01x38 - Episode 38

[bunniefuu]

=Against The Current=

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

=Episode 38=
[This drama does not correspond]

[to any real historical dynasty.]

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

The Lin Residence is so large,

and with the retreat,

there are over a hundred people.

We can't go without
someone running the household.

What you mean is...

Xiulai, you're able to run a household,

so the Lin Residence

is in your hands to run.

No, I can't.

I'm separated and back with my family.

If you don't mind me living off you,
I'll be forever grateful.

I'm in no position to run the household.

You'll manage the household for me,

and I'll pay you every month,

and a share of profits if you do well.

Then from now on,

in the Lin Residence,

you'll earn your keep on your own merit.

That's right.

Lanxiang is right.

Xiulai...

Stop making a fuss.

Lanxiang,

I really can't.

Do you really want to live off
the Lin family forever?

Your dowry

was squandered by the Lu family.

Are you planning to remarry, then?

I have no such intention.

Yingzhi is still young.

Once Jun returns, I'll have
a son and a daughter.

I just want to raise them well.

I'll never remarry in this life.

If you don't plan to remarry,

then you'll live in the Lin Residence

for the rest of your life.

You may be willing to bite your tongue

and tiptoe around everyone,

but what about Yingzhi and Jun?

Think further ahead.

Jun's betrothal gifts when he marries,

and Yingzhi's dowry...

will those come from living off others?

Lanxiang,

it's not that Xiulai doesn't understand.

But if she runs the household,

she's bound to face gossip.

Running the household may draw gossip,

but it comes with real power.

For the sake of their monthly allowance,

they won't dare say it to her face.

They'll only gossip behind her back.

There's no way

that a woman who dared to go

to Shuntian Prefecture
to sue for a separation

would fear a few wagging tongues.

Besides,

people's hearts change easily.

If you do well,

they may be truly won over one day.

Who knows?

But Lanxiang,

you're the wife
of the Lin family's eldest grandson.

By doing this,

aren't you afraid the Old Master
and First Madam will disapprove

and punish you?

Me?

I've got thick skin.

The Old Master and First Madam
already dislike me.

At worst, they'll dislike me even more.

Anyway, they're in Jinling,

too far away to reach us.

We're in the capital,

so let's enjoy ourselves while we can.

Xiulai,

we should learn from Lanxiang.

This world has enough rules as it is.

People

should look after themselves first.

Have you figured it out?

Don't worry, Xiulai.

Lanxiang never acts recklessly.

She must have thought it through.

If she dares to suggest it,

just go ahead and do it.

If the sky falls,

we'll face it together.

Starting today,

the First Young Lady
will manage the household for me.

I have one reminder for you.

We Lins are all one family.

The First Young Lady is a Lin.

The Young Master
chose to take 200 strokes

to protect her.

If anyone thinks of bullying her,

first consider whether
the Young Master would allow it.

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

♪As if time itself were flowing♪

♪Pausing, then rewinding♪

I know some of the nannies

and stewards are longtime servants here,

and are well respected.

But since I've promised Lanxiang
to run the household,

I have my own respect to uphold.

From now on, if you respect me,

I'll rely on you in return.

But if you use your seniority

to do something shameful,

as a junior, I can't punish you myself.

I'll just tie you up and bring you
before the Old Master,

the Old Madam,

the Master and First Madam,

and let them decide your punishment.

Rest assured, First Young Lady.

We'd never dare to abuse our seniority.

♪I watch the passing years wear away♪

♪Even deep affection slowly fades♪

♪The past falls like withered leaves
into the dust♪

Lanxiang is truly one of a kind.

She even thought of having Xiulai
run the household.

At first, it seems unreasonable,

but on reflection, it's perfectly sound.

Remarkable people do remarkable things.

No wonder you took a slap back then

just to marry her.

Stop teasing me.

More importantly, your health...

how is it?

I heard that today

you sent for a physician.

I have good news

to share with you and Lanxiang.

All right.

I'm all ears.

Suhua is with child.

You mean

you're going to be a father?

