01x46 - Episode 46

[bunniefuu]

=Against The Current=

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

=Episode 46=
[This drama does not correspond]

[to any real historical dynasty.]

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

- Yes!
- Yes!

- Yes!
- Yes!

By day, follow the banners.

By night, follow the lanterns.

Make sure the units support one another
from front to rear

and stay connected from side to side,

so that nothing goes amiss.

Anyone who deliberately lets
the enemy escape

or causes delays in military operations,

thereby jeopardizing the mission,

will be

beheaded and their head displayed
as a warning.

Your Lordship.

It's nothing serious.

Move out.

Set out for the capital.

[Upholding the Virtue
of Generations Past]

Old Master,

the pirates split into three groups
and attacked the Lin Residence.

Fortunately, the Lin family was prepared

and fought them off on separate fronts.

After Madam k*lled the pirate leader,

the City Patrol Office arrived
in time as well.

Most of the household guards
suffered only minor injuries.

Only two were seriously wounded.

The physician is treating them now.

Their lives are not in danger.

Xu,

how did you know

the pirates would attack
the Lin Residence last night?

I dare not take the credit.

His Lordship and I

worked it out together.

Jinling is the southern capital.

Given how cunning Du Cuique is,

she wouldn't be naive enough to think

that with a band of desperate outlaws,

she could run rampant and k*ll at will.

Du Cuique had something else to rely on.

Du Cuique has allied herself with Wona.

She made a show of one plan

while secretly carrying out another.

Revenge was only a pretext.

She planned to work
with Wona from within

to destroy the provisions.

When the nest is overturned,

no egg remains intact.

A thief can scheme for a thousand days,

but no one can guard against one
for a thousand days.

Rather than defend passively,

we should take the initiative.

We might as well give her

a taste of her own medicine

and make Du Cuique

suffer the consequences
of her own scheme.

Nanke,

go to Duke Xiangguo's Residence tonight

and deliver a secret letter
to His Grace.

Now that we know the pirates' objective,

we can determine

the best time for them
to burn the provisions.

That will be the perfect opportunity

to lure them all out of hiding

and wipe them out in one strike,

putting an end to the threat for good.

Good.

If you hadn't been at the Lin Residence,

Jinqi couldn't have left with
peace of mind to escort the provisions.

You played a vital role

in wiping out the pirates last night.

Old Master.

Lanxiang.

Jinqiao.

Fengxian fell

and knocked out four front teeth.

I heard Nanny Du say

there's an old physician
who's very skilled at treating teeth.

I'll take Fengxian
to see him right away.

Jinqiao.

I was wounded by the pirates.

But the pirates never even reached
the inner residence.

Didn't Lanxiang tell you to stay
in Zhichun Hall?

Fengxian thought
the room was too crowded

and tried to sneak back
to her own courtyard to sleep.

Then a sudden loud noise

startled her so badly
that her legs gave way and she fell.

She wasn't hurt anywhere else.

But of all places,
her mouth struck a stone,

knocking out her front teeth.

She can barely speak clearly now.

Why wouldn't you listen to Lanxiang?

How will you face anyone
in public after this?

Then I don't want to go out anyway.

Go on.

Lanxiang,

you must be tired, too.

Go back and get some rest.

Yes.

By the way,

I heard

your mother hasn't been well.

Then let her

stay at Zhichun Hall a while longer.

That way, you can tend
to her at her bedside.

Thank you, Old Master.

Go on.

This lamp

is the fire in a woman's heart.

It has burned amid the cooking
smoke of countless homes

and lit the way
for countless women washing clothes.

One lamp lights ten,

ten lamps light a hundred,

a hundred lamps light a thousand,

until ten thousand lamps shine bright,

turning the long night into day.

[The Tale of the Burning Lamps]

Wonderful.

Truly wonderful.

It's beautifully written.

I also think Mister Shen Rugu's

The Tale of the Burning Lamps
is beautifully written.

But as Mother listened,

she remained silent

and never once praised it.

When you grow up,

you'll understand.

You are back.

Grandma has been waiting for you.

Zhangcheng,

go see Grandpa.

See what he's doing.

Let me talk with your mother.

All right.

Old Master wants you and Father

to stay at the residence a while longer.

Later, I'll cook

your favorite dishes for you.

There are

plenty of women

in this world who can cook.

