Original subtitles

=Tigers Sniff the Rose=

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

=Episode 21=

Your Highness.

They let you in?

Liyue...

Where are Yusheng and the others?

Gone.

They're all gone.

I want to go home.

Now that you're in North Jing,

you'd better follow our rules!

Look at her!

Give her the wine jug.

You've scared the poor girl to tears!

Go serve wine to my generals.

Why do you keep hovering around Zaishi?

Come here.

Pour me a drink.

On your knees.

Kneel!

You can't even pour wine?

How stupid.

Didn't anyone teach you growing up?

You're right, General.

Ever since I was little,

I've had people serving me.

Of course I don't know how to serve wine.

That's easy.

I'll teach you.

Nice pour!

- You made her cry! - I don't care who you are!

Here in North Jing, you belong to General Meng!

Scared now?

I bet you are!

- Nice pour! - Tastes good, doesn't it?

Stop.

So eager to die?

You'd better go back to your room

and pretend nothing happened.

If he finds out

you've been trying to kill yourself behind his back...

Don't try to scare me with him.

What can he do to me once I'm dead?

You've got quite a mouth when you're talking to me.

Who was so scared just now that she wanted to die?

Death would be better than this.

Why should I go on living?

I've heard

that generations of your Mu ancestors

were great heroes.

They built the Huai Empire.

So how did their descendants become such cowards?

Some princess you are.

Always throwing fits and threatening suicide.

Even the lowliest servants in North Jing

have more backbone than you.

No wonder my uncle looks down on you.

I, Mu Wanyao,

don't need his approval.

Why do you think he asked to marry you?

You know exactly what he's after.

Instead of blaming everyone here,

why not blame

Yu Cheng'an, who sent you here?

And of course,

your spineless father, the Emperor.

Don't you dare speak of my father!

And you think you're any better?

You serve him like a dog,

always taking your cues from him.

And he still doesn't trust you.

You've got a filthy mouth.

So why didn't you dare

say a word at the banquet?

Don't think I won't kill you!

I don't want to live anyway.

You're the one

who keeps interfering.

You're not worth arguing with.

This belonged to the dead.

It's bad luck to keep it on me.

Let it be buried with its onwer.

Your Highness.

You're finally back.

I thought you were going to leave me all alone.

Don't be afraid.

I'm back now.

It's gone quiet.

What?

That bug.

It's not moving anymore.

Is it dead?

Your Highness.

Look.

It got away.

♪A daughter ventures forth, in the name her father gave♪

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

Chunhua.

Do you remember the Rebellion of the Seven Military Governors?

Your Highness,

I was so young back then.

I grew up in the countryside with my parents.

I barely remember it.

The year Sheng'an fell,

I was nine.

Father, Mother, and I

fled to the Shu region for safety.

Mother was always trying to comfort me,

but deep down, I knew

the world had changed.

♪Nor wed for the sake of any kingdom♪

I missed the swings in the Imperial Garden,

and the lively crowds along the Qujiang River.

I secretly wondered...

♪With sacrificed innocence and a soul snowbound♪

Would I ever get to return to Sheng'an?

♪Cut down the crowd, strike down the proud gods♪

But just a few years later,

Sheng'an was recaptured.

And I made it back.

Chunhua,

I've left Sheng'an before

and made it back.

This time,

I can definitely do it again.

♪Though this world is hard to cross, I'll lead you through♪

We have to make it out alive.

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

And go home.

♪I'll guard my princess, and keep her tears at bay♪

General.

What is it?

Meng Zaishi has been secretly training a unit

for the past six months.

They train day and night.

I've heard

each man can take on ten opponents.

They specialize in ambushes and assassinations.

Where did you hear this?

Zuo He told me himself.

He was rescued

by Meng Zaishi on the battlefield.

He's stayed by his side ever since,

guarding him day and night.

Meng Zaishi treats him like a brother

and never keeps anything from him.

Then assemble a squad of personal guards.

Have them stand guard outside tonight's banquet.

And remember,

wait for my orders before acting.

Yes, General.

(With Bold, Majestic Strides)

Come on!

General.

Let me pour a drink for all the generals today.

Go on.

Here's to you.

- General, have some wine. - Come on!

Fill it up!

Here!

Bottoms up!

Let's have a drink!

Here, General!

Excellent wine!

Again!

Come on, let's drink! Cheers!

Let's raise our cups!

Pour some more!

Come on, have some meat!

Feed me.

Wonderful!

Good!

Fill it up!

You're in good spirits today, General.

Have a few more drinks!

Here!

Let me toast you again!

Fill it up!

Come on!

(Death to Traitors) Another toast to you!

All right!

Come on!

Drink up!

Good!

Good!

(With Bold, Majestic Strides)

General,

enjoy yourself.

I'm getting tired.

I'll go back to my room

and wait for you.

All right.

Uncle,

there's something I need to tell you.

Let's hear it.

Your 50th birthday is coming up.

I've given it a lot of thought.

You now command two military districts in North Jing.

Fine weapons, prized horses, beautiful women...

You have everything.

I couldn't think

of a suitable birthday gift.

So?

