Original subtitles

=Against The Current=

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

=Episode 41= (This drama does not correspond)

(to any real historical dynasty.)

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

I knew Xiuru understood what was at stake,

so I showed her a way forward.

You two

shouldn't blame her for going to such lengths.

Mother, you don't need

to take the blame upon yourself.

Xiuru is quick-witted

and decisive.

When something seemed wrong with Du Cuique,

she was the first to notice.

Now, to protect herself and her children,

she had no choice but to resort to this plan.

Neither Young Master nor I hold it against her.

Those who help pave the way for others

will find their own path

growing wider as well.

Thank you for your guidance, Mother.

You all heard that, didn't you?

Thank you, Uncle Jinqi and Aunt Lanxiang,

for giving us a new lease on life.

Get up.

You stay seated.

You deserve

their gratitude.

Thank you, Uncle Jinqi and Aunt Lanxiang,

- for giving us a new lease on life. - for giving us a new lease on life.

This was Xiuru's idea.

She doesn't want them to go through life unaware of the world around them.

From an early age,

they must understand the situation they're in.

The Marquis's residence

is both the home on which their lives depend

and a place where they must tread carefully.

They mustn't let a life of apparent luxury

cloud their judgment.

Xiuru

is being awfully hard on them.

What good is it raising this whole family?

You don't know what's good for you

or what truly matters.

There's no point in raising any of you.

You're still pretending to be pitiful.

And you say you're not?

I'll beat you to death.

Go on, keep pretending to be pitiful.

Let's see you shed some tears.

Are you satisfied

with how this grand drama turned out?

I used to sit down there,

but now that I'm standing here,

I've realized

that while we watched the performances from below,

those above were watching our performance, too.

From the very beginning,

you never really cared whether I took a concubine or not.

I do care.

Would that stop you from taking one, Your Lordship?

Whether I care or not,

you will take a concubine for the sake of an heir anyway.

So why should it matter

whether I care?

For the sake of my daughters' reputations,

I'll be a virtuous wife

and arrange a grand concubine-taking ceremony,

to satisfy Old Madam

and leave the clansmen nothing to criticize.

♪The wind scatters the clouds, and rain turns to mud♪

♪Memories of the past rise in my heart♪

♪Faded ink turns fragrant, spring rises and summer grows♪

♪As if time itself were flowing♪

♪Pausing, then rewinding♪

♪I watch the long road wind and turn♪

♪Even the clamor falls silent♪

♪The keepsake rests against my heart as I quietly wait♪

♪I watch the passing years wear away♪

♪Even deep affection slowly fades♪

♪The past falls like withered leaves into the dust♪

What are you doing?

Whatever you have to say, just tell me.

If Young Madam doesn't agree,

we dare not get up.

Go ahead.

Young Madam,

I've already chosen a husband.

What?

It's Xiaolian's family.

I want to marry Xiaolian's brother,

Du Dasong.

What?

You want to marry my brother?

When did this happen?

Yes.

When did this happen?

I made up my mind long ago.

But one thing after another kept happening.

First, we were mourning Old Madam.

Then,

Xiaolian's grandmother passed away.

After that, Fourth Young Lady was getting married,

and Young Madam became pregnant.

I simply couldn't find a chance to tell you, Young Madam.

Then explain it to me carefully.

If your reasons make sense,

I might just agree.

They say a woman's marriage

should be decided by her parents.

But my mother cares too much about money.

I don't trust

the family she'd choose for me.

After serving Young Madam for so many years,

I may not have learned many other things,

but I did learn not to resign myself to fate.

I'm the one getting married.

I'm the one who'll spend my life with my husband's family.

So I should make the decision myself.

Xiaolian and I share a room,

and I often hear her talk about her family.

She said her father died young,

and the family spent all their savings

trying to treat his illness.

They were also left with a great deal of debt.

Her older brother has never been able to arrange a marriage.

I thought about it.

Granny Du cares deeply for her daughter-in-law,

and Xiaolian's mother cares deeply for her daughter.

So I figured the son they raised couldn't be a bad man either.

When Xiaolian went home,

I went with her

to meet her older brother.

Sure enough, he was steady and mature.

It's just that

I don't know

how Xiaolian's brother feels about me.

You're Young Madam's most trusted first-class maid.

You could marry a head shopkeeper.

Of course my brother would be willing.

He just wouldn't dare dream of it.

I don't need to marry a shopkeeper.

I can write,

keep accounts,

and run a business.

Someday, I can become a shopkeeper myself.

Exactly. From now on, my brother can follow Gantang's lead.

The wife leads, and the husband follows.

My family's debts have all been paid off.

My brother will finish his apprenticeship this year.

My mother said

that as long as we work hard and stay diligent,

and the whole family works together,

we'll definitely build a good life.

I'll make the decision

about Gantang's marriage.

