Original subtitles

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=Tigers Sniff the Rose=

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

=Episode 28=

Grand Princess Luling secretly colluded with the treacherous eunuch Yu Cheng'an,

set up a private mourning hall,

and defiled the Imperial Palace.

She has scorned the teachings of our ancestors

and dishonored the Imperial Shrine.

She is hereby deprived of the revenues from 3,000 enfeoffed households

and confined to a residence outside the city

to reflect on her faults.

Without imperial decree, she may not enter court

or visit the imperial tombs.

Let this serve as a lasting warning.

Let it be carried out.

Mr. Wei Qiao.

Do you think

His Majesty really means to exile us?

Is he

really that heartless?

People from Sheng'an are here!

Maybe they're here to pardon us.

I told you His Majesty wouldn't be that cruel.

Let's go.

Come on.

Gentlemen,

you've had a long journey.

His Majesty granted you wine and food.

Please eat and drink your fill

before you set off.

So it's just a meal.

Never mind.

At least there's food.

I'm parched anyway.

Let's go.

Didn't expect such a feast.

And wine too.

Mr. Wei, have a drink.

Xianyao.

What's wrong?

Mr. Wei.

I want to...

go home.

You will.

You'll go home.

Let's go.

Back to Sheng'an.

(Bright Spring Lights)

Coming through.

Move. Don't push.

Move it!

Hurry.

Stop!

Stop.

Stop!

Put that down!

Stop.

- My treasure! - Put it down.

Stop.

(Bright Spring Lights) Put it down!

- Her Highness always treated you well. - Let me go!

How could you...

- This is mine! - Let him go.

Go.

Gathered for profit.

Scattered

when profit runs out.

And you?

Why aren't you leaving?

Your Highness, you honored your old ties

and dared to keep vigil for Yu Cheng'an.

I admire you for that.

I have studied the sages.

I've already lost my sense of shame.

How could I abandon propriety and righteousness as well?

This mountain is mine, and these trees are mine!

Who goes there?

How dare you block a Sheng'an carriage?

Stand aside!

Move!

Miss Zhao?

You recognized me already?

No fun at all.

Miss Zhao.

Give me a ride.

Give me a hand.

Careful.

Miss Zhao.

Miss Zhao.

Miss Zhao,

I don't know why you're here.

But we really can't afford any delays.

Please get down.

Are...

Are you about to cry?

We earned the credit together.

You get to be Pacification Commissioner and go to North Jing,

while I'm stuck at home locked up by my father.

Miss Zhao,

this journey is dangerous.

It's no spring outing.

I know that.

I've trained in martial arts, skilled in archery and horsemanship.

Seven or eight ordinary men can't get near me.

And with all the danger ahead,

a scholar like you

can't go without someone reliable

like me.

I can help you.

I can serve the country.

You

ran away from home?

I had no choice.

My father was going to stuff me into a bridal sedan

and shove me into the Minister's Estate.

Just take me with you.

I promise I won't be any trouble.

Whatever you say, I'll do.

Please?

Miss Zhao.

Take me with you.

Just take me with you.

I promise you won't regret it.

Well...

Alright.

But

we need some ground rules.

As many as you like.

First...

We're off!

We're off!

Miss... Miss Zhao.

(Lingnan Circuit, Santu County)

Please, have some mercy.

Eat up.

Here.

You eat too.

Come on.

Have a sip.

- Smells amazing. - Dalang, you're here.

(Huiji Rice Cakes) Long time no see.

Dalang, come over.

- Smells amazing. - Come sit a while.

Morning.

I'll come back for some later.

Alright.

Sir, you're not from here, so you wouldn't know.

The mosquitoes here are bigger than anywhere else.

This ointment...

Xiaozhou.

Shang?

Shang!

Dalang! Look who's here!

Dalang.

Shang!

Shang!

Strange.

You've lost weight.

How's everything at home?

All good.

Shang, let's go home.

We're done selling for today.

Let's go home.

Let's go.

You've really lost weight.

Sheng'an's no good.

Sheng'an's no good!

Let me.

Home is best.

Home is best!

- Father! - Father!

Father!

Father.

Look who's back!

Come see who's home!

Who is it?

Father.

Father.

I'm back.

Come.

Let me have a look.

All in one piece.

You're home safe and sound.

I'm perfectly fine.

Father.

I've been away so long.

I want to visit Mother's grave.

(In Memory of My Mother and Younger Brother)

Shang.

Who is this person...?