Wonderful.

Congratulations.

If the Old Master finds out,

he'll be overjoyed.

Write a letter right away,

and I'll have it sent to Jinling.

Jinqi.

I'd like to ask you a favor.

Don't tell anyone in Jinling yet.

You don't want Concubine Zhou to know?

Ever since I was born,

Mother has cared for me devotedly.

She kept watch over what I wore,
what I ate, and how I slept.

Nagged me constantly,

"You're in poor health.

You can't do this,
and you can't do that."

It was almost suffocating.

I thought

things would improve after I married,

but Mother watched Suhua closely, too.

Mother kept blaming Suhua

for years of marriage without a child.

But Suhua

was so frightened by Mother

that even staying with me a bit longer,

she feared it would drain my vitality.

How could she get pregnant?

Concubine Zhou was only
worried about your health.

Now that I'm in the capital,

without Mother shadowing my every move,

I finally feel

truly alive.

Unfilial son that I am,

I've grown too fond of

this feeling of truly living.

I really don't want Mother to come.

All right.

I'll keep this from them for you,

and not let our elders in Jinling know.

Thank you and Lanxiang
for covering for me.

Lanxiang isn't here,

so your flattery

is wasted.

You've been married for over a year,

yet still living in this warm chamber.

Is it still the bitter part

before the sweet?

[Our ways]

[differ.]

Jinlan,

those who follow different ways
cannot plan together.

What is the Way?

The Way that can be spoken

is not the eternal Way.

That's too big a question, Jinqi.

I can't think of how to answer.

The Way of the gentleman is to

cultivate oneself, order the family,
govern the state, and pacify the realm.

Is that wrong?

You just quelled Prince Han's rebellion,

bringing peace and well-being to all.

What you've done

leaves you no shame
before Heaven or mankind.

It is surely the right Way.

Now just wait for His Majesty's reward.

[Deep Roots, Lasting Grace]

[Six Months Later]

[Deep Roots, Lasting Grace]

By the mandate of Heaven,
the Emperor decrees.

Lin Jinqi, Assistant Commander
of the Central Military Command,

when traitors rebelled,

you were charged to defend the capital.

With keen and decisive judgment,

you defeated the enemy and prevailed.

We hereby confer upon you the title
of Guardian Serving Heaven's Mandate,

Loyal and Dedicated Military Minister,

Specially Promoted Grand Master of

Glorious Emolument,
Right Pillar of State,

Left Chief Commander
of the Rear Military Command,

and Marquis Jing'an.

Xu, wife of Lin Jinqi, Marquis Jing'an,

in a time of peril for the realm,

remained unwavering in resolve

and upheld virtue in practice.

She is hereby granted the title
of Marchioness Jing'an.

Receive this grace with reverence
and forever grace your household.

Your Majesty is most gracious.

I would give my life to repay it.

Thanks Your Majesty for this grace.

Great news!

[Glorify the Family Name]

Great news!

Great news!

Wonderful news!

Old Master, Old Madam,

our Young Master crushed the rebellion,

and His Majesty made him Marquis Jing'an

and Left Chief Commander
of the Rear Military Command!

The Young Madam was named
Marchioness Jing'an!

Is the news certain?

Yes, it's certain.

Marquis Yuan told me himself.

Marquis Jing'an...

Marquis Jing'an...

I'm the father of Marquis Jing'an!

By custom,

when a son is ennobled,

he should petition His Majesty
to grant titles to his parents,

no lower in rank than his own.

Then I'll be a marquis, too!

And you'll be a marchioness.

It's only an honorary title.

Nothing more than a name.

Shunhua!

Did you hear?

You're going to be a marchioness!

Did you hear?

[Cheng Fengxian, Lin Jinqiao's Wife]
Your sister-in-law is a marchioness now.

That's right.

My eldest brother
is Marquis Jing'an now.

The Marquis also said

His Majesty has issued a special decree.

Jiugao and Nanke
may leave bonded status.

Jiugao is named company commander,
and Nanke deputy company commander!

Congratulations, Your Lordship.