They don't need you for that.

These hands of yours

must keep writing.

Write down what we want to say

but don't know how to say,

and what we simply can't

put into words.

All right.

Cry. Cry as hard as you can.

Let it all out.

When you're done,
we'll live our lives well.

Live with all your might,

like wild grass,

without caring what anyone thinks.

I hoped

you'd live like wild grass.

Not only did you do that,

but you've also done

far more

and far better

than I ever imagined.

You're like wild grass,

but also like a flower,

like

a great tree.

Not only

have you made a good life for yourself,

but you've helped others live well too,

and helped them make a place
for themselves in this world.

I'm happy.

So happy.

Mother, are you feeling unwell?

I'll get the physician.

I'm fine.

I'm doing very well.

Lanxiang

has come to take me.

Don't cry.

It's a good thing.

A good thing.

A good thing.

A good thing.

I

can finally be reunited

with Lanxiang.

It's been twenty-four years.

I never had the chance
to spend enough time with her.

Now that you're all grown up,

I can leave

without worrying.

Mother...

I'm going now.

Don't worry, Mother.

I'll take good care of myself.

Mother...

In this life,

having a daughter like you

has been such a blessing.

Such a blessing.

Mother.

♪The wind blows past distant hills♪

♪The moon kisses the rising smoke♪

♪Whose oil lamp burns tonight?♪

♪Peace of heart in three places♪

♪The years are calluses in our palms♪

♪And the worries
etched between our brows♪

♪Birds carry twigs into the distance♪

♪While two pairs of eyes
watch from below♪

Lanxiang.

♪Flowers bloom again by the fence♪

♪Snow falls white upon the eaves♪

♪Four seasons
wax and wane, year after year♪

♪Whose footsteps come and go?♪

♪You're a river flowing to shore♪

♪You're a cloud passing over
the mountains♪

♪The journey home
always carries joy and sorrow♪

♪People gather, then part♪

♪Regret is a letter wishing you well♪

Lanxiang.

Don't cry.

Your mother

was blessed.

♪Back home,
leaves fall upon the blue-tiled roofs♪

♪Leaving only a little house behind♪

As long as there's something
to hope for,

no matter how hard life gets,

you can make it through.

I ate the drumstick

so I could run faster

and catch up with you two.

Whatever happens, don't be afraid.

Come home to your parents.

Today, you've come home.

That makes it a good day for our family.

Isn't it beautiful?

Take it.

Later, I'll tidy the place up
and make it into a proper home.

It'll be a good place
for the three of us.

It's beautiful.

I like it.

It's flying!

It's flying so high!

[Back Courtyard
of a Medical Hall in Jinling]

Good horse. Nice horse.

I'll only ride you for a moment.

Young Lady.

Be careful.

Are you all right?

Sir!

You didn't hurt yourself just now,
did you?

I'm fine.

I didn't get hurt at all.

Are you here to see the physician?

I'm accompanying my sister-in-law.

She said I talk too much

and sent me outside.

What brings you to the medical hall?

Are you here for treatment, too?

It's my horse that's unwell.

I'm leaving it here for a few days

to recover.

So it's your horse.

No wonder I took to it right away.

Do you like riding horses too?

I secretly rode one
a couple of times when I was little.

My eldest brother even said
I had a natural talent for it.

But

Mother said

riding wasn't something
a young lady should learn,

so she wouldn't let me.

Riding isn't difficult.

When you get the chance,

practice more and you'll learn.

First I need the chance.

Someday,

I'll learn to ride.

I'll travel far and wide

and see all the wonders of the land.

In this world,

most men seek rank and fortune.

As for women,

most hope for an accomplished husband

and dutiful children.

An ambition like yours

is rather unusual.

You seem to be a scholar, too.

Don't you wish
to enter official service?

I'm rather awkward by nature

and not suited to officialdom.

In this life,

I only wish to travel far and wide

and see all the wonders of the land.

It seems we share the same ambition.

How wonderful.

As long as a man has the courage,

he can live life on his own terms.

Where will you go next?

After the Chinese New Year,

I'm thinking
of traveling to Yunnan and Guizhou.

Sir,

meeting again means fate
has brought us together.

This time,

please tell me your name

and where you live.

Tomorrow, I'll have
my Fourth Brother visit you

to thank you for saving my life.

Our two families can become close,

and from then on,
we'll be like one family.

