Original subtitles

My shoulders are sore.

Let me massage them for you... Feel good?

Yes.

Mom, I need to go out and do something.

OK.

Good morning, everybody.

Good morning...

I'm here to see Miss Fuk.

What's the matter?

What medicine did you ask Yam Sik-kang to give me last time?

I just put in Sichuan lovage, myrrh, bile arisaema and earthworms.

Those are just medicinal herbs to relax the muscles and joints.

Right. Pak-hop can't tolerate the herbs?

Did those herbs suddenly make her legs feel again?

Really? So there's a chance that she'll walk again?

It's possible.

That's great.

Thank you for steaming and massaging her legs all this time.

I'm really grateful.

You're welcome.

That's why I have a request.

You want me to steam her legs again? I don't think that's a good idea.

I don't think she wants to see me now.

I didn't mean that.

I wonder if you have other ancient formulae that I can reference.

Oh, I've also found some exclusive massage techniques

that the Fuks have used for generations.

Maybe that can help Pak-hop too.

But it's not convenient for me to do the massage for her now.

Teach me how so that I can massage for her at home.

Pretend these two lotus roots

are our thighs and calves.

In the beginning, massage gently to make the patient relax her muscles.

Then adjust the pressure to as much as the patient can endure.

I'm massaging your dazhui acupoint now. That helps your muscles and joints relax.

What does that have to do with my legs?

The lumbar spine is an important part of the human nervous system.

It's related to the mobility of the limbs. So we...

Mrs. To... your dad's here. But he tripped in the front yard.

What?

How's he? Are dad's legs OK?

They're just a bit swollen. They're fine.

Dad, why were you so careless?

I was walking too fast just now. I just slipped. I'm fine.

Why were you in such a hurry?

Wai-shan's aunt came to our clinic to buy herbs today.

She said your legs can feel again.

I was so happy. I came as soon as the clinic closed.

It's great if your legs really get better.

Thank God. Your mom will be so happy.

Dad, take care of your own legs first.

I'm fine...

Dad, why don't I rub your legs with medicinal liquor in my study?

OK...

Easy.

OK. Get some rest.

Be careful.

OK.

Easy... Walk slowly.

OK.

Dad, I've applied medicinal liquor to your legs.

They'll be fine in a couple of days.

OK. Wai-Shan, now that Pak-hop's legs can feel. When do you think she'll walk again?

It's hard to say. Her legs can feel now.

As long as the treatment is correct, I believe she'll walk again someday.

Let's keep our fingers crossed then. I've felt so bad all along.

I was worried that you'd blame me for making you marry Pak-hop.

Please don't say so, Dad.

My father was wrongly accused by the rich and powerful

for causing the death of a patient.

Thanks to you, you helped him financially and pulled strings for him.

Otherwise he would have died in prison already.

You've helped us so much. I should take care of Pak-hop.

For the sake of looking after Pak-hop,

you've sacrificed lots of opportunities

to venture out in the past couple of years.

If she could really walk again, then she'd be able to take care of herself.

And you wouldn't need to stay at home your whole life.

It's premature to talk about that at this moment. Dad, please have some tea.

OK...

Wind blowing in garden. So cold the butterflies won't come.

Fragrance all over Changan. Yellow flowers all over the city.

Please don't ask to meet in such a horrible place again.

Cut the crap. Where's the name register?

Where's my money?

Wait. You said the government sent dozens of people to infiltrate our organization.

Why are there only a few names?

This name register is the only asset I have to keep me alive and rich.

Would I be so stupid to sell all the names to you at once?

I will keep the other half for you.

When I need money later, I'll sell it to you

I hope you'll live long enough to do that.

Same to you.

Uncle Tsat, you let that crook leave?

He's cunning. If we press too hard, we don't know what he might do.

What matters now is the rest of the names in his possession.

There are so few books in the Imperial Hospital

on acupuncture and the acupoints?

The imperial doctors in the previous dynasty

also practiced acupuncture in the palace.

But Qing's previous emperors thought it improper to expose the chest or arms.

So acupuncture was banned in the palace.

That's why those are the only books on acupuncture.

They have to do with the meridians and acupoints in the legs.

It says here that patting can cure leg paralysis.

Brother To, you're working so hard to treat your wife.

Even if she can't be cured, she won't have any regrets.

I'm a doctor. But I couldn't cure Pak-hop's legs all these years.

Now that her legs have regained sensation,

of course I have to exhaust all means to help her recover.

Dr To.

Princes Wojia, Miss Youlan.

At ease. Dr To, Youlan wants you to teach her medicine too.

We already got Empress Dowager's approval. We've also informed the Commissioner.