You're not mistaken.

Father.

His name was Zhang Renjing.

I killed him like a butcher slaughters

livestock.

Good.

Well done!

Father!

- Father. - Father.

- Father. - Father!

Father!

- Father. - Wonderful!

Father.

Well done!

♪A rough-cut gem, held close to heart♪

♪Lean bamboo bones, yet mountain-bold♪

Shang.

You killed a man.

How can nothing come of it?

Father,

to us,

he was a mountain crushing us.

He destroyed our family so easily.

But to those wolves in Sheng'an,

♪Winds gather, then drift apart♪

he was nothing

♪I see no court, only a boundless world♪

but a worthless worm.

♪In all I do, I have no regrets♪

♪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?♪

(In Memory of My Mother and Younger Brother)

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

Jinghui,

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

Lun,

Shang

has avenged you.

♪And trade my old robes for new♪

May you...

finally rest in peace.

Mother,

Lun,

Shang has avenged you!

♪Maze of schemes, endless dark night♪

The Yan family took me in.

You are my mother.

Shang has slain our enemy.

May you

rest in peace.

♪Drifting through twists and tides♪

♪I gaze at high peaks and sails far away♪

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

♪Dusk falls on the horizon, sorrow and joy stretch far♪

♪A lone lamp keeps me company♪

♪I gaze at high peaks and sails far away♪

♪With the world in my heart♪

(In Memory of My Mother and Younger Brother)

♪I leave the shore♪

Mother.

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

I've avenged you.

♪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♪

♪Break every gate♪

You little rascal.

What's weighing on you that you can't tell me?

A father knows his son.

You may fool your brother and sister,

but not me.

You were granted leave to return.

What's your real reason?

Father.

There's something important

I need to take care of while I'm back.

But

it's no easy matter.

I feel uneasy.

I knew it.

On my way back,

I saw starving people fleeing,

fields lying fallow,

and folks barely scraping by.

Has the government imposed new taxes?

The officials in Lingnan

are thoroughly corrupt.

Could it be...?

Shang, have you returned

because Heaven

has finally taken pity on the people here?

Yes.

But...

That's how it is

serving the imperial court.

It looks glorious,

but you're always risking your life and carrying a heavy burden.

Right?

When I was your age,

I was just as ambitious.

Devoted heart and soul.

I'd have burned down my own house for the country if I had to.

But now I'm old.

Turns out I'm just an ordinary man.

I just want to watch my children

live out their lives

in peace.

Father.

Back then, I had to go to Sheng'an

and do what I had to do.

And

it's the same now.

You have my support.

I may be old,

but I haven't forgotten

the resolve I had back then, to face death without regret.

You're better than I ever was.

I believe

you can achieve

what seems impossible.

(Taiji Palace)

Why are you stammering?

What's wrong?

Your Majesty,

Princess Danyang has been off

these past few days.

What's off about her?

Since being confined,

she's seemed unhinged.

Tigers

fear hunters.

Hunters

fear Mother.

Mother

fears tigers.

Tigers fear hunters.

Tigers fear hunters.

Hunters fear Mother.

Mother

- fears tigers. - Tigers fear hunters.

Hunters fear Mother.

Tigers fear hunters.

Hunters fear Mother.

Mother fears tigers.

Tigers fear hunters.

Hunters fear Mother.

Mother

fears hunters.

Wrong.

It should be tigers.

I got it right.

I said tigers.

Look at you.

Mother, am I right?

Are you afraid of tigers or hunters?

I'm not afraid of anyone.

My mother's the toughest!

You're cheating.

Fears hunters.

Don't talk about Wanyao like that.

Tigers

fear

hunters.

Hunters

fear

Mother.

Mother

fears

tigers.

Tigers

fear

hunters.

Hunters

fear

Mother.

It's just one male favorite transferred away.

She's been kept in the palace for a few days,

and she's acting like this?

What's the point of raising children?

She knows

she's my favorite,

so she's using that against me.

Your Majesty,

Princess Danyang has always been your favorite.

She must feel terribly wronged this time.

Even so, she hasn't made a fuss.

She's already docile.

Never mind.

Parents can't win against their children.

Let her go back to her residence.

Once you're back,

you can finally get some rest, Your Highness.

Fang Tong.

Send word to the Eastern Palace.

Tell them

I'm inviting the Crown Prince to Cuiyun Tower to enjoy some music.

Your Highness,

word around the palace is

the Crown Prince has crossed a line this time.