Lord Mengchang once had three thousand retainers.

And now that you

rule an entire region,

the more talented men you have, the better.

So six months ago,

I began recruiting and training skilled fighters myself.

My plan was to present them to you

on your birthday

to repay you for raising me.

That's certainly an unusual birthday gift.

But you've kept it secret for six months.

Why couldn't you keep it

to yourself any longer?

I made the mistake of trusting the wrong man.

Someone close to me has been spreading lies

and making false accusations.

I was worried,

so I decided to tell you myself.

I hope you'll see the truth, Uncle.

If I, Meng Zaishi, ever betray you,

may I end up like this sword!

Get up.

Zaishi,

you're still such a child.

If someone's just trying to turn me against you,

why would I believe them?

Go sit down.

Thank you for tonight.

Does it hurt?

I'm a soldier.

A little wound like this is nothing.

Even a small wound

can still hurt.

Please don't let yourself get hurt again.

What are you really after?

I'm not after anything.

I saw that you were hurt

and felt sorry for you.

I know what it's like to suffer. That's all.

I'm just like you.

When I'm wounded,

it hurts me too.

You risked sending me word tonight.

If he finds out...

Don't you understand?

If he wants me dead,

he can kill me whenever he feels like it.

He doesn't need an excuse.

It doesn't matter.

It's not up to me anyway.

Just like tonight.

Whether you lived or died

wasn't up to you either.

You know,

the day I arrived in the Central Circuit,

you rode in to snatch me away.

I'd never seen

a man so tall and brave before.

For a moment, I thought

you were the man I was marrying.

Who sent you?

Why are you telling me all this?

You think

Meng Baiyu sent me

to test your loyalty?

Meng Zaishi,

you were born to be a powerful leader.

Don't tell me

a man like you

would spend his whole life risking his neck for him.

Mu Wanyao,

you've been putting on an act all this time

just to stay alive.

Aren't you afraid I'll tell my uncle what you said?

Really?

Would you dare tell him?

Confirm his worst fears

and bring his suspicions into the open?

You share

the Meng family name.

And you command an army

that's loyal to the Meng family.

Shut up!

You suddenly

lashed out at me just now.

Could it be

I struck a nerve?

My skin

bruises easily.

Just now,

you grabbed me so hard.

If Meng Baiyu notices

these marks weren't left by him,

what am I supposed to say?

You really have a death wish.

My uncle hates betrayal more than anything.

If he ever finds out,

death

would be the best you could hope for.

What about you?

Do you hate betrayal too?

I heard Zuo He betrayed you.

You were like brothers.

I'll kill him.

Your Highness,

we're surrounded by enemies.

I don't think Meng Zaishi

is any better than the others.

Please don't count on him.

You and I are trapped in this living hell.

I'll try anything,

as long as there's even the slightest chance

we can make it out alive.

Besides,

Meng Zaishi gives us a real chance.

It's a risk I have to take.

If I get another chance,

I'll keep trying.

I know you're using yourself as bait.

But after the way he treated you,

it's clear he hasn't taken it.

Why keep trying?

Meng Baiyu is cruel and bloodthirsty.

He makes no effort to hide his emotions.

But Meng Zaishi

is a different kind of beast.

He thinks he's hiding it well,

but I can see

the wolf's tail

beneath that dog's hide of his.

He's meant for greater things.

He won't be anyone's lapdog

for long.

As for what he's really thinking,

I wasn't

completely sure before.

But today,

he finally lost his composure.

Now I know for sure.

He's taken the bait.

I bet he's

tossing and turning right now.

Leave us.

Are you insane?

How could you come here on your own?

These past few days,

I've sent Chunhua to fetch you several times,

but you never came.

So I had to come myself.

Nobody saw you, did they?

So what if they did?

Meng Baiyu favors me now.

I've visited plenty of his men's homes.

As long as I stay in the Central Circuit,

he lets me go wherever I please.

What I suggested the other day...

Won't you even consider it?

Your plan

would get a lot of people killed.

And how many people have you killed on the battlefield?

You clearly don't care about that.

Fine.

I guess I misjudged you.

So what now?

Going to find another man to seduce?

How can you say that?

You know how I've treated you.

Don't tell me you haven't noticed.

I know you value loyalty

and don't want to act.

But I can't bear

another day sharing a bed

with a man I don't love.

Meng Zaishi,

if you won't act for your own sake,

then help Chunhua and me escape.

What makes you think

I'd help you?

The fact that I'm standing here.

It means

you never told Meng Baiyu

what I said that day.

That tells me

you do care whether I live or die.

After tomorrow,

we'll have our chance.

What have you found out?

Tomorrow,

Meng Baiyu is taking his troops

to inspect the border.

He'll be gone for ten days, maybe two weeks.

If I let you go,

there's too much at stake.

It's a long way. If you never return...

What's in it for me?

What would you like in return, General?

Your belt seems to be

missing a silk handkerchief.

If Meng Baiyu

found it beside my pillow,

should I tell him

it's yours?

How dare you threaten me?

You won't kill Meng Baiyu,

and you won't help me get back to Sheng'an.

What choice do I have?

