01x14 - Episode 14

[bunniefuu]

=Against The Current=

[Adapted from He Yanshan's novel,
Orchid Fragrance Fate]

=Episode 14=
[This drama does not correspond]

[to any real historical dynasty.]

[The systems, culture, attire and other
dynastic elements have been adapted.]

[Lin Residence, Pengjian Study]

Mother.

Isn't the Xie family coming today?

Why are you dressed so casually?

You're not even
wearing any proper jewelry.

Come.

Xiuwan.

Let me help you choose something.

Xiuwan.

This one looks nice.

Here.

Xiuwan.

The Xie family isn't coming.

They're not coming today?

What day has it been changed to?

Why was it changed?

[Nanxing, Madam Wang's
First-Class Maid]

I don't believe it!

I don't believe it!

I don't believe it!

I don't believe it!

I don't believe it!

I don't believe it!

Xie Zhao and my brother
get along so well.

He would never go back

on his word over some

baseless rumors.

I don't believe it!

Xie Zhao isn't that kind of person!

I don't believe it.

Xiuwan.

Listen to me.

I know you're upset.

I'll find you

an even better match.

Better than the Xie family.

No matter how good anyone else is,

I don't want them.

I only want Xie Zhao!

Only Xie Zhao!

All right.

If I'd known this would happen,

I never would've invited
the Xie family to the Festival of Man.

Look what it's done to you...

What a cruel twist of fate.

What a cruel twist of fate.

Xiuwan.

It's all right.

It's all right.

Xiuwan.

Don't frighten me.

Say something.

I'll go find Jinqi.

I'll ask him to speak to Xie Zhao.

If this is only
the Xie family's decision,

then we can wait a little longer.

Once Jinqi clears up the matter,

the Xie family will naturally
discuss the marriage again.

Xiuwan.

Listen to me.

Xiuwan.

Xiuwan!

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Jinqi.

My brother

is an Assistant Commander
of the Shence Garrison.

What right do you have to arrest him?

If you can't give me
a proper explanation today,

you won't be taking my brother anywhere.

[Yang Chong, Fifth-Rank]
Assistant Commander?

[Judicial Officer of the Central Military Command]
That's all in the past.

Lin Jinqi colluded
with corrupt merchants,

harmed the soldiers,

and forced Lu Dalang
to take his own life.

The Five Military Commissions
have ordered his immediate dismissal

and detention pending investigation.

Anyone who obstructs official business

will be ex*cuted on the spot.

My brother would never do such things.

You're falsely accusing him.

This is my second younger sister.

Please show
the Lin family some consideration

and allow me a few words with her.

I was only assisting
with the investigation before.

Trust me.

I didn't embezzle anything.

The sooner the truth is uncovered,

the sooner my name will be cleared.

Really?

Really.

Jinqi,

you have to keep your word.

You must come back safely.

All these years,

when have I ever

broken a promise to you?

All right.

Take him away.

So many people.

Xiuwan.

Don't cry.

It's all right.

Where's Jinqi?

Jinqi was arrested.

Jinqi was arrested?

This...

That wretched boy.

That wretched boy!

I told you long ago,

if he offended the Zhao family
and still wanted to remain an official,

he'd be dismissed
and investigated anyway,

and then thrown into prison.

Now look what's happened.

We don't even know

if he'll make it out alive.

A tall tree catches the wind,

and great fame can bring a man to ruin.

Stop making things worse.

This...

- First Madam!
- First Madam!

Shunhua!

Shunhua.

Check on her.

Is she all right?

Help us.

Young Lady.

- Is the Lin family finished?
- Look at you, you fool.

Look what you've done.

What are we going to do?

What does this have to do with me?

- Go help them. Hurry.
- How is this none of your business?

I don't even want to speak to you.

These are clothes and other necessities

your family asked me to bring you.

Here.

Give them to me.

Your family wanted to visit you,

but Commander Xu gave orders

that no family members
are allowed to visit.

Even I had to use
the investigation as an excuse

to get in.

What's happening outside?

They're saying you colluded
with corrupt merchants and took bribes,

passed off inferior goods as quality
ones, and recklessly endangered lives.

Afraid the truth would come out,

you even led armed men
into a private residence

to k*ll witnesses and destroy evidence,

driving Lu Dalang to his death.

I was trying to bring Lu Dalang back

and uncover the truth.