From today on, Youlan and I will learn medicine from you.

That means I can't object?

No, you can't.

Please teach me, Dr To.

Dr To, what are we going to learn today? Shall we go with you on house calls?

Look, the first thing you two must do today

is reorganize all the medical books here.

At the same time you must look for

prescriptions and methods of treating leg paralysis.

There are so many books here.

How do we know which one is about leg paralysis?

That's why you must both read them patiently one by one.

Brother Yam, I'm entrusting these two students to you.

I have something else to attend to. Goodbye.

Yam Sik-kan, why do we need to find the cure for leg paralysis?

Brother To wants to cure his wife.

Mrs. To is so lucky.

How could you say that, Youlan?

I'm not finished yet. Mrs. To's legs may be paralyzed,

but she's married Dr To who's such an experienced doctor.

He's a devoted husband too. She's really lucky.

You're so eager to get married.

I'm not.

Are you unhappy?

No.

You didn't talk at all the whole night. What's the matter?

Wai-Shan, do you really want me to walk again?

Of course I do.

I know. If I can walk again,

you can go travel on your own and leave me behind.

Then I'd rather I never walk again.

Are you silly? If you could walk again, of course I'd travel with you.

Why would I leave you behind?

Really? You'd take me with you?

Of course. If you get silly ideas again, I won't talk to you anymore.

Can you do better please?

Are you OK? Don't try again. What if you get hurt?

Then Dr To will find out that you lied to him.

I gave him hope. I can't let him down now.

But you can't force yourself like this.

Why is God doing this to me?

I've never wanted anything all my life. I just want Wai-Shan to be happy.

Can't I wish for that? Why is God so cruel to me?

Please don't do this.

No, I can't let him find out that I lied to him.

Lin-chi, don't let him find out, OK?

But I'm afraid we can't lie forever.

We'll just lie for as long as we can.

As long as there's hope, he'll do everything to cure me.

He won't desert me. He'll never leave me.

You want me to hold a banquet to entertain the foreign consuls?

Although we've signed a peace treaty with

Britain, United States, France, Germany and the other countries,

we still need to cultivate a better relationship with them.

That's why I'm of the view that if you hold a banquet in the palace...

I really don't want to see those foreigners again.

If you don't want to meet the consuls,

you could just invite their wives here and socialize with them.

Actually first lady diplomacy is a trend in the Western countries now.

You want me to entertain those foreign ladies in person?

This is unbecoming of my status.

I understand that you loathe socializing with them.

But the Western powers are hovering over Qing's head now.

If we want to be on equal footing with them, we must broaden our horizons.

And the rebels are making trouble all over the country.

If we don't rope in the Western powers and make them side with us,

I'm afraid they'll support the rebels instead.

Once the rebels gain strength, it'll be hard to stop them.

Your status is so noble.

If you'll personally invite the consul's wives, they'd be so thrilled.

This is really a great opportunity

to improve Qing's relationship with the Western powers.

That makes sense. But I don't speak foreign languages.

How will I socialize with those foreign ladies?

Don't worry. I have someone in mind. She won't fail you.

What? You want me to coordinate the party for Empress Dowager?

This is a huge task. I'm not sure I can handle it.

Don't worry.

I recommended you to Empress Dowager because I have absolute confidence in you.

That's right. Don't worry.

Prince Chun is right. I'm sure you can manage.

But there are many details that need to be taken care of when coordinating a banquet.

For example the invitation cards, food...

I will assign someone to take care of those things.

As for the format of the party, I prefer a Western tea party.

But I'll need you to work on the cakes.

No wonder you asked me specifically to bring you some Western cakes today.

Wow, Miss Ling. You know how to make Western cakes too.

You're really amazing.

Kot Kan, you look so tempted. Go ahead. Try them.

Thank you.

Kot Kan, see if they taste good.

I can tell they're delicious and sweet.

You haven't tried it yet.

OK. I'll try it right away.

George, you try too. See if it's good.

It's sweet but not heavy. It's as sweet as your smile, Deling.

Your talk is even sweeter.

I'm sure Empress Dowager will love your cakes.

So what should I wear to the party?

Empress Dowager has made you a female officer.

So of course an officer's uniform.

Miss Ling, you're really an honor to your family.

Too bad my parents aren't in the capital.

When I'm not as busy with work later,

I'll go to your hometown with you to meet your parents.

That's a promise.

When have I ever lied to you?

Besides, the visit this time could be related to my life-long happiness.

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

Wow, gorgeous, isn't it?

Hello. Which flower do you like?

This one.

Your Royal Highness, it seems like

those consul's wives are quite happy with today's flower appreciation tea party.

