01x19 - Episode 19

[bunniefuu]

=Against The Current=

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

=Episode 19=
[This drama does not correspond]

[to any real historical dynasty.]

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

Liang Yu, Commander
of the Shence Garrison,

has enjoyed His Majesty's favor,

yet has given no thought
to serving the realm.

He colluded with Dai Rong

and formed a faction for personal gain.

He disregarded the greater good

and pursued his own interests.

He is hereby stripped
of office and imprisoned,

pending further judgment.

- He's coming out!
- He's coming out!

What a disgrace!

Lin Jinqi,

I had no grudge against you,

yet you kept coming after me

and wouldn't let up.

You old scoundrel!

How dare you accuse others
of your own crimes!

This pile of horse manure is

for our brothers who died unjustly.

You heartless beast!
Even horse manure is cleaner than you!

- Beat him to death!
- Beat him to death!

That's enough!

Make way!

Everyone, move aside.

Don't interfere with
Judicial Officer Yang's official duties.

Today,

I must return to report on my mission,

so I can't stay long.

Next time,

we'll have a proper gathering.

This time, it was thanks
to Assistant Commander Lin

that the truth finally came to light.

Our fallen brothers

can finally rest in peace.

I can't take the credit.

From capturing the Wo pirates

and arresting Dai Rong

to exposing Liang Yu,

every one of you played a part.

I've reported everything truthfully.

When the rewards
are given for your service,

every one of you will get your due!

- Good!
- Good!

- Good!
- Good!

- Good!
- Good!

[Banyan Terrace and Gracious Shade]

Tongcao, Baogai.

Luckily, you two brought it
to our attention,

allowing Lanxiang
to discover that Du Cuique

had ordered Lingdang
to poison the bathwater.

This is your reward.

- Thanks for the reward, First Madam.
- Thanks for the reward, First Madam.

Gantang.

Your mother has been by my side

and served me for several years.

I find you even
more capable than your mother.

Keep up the good work.

The Lin Residence will treat you well.

Thank you for the reward,
First Madam.

Lanxiang.

This time,

you practically saved everyone
in the Lin Residence.

That's no small achievement.

Besides gold and silver,

is there anything else you want?

You've always been open and forthright.

Whatever you want,
don't hesitate to ask.

First Madam.

I humbly ask

that you grant me

the indentures of all three members

of my family.

You want to become free commoners?

I beg you to grant
my request, First Madam.

Why do you suddenly want
to buy your family's freedom

and leave?

Was your father

mistreated at the shop,

or have you been
treated harshly in the residence?

My father hasn't been mistreated at all,

nor have I been treated
harshly in any way.

Our masters have been generous and kind.

Our whole family is truly fortunate.

It's just that

I've been frail since childhood.

To pay for my treatment,

my parents scrimped and saved

and never had a single day of comfort.

Now that they're getting old,

I only want to stay
by their side and care for them.

I don't want the day to come

when I wish to care for them,
but they're no longer here.

Your devotion
to your parents is admirable,

and what you say makes sense.

But you currently serve at Zhichun Hall.

As for this,

we should still ask
Young Master what he thinks.

Thank you for your kindness
and understanding, First Madam,

and for not holding

this personal wish of mine against me.

You heartless girl.

You're ready to leave just like that,

without a thought for us.

Who says I'm leaving just like that?

First Madam hasn't agreed yet.

You've done
such a great service this time.

First Madam is sure to agree.

We shouldn't presume

to know what our masters are thinking,

or we'll only get our hopes up.

Ever since we returned to Zhichun Hall,

you've been so downhearted.

Where did that cheerful,
talkative Xiaolian go?

That's right.

Where did the old Xiaolian go?

Aren't you

angry with me?

The first time Lingdang
went to the tea room,

I was the one who showed her there.

I must have been completely blind,

mistaking a bad person for a good one.

Who knows how many things I said

that I shouldn't have

or how many things I did
that I shouldn't have.