But now he's dead, so there's
no one to corroborate your story.

Even if I believe you,

the Central Military Command doesn't.

There's something else.

I'm not sure if I should tell you.

Can it be any worse than this?

You shouldn't have asked.

That Young Lady Zhao

is engaged again.

To the Deputy Chief Censor
of the Censorate.

Dai Rong's father?

Have you been cursed
with bad luck or something?

The Censorate serves
as the Emperor's eyes and ears,

keeping watch over
officials and impeaching them.

It was bad enough
that you offended Dai Rong.

Now he has someone
whispering in his ear.

The Central Military Command has
no choice but to deal with you severely.

I'm worried there'll be
more memorials impeaching you.

His Majesty may issue
an edict to punish you.

If that happens,

there'll truly
be no room to turn things around.

You've always been quick-witted.

Think of something.

I'm off.

Take care.

Xiuwan.

The Xie family has already arranged
a marriage for Xie Zhao.

It's with the sixth young lady
of the Zhao family's third branch.

You have to give up on him.

Xiuru,

what should we do?

Xiuwan,

don't be upset.

Didn't Old Master say

that as long as Jinqi
conducts himself honorably,

he has nothing to fear
from those who wish him ill?

Once the case is cleared up,

Jinqi's name will be cleared, too.

That's right.

She's right.

Xiuwan,

don't cry.

What do you know?

I can't be
bothered explaining it to you.

[Is that Xie Zhao?]

[Why is he here?]

Xiuwan seems to have stopped crying.

She has.

I never knew Xiuwan and Jinqi

were so close.

I can't even bring myself to cry.

Xiuru, what about you?

I...

I...

I...

I know.

Should we go over?

I found the koi in the pond

and the mandarin ducks so delightful

that I became lost in watching them.

I hope I haven't
disturbed you, Young Lady Lin.

This is my favorite spot, too.

It's a shame I didn't
bring any pastries today.

Otherwise, if you scatter
some crumbs into the pond,

the koi will gather right at your feet.

It's quite a sight.

If I get another chance,

I'll bring something to feed the fish.

♪A faint trace of fragrance♪

♪Softly lingers in the air♪

♪As the years slowly turn another page♪

♪Your shimmering gaze♪

♪Keeps stirring the tides of fate♪

♪The graceful waves♪

♪Sway gently to and fro♪

♪Yet my heart is caught in the flurry♪

♪And you fall into my heart♪

♪There are still many chapters ahead♪

♪I can't forget♪

♪My longing fills my eyes♪

♪I long to be with you forever♪

♪Love lingers all around us♪

Xiuwan is smiling.

Zheng must have brought

good news about Jinqi.

Who did you say that man was?

Zheng.

Cuique's brother from Luxue Lodge.

The one who saved Jinqi's life.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

When I was in First Madam's room,

Zheng came to pay his respects to her.

First Madam even
had me greet him properly.

Come on.

Let's go listen too

and see what the good news is.

What are you doing?

Shh.

Covering my mouth again?

I won't say anything.

Why are you

suddenly

here in our garden?

Did you come to...

To see someone?

My sister and I
are going to offer incense

and pray for Fengtai's safety.

Before leaving the residence,

we were going to pay
our respects to First Madam together.

On the way there,

my sister suddenly realized
she'd forgotten something

and asked me to wait here.

Pay your respects to First Madam?

Not Second Madam?

Zheng.

Xiuwan.

What are you talking about?

While I was enjoying the scenery,

I happened to run into Young Lady Lin.

We were talking about the view.

You're brother and sister?

You are...

This is my brother, Du Zheng.

Zheng heard

that Jinqi was taken away
by the Central Military Command

and has been very worried about him.

He took leave especially
to accompany me to offer incense.

You are...

Du Zheng?

That's me.

Xiuwan,

let's talk again next time.

Zheng and I

still have to go offer incense

after paying our respects
to First Madam.

Second Young Lady Lin,

I'll take my leave.

He's not Xie Zhao.

He's Du Zheng.

Xiuwan,

what news did Zheng bring about Jinqi?

One moment you're happy,

and the next you're troubled.

It's nothing.

You've

met him before?

Zheng?

First Madam said Zheng

is capable, brave, and kind.

He even saved Jinqi's life.

She told me to respect Zheng

just as I respect Jinqi.