That's because Deling made perfect arrangements.

She's fluent in foreign languages too.

Prince Chun's judgment is really good.

Forgive me for being candid. One could say Deling is resourceful and refined.

But you could also say she adores and flatters the foreigners.

Your Highness, thank you for your hospitality.

Your plants look beautiful.

The British Consul's wife thanked Your Royal Highness for your hospitality.

She also said the plants are really beautiful.

Tell them that they're welcome.

You're welcome.

Where is the king? Why didn't the king join our party?

The American Consul's wife asked

why His Majesty was not at today's party.

He needs to rest because he's unwell. He can't entertain guests.

The king is sick and is taking a rest.

My husband told me that the king is like a bird in a cage.

He has no freedom and is like a prisoner. Is that true?

The American Consul's wife said

her husband told her that His Majesty is like a bird in a cage.

He has no freedom at all. She asked if that’s true.

Nonsense. No ivory comes from the mouth of a dog.

Why did Her Highness say the word dog? Is your Highness angry or what?

Of course not. Her Highness is just worried about the king.

Though the king is sick, he's still working hard like a dog.

Her Highness hopes the king may take a rest.

So Her Highness is making the king stay in the palace.

You really are a great mother.

They praised Your Royal Highness. They said you're a very good mother.

Let's go and look at the flowers.

Deling, what did you actually tell the consul's wives just now?

Why were they smiling again?

The British Consul's wife knew the word dog.

So I took the liberty to tell them that Her Royal Highness was worried that

His Majesty was still working hard like a

dog on administration even though he's sick.

That's why Her Royal Highness

made arrangements for His Majesty to get some rest in Yingtai.

That's why they praised Her Royal Highness

and called her a good mother.

Deling, you're really quick witted.

Your Royal Highness was right in choosing Deling.

She speaks foreign languages fluently.

She's so clever too. She's really a talent.

You should say Prince Chun has good judgment.

Prince Chun recommended Deling himself.

This shows their relationship is not that simple.

They both spent time abroad.

It's not surprising that they'd share common interests.

Actually Prince Chun isn't young. It's time he got married.

How can you act as a go-between? It's true that Deling is well educated.

But she has returned from abroad. She has the bad habits of the foreigners.

A man must marry a virtuous girl. A wife must be kind and innocent.

Don't you think so, Your Royal Highness?

Of course.

Actually there's a virtuous girl among us here.

Noble Consort Yu, you're really observant.

You can tell Youlan has fallen for Prince Chun.

What nonsense are you talking about?

It's not nonsense.

Your Royal Highness, when Youlan heard Prince Chun say earlier that

one will smell fragrant after eating flower petals,

she went and ate them in secret.

Silly girl. You thought you could be like Princess Fragrant?

No wonder every time you see Prince Chun, you look so shy.

It's because you like him.

Officer Rong Lu has always been loyal to Your Royal Highness.

Why don't you order their marriage

so that Prince Chun and Youlan can become husband and wife?

OK. I'll act as the go-between

and order the marriage of Prince Chun and Youlan.

Youlan, thank Her Royal Highness.

Much obliged, Your Royal Highness.

What? Empress Dowager ordered the marriage between you and Prince Chun?

You can't believe that, right?

Youlan was so happy that she didn't know how to react.

You're exaggerating.

That's why we need your opinion.

Which is better? A Chinese or a Western wedding?

I was told that in a Western wedding,

the bride has to wear a wedding gown in white.

Will that bring bad luck?

Of course not. White stands for purity in the West.

And people say that the groom and the bride need to ask their good friends

to be the best man and maid-of-honor in a Western wedding.

Youlan wants you to be her maid-of-honor.

Deling, you're fluent in foreign languages.

Lots of foreign consuls will be invited to the wedding.

You can be the interpreter.

You're the perfect candidate.

Right. Deling, you won't say no, will you?

Nonsense. How can those women decide whom I'm going to marry?

Her Royal Highness ordered my marriage with Youlan.

It must have been your idea.

How are you going to thank me, the go-between?

So you want to break us up.

Break up? I never thought of breaking up with you.

I just wanted to break up you and that fake-foreigner Miss Deling.

I told you long ago.

When you want a wife, I will make the decision for you.

You're hurting other people without any benefit to yourself.

Benefit to myself?

Ever since I came to the palace, I've been manipulated by other people.

I'm powerless to resist.

So I hoped that someday I could freely manipulate others too.

But you shouldn't hurt Deling like this.

It's because I love you so much.

I can't accept that you've forgotten me because you two are in love.

Even if I marry Deling, I still wouldn't abandon you.