Later,

when you go to Guizhou

and Yunnan,

if you come across anything beautiful
or interesting,

you can write
to my Fourth Brother about it.

I'll help my Fourth Brother
write back to you.

It's rare to meet someone
who shares the same aspirations.

Enjoying something alone

isn't as good as sharing it with others.

You're right.

Enjoying something alone

isn't as good as sharing it with others.

May I ask

where you live
and your place among your siblings?

Give me a few days to prepare.

In ten days, I will be sure to visit.

My surname is Lin.

I'm the second among
the sisters in my family.

I live on Yanling Lane.

Yanling Lane?

The Lin Residence?

Then Marquis Jing'an is...

He's my eldest brother.

My brother is a good man.

He chooses his friends
for their character

and doesn't care
about family background.

Sir,

you promised you'd come visit.

A gentleman keeps his word.

In ten days,

I will be sure
to pay my respects to Old Master Lin.

It's a promise.

I've come today

to ask for the hand
of your family's Second Young Lady.

This may seem like a hasty decision,

but I have given it careful thought.

Every word comes from my heart.

I would never treat this as
a trifling matter.

Old Master Lin,

I ask that you consider my proposal

in light of my sincerity.

Very well.

Our two families

have known each other for generations.

There's no need to be so formal.

Sit down and we'll talk.

Thank you for offering me
a seat, Old Master Lin.

Hurry up.

You're always saying you're old,

but you're getting quicker
on your feet by the day.

The suitor who came today

is from a respectable scholarly family.

His family is well-off, and he
even a Presented Scholar.

I'm telling you,

you'd better behave yourself.

You won't find another chance like this.

A Presented Scholar?

Matchmakers will say anything
to make a match.

At best, he's probably only
a provincial graduate.

What's wrong with a provincial graduate?

There are so many scholars in the world.

How many of them ever pass
the provincial examination?

Mother, be reasonable.

I'm already thirty-five.

A respectable scholarly family,

well-off, and he's passed
the provincial examination.

What decent man with all that
would still be unmarried?

There must be something
seriously wrong with him.

Mother, please don't push
your own daughter

into a pit of fire.

Mother!

Aren't you

still unmarried yourself?

There's nothing
seriously wrong with you.

Xiuwan.

He was married before.

His wife died many years ago.

He didn't want to remarry before

and spent years traveling.

He only returned to Jinling this year.

For some reason,

he suddenly decided he wanted
to marry again.

Don't think too much about it yet.

Come take a look with me first.
Let's go.

My savior is coming to visit today.

I know. We've prepared all
the thank-you gifts for you.

Jincen has been waiting for him.

And my suitor is coming today too...

Exactly.

That's why I'm taking you

to sneak a look at him.

You can decide
for yourself whether you like him.

Then you can't keep saying
I'm pushing you into a pit of fire.

You've finally come around?

Finally?

That's rare.

Very rare indeed.

Come on. Let's go.

Even if I have to support you
for the rest of your life,

I will never let you marry
a snobbish man like that.

Then I won't marry him.

But Mother, you can't

speak that way about my savior.

He's a man of noble character,

upright and honorable.

He's certainly not a snob
who only cares about status.

You think he isn't

a snob who only cares about status?

Then why did he marry
Sixth Young Lady Zhao?

Wasn't it because
the Zhao family was powerful?

Let's go.

Sixth Young Lady Zhao?

Sir?

He is...

My surname is Xie, my given name is
Zhao, and my courtesy name is Xianzhang.

Xie Zhao!

How dare you send a matchmaker here
to propose marriage!

Today, I swear I'll...

I'll...

Lingxiao,

let the two of them
speak for themselves.

Old Master Lin,

surely this isn't proper.

What's improper about it?

Her grandfather
and mother are both here.

The two of them happened to meet,

so they can greet each other.

Come here.

I sincerely wish to marry you.

Enjoying something alone isn't
as good as sharing it with someone.

Traveling the world alone

isn't as good as traveling together.

Now that you know who I am,

how can you still dare
to come here and propose?

Back then, I was young
and had no mind of my own.

I let my parents' obsession
with family status

lead me into
a marriage with the Zhao family.

Now I understand

what I want

and what I seek.

I won't make the same mistake again

and let family status hold me back

from missing a true match.

What happened back then

wasn't entirely your fault.