It seems Aunt Shunhua
really likes Zheng.

First Madam
even said she wanted to find

a good match for Zheng.

But she worried
that with such a fine young man,

she didn't know which young lady
would be a worthy match.

I never expected

such a coincidence.

What didn't you expect?

Nothing.

I'm going back.

You two can keep playing.

[Xie Zhao has become Du Zheng.]

[Their family backgrounds
and status are worlds apart.]

[Yet Xiuwan
doesn't seem to care at all.]

[She's simply happy.]

Xiuru.

Let's go see Second Sister-in-Law.

We can listen
to Jinlan tell stories, too.

All right.

Second Young Lady may seem willful,

but I never expected her to be so loyal.

The day Young Master was taken away,

I saw how worried
Second Young Lady was...

- Yuchan.
- Yuchan.

How's your injury?

It looked serious,

but it was only a flesh wound.

It's already scabbed over

and doesn't hurt at all.

That's good.

Come with me to the study.

I need to speak with you alone.

Close the door.

This is

Osmanthus cake?

Before Young Master
was taken away, he told me

that he'd sent Jiugao
and Nanke on an errand.

If Jiugao found anything,

he'd have someone
send back osmanthus cake.

The cake is a signal.

Young Master left a letter.

If the osmanthus cake arrived,

I was to deliver the letter to
Marquis Yongchang as soon as possible.

Young Master asked me...

Young Master said

this letter would
be difficult to deliver.

I'm loyal,

but I'm not as brave as you.

I'm not as quick-witted as you,

or as decisive.

He wanted you to come
with me to deliver the letter.

[Letter from Lin Jinqi]
Make sure

the letter reaches
Marquis Yongchang personally.

Young Master said

there'll be a generous reward
if we succeed.

What if we fail?

When the nest falls,
no egg remains unbroken.

We're servants of the Lin family.

If something happens to Young Master,

neither of us will fare well.

They say a marquis's
gates are as deep as the sea.

How can two young maids like us

ever get to see Marquis Yongchang?

Young Master wrote this before he left.

He said that many years ago,

when he happened
to meet Marquis Yongchang,

the Marquis casually said these words.

How could Dingyuan remain
[*Dingyuan refers to Ban Chao, who left]

a scholar all his life?
[*the scholar's life for a military career.]

Who under heaven
[*Bohai refers to the poet Gao Shi,]

would not know Bohai?
[*who was known as the Marquis of Bohai.]

I've thought it over again and again,
but I still can't think of a good way.

Now that Young Master has been
dismissed and is under investigation,

the Lin family has no ties
with Marquis Yongchang's household,

and Young Master has never
had dealings with him either.

Even if Master took Young Master's note

to Marquis Yongchang's residence
and asked to see him,

Marquis Yongchang probably
wouldn't receive him.

Much less two young maids like us.

Not only do we have
to see Marquis Yongchang,

but we must do it
without alerting anyone.

I have an idea.

[Jiangdong Gate]

Why did we come outside the city?

When Marquis Yongchang leaves
the Xinjiangkou Naval Camp

and returns to his residence,

he'll most likely enter
through Jiangdong Gate,

then pass through Sanshan Gate
into the inner city.

This road

is the only route
from Jiangdong Gate to Sanshan Gate.

But

what if His Lordship
doesn't take this route?

We'll have to take that chance.

We can only do our best
and leave the rest to fate.

[Jiangdong Gate]

[Yuan Shaohui, Marquis Yongchang,
Commander of the Xinjiangkou Naval Camp]

♪How could Dingyuan
remain a scholar all his life?♪

♪Who under heaven
would not know Bohai?♪

♪How could Dingyuan
remain a scholar all his life?♪

♪Who under heaven
would not know Bohai?♪

We're maids from
the Lin Residence on Yanling Lane.

We were...

sent by our master

to deliver a letter to Your Lordship.

Lin Fengtai is imprisoned.

If he has evidence
that can prove his innocence,

he should submit it
to the Central Military Command.

Your Lordship!

If Young Master refuses to submit it
to the Central Military Command,

he must have his reasons.

Your Lordship.

Commander Yuan!

In the sixth year
of the late Emperor's reign,

the Xinjiangkou
Naval Camp was established

with eight thousand naval troops
to oversee the river defenses.