She will marry Du Dasong.

Thank you, Young Madam.

Thank you, Young Madam.

And why are you two kneeling?

I...

I won't be a concubine.

I don't want to get married.

They heard that First Madam was choosing a maid

to send to the Yuan Residence as Third Young Master's concubine,

so they both panicked

and hurried over to beg you for mercy.

Don't worry.

First Madam wants someone

who's willing.

Neither of you will be chosen.

Thank you, Young Madam.

Young Madam, Captain Lin...

Nanke is here to see you.

Nanke wants to see me?

I came to see you so suddenly today

because I heard something

that troubled me,

so I took the liberty of coming here.

What is it?

I'd like to ask for the hand of your maid,

Du Xiaolian.

That's you.

What?

He wants to marry me?

You should go back for now.

I'll have to ask Xiaolian what she thinks.

Yes.

Third son-in-law's concubine

won't be a maid from Zhichun Hall.

Thank you, Young Madam.

Xiaolian.

Xiaolian.

Congratulations!

Nanke is a deputy company commander appointed by His Majesty himself.

Fortune really does favor the simplehearted.

With Xiaolian's absentminded nature,

she should find someone like Nanke,

who's sharp and capable.

Don't get carried away just yet.

Xiaolian hasn't agreed.

I'll have to ask my mother about this.

Oh, come on.

Your mother will definitely listen to you.

Yes.

Congratulations, Xiaolian!

You kept this well hidden.

♪I open the window and sunlight floods the city♪

♪I hold a little flower picked by the roadside♪

♪Who's secretly peeking again?♪

♪The breeze carries fragrance through the streets♪

♪The simmering tea brings back warm memories of days gone by♪

♪Who breaks the stillness of the long afternoon?♪

Congratulations! Two happy occasions at once!

Wonderful!

Congratulations!

Xiaolian's mother, congratulations! Two happy occasions at once!

♪Copper coins jingle in my pocket♪

♪I'll trade them for a pot of liquor and toast the setting sun♪

Madam, congratulations.

Congratulations.

♪Listening to Granny tell stories of days gone by♪

♪We laugh until our eyes glisten with tears♪

♪Treasured by you and me, these warm and fragrant moments♪

♪We quietly wander through the bustle of everyday life♪

♪There's no need to make a fuss♪

It's all homemade liquor.

The alcohol content is very low.

Have plenty.

Everyone, cheers!

Cheers! Make yourselves at home.

- Cheers! - All right.

Have some more.

Groom,

get them drunk.

You're

worried about Jiugao's marriage, aren't you?

He's already in his thirties

and still hasn't found anyone.

How could I not worry?

Actually,

Jiugao is quite a catch.

Could it be that your standards are too high?

In the early years,

I did have high expectations.

But after all these years,

I'm like an old soybean ground beneath a millstone.

Those expectations have long been ground away.

I don't care if she's never married or has been married before,

or whether she's pretty or plain.

As long as she's a woman

who doesn't mind Jiugao, that's enough.

Do you really mean that?

When I give my word,

it's set in stone.

I mean it.

I mean it. Come, let's drink.

Nanny, what do you think of me?

You?

You mean...

Mother.

Yuchan and I love each other

and wish to become husband and wife.

I'm all alone,

with no parents or siblings.

Ever since I came to the Lin Residence,

you've treated me like a daughter.

Before,

I always felt I wasn't good enough for Jiugao

and kept avoiding him.

But after spending so long by Young Madam's side,

I've changed my thinking.

I may be an orphan,

but I've always relied on my own strength,

and I've never stopped learning.

Reading, keeping accounts,

needlework, cooking, I'm good at them all.

I also truly care for Jiugao

and respect you, Nanny.

Jiugao and I

are well matched in both character

and ability.

You little rascal!

You little rascal!

You little rascal!

Always putting on an act and fooling people!

You never speak plainly when you have something to say.

Always putting on an act.

You've ruined your own reputation,

and now Yuchan,

your wife,

has to suffer because of you

and endure people's gossip.

Spare the rod for three days,

and you little rascal will tear the roof apart!

You little rascal! I'll beat you senseless!

I'll beat you! Take that!

Take that!

Careful, you'll hurt your hand.

I'll find you a stick so you can keep beating.

I'll beat you! Take that!

All right.

That's enough. You've vented your anger.

This is a happy occasion.

I think

we should take advantage of this auspicious day.

I'll make the decision

and play matchmaker this once.

Everyone here can be our witness.

Let's settle Yuchan and Jiugao's marriage

today. What do you say?

- Good! - Good!

Come.

Come.

Come.

Nanny.

♪My longing fills my eyes♪

This truly is wonderful news.

Everyone, be sure to come back for the wedding feast.

Of course.

Congratulations!

Come, cheers!

I'm so happy.

Three happy occasions at once! Three happy occasions!