I was at fault, too.

I fell for a man of poor character

and nearly ran away
with him without a matchmaker.

You...

This must never be spoken of,
even on pain of death!

You foolish girl.

Back then, I wasn't worthy of you yet.

That's why Heaven made each of us

take a longer road

and become better people

before we truly met.

Now I'm worthy of you, too.

Would you be willing to join me

in traveling far and wide

and seeing all the wonders of the land?

♪Plum blossoms bloom,
enduring the frost♪

♪Yet their proud spirit fades
with wind and snow♪

♪Bamboo shadows
embrace quiet contentment♪

♪Only orchids dwell in secluded places♪

♪Watching the old and new
take turns in this world♪

♪Spring comes,
and I smile upon a garden in full bloom♪

♪Autumn passes,
and I let the blossoms fade away♪

♪A scroll of time slowly unfolds♪

♪I read every joy and sorrow
behind the curtain♪

Why do I suddenly feel like crying?

Then cry.

I...

I...

[Amid the Sea of Suffering]

Lanxiang,

have some soup.

These days,

you've been copying scriptures
and praying for Aunt Guihua,

so you can't eat meat.

It's the perfect chance
for me to show off my cooking.

Your cooking
is certainly worth showing off.

Back then,

Old Madam Yuan had a weak stomach

and didn't like meat,

but she still needed nourishing food.

So I went out of my way

to learn how to cook vegetarian dishes
from the temple monks.

I thought all that effort
had gone to waste,

but it turns out I learned it
so I could take care of you.

It seems that in this life,

whether the road is bitter or sweet,

not a single step is wasted.

These days,

I couldn't have managed
without all of you.

Jincen and his wife

have helped arrange the funeral

with such care and attention.

Xiulai has handled the household affairs

without giving me
a thing to worry about.

Xiuwan has helped
look after the children

and has them all behaving perfectly.

Xiushu heard

that my father wanted
to stay at a temple for a while,

so she asked her husband
to accompany him

into the mountains to find an elderly
monk well-versed in the scriptures.

And then there's you,

making something different
for every meal

because you're afraid
I won't have an appetite.

Lanxiang, you'd better rack your brains

and find some new ways to praise me.

I love hearing compliments.

Then I won't waste words on compliments.

Madam, Third Young Lady.

Tongcao just sent word.

The Yuan family's Third Granduncle
has come with his two sons,

demanding to see Third Young Lady.

Let them wait a little longer.

We've already got them stewing.

We should let them stew
until they lose their patience.

Yes.

Lanxiang, aren't you going to ask

what kind of show I'm putting on?

What kind of show are you putting on?

Even with the written agreement
His Lordship left behind

stating that the Yuan family's property

can only be inherited
by his daughters born of his wife,

the Yuan clansmen won't let
the matter rest.

They keep harping on the fact that
the Marquis's household has no son

and plan
to have a son adopted into the family,

so they can claim the title first
and then swallow up the estate.

Since they're so greedy,

they can't blame me

for cutting them off at the root

and ending the threat once and for all.

No wonder

the rumors outside

sound so convincing.

They say Marquis Yongchang
delayed military operations,

causing soldiers to die needlessly.

His Majesty will not only strip him
of his title,

but also punish him severely.

Third Young Lady Lin

was so frightened that she fled back
to her family with her children

and intends
to sever all ties with the Yuan family.

And here I thought

you came especially to keep me company.

Both reasons.

I did come especially
to keep you company too.

Madam, Third Young Lady.

Third Young Master found out
the Yuan family came to cause trouble.

He went out
on crutches with the two young masters

to drive the Yuan family away.

They exchanged only a few words

before he started fighting with them.

Third Young Master said

you had already planned
to separate back then,

so it's not too late to do it now.

After all, the Yuan family
has always resented

Third Young Lady for not bearing a son.

This fire we've stirred up

actually ended up
setting Jinqiao off first.

Lanxiang, take your time eating.

I'll be right back.

All right.

No wonder she was

the first to sense something was wrong
with Du Cuique back then.

Seeing Third Young Lady

reminds me of how I used to be.

I used to think deeply
about everything too.

Given the circumstances back then,

you had to think several steps ahead

just to survive.

My father died when I was young.

After my mother remarried,

she had several more children,

both sons and daughters.

Ever since I was little,
I was the one no one needed.