His Majesty just showed you mercy.

Are you sure you want to see him now?

Yes.

And I'll see him openly,

for everyone to see.

Yes.

Wanyao.

Weren't you confined?

How did Father

agree to let you out?

Confined?

Father kept me in the palace

to celebrate Yu Cheng'an's death

and honor Mother's spirit.

Fine wines kept pouring in.

I was drunk for days.

I only just managed to get up,

and came straight to see you.

The Eastern Palace has offended His Majesty.

What did you come to

see me about?

I heard

that after the hunting grounds incident,

you, Yang Si, and Meng Zaishi,

a bunch of sword-wielding men,

have aroused

Father's suspicions.

So right now, Meng Zaishi can't leave the palace,

and you and Yang Si can't reach each other.

Is that true?

Even if it is,

what's there for you to be happy about?

When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.

You should've understood that at six.

Xun, what are you talking about?

I come here with good intentions,

and you treat me like dirt.

You should know

I am

Father's favorite now.

I can come and go as I please.

I know you're in a tight spot,

so I came to ask

if you had any message for Yang Si.

I'd be glad to deliver it.

No.

And

I'd advise you not to stir up trouble.

Xun,

we just worked together to take down that traitor Yu.

Why turn cold on me so fast?

I'll put in a good word for you when I'm back.

Once Father has cooled down,

he'll remember your merits.

Mu Wanyao,

why pretend to be

such a fool in front of me?

I'll be frank with you.

I've been back

at the Eastern Palace for over ten days.

I'm not confined,

but I don't dare move around.

The place is crawling with spies.

No messages get through.

Yet you openly

sent word to the Eastern Palace

and invited me here.

You think he won't find out?

As for you...

You know perfectly well whether you're really living it up

in the palace.

Not just me.

Shang has caught

Father's eye too.

He's been granted leave

to return home in glory.

Listen carefully.

Right now,

we're like lambs to the slaughter.

Going to Lingnan is a suicidal move

for Yan Shang.

Xun, you indeed know

more than I do.

What's really going on

in Lingnan?

There are tigers in Lingnan Circuit.

They'll swallow your pretty boy whole.

(Qingning Pavilion)

(Jifang Pavilion)

Father.

You seem in good spirits today.

What is it?

Your Majesty,

early last year,

I went to Mount Lufu by your command

to pray for the two of you.

Now that Yu Cheng'an's faction has been wiped out

and peace has returned,

your wish has been fulfilled.

I'd like to go south again

and fulfill your vow.

Father.

May I

go to Mount Lufu again?

Your devotion is so sincere

that not even Lingnan's venomous bugs and miasma can stop you.

How could I refuse?

(Jifang Pavilion) Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.

Your Highness,

the Crown Prince is really here.

Your Highness, what an honor

to have you here.

We've been through blood and fire together.

Things are different between us now.

Of course I had to see you off.

Thank you.

You have enough troubles of your own,

yet you still think of me.

Yes.

I am

stuck in this city of sorrow.

Not like you.

You're a woman,

but you get to roam free.

Roam free?

Don't joke around.

You wouldn't want to go

where I'm headed.

Anyway,

the road ahead

will only grow

more dangerous.

Wanyao,

take good care

of yourself.

I will.

Thanks for your concern.

By the way,

did you bring the farewell gift

I gave you?

Don't worry.

It's been safely put away.

Safe travels.

Father is using Yan Shang as a blade

to strike down Lingnan's powerful men

and strip me of my support.

The Eastern Palace's funds for winning over

generals and keeping troops

came from Lingnan?

Where else?

Without real gold, silver,

and iron supplies,

how do you think I drive the men

you saw at Cuiyun Tower?

The wolves and tigers of Lingnan

all sharpen their teeth and drink blood.

Raw power beats skill.

Yan Shang is just a frail scholar.

He can't win.

If you really can't bear to lose your pretty boy,

then hurry to Lingnan

and stop him.

Wait.

Take Yang Si with you.

He can help.

Yang Si is still

under house arrest at his own residence.

I'll find a way

to get him out for a few days.

Make sure

you take him to Lingnan.

That's my condition.

Xun.

You can't even be sure of your own fate,

yet you still worry about Yang Si's freedom?

Alright.

I'll keep my word.

(Wanyao.)

(Yan Shang faces almost certain death on this journey.)

(With Yang Si going with you,)

(I can rest easy.)

(Five Days Later, Jiangling)

Where are we?

Sir, you sure sleep soundly.