♪Love lingers all around us♪

♪Holding hands through this life, breathing...♪

- Chrysanthemum greens! - Taste the freshness of spring!

- Fresh and tender! - Come and buy!

- Chrysanthemum greens! - Come and buy!

- Chrysanthemum greens! - Taste the freshness of spring!

(Yang Cong) Today, we

(Lin Xiushu's husband) came especially to bring you good news.

Good news?

You two...

Mother,

Xiushu

is with child.

It's been over three months,

and the pregnancy is now stable.

So we came especially to bring you the good news

and let you and Father share in our joy.

This is wonderful news.

Thank the Bodhisattva.

Now I could die without regret.

Spit that away. May all evil be warded off.

I got carried away with joy.

Cong is right.

Spit that away. May all evil be warded off.

Let's choose a day,

and Mother and I will go outside the city

to kowtow and offer incense to the Bodhisattva.

All right.

Let's choose a day.

Young Madam is in labor.

Quick!

Go get the midwives and the female physician.

Young Madam has made all the arrangements.

Two midwives and a female physician

are attending her at Zhichun Hall.

Someone has also been sent to inform her mother.

Good.

That's good.

You

should learn from your sister-in-law.

Cherish your blessings and your life.

Always prepare for what may come

and put your own well-being first.

Taking good care of yourself

is the greatest filial devotion you can show your parents.

I'll remember that.

Good.

Anyone Lanxiang has used before must be reliable.

When we get back, I'll send someone

to bring the midwives and female physician over.

I'll make sure Xiushu is well cared for.

Good.

Xiushu and I will head back first.

We'll come again tomorrow

to congratulate Jinqi and Lanxiang.

I need to hurry to Zhichun Hall, too,

so I won't keep you any longer.

Push!

Bring another bowl of brown sugar water.

Quick, breathe in.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Push!

Young Madam, don't be nervous.

The baby is in the right position. Just do as you've practiced.

Keep going.

Don't be nervous.

Just do what you normally do.

Come, breathe in.

Breathe in. Let me check your pulse.

Breathe in. Come on.

Good. Young Master Lin, don't be nervous.

Young Madam is in good health,

and she stayed active throughout her pregnancy.

She'll have a smooth delivery.

Come, breathe in. Push!

Push!

How can a man be in here?

Childbirth is considered inauspicious.

Ask Young Master to leave.

Bringing a child into the world

is how the family line continues.

How could that be inauspicious?

It's clearly one of the most auspicious things in the world.

Back when we were giving birth,

Master and Changmin

were nowhere to be seen,

not even outside the room, let alone inside.

That should have been auspicious enough, shouldn't it?

Yet after all these decades,

I haven't seen either of them accomplish much

for the country or the family.

Push! Keep going! Come on, push!

Push harder! Push!

Come quickly!

Fainted! Unconscious now!

Come here!

Hurry over here!

Come on!

Quick, press the philtrum.

Over here!

Quick, come here!

Hurry over here!

Mother and daughter are safe!

Wonderful!

- Mother and daughter are safe! - Mother and daughter are safe!

The baby's born!

Wonderful!

Why did Young Master Lin faint?

Quick!

Press his philtrum again!

So it was Jinqi who fainted.

He scared me to death.

Wake up, Young Master!

Young Master, wake up!

Young Master, wake up!

Young Master!

Young Master, can you hear me?

- Young Master, wake up. - The baby's here!

Young Madam, the baby's here.

Young Master, wake up!

Look how adorable she is.

Young Master Lin is awake! He's awake!

I told you he shouldn't have gone in.

How are you? Are you all right?

Young Master Lin,

you're a father now.

You've been through a lot.

It's all right now.

A girl.

A girl.

Shunhua doesn't have

that awful habit of favoring sons.

Now this little girl is the only girl

among the Lin family's great-grandchildren.

Not only is Shunhua delighted,

but even Old Master also

chose a name for her long ago.

That's wonderful.

According to the genealogy,

their generation

uses the character Zhang in their names.

Grandfather said

whether it's a boy or a girl,

the child will be named Zhangcheng.

Cheng means purity.

(Lin Zhangcheng, daughter) Zhangcheng.

(of Lin Jinqi and Xu Lanxiang) I hope that as you grow,

you'll learn to reflect on yourself,

and preserve a pure heart.

Zhangcheng.

That's a good name.

Why are you just staring at me and smiling?

You still haven't told me

why you fainted.

My mother thought I'd fainted

and nearly scared herself out of her wits.

You were

bleeding so much.

Then the midwife pulled out

a tiny baby covered in blood.

I don't know what happened,

but my chest suddenly tightened,

everything went black,

and I lost consciousness.

Your husband

is no coward who scares easily.

It was really...

It was really...

It was really...

because you were so worried about me.

Truly...