Are you afraid
First Madam will punish you?

If I did something wrong,
I should be punished.

I just feel so foolish.

I almost caused...

By that reasoning,

Young Master and First Madam
are the most at fault, then.

Young Master brought
Du Zheng and his sister

back from Jinzhou,

and First Madam arranged
for them to enter the residence.

That's not the same.

Young Master and First Madam
were deceived because of their kindness.

Weren't you the same?

Exactly.

You were deceived

because you were too kindhearted.

It's all in the past now.

Don't keep blaming yourself.

Then,

by your reasoning,

I did nothing wrong at all?

Of course you did something wrong.

Young Master and First Madam

trusted Du Zheng and his sister because

Du Zheng had once
saved Young Master's life.

But you?

You hardly knew Du Cuique at all,

yet you plunged right in
without a second thought.

As the old saying goes,

never seek to harm others,

but always guard against harm.

You only followed the first half,

but neglected the second.

So naturally, one careless step

was enough to make you stumble.

Never seek to harm others,

but always guard against harm.

Then stop feeling bad.

Now that the three of us
have come into some money,

you'd better sweet-talk us

and keep us three wealthy ladies happy.

There'll be plenty in it for you.

These are gifts for you.

Gifts?

Gantang said before
that she wanted to learn to read,

so I asked Jiugao to buy a beginner's

[Three Character Classic]
copy of the Three Character Classic.

The Three Character Classic?

It smells of fresh ink.

What good is giving us books?

You're about to leave the residence.

There'll be no one to teach us.

Can these words

tell us how to read them on their own?

I've already spoken to Yuchan.

As long as you're willing to learn,

Yuchan will teach you.

Really?

Will Yuchan really agree?

Back then,

I learned to read from the maid

who kept the account books
for First Madam.

Now,

as long as you're
sincere about learning,

I'll gladly teach you.

I truly want to learn.

- So do I.
- So do I.

I'll take you three
on as my students for now.

But how much you learn

will depend on each of you.

You're the one who started all this,

and now you're the one backing out.

First Madam hasn't agreed

to let me leave yet.

Young Master went to Rongzhang House.

I imagine he's there
to discuss your request.

Once Young Master returns,

we'll know the answer.

After Lanxiang
distinguished herself before,

she never asked for a reward.

So she was saving up her merits

to ask for her indenture.

Lanxiang is clever and capable,

and you're relying
on her heavily right now.

I thought you
wouldn't want to let her go.

Lanxiang is capable,

but Yuchan and Gantang
are just as capable.

It's not as though
we can't do without her.

As for Du Zheng and his sister,

the Lin Residence
has a clear conscience.

But outsiders
don't know the whole story,

so some criticism is inevitable.

By granting Lanxiang
and her family their freedom now,

we can set an example
within the residence

and show the servants
that as long as they serve faithfully,

their masters
will never treat them unfairly.

It will also silence those outside
who seek to make trouble

and show them

that in the Lin Residence,

whether master or servant,

we value loyalty and honor.

We were thinking the same thing.

Then this matter

is settled.

Give the indentures for Lanxiang
and her parents to Young Master.

I'll take my leave.

Lanxiang is clever and capable.

I really am reluctant to let her go.

But Zhichun Hall
really can't keep her either.

What madam of the household

could tolerate having her husband

keep such
an outstanding maid by his side?

I originally planned to wait until
the inner residence was put in order

and the mess left by Du Zheng
and his sister was dealt with,

then before Young Master's engagement,

find Lanxiang another place to go.

But now,

it seems I worried for nothing.

A girl as clever as she is

would naturally plan her own future.

This is for the best.

It brings our bond as madam
and servant to a fitting end.

Young Master is my own son,

yet now even I can't understand him.

How did he agree so readily?

I thought this would
take some persuading.

Young Master isn't like Master.

He doesn't mistake
womanizing for refinement.

Zhao Xingtang has done
so many outrageous things,

yet Young Master has never
once suggested taking a concubine.