All bandits and ill*gal salt traders

were to be apprehended,

while the camp also guarded
against Wo pirates.

Commander Yuan,

you are the Commander
of the Xinjiangkou Naval Camp,

not one of the Three Judicial Offices
that investigate wrongful cases.

If Young Master
sent a letter to Commander Yuan,

it naturally wasn't to ask you
to investigate his case.

Then what is it about?

The river defenses.

The letter.

Return to camp.

Take these two maids back with us.

Do not release them without my orders.

- Yes.
- Yes.

[Jiangdong Gate]

- Move.
- Move.

Lanxiang,

did we just make things
worse for Young Master?

We did what Young Master

asked us to do.

Really?

You haven't read the letter.

How did you know it was

about the river defenses?

I was bluffing.

But now it seems I was right.

What if you'd guessed wrong

and the letter wasn't
about the river defenses?

Then we'd still end up

being arrested, just like now.

[Longjiang Pass Wharf]

Be careful.

None of this cargo is heavy,

but you still can't be careless.

[Longjiang Pass Wharf]

Set sail.

I'll take you to Taicang,

and then I have
to hurry back to Jinling.

Lin Jinqi forced Lord Fujiwara

to take his own life.

We must avenge him.

I doubt he'll
live long enough to see you.

Once he's convicted,

we'll find a way

to make Lin Jinqi appear to take
his own life in prison out of guilt.

[Ding Peng, Yuan Shaohui's Aide, Assistant Commander]
The Naval Camp is here

to apprehend the Wo pirates!
k*ll anyone who resists!

Board the ship!

Count everyone!

Take them all away!

My Lord.

- Thank you, My Lord.
- Thank you, My Lord.

Thank you, My Lord.

Thank you
for delivering justice, My Lord.

Thank you, My Lord.

Please, rise.

Thank you, My Lord.

These women are skilled
at spinning and weaving.

The Wo took advantage of their poverty

and their eagerness to earn money
to lure them aboard,

intending to abduct them to Wo country.

As for this matter,

I will report the facts to my superiors

and commend Fengtai for his service.

- Thank you, Your Lordship.
- Thank you, Your Lordship.

Young Master.

They know they wronged you.

When they heard you were
being released this morning,

they specially took leave
to come and welcome you

and apologize.

Please punish us,
Assistant Commander Lin.

- Please punish us, Assistant Commander Lin.
- Please punish us, Assistant Commander Lin.

Assistant Commander Lin meant well

and tried to secure
better treatment for us,

but we were blinded
by our own foolishness

and mistook a good man for a bad one,

causing Assistant Commander Lin
to suffer such humiliation.

Yet Assistant Commander Lin
bore us no grudge

and went to great lengths
to uncover the true culprit,

so our fallen brothers
can finally rest in peace.

We offer our deepest thanks
to Assistant Commander Lin.

- Our deepest thanks, Assistant Commander Lin.
- Our deepest thanks, Assistant Commander Lin.

Get up.

Everyone, get up and speak.

Get up and speak!

Get up.

As your commanding officer,

seeking justice for my men

was always my duty.

I merely did what I should.

As for all of you,

you had the courage to speak up
for your wrongfully k*lled brothers

and refused to let
the true culprit escape justice.

That is what deserves respect.

We're simple men.

We don't know how to say anything fancy.

But from this day on,

you have our complete respect.

Whatever Assistant Commander Lin
tells us to do, we'll do it.

No questions asked.

We'll follow Assistant Commander Lin.

- We'll follow Assistant Commander Lin.
- We'll follow Assistant Commander Lin.

- We'll follow Assistant Commander Lin.
- We'll follow Assistant Commander Lin.

Young Master.

[Uphold the Family's Honor]

- Young Master.
- Young Master.

Let's wash away Young Master's bad luck,

so everything goes smoothly from now on.

May fortune and prosperity follow.

May everything go smoothly.

Wash away the bad luck.

May fortune
and prosperity follow from now on.

May everything go smoothly.

Nanny Wu, help Jiugao and Nanke
wash away their bad luck, too.

All right.

All right.

May fortune and prosperity follow.
Wash away the bad luck.

Mother, are you washing away
my bad luck or beating your son?

Am I really your own son?

Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Of course I'd beat my own son.

Wash away the bad luck.

I made you worry, Mother.

I'm just glad you're back.