Congratulations, Marchioness.

Thank you, Chief Steward Wang,

for coming in person.

Getting to share in the joy

is my good fortune.

In quelling this rebellion,

Jiugao and Nanke

also rendered great service.

The Marquis submitted a memorial

requesting rewards for them,

and His Majesty has approved it.

Amitabha.

Old Master,

even the Lin family's servants

have made something of themselves.

Marquis Jing'an...

Old Master, Old Madam,

although

the clan has precedents
for celebratory rites,

the clan has never had a marquis.

For now, I'm at a loss

as to how to arrange it.

Please, Old Master and Old Madam,

make the decision.

Then invite

the clan elders over to discuss it

and settle on a plan.

Good.

Very good.

Very good.

Good.

This is truly wonderful news!

Wonderful!

Old...

Old Madam!

Old Madam!

- Mother!
- What do we do?

What do we do?

- Mother!
- Mother!

What's wrong?

Mother, what's wrong?

Stop! Don't move her!

Stand aside. Don't get in the way!

Mother!

Huaixiang, fetch a basin of hot water.

Mother, are you all right?

Madam Wu, get the medicine chest.

Huaixiang, fetch a basin of hot water!

Hurry!

Yinchen!

Hurry.

Go, quickly.

My stomach hurts.

Jinqiao!

My stomach hurts!

The baby's coming.

Why did it have to happen now?

Call the midwife!

My stomach hurts.

I'll fetch a physician!

What are you standing there for?

Help your wife, quickly!

Careful.

Careful...

Lanxiang,

here are this month's accounts.

[Harmonious Joy]



Such a large surplus this month?

Xiulai, you're truly capable.

Besides the accounts,

there's something important

I'd like to discuss with you.

Go ahead.

Jinqi now serves His Majesty directly,

so you're sure to stay in the capital.

I was thinking

we could buy, here in the capital,

some land and houses.

We may not need them now,

but once there are children,

for weddings and dowries alike,

they'll come in handy.

You make a good point, Xiulai.

But first,

land and houses here are very costly.

We may not be able to afford them.

Second, the capital is only so big.

Land and houses are limited.

We can't just buy them

because we want to.

You're right,

but you forget the rebellion last year.

Many families met with disaster.

Their houses and land

have gradually come on the market.

Now

is a good time to buy.

That's right.

How could I forget?

The Zhao and Dai families alone

had plenty of land and houses.

Xiulai, you truly are a born manager.

There's no better time than now

to buy land and property.

I've asked around.

The families of Grand Secretary Xie
and Duke Ying

want 1,000 mu of fertile farmland.

And the Eldest Prince's Eunuch Wang

and the Second Prince's Eunuch Gao

also want over 1,000 mu each.

Are eunuchs really that rich?

They can buy that much at once?

These eunuchs have no wives or children,

and their food and clothes are provided.

What would they want so much land for?

Xiulai, do you know

why Cao Cao's surname was Cao?

Supposedly, Cao Cao was born a Xiahou,

but because his father

was adopted by the eunuch lord Cao Teng,

the name was changed to Cao.

How foolish of me.

Eunuchs can have heirs, too.

Of course land would be of great use.

We women

don't need that much,

but it's a rare opportunity.

If we pool our money,

we can surely buy 100-200 mu.

It'd bring in income

and could be left to the children later.

I have some private savings.

If there's land at a fair price,

could I join in

and buy some for the child?

Suhua, why so formal?

We're looking anyway.

We can ask Xiulai

to look with Second Butler Yang,

and then have Lanxiang
give final approval.

Exactly.

If we all buy together,

we can look out for each other.

I don't object if you want to buy,

but I won't.

Lanxiang, is your dowry not enough?

I have money.

Take it and use it.

I have enough money for the land.

Then...

Did I not think it through?

Did I get something wrong?

No, you're not wrong, Xiulai.

Right now

is indeed

a good time to acquire land and houses.

If the Young Master wants to buy,

let him vet it for you.

I'll stay out of it.