That shows how devoted he is.

Just like you, First Madam.

Amaranth in the seventh month
is worth its weight in gold!

[Glorify the Family Name]

Keeping busy?

Amaranth!

[Indentures]

These are the indentures
for your family.

And this is the deed of emancipation
I've signed and sealed.

[Party to the Agreement: Lin Jinqi]

[Deed of Emancipation]

[Party to the Agreement: Lin Jinqi]

Take a look.

If everything is in order,

Jiugao will accompany you
to the authorities

to complete
the emancipation formalities.

With the Lin Residence
acting as guarantor,

you'll be registered
with a nearby neighborhood.

Thank you for your kindness,
Young Master.

Quickly, thank him.

- Thank you for your kindness, Young Master.
- Thank you for your kindness, Young Master.

Thank you for your kindness,
Young Master.

Thank you for your kindness,
Young Master.

You're no longer servants
of the Lin Residence.

From now on,

you needn't kneel and bow to me anymore.

This...

You're most gracious, Young Master.

Our family can never thank you enough.

- You're most gracious, Young Master.
- You're most gracious, Young Master.

This...

First Madam gave you 150 taels,

and Young Master gave you 100 taels.

That's 250 taels of silver in total.

First Madam said it's difficult
to find a home in Jinling City.

She said not to rush
and to take your time.

Until you find a suitable place,

you may continue living where you are.

Once everything is settled,

choose an auspicious day to move.

First Madam also said

your family
should live well from now on.

If you ever run into difficulties,

just come to us.

You were once part of the Lin household.

No matter where you go in the future,

the bond between us
will remain unchanged.

This...

This...

Thank you, Young Master and
First Madam, for your great kindness.

This...

We don't know
how we could ever repay you.

First Madam, Young Master,
for all you've done for us,

our whole family will always
remember your kindness.

Every day,
we'll kowtow to the Bodhisattva

and pray
for the Bodhisattva's blessings.

May First Madam
be blessed with many descendants

and an ever-flourishing family line.

May Young Master
be blessed with a destined match

and a marriage made in heaven.

Yes.

Every day, we'll kowtow
and burn incense to the Bodhisattva

and pray
for the Bodhisattva's blessings.

May...

May the Bodhisattva bless you.

You certainly have a way with words.

What you said

is exactly
what First Madam and I wish for.

May your auspicious words come true.

I hope that someday,

everything will turn out
just as we wish.

Jiugao, before the government office
closes for the day,

take Uncle Xu and his family there

and get their things done at once.

Yes.

Uncle Xu, Aunt Xu.

Let's go.

- We're leaving, Young Master.
- We're leaving.

♪My restless heart
seeks a place to anchor♪

♪I wonder if the past
has ever been heard♪

She certainly looks happy.

Not the least bit reluctant to leave.

♪Half a lifetime
of longing returns to this moment♪

♪Love and guilt intertwine,
what if the reflection isn't real?♪

♪I still remember your name♪

♪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,
leaving the grass and trees covered in frost♪

♪I only wish that
where the lights grow dim♪

♪You and I will walk there together♪

So it's a bride leaving for her wedding.

No wonder the drums
and music are so loud.

Do you know who the bride is?

Grand Secretary Zhao's
eldest granddaughter,

Young Lady Zhao,

is marrying
into a family in the capital.

Father, Mother.

Let's go.

Let's get our
household registration papers.

- Let's go.
- Let's go.

Will we make it in time?

We will.

Will we make it in time?

We will.

[Tomb of Du Zheng
of the Jinzhou Government Office]

Congyi.

Your sister

acted on Dai Rong's orders

and poisoned the Lin Residence

in an attempt to k*ll me.

She failed

and instead caused
the death of her own maid.

According to the law,

she was sentenced to exile 1,500 km away

and banished to Qiongzhou,

never to return.

[Tomb of Du Zheng
of the Jinzhou Government Office]

Lin Jinqi.

You brought my brother
and me into the Lin Residence.