Go change your clothes,

and then pay your respects
to Old Master and Old Madam

so they won't keep worrying about you.

All right.

Your father...

Father and Second Uncle
got into another fight

after arguing over Jinqi's situation.

Old Master ordered them to stay in
the rooms and reflect on their actions.

Later, let Aunt Lingxiao
know you're safe, too.

Thankfully, she's been
keeping me company every day.

What about me?

I've been keeping you company, too.

You've done your part, too.

Tell me what you want later,

and I'll buy it for you.

As long as you're safe

and Mother is happy,

I have everything I need.

Mother.

These are tears of joy.

Go change and freshen up.

I'll take my leave.

Mother.

Where are Yuchan and Lanxiang?

Yesterday afternoon,

Yuchan said she was acting
on Young Master's orders

and took Lanxiang out on an errand.

They still haven't returned.

Go get Jiugao.

Young Master.

Where did Yuchan and Lanxiang go?

They...

They're still not back?

Marquis Yongchang
was afraid word might get out,

so he had Yuchan and Lanxiang

taken to the Naval Camp.

I thought after we caught
the Wo pirates last night,

Marquis Yongchang would send
someone to bring them back.

Could Marquis Yongchang
have simply forgotten

about Yuchan and Lanxiang?

Yuchan has never
been inside a military camp.

Being kept there all night

must have frightened her badly.

No.

I have to go to the Naval Camp
and bring her back.

Stop.

I'll go with you.

Young Master.

What about Old Master and Old Madam?

Tell Old Master I have
something urgent to take care of.

I'll pay my respects
and apologize when I return.

So Young Master has business
with Marquis Yongchang.

You gave me quite a fright.

Official business comes first.

Go take care of it, Young Master.

One, two! One, two!

[Naval Camp]
One, two! One!

[Xinjiangkou Naval Camp]

Commander Yuan.

Forgive me for coming unannounced.

First, I came especially
to thank Commander Yuan.

Second, I was hoping to

take our two maids home on my way back.

As for what happened this time,

I should be the one
thanking you, Fengtai.

The river defenses

are my responsibility
in the first place.

If the Wo pirates' smuggling ship

had sailed out
of the Sancha River Estuary,

it would have been
much harder to stop them

from sailing downriver and out to sea.

Fortunately, you warned me.

Everything I did

was following Commander Yuan's example.

If Commander Yuan hadn't

said those words
that opened my eyes back then,

there wouldn't be
an Assistant Commander Lin

who gave up the scholar's
path and took up arms today.

I had planned to send

the two young ladies back
first thing this morning.

But too many people objected,

and I couldn't
go against everyone's wishes.

- Good!
- Good!

- Good!
- Good!

That yellow-dappled horse

seemed to sense its master's urgency

to save his benefactor,

and galloped with all its might,

hot breath blasting from its nostrils

and foam spilling from its mouth.

At last, they arrived.

Qin Qiong cried out desperately,

"Stay your blade!"

- Good!
- Good!

- Good!
- Good!

But he was just a moment too late.

The blade came down,

blood sprayed through the air,

and Shan Xiongxin's
head rolled to the ground.

Overcome with grief,
Qin Qiong rushed forward,

but could only gather up Shan Xiongxin's

bloodied head.

The still-warm blood

ran over Qin Qiong's hands,

and memories flooded his mind.

Back then,

he had fallen on hard times in Luzhou

and become gravely ill.

He had no choice but to sell

his beloved yellow-dappled horse.

Shan Xiongxin,
who came to buy the horse,

took to him immediately

and cared for him
devotedly for eight months.

Once Qin Qiong recovered,

he fitted the yellow-dappled horse with
golden stirrups and a silver saddle,

and then gave Qin Qiong Lu silk
and generous funds for his journey.

And now,

Qin Qiong came riding back

on the yellow-dappled horse with
golden stirrups and a silver saddle.

But Shan Xiongxin

was gone.

♪I no longer blame the moon
for withholding its light♪

♪I only pray that those
I've known still live and thrive♪

♪No longer let the world's
wind and snow fall♪

- Good!
- Good!

I came all this way to get you

and missed the best part.

=Against the Current=
[Next Episode's Preview]

I will never

marry an old man.

I'm a person,

not something for my family to show off.

Marquis's wife, Madam Ma, huh?

Whoever wants
those titles can have them.

♪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♪