For a woman, the birthing room

is no less dangerous than a battlefield.

And no one can take your place or fight alongside you.

You have to face it all alone.

For my sake,

you've been through so much.

It wasn't for you.

It was for her.

This battle

was one I willingly fought.

Just as

Mother did for me,

enduring a day and a night of labor

to bring me into this world.

♪The evening breeze blows past distant hills♪

♪The moon kisses the rising smoke♪

♪Whose oil lamp burns tonight?♪

♪Peace of heart in three places♪

Madam.

We should tell Young Master and Young Madam.

No.

This is Young Madam's first childbirth.

She needs to rest properly during her confinement

and recover fully.

If she learns that I'm ill,

she'll insist on tending to me at my bedside.

If she ends up like me

with an illness from her confinement,

she'll suffer from it for the rest of her life.

Go on.

Madam, your illness

can't be left untreated any longer.

I can hold on

until Young Madam finishes her confinement.

But you've had it hard.

You're already a mother-in-law yourself,

yet instead of enjoying time with your family at home,

you still have to come and care for me.

Madam, don't say such foolish things.

You and I

grew up together.

We may be madam and servant in name,

but in truth,

you've always treated me like a sister.

When Jiugao's father passed away,

you were afraid I might do something desperate,

so you stayed by my side day and night.

I know your hardships

better than anyone.

And you know mine

better than anyone.

Now,

being able to stay by your side

makes me happy.

I'm happy.

All these years,

through every hardship,

I've had you by my side.

That has made me very happy, too.

Very happy.

All right.

No more crying.

Our little Zhangcheng is such a good girl.

Mother is going to sleep.

We won't cry or fuss.

She's asleep.

Bring the pillow over for me.

Time for sleep.

Look at that sweet little face.

(Lin Zhangcheng, two months old)

Mother, thank you for all your help.

It's no trouble. Just looking at Zhangcheng

makes my heart

feel as sweet as honey.

The midwife also said

Zhangcheng was a considerate child

who hardly put her mother through any trouble

and was born without difficulty.

Our Zhangcheng

is just like Lanxiang.

Back then, I

went into the birthing room at noon

and gave birth before nightfall.

Just as Mother did for me,

enduring a day and a night of labor

to bring me into this world.

Then Zhangcheng is just as considerate as Lanxiang.

She was born in only half a day?

That's right.

Just like her mother.

They're both our precious little darlings.

Grandmother's precious little treasure.

I'll go to the study

and reply to a few letters from friends.

I'll leave Zhangcheng in your care, Mother.

Go on. I've got her.

Little toes, let's stretch them.

Stretch them all the way to Nanshan.

There's a treasure in Nanshan.

The treasure has a mountain of gold.

And on that mountain lie 1.2 hectares of fields.

(Take only what you need, and build upon it slowly)

(The person Lanxiang painted, judging by his clothes,)

(is a stagehand from our troupe.)

(Third Place Scholar Han is renowned throughout the court for his learning)

(and is highly skilled in painting.)

(Lanxiang's painting skills)

(are no less accomplished than Third Place Scholar Han's.)

(Calligraphy and painting share the same roots.)

(Both depend on mastery of the brush.)

(The figures are vividly and lifelike drawn.)

(Her brushwork is exquisite.)

(Yuchan. Lanxiang) (There's no way her handwriting)

(could look like that of a child who has only just learned to hold a brush.)

My writing isn't good.

I'll show it to you when I've improved.

(You're well-versed in music?)

(Old Master Lin runs his household well.)

(Even the maids in the residence are remarkably perceptive.)

(This maid of yours is quite interesting.)

(On her first visit to a military camp, she showed no fear at all.)

(Lanxiang truly is remarkable.)

(What exactly are you hiding?)

(Or perhaps I should ask,)

(who exactly are you?)

Where's the baby?

Mother is looking after her.

What's wrong?

I've been talking so much while soothing the baby

that my throat is a little dry.

What's in your box?

Why do you look so nervous?

Do I?

You brought it right in front of me,

yet you won't let me see it.

What treasure are you keeping in there?

(Zhichun Hall Daily Expense Account Book)

That's very thoughtful of you.

(Zhichun Hall Daily Expense Account Book)

Even these little things

have all been carefully preserved.

I've always loved you with all my heart.

Now that we have a child,

surely you can tell me where they came from.

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

Just cry.

As children,

we wish to care for our parents,

but they may be gone before we have the chance.

I'll cry with you.

♪Even if these trials consume my whole life♪

♪I'll only return to the moment our fate began♪

♪I've searched and searched, wandering in circles♪

♪Yet I still can't mend the dreams of the past♪

♪Leaving only regret behind♪

♪Thankfully, these trials have spared me a lifetime♪

♪In this life and the next, it will always be you♪

♪I only pray that fate lets us meet sooner♪

♪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♪