I'm not mean or heartless. I'd be even more devoted to you.

Trust me.

Save your sweet talk for your Miss Deling.

But given her fake-foreigner character,

I wonder if you'll be able to pacify her this time.

I don't play the piano.

But this tune is very different from the ones you've played before.

You've been here a long time?

This tune sounds so sad. Are you unhappy?

Kot Kan.

What happened? Tell me.

Did Empress Dowager order the marriage of Prince Chun and Miss Youlan?

I guess. Listen to me, Miss Ling.

That guy Zaifeng doesn't deserve your tears. Actually he...

Deling... Deling, please listen to my explanation.

It's a done deal already. What is there to explain?

Deling, you must believe me.

It was Empress Dowager's own idea to order the marriage.

I had no idea. And I've never fallen for Youlan.

Why didn't you say no to her then?

You must understand that

Empress Dowager's words are her decrees.

Look at His Majesty's current situation.

So you're just letting Empress Dowager

order you to marry anyone she's chosen for you?

This is the 20th century now.

How could you let such a backward concept control your life?

But she's the Empress Dowager after all. I can't just ignore what she says, right?

Give me some time.

I'll find an opportune moment

to convince Empress Dowager to change her mind.

Really?

When have I ever lied to you before?

Deling, please put up with this for the time being.

Let me take care of this, OK?

OK.

You've read so many books.

Actually massage therapy is about pressure and technique.

It depends on each person how much force she can endure.

Is this really boring?

No, it's not. I just haven't been getting enough sleep lately.

Don't read anymore. Go home and sleep.

It's OK. Let's carry on talking about the massage techniques and pressure.

I understand the theory. But in practice men and women are different.

Of course. Men are stronger than women when they do massage.

Our sebum and muscles are different in thickness.

There are bound to be differences.

Oh, no.

In other words the force you've been applying

when you massaged me was incorrect.

You could say that. What can we do about it?

Oh, no.

Is the pressure about right?

YOU can use more pressure.

Like this?

You need to exert a dull pressure. Don't use blunt force.

What's dull pressure?

Dull pressure originates from the arm and travels down the wrist.

Don't let your arms sway.

OK.

Is this OK?

OK.

Go to hell.

I got you a rickshaw. Am I not helpful?

Ah...

Ah...

YOU can use more pressure.

OK.

You've mastered the techniques and pressure. It's just right.

I'm Pak-hop will feel good.

I'll buy you a meal later to thank you for teaching me.

No need.

I have to.

That's not necessary.

Good morning, guys.

Good morning, Sis Tsau-ping. What brings you here?

I was going to Wai-shan's home. I happened to pass by.

So I came in to buy a bottle of medicinal liquor.

We're going to be in-laws soon. You can have it for free.

What are you talking about, Sis Ming-chu?

My vision is blurred and my hearing is poor.

Even I know. How could you not?

Know what?

Recently Dr To has been coming to see our Miss Ling every day.

Then they go inside to flirt.

What? How do they flirt?

I massage your back.

You massage my neck.

Don't listen to them exaggerate.

Dr To just asked Miss Ling to teach him acupoint massage.

He wants to cure his wife's legs sooner.

Anyway Ling is so conscientious about teaching your younger brother.

Obviously she's fallen for him.

How are your legs?

Wai-Shan massages them for me every night now. The progress is slow.

But I can feel a little.

Wai-Shan is really good to you.

He's worked so hard all these years to treat your legs. He's never given up.

That's true. Dr To is really good to Mrs. To.

Not just Wai-Shan but Miss Fuk too.

Miss Fuk?

Right. She wants to help Wai-Shan cure your legs sooner.

She ignore people's gossip, and teaches him acupoint massage herself.

She's really good to him.

Wai-Shan does acupoint massage for me every night.

You mean Chuen Yan Clinic's Miss Fuk teaches him how to do it herself?

Exactly. This is a small world.

After so many twists and turns all these years,

they've gotten back together again.

Fate is really unbelievable.

Pak-hop, are you not feeling well?

I must really thank that Miss Fuk then.

It's good you think this way.

Most important of all, your legs need to get better soon.

If you can walk, Wai-Shan won't need to worry so much.

Dr Yam.

Dr Fuk.

Is Dr To inside?

Brother To? He's reading in there.

OK. Thank you.

Go ahead.

I've prepared the medicine you mentioned last time.

Already? Is that good enough?

I spent 24 hours making it. Do you think that's good enough?

Do you want it or not?

I do. Thank you for your hard work.

I just stayed up for a night. That's nothing It's harder for you.

I hope the medicine can help Pak-hop. Goodbye.

Good bye.

