

How could you remember?

You were so young.

I also remember

Mother wore a green silk shawl that day.

It had beautiful little flowers embroidered on it.

I remember thinking,

"When I grow up,

I want to dress just like her."

Yes...

That's exactly

how your mother looked that day.

I can still picture her.

As if it were only yesterday.

Life is but a dream,

a fleeting stay,

a journey through a strange land.

Father,

it's "Life is but a fleeting stay.

We should enjoy it while we can.

Why waste it on sorrow?"

You got the verse wrong.

I remembered it wrong.

(Father...)

(Wait for me.)

(Please, hold on until then.)

♪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, burning bright as a song♪

♪Plunge into hellfire as one♪

♪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♪

♪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; - Boats rock♪

♪- Lights fade, seasons turn; - May time be free of pain♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

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

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

♪- Be my one and only in this world; - Be my one and only 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; - Boats rock♪

♪- Lights fade, seasons turn; - May time be free of pain♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

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

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

♪- Till fireworks flood the town; - Till the lake is still and clear♪

♪The wind blows past us♪

♪- If there's still... - Some warmth left in this world♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

Thank you, Xiaozhou.

Father.

I... I'd like to hear

Shang's letter again.

Brother, I can recite the whole thing!

Shang says he's doing well in Sheng'an.

He did really well on his exams.

He placed third.

And he got into Hongwen Hall.

Princess Danyang treats him well, too.

For Shang to have come this far,

he must have faced so many dangers.

Father, what do you mean?

Your Highness.

Are you all right?

(Wei Residence, Jingzhao)

(Cherish Kinship and Family Harmony)

It's freezing out here.

Why aren't you inside resting?

Brother.

I was looking at the old house.

(Cherish Kinship and Family Harmony) Compared to when I was little,

it hardly seems to have changed.

Yes.

The house hasn't changed.

Neither has the way

people treat each other.

As for how people treat me,

I've been used to it since childhood.

I don't let it bother me anymore.

Sit.

Shu,

back then,

I actually envied you.

What was there to envy?

You came from a lesser branch of the family

and were on your own.

You had little money, but you could come and go as you pleased.

You didn't have to carry the weight of our ancestors' legacy

or the entire family's honor,

constantly watching your every step.

I know

your talents go far beyond literature.

Divination,

alchemy,

astronomy, engineering...

Those are your true passions.

Perhaps neither Sheng'an nor the imperial court

is somewhere

you're meant to stay for long.

The world is vast,

yet there are so many places

I can't go, or am not free to go.

Shu,

you have far more freedom than I do.

Qiao...

(Cherish Kinship and Family Harmony)

This place brings back memories.

I couldn't help rambling a little.

Don't make fun of me.

All right.

Go inside and get some rest.

Qiao.

Qiao.

Even the greatest power

can melt away like ice and snow

in the blink of an eye.

The path you've chosen

is extremely dangerous.

Please think it over.

You're a learned man.

Surely you know

that the Lord of the West

was once merely a vassal of the King of Shang.

Yet history remembers

the overthrow of the Shang tyrant

as an act of Heaven's justice.

Shu.

You have your own path.

And I

have mine.

(Peace and Safety)

(Peace and Safety)

Your Highness,

are we really walking home?

Your shoes will get wet.

You've spent too long in Lingnan.

The snow in Sheng'an has only just settled.

It's not going to melt yet.

Come on!

That's not the way home, Wanyao.

Who said you knew where I was going?

Aren't we going home?

Nope.

I want to show you somewhere.

(Infirmary)

(Infirmary)

Sis's here!

Sis! Sis! Sis!

Sis's here!

Sis! Sis! Sis!

Happy New Year's Eve! Wishing you a wonderful new year!

Treats! Here you are.

I want some!

Don't fight over them.

Can I have one?

Give me one!

This one's mine!

This one's pretty!

- Help me hand these out. - This one's for you!

Thank you!

Pick whichever you like.

Here, take your pick.

Stop grabbing mine!

Okay, you want this one?

- Here you go. - All right.

Careful.

Thank you, Sis!

Can I have another?

Thanks!

Don't take mine!

- There's food here! - Here.

- This is for you. - Treats.

This one's for you.

I want to play with that too!

You seem to know

exactly what to buy.

These were

my favorite treats and toys growing up.

Back then,

my parents used to buy them for me all the time.

Now,

whenever I want to see them again,

I bring some for the children.

Ever since I returned to Sheng'an,

I've been coming here a lot.

Sometimes I can't tell

whether I'm comforting them,

or they're the ones comforting me.

Slow down!

You can't catch me!

Hey, come here!

Careful. Don't burn yourself.

Is the porridge ready?

Yes.

Coming!

You too.

Don't come crying if you burn yourself.

Let me do it.

That should do it.

Come on, time to eat!

We've got something yummy!

Easy, easy!

Careful, it's hot!

No rush. There's enough for everyone.

Smells so good!

Give me some!

It's so good!

It's delicious!

Here, try some!

Don't eat mine!

That's mine!

This one's good too!

Why aren't you eating?

Aren't you hungry?

My teeth fell out.

Oh, you're losing your baby teeth.

That means you're growing up.

Once your new teeth come in,

I'll bring you even more delicious treats.

How's that?

Promise.

Sis,

I'm going to play over there now.

Here, take this!

Come on, try this!

Sis, come quick!

Look at this!

I want more!

Can I have another one?

Are there any left?

I didn't realize

you liked children so much.

I don't like children.

Your Highness,

but just now...

Yan Shang!

I don't like children!

Do I make myself clear?

(Next Episode Preview)

Time for the Princess of Huai to serve me in the bridal chamber.

♪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; - boats rock♪

♪- May time be free of pain; - 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; - boats rock♪

♪- May time be free of pain; - 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.)