We've passed Yichang.

Almost at Xiangyang.

Yichang?

Aren't we heading north?

Yes.

The boat turned north yesterday.

Where's everyone else?

Over there.

Where's Mu Wanyao?

Her Highness isn't here.

She knew you get terrible seasickness,

so she had us take you north back to Sheng'an.

(This trip has put me behind.)

(Even if I travel day and night now,)

(I'll still reach Lingnan later than her.)

(Princess's Residence, Six Days Ago)

Fang Tong.

The Crown Prince

is under constant watch by the Jinwu Guard

and cut off from messages.

How did he find out

Yan Shang was heading south?

Could His Majesty

have deliberately let him know?

Yan Shang faces almost certain death

on this journey.

And the Crown Prince

probably wants him dead for sure.

The Crown Prince sent Mr. Yang with us

to kill Yan Shang?

Your Highness,

we absolutely can't take Yang Si with us.

We will.

Fang Tong.

Faster.

Yes!

(Residence of the Prefect of Shaozhou)

Mr. Yan, I should've welcomed you properly.

My apologies.

You're too kind, Prefect.

Hurry up.

Bring Mr. Yan a seat.

(Liu Lan, Prefect of Shaozhou, Liu Wenji's Father)

I haven't been to the capital in years.

How are things in Sheng'an these days?

This time of year,

Sheng'an must still be freezing.

Yes.

Mr. Yan, you've come all this way

to my humble home.

What brings you here?

Who are you people?

Get back!

Out!

Get out now!

We have an honored guest here.

How can you let them make such a commotion?

Sir,

it's those refugees again.

It's a time of famine.

These are all poor folk.

Hand out more rice and grain

and send them off properly.

No shouting or hitting.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Yan.

What were you about to say?

Actually, I'm here on your son's behalf.

You are...?

Prefect Liu, you don't know me.

But back at the local school,

Wenji always looked out for me.

He misses you deeply in Sheng'an.

This is a reward he received from His Majesty.

He asked me to bring it to you

and tell you to take care of your health.

Also,

there are some words

he asked me to pass along.

Prefect?

A man with no roots.

With no family to call his own.

Liu Wenji has been erased

from the Liu clan records in Lingnan.

Prefect.

Wenji was forced to give up his path

to the imperial exams because of wicked men.

He's suffered a lot

in Sheng'an.

Say no more, Mr. Yan.

If he still cared about the Liu clan,

he wouldn't be living on

as a eunuch.

Mr. Yan,

is there anything else?

(Residence of the Prefect of Shaozhou)

(Governance Hall)

Looks frail.

(Serene and Content) But you've got guts.

What were you thinking when you saved me that day?

I was afraid, Your Majesty.

Before I became a eunuch,

(Serene and Content) I read a few books by the sages.

I know that loyalty

comes before all else.

Your Majesty, you are the sun to every subject in Huai.

I may die,

but Huai can't go without its sun.

(Serene and Content)

Quite the smooth talker.

How should I reward you?

You've already made me a senior palace attendant.

That's already an honor.

So you've studied. Perfect.

The post of Army Inspector is vacant.

No.

I'm neither talented nor capable.

I don't deserve such a great honor.

If I say you deserve it,

then you do.

Just put your talents to use

(Serene and Content) and do something for me.

That traitor Yu is dead.

The Shence Army needs discipline restored.

(Serene and Content) You may not know military affairs,

but you've served in the palace long enough.

You've seen plenty of nobles.

(Serene and Content) Surely you can play the part.

I...

Can you play Go?

I...

Go on.

Yes.

(Do you not see)

(the tide surging)

(Learning without thought is labor lost) (to meet the sky?)

One!

Two!

One!

Two!

Good.

Very good.

Two!

No military merit at all, and he's an Army Inspector?

Was that move supposed to be

a hawk's flip,

Army Inspector?

I'll make sure all the men

study your moves.

I serve by imperial command,

inspecting the army on His Majesty's behalf.

General, is that "military merit" of yours

meant to scare me,

or threaten His Majesty?

A fine blade.

What a shame.

You blind fool.

Listen up, everyone!

Anyone else who dares defy me

will meet the same fate!

(So)

(this is what power tastes like.)

(No point lying to myself anymore.)

(Next Episode Preview)

In a time of peace,

he might have become a chancellor who could raise up the realm.

But in times like these,

he can only serve as a blade.

Either one will crush the other,

or they'll destroy each other.

♪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.)

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