If Lanxiang isn't buying,

then neither will I.

I have no wish to marry now.

As long as I have enough to live on,

anything more is wasted.

Then I won't buy either.

The Second Young Master and I

will surely return to Jinling someday.

Buying land and houses in the capital

really doesn't make sense.

I don't have money anyway.

I was just offering ideas

and joining in the fun.

Since none of you is buying,

forget I brought it up.

Different ways again...

Lanxiang must miss her parents

and want to go back to Jinling.

That's why she won't buy property here.

Xiuwan's clothes are just for show.

Appreciate the thought,

but never let the baby wear them.

Jinqi, you're such a tease.

I made them for fun.

Suhua, you're with child.

No need to stand. Please sit.

Why did you come together?

A letter came from Jinling.

Jinqiao's wife had a son.

Jinqiao is a father now.

So Mother has a grandson.

No wonder she never came to the capital

to cause me trouble.

There's other news from home?

The Old Madam had a stroke.

Fortunately, with careful treatment,

her life is no longer in danger.

But she has trouble moving,

and her speech isn't as clear as before.

Do we need to go back?

The Old Master wants us in the capital,

with no need to worry about home.

But Aunt Lingxiao, as a daughter-in-law,

must stay and tend to her.

For the next year or so,

she likely won't come to the capital.

But in her letter, Aunt Lingxiao

urged you to return to Jinling.

She said

now that Jinqi is Marquis Jing'an,

the family can't bear to see you
marry so far away in the capital,

and wants to find you
a good match in Jinling.

I'm not going back.

I won't.

Jinqi, just tell her

there are many fine young men here,

that you and Lanxiang are matchmaking,

so Mother needn't worry about my match.

Lying to deceive our elders for you?

I won't do that.

And don't use Lanxiang

as your shield.

When Aunt Lingxiao makes a scene,

even I can't fend off her volleys.

Just kidding.

The Old Master's letter
never even mentioned you.

Jinlan!

- You...
- It's only a matter of time.

Aunt Lingxiao is too busy for you now,

but she'll write to summon you
back soon enough.

Men must wed, and women must marry.

You can't escape it.

You'd better plan ahead.

Or sooner or later,

your parents will lead you by the nose.

Tomorrow,

Lanxiang and I are going on an outing.

No need to prepare meals for us.

All right.

I'll come, too.

I'm bored stiff at home.

You're not coming.

Jinqi!

Lanxiang!

Jinlan, Suhua.

Wherever we go, you're not coming.

You...

Fine, don't take me.

You just want me married off.

Not a chance.

This way.

Careful.

We've walked all this way,

and you've beaten the grass all along.
Aren't you tired?

Beating the grass scares off snakes.

Tiring as it is,

it's better than a venomous snake bite.

Young Master, what made you think

of coming somewhere so remote to unwind?

To visit an old friend.

Why would your friend

live somewhere so remote?

Young Master, do you know that woman?

I've seen her.

She didn't recognize you.

I've seen her.

She's never seen me.

We're here.

This is the old friend I came to visit.

This is

a grave?

A family grave.

A family of twenty

all buried here.

Why does this grave

have no headstone?

Grand Secretary Shen's family,

for deceiving the throne
and betraying its favor,

and for disloyalty to the state,

was ordered to die by the late Emperor.

♪Spring slips
from the branches once more♪

♪Flowers bloom unseen,
as they have before♪

Those who buried them

didn't dare put up a headstone.

♪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♪

Jialan,

we promised to meet no matter what.

I've waited so long for you.

♪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♪

Jialan.

♪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♪

Sorry, I've come too late.

What's wrong?

What's wrong?

Are you all right?

I've been searching

for where the Shen family was buried.

I never thought

it would be here.

You knew the Shen family?

Back when I was in the capital,

I was gravely ill, near death.

To pay for my treatment,

my parents had spent all their savings.

Penniless and out of options,

we chanced upon First Madam Shen
and Young Lady Shen.

The First Madam gave my parents
ten taels of silver.

The Young Lady gave me a set of clothes.