Am I supposed to grow old with him here?

You really think

you can blackmail me with a handkerchief?

If he believes we're having an affair,

which of us do you think

will suffer more?

Then I'll make sure to embellish the story

and take you down with me.

If I can't return to Sheng'an,

my life's already over anyway.

But you, General,

have a bright future ahead of you.

If you go down with someone as good as dead,

I'd call that a fair trade.

There's no doubt about it. You're pregnant.

I'm certain.

Congratulations, my lady.

Why?

(Those mercury-laced pills...)

(I've taken them every three days.)

(I've never missed a dose.)

(Why would heaven play such a cruel trick on me?)

You're dying.

But I want to live.

So you came to me

because you think I can save you?

Please, General Meng.

Save Her Highness!

I'm begging you.

I thought

you'd rather have me alive

than dead.

The fact that I care about you

might save your life.

Or...

it might just get you killed.

But you're lucky tonight.

My feelings for you

will save your life.

Then I'm grateful for your feelings

and for my good luck.

This antidote is made from jade poria.

I happen to have one pill.

You're very lucky.

I've heard of that prescription you mentioned.

But once you take this antidote,

it won't just save your life.

It'll save your unborn child, too.

Your Highness.

Mu Wanyao!

Are you trying to get yourself killed?

♪Cold as a blade, yet peerless as a bloom♪

I do.

♪Who dares make me bow down in the dust?♪

But tonight,

only one of us gets to live.

♪If the road is blocked, I'll fight my way through♪

And that will be me.

♪Cut down the crowd, strike down the proud gods♪

Good luck.

♪Break through Hell's gates♪

♪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♪

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

Mother...

Take me...

Take me home.

♪A tooth for a tooth; A scar for a scar♪

♪A tooth for a tooth; A scar for a scar♪

♪One song of slaughter follows another♪

Your Highness!

Looks like my gamble paid off.

How long was I unconscious?

Two days and two nights.

The Military Headquarters' physician came to check your pulse yesterday.

I couldn't stop him.

Then he'll find out soon enough.

Chunhua,

take all this bedding

and these bloodstained clothes

and burn them.

Help me wash up and get dressed.

Darling...

Darling...

I've failed you.

You worthless wretch!

Even animals can give birth!

You're worse than an animal!

If I hadn't fallen for those lies back then,

I'd never have spared your worthless life!

Darling...

Darling...

Darling...

Darling...

Darling...

The pregnancy was unstable.

I'm devastated too.

I can still have...

What future?

You think you still have a future?

I'm the good omen of Huai!

Nonsense!

You're a liar!

So is your father!

And Yu Cheng'an's the biggest liar of all!

Once I've killed you,

I'll march my army south to Sheng'an

and wipe every last one of you out!

You're safe now.

You were right.

I survived.

But my uncle came back tonight.

How did you get out?

I have a very special gift for you.

What have you done?

Where's Meng Baiyu?

He's in my room, of course.

Though by now,

he's probably dead.

You did this?

He's dead.

For now,

only heaven, you, and I know.

No one else knows.

Why tell me?

With Meng Baiyu dead,

you're not the only one

who wants his position.

Soon,

all of the Central Circuit will be in mourning.

What will become of the Military Headquarters?

Who will take his place?

We'll have our answers

within a few days.

Speed is everything in war.

Meng Zaishi,

you're the only one

I can count on now.

Mu Wanyao,

my temper is no better than Meng Baiyu's.

If you dare lie to me,

you're dead. Got it?

Meng Zaishi,

why would I lie to you?

In all of North Jing,

who else

would help me but you?

Meng Zaishi,

I'm putting

my life in your hands.

Right now,

his body is in my room.

What should I do?

By the Central Circuit custom,

a wife who bears no children

must be buried with her husband.

Unless...

you become the new military governor.

Meng Zaishi,

marry me.

Answer me.

I'll marry you.

I'll wait for you right here.

I'll be waiting for good news.

Give me three days.

I'll take control of the Central Circuit.

Once everything's settled, I'll come back for you.

All right.

I'll wait for you.

This hairpin

will be our token of love.

All right.

Be careful, Young General.

No. I mean...

General.

The fish tally is gone!

Mu Wanyao!

I'm here on the governor's orders

to buy medicine for his wife outside the city.

Here's the general's fish tally.

Let them through!

Your Highness,

can you keep going?

I'll be fine.

What if the young general realizes you tricked him

and sends men after us?

Meng Baiyu has just died.

All of North Jing will soon be in chaos.

For Meng Zaishi to take his uncle's place,

win the army's loyalty

and bring every faction under his control,

it'll take more than a few days.

Even if he discovers I'm gone,

he can't afford to get sidetracked chasing me.

What he wants more than a woman

is the governor's seat.

And a witness who's disappeared...

By the time things settle at the Military Headquarters,

we'll be long gone from the Central Circuit.

(Goodbye,)

(North Jing.)

(Next Episode Preview)

You really care about him, huh?

You came to see me

without first attending court.

That's a serious offense itself.

If someone gets killed in my residence,

do you think you'll make it back to North Jing?

Who's there?

It's me.

♪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.)