I only ever looked out for myself.

I never thought

that children owed
their parents anything,

nor did I think

that a servant had to be loyal
to her master.

Then I met you,

learned to read, and began studying.

The road ahead grew wider and brighter,

and only then did I begin to change.

Sometimes I don't even dare imagine

what I'd be like now

if I'd never met you.

I can't take the credit.

The Buddha saves
those with whom he has affinity.

You found your way
because you had the wisdom within you.

Lanxiang!

You settled it so quickly?

The Yuan family's Third Granduncle

accidentally took a fall,

then made a scene and blamed us for it.

He insisted on severing
all clan and family ties with us

and even had the papers drawn up.

Now,

I'm a widow with no one to rely on,

Jinqi isn't in Jinling,

and you're still in mourning.

With no other choice,

I could only sign
and seal the document in tears.

You were right.

The Yuan family was terrified

of being implicated
and punished because of His Lordship.

They were even more anxious than I was,

dragging Jincen to the authorities
to register us as a separate household.

It'll all be settled today.

From now on,

though we still share the surname Yuan,

we'll be two separate families.

Whatever fortune or misfortune befalls
us will have nothing to do with them.

The Wona forces have withdrawn!

What?

Really?

The Wona army has retreated!

The Wona forces have withdrawn!

The Wona army has retreated!

Your Majesty,

our forces

attacked from both within and without.

The Wona army was utterly routed

and has

retreated from the capital in haste.

- Congratulations, Your Majesty!
- Congratulations, Your Majesty!

[Upholding Heaven's Mandate]
In this great victory,

Minister Han
coordinated everything properly

and led the forces effectively.

He truly rendered outstanding service.

I dare not take the credit.

It was thanks
to Your Majesty's great fortune,

Marquis Jing'an,

and all my fellow officials

working together with one heart.

You have all
rendered meritorious service

and must be richly rewarded.

Minister Lin, remain in the capital
and continue your service.

I am in great need of capable men.

Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty.

But though I may appear well,

I have suffered old wounds upon new ones

and am no longer fit
for important duties.

This time...

This time, for the sake of the realm,

I pushed myself

to hold on until now.

I have nothing left to give.

I beg Your Majesty to show mercy

and allow me to return
to Jinling to recuperate.

Very well.

You may return to Jinling to recuperate.

Thank you for your great grace,
Your Majesty.

I have a matter to report.

Your Majesty,

now that Wona has been defeated,

they will surely release
the Retired Emperor.

In my humble opinion,

Your Majesty should promptly send
an official

to escort
the Retired Emperor back to the capital.

So the Retired Emperor is coming back.

The enemy has withdrawn, too.

The realm is at peace now.

- Your Majesty, please bring the Retired
- Your Majesty, please bring the Retired

- Emperor back to the capital soon.
- Emperor back to the capital soon.

- Your Majesty, please bring the Retired
- Your Majesty, please bring the Retired

- Emperor back to the capital soon.
- Emperor back to the capital soon.

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

On this Chinese New Year's Eve,

your father won't be here,

so you must stay up
with me to welcome the Chinese New Year.

Later, we'll play Toss for Fortune.

When the time comes,
we all have to put our strength into it

so we'll gain a fortune and become rich.

I want to Toss for Fortune.

I want to get rich!

I want to get rich, too!

Come on.

When the fifth watch comes,

we'll take that

door bolt tied with red silk

and toss it high into the air.

And we have to shout,

"Let the cats come, let the dogs come!"

- "May the God of Wealth come to our home!"
- "May the God of Wealth come to our home!"

- "May big ingots roll right in!"
- "May big ingots roll right in!"

- "May little ingots squeeze in through the cracks!"
- "May little ingots squeeze in through the cracks!"

- "Let the cats come, let the dogs come!"
- "Let the cats come, let the dogs come!"

- "May the God of Wealth come to our home!"
- "May the God of Wealth come to our home!"

- "May big ingots roll right in!"
- "May big ingots roll right in!"

- I'll toss mine the highest and get the richest!
- "May little ingots squeeze in through the cracks!"

I'm taller than you.

- And stronger than you!
- "Big ingots,"

- I'll be the richest!
- "roll right in!"

- "May little ingots squeeze in through the cracks!"
- "May little ingots squeeze in through the cracks!"

♪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♪