What a twist of fate.

You actually met Young Lady Shen.

I humbly thank First Madam Shen

and Young Lady Shen

for the kindness you showed my wife.

How did you know

the Shen family was buried here?

The Young Lady Shen who gave you clothes

was named Shen Jialan.

She was once betrothed to me.

After the Shen family fell,

to protect my family's lives,

we had to break off the engagement.

I felt guilty and couldn't rest.

So I paid handsomely

for the public burial ground

to gather the Shen family's remains

and bury them here.

I also worried that over time

it would become a wild wasteland.

So when

the officials sold the Shen servants,

I had someone

buy back Madam Sun and Qiukui

and helped them become free commoners.

Madam Sun?

Qiukui?

It was Qiukui back then

who gave me the clothes.

I've always remembered her.

You saw her not long ago.

That woman

was Qiukui?

She goes by Li Sanniang now.

She married the village carpenter.

Now she's

a mother of two sons and a daughter.

Today

we came face to face,

yet she didn't know me.

Many years have passed.

It's normal not to recognize you.

As long as she's living well.

Yes.

If Young Lady Shen can see from beyond,

she can rest in peace.

Today

is Shen Jialan's birthday.

I brought you here

first, to pay respects to an old friend.

Birthday?

Today is...

Birthday...

Yes.

Today is the 18th day of the 7th month.

It is...

It is Young Lady Shen's birthday.

I'd forgotten.

You still remembered.

Though Shen Jialan and I were betrothed,

we never met.

It's just that

I could never let it go.

The Lin family

wronged the Shen family.

I...

failed Shen Jialan.

I...

am truly no good husband.

[Heaven above]

[and Earth below bear witness.]

[A righteous man gathered the remains]

[of the Shen family and Lanxiang,]

[and laid them to rest.]

[For such great kindness,]

[I'll never forget its source]

[and will repay it even beyond death.]

You said

first, to honor an old friend.

What's the second?

Second,

I want you to know

what kind of man

the husband you married truly is.

The good

and the bad,

I want you to know it all.

You once said

our ways are different.

I want to know

where my way

truly differs from yours.

The person I've wronged most

in this life is buried here.

The thing I've done

that I could never tell anyone

is here, too.

I'm no gentleman.

I get scared.

I act rashly.

I may even do things deemed treasonous.

But in this life,

I will never fail you.

♪The golden sunset♪

♪sketches my thoughts♪

♪All things fall silent,♪

♪fearing to disturb this moment♪

♪My restless heart♪

♪seeks a place to anchor♪

♪I wonder if the past
has ever been heard♪

[Father.]

[Mother.]

[You heard what he said, too?]

Come with me,

and before

my savior,

kowtow three times.

Then I'll tell you

how your way

and my way

differ.

Not just three.

Three hundred, if you like.

♪I no longer blame the moon♪

♪For withholding its light♪

[First, bow to Heaven and Earth.]

♪I only pray that those I've known♪

♪Still live and thrive♪

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

♪And leave the grass and trees
covered in frost♪

[Second, bow to the parents.]

♪You and I will walk there together♪

♪I no longer search through old dreams♪

♪Leaving them buried
deep within the years♪

[Husband and wife, bow to each other.]

♪Toward where my heart leads♪

♪I no longer lament
that fate is hard to foresee♪

♪Accepting the unexpected as ordinary♪

♪I only wish the road behind us
would fade like mist♪

♪And we would share the road home♪

♪The beacon fires of Yumen die out♪

♪Qiuci's drums and horns fall still♪

♪Alas, alas♪

♪Glory is bought with b*ttlefield blood♪

Didn't you write a new play

to be staged?

Why is it just the two of us?

Because this play

was written only for you,

for your eyes alone.

Didn't you want to know

how our ways

differ?

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

Sunlight bright, and moonlight bright.

Red candles flicker,
and blossoms are sweet.

Hand in hand, we laugh as one,
a pair of mandarin ducks.

Unafraid of the world's wind and frost.

Face to face,
dawn to dusk, love endures.

♪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♪