Pak-hop... Pak-hop.

Wai-Shan.

Are you OK?

It really hurts. My arm really hurts.

Lin-chi... Lin-chi.

What's the matter?

I told you to take good care of my wife. Where have you been?

It's not her fault. I told her to go buy something for me.

What happened?

When I went out just now, she was still sitting on the wheelchair.

This is my own fault.

Just now I knocked over a drying rack by mistake.

Please don't hold Lin-chi liable.

Let me examine your legs first.

Pak-hop, both tibiae in your legs are broken.

What? Now what?

The bones are broken.

Why don't we ask Miss Fuk to come over and do a checkup for me?

Her tibiae are broken. But the bones aren't crushed.

She needs bed rest. She'll recover. Don't worry.

Pak-hop said her legs can't feel anymore.

Her legs are broken. The meridians could be affected.

It's not surprising that she can't feel anything.

This is my fault.

I wanted so much to walk again. Now I might not be able to walk ever again.

Don't worry. You'll get well.

It was so hard to get my legs to feel again. But now they're broken.

I really don't want to go back to how I was.

Wai-Shan, I'm really scared. Please don't abandon me.

I can't survive without you.

Why would I abandon you?

I promised to be there for you. I will never leave you. Don't worry.

That's right, Pak-hop. You don't need to worry.

I'll go back to Chuen Yan Clinic to get you more medicine.

Miss Fuk, it's so dark outside. Don't go by yourself.

Wai-Shan, why don't you go to Chuen Yan Clinic with Miss Fuk

to get the medicine?

I got you two wrong earlier.

Now I know Wai-Shan is absolutely devoted to me.

Please don't mind, Miss Fuk.

Why would I mind? It's good that you understand.

OK.

OK. I'll be right back.

OK.

Wait here. I'll get you the medicine.

The medicine here is good for two days.

I'll ask someone to deliver the rest to you.

Save the trouble.

I'll send someone over to get it when it's used up.

No. There mustn't be unnecessary trouble.

Actually Pak-hop needs you there with her the most.

She's really not as tough as you.

She may not be as weak as you think.

I mean she managed to faced her condition all these years because of your support.

So she will get through this no matter how hard it is.

I still need to take care of the work in the clinic. You better go home.

Pak-hop is waiting for you. Goodbye.

Hey, Miss Ling's home.

Ling...

Sit down...

Sit here.

Why didn't you ask Dr To to come in?

Right. Just now his maid came to see you. Then Dr To came to get the medicine.

Did something happen at his home?

Did his wife have an accident?

It's none of your business.

Why?

Right. We're sort of relatives with the Tos.

Aunt Chu, cut the nonsense please, OK? I'm in no way related to the Tos.

What do you mean you're not? You almost became his concubine.

Grandma, I'm saying this for the last time.

Dr To is a married man.

What if what you guys said caused a family disaster between them?

I don't want to be a homewrecker.

How would you be a homewrecker?

It's common for two women to share a husband now.

Aunt Chu, I will never become his concubine.

I didn't back then. And I won't now.

I won't in the future either. Stop talking about it.

Miss Ling... Ling...

Miss Ling, you're putting the yam and the poria together.

Both are white. Do you want to train your eyesight?

My eyesight's poor.

That's why I made the mistake of following the wrong guy to Guangzhou.

Your eyesight is good. You're just in a bad mood.

I really don't get it.

You and Dr To were still on friendly terms a couple of days ago. What happened?

Mrs. To's legs regained some sensation.

To Chung was really eager to find a way to expedite her recovery.

That's why he asked you for help?

Just now he sent his maid here because his wife fell and broke her legs.

That serious?

But it's really strange.

To Chung told me that his wife tried to get up from her wheelchair.

She fell and knocked over a drying rack. She even broke her legs.

I examined her injuries.

I noticed that it's unlikely that her legs were broken in an accident.

It seems like someone broke them intentionally.

You think Dr To broke his wife's legs?

Of course not.

To Chung cares so much about her. Why would he do that?

I suspect that she broke her legs herself.

Why would she do that?

Apparently she doesn't want to get well.

She wants to be lame for the rest of her life

so To Chung can't leave her.

She did that to make To Chung stay with her?

Actually she didn't need to do that. To Chung would never abandon her.

Did you tell Dr To what you noticed?

First, this is just my conjecture.

Second, I don't want To Chung to get upset.

Mrs. To did that because she really loves To Chung.

She doesn't want to lose him.

That's why you don't want to expose her?

She's done it already.

The only thing I can do is to stay away from To Chung.

If someday she takes it even harder and hurts herself in a more brutal way,

I'd feel really bad for the rest of my life.