We seemed to live in comfort and luxury,

without the slightest neglect.

But in truth,

you never really regarded us

as your equals.

If you had been willing
to take me as your concubine,

I wouldn't have had
to seek Dai Rong's support,

and my brother

wouldn't be lying beneath the earth now.

It wasn't I who looked down on you.

You were the one
who looked down on yourself.

If you truly believed
you were our equal,

you should have aspired

to marry properly and become a wife,

rather than become someone's concubine.

It's a long journey,

so it's time to set off.

Let's go.

Go.

[Reply Accepting the Marriage Proposal]

Now that I have this letter of consent,

I'll hurry back to
the Marquis's Residence with the answer.

Old Madam Yuan is still at home,

waiting for the good news.

Thank you for your trouble.

His Lordship is no longer young.

Old Madam Yuan's wish

is to choose the nearest auspicious date

and present the betrothal gifts.

The betrothal gifts
are already prepared.

Good.

No need to see me out, Madam.

Please stay.

Madam Li.

This is wonderful.

From what the matchmaker said,

Old Madam Yuan
thinks very highly of this marriage.

The betrothal gifts are generous.

I think we should add
a little more to Xiuwan's dowry.

Add more.

What else should we add?

Oh, my dear girl.

What's gotten into you now?

You...

I...

You...

Dressed like this...

You...

Du Zheng and I had already
pledged ourselves to each other.

Now that he's dead,

of course I must mourn for him.

Oh, Xiuwan.

Listen to me.

Du Zheng is already dead.

Let's just pretend
none of this ever happened.

Never happened.

Hurry and forget all about them.

Forget them.

I can't.

Du Zheng wanted to

earn a quick promotion for my sake,
and that led him astray.

He lost his life because of me.

I'll never forget him
for as long as I live.

Take these clothes off first.

Take them off!

- Take them off!
- I won't!

Take them off!

Madam.

I won't.

I won't!

How did I end up with a daughter

so utterly obsessed?

Take them off!

No!

- Take them off!
- No!

Take them off!

No!

Take them off!

You...

Shunhua.

Quickly.

Please talk some sense into Xiuwan.

She's going to be the death of me!

As her elders,

we should conduct ourselves accordingly.

I...

Xiuwan.

These past few days,

I've been investigating
everything Du Cuique did.

Some of it concerns you,

so you ought to know.

Whatever Du Cuique may have done,

it had nothing to do with Zheng.

Zheng saved Jinqi's life.

He was the Lin family's lifesaver.

Bring her in.

[Zhou Ci'er, Lin Xiuwan's wet nurse]

Madam Zhou.

For the sake of having
nursed and raised you,

please save me.

During the banquet
on the Festival of Man,

Du Cuique bribed Madam Zhou

and had her son Shitou

deliberately wet Xie Zhao's clothes,

forcing Xie Zhao

to change out of the dark teal robe
he had been wearing.

She also instructed Yinxian

to pass information to you,

misleading you
into believing that Du Zheng

was Xie Zhao.

Is that true?

Is what First Madam said true?

I was blinded by greed.

I was foolish in my old age.

Please forgive me this once.

I'll never do it again.

Never again.

Madam Zhou.

What else did you do?

When Du Cuique

took Young Lady
to the temple to offer incense,

she had me send Yinxian away

so Du Zheng could approach Young Lady.

I... I also told her
where Young Lady would be

so Du Zheng

could arrange to run into Young Lady.

It... It was all a lie.

It... It was all a lie.

No... No, that's impossible.

You old woman!

I've always treated you well!

I'll beat you to death,

you treacherous wretch!

You wretch!

You wretch!

You treacherous wretch!

Don't hit me!

Stop hitting me!

I was wrong!

I know I was wrong!

I know I was wrong!

You wretch!

You wretch!

My poor Xiuwan.

May you die a wretched death!

Mother.

Mother.

It's all right.

It's all right.

It's not your fault.

It's not your fault.

Let's just

think of it as a terrible nightmare.

Take these clothes off.

Take them off and burn them.

Burn them.

We'll treat it
as nothing more than a nightmare.

Now that you're awake,

everything can go back
to the way it was.

My dear Xiuwan.

You're going to marry
into the Marquis's Residence.

I've prepared a generous dowry for you.

Once you're married,

you'll be the Marchioness.

Lingxiao.

You need to think this through.

If we deceive the Yuan family like this,

what if...

Instead of joining our families,

we could make enemies of them.

There is no what if.

Absolutely not.

These are all trusted servants.

If you say nothing and I say nothing,
no one will ever know.

No one will know.

You...

Shunhua.

This isn't like what happened
with the Xie family.

I've already accepted the match

and received the Yuan family's
formal marriage proposal.

If we back out now

and word gets out,

Xiuwan

will never be able
to arrange another marriage.

Shunhua.

You and I are as close as sisters.

Xiuwan is like your own daughter.

Please help us.

As long as you're willing
to help us keep this quiet,

we can pretend none of it ever happened.

Changmin.

Yes, Father.

Go to Marquis Yongchang's
Residence tomorrow

and apologize to Old Madam Yuan.

Call off this marriage.

No!

Absolutely not!

Old Master.

Everyone in Jinling City

already knows that the Lin family

is arranging a marriage
with Marquis Yongchang's family.

If we apologize
and call off the marriage,

Xiuwan's reputation will be ruined.

How is she supposed
to face the world after that?

Then there is only one other way.

The Lin family's Second Young Lady
suddenly falls gravely ill

and dies unexpectedly
at midnight tonight.

No!

No!

No!

- Father!
- No!

No!

No, Shunhua! No!

No!

Xiuwan is young and naive.

That's why she
fell into a villain's trap.

Please show her mercy, Old Master!

Madam Wang has lost all sense.

Have you lost yours, too?

Do you think that now Du Zheng is dead,

you can hide the truth from everyone

and pretend nothing ever happened?

Du Cuique is still alive.

And Marquis Yongchang
is presiding over her case.

Do you think Du Cuique

will help you cover up the truth?

What's done cannot be undone.

For the sake
of the Lin family's reputation,

and so the other young ladies
of the Lin family

can still make good marriages,

you...

must die.

You...

want to drive my Xiuwan to her death.

You...

want to drive my Xiuwan to her death?

They want to

drive my Xiuwan to her death.

They want to drive
my Xiuwan to her death.

Then I...

Then I don't want to live either!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Lingxiao.

Your children are still young.

You mustn't do anything foolish.

They want to drive
my Xiuwan to her death.

How can I go on living?

How am I supposed to live?

Grandfather.

Xiuwan did make a mistake,

but it doesn't warrant death.

I was the one
who brought trouble into our home.

That's where it all began.

Please spare Xiuwan, Grandfather.

If I spare her,

who will spare the Lin family?

The Lin family is already
at odds with the Zhao family.

Must we

make an enemy
of the Marquis's family as well?

The matchmaker came today

to convey messages
between the two families

and ask whether
the young lady's family consented.

The birth-date cards
haven't been exchanged yet.

The Lin and Yuan families
are only discussing a marriage.

Our Lin family

doesn't have only one young lady.

You mean Xiuru?

I'm willing to take Xiuwan's place

and marry into the Yuan family.

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

Next year is
the triennial provincial examination.

Aren't you preparing
for the provincial examination?

Mister Lu has trouble with his hand

and finds it difficult to write,

so he hired me
to transcribe lyrics and songs.

That way, I can earn some money
to help support my family.

Now I need to prepare
for the provincial examination,

but I've been worried
I couldn't manage everything.

Fortunately, Lanxiang is here.

Once I hand everything

over to Lanxiang,

I can focus on preparing
for the examination.

Lanxiang.

No need to fuss.

I just came to see how you're doing.

I'll sit for a while and then leave.

♪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♪