01x08 - Episode 8

[bunniefuu]

=Against The Current=

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

=Episode 8=
[This drama does not correspond]

[to any real historical dynasty.]

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

It smells wonderful.

There's a plum tree
in the garden in full bloom.

The fragrance is so rich,

so I gathered some fallen blossoms

and brought them for you.

Tonight, the two of us...

Tonight, when we get back,
we can each take some

and put them by our pillows.

We're sure
to have sweet dreams all night.

Come in.

- Young Madam.
- Young Madam.

Tomorrow is my mother's
fiftieth birthday.

All the ladies
and young women in the city

will be going
to the Zhao Residence to celebrate.

Zijin and Nanny Feng
will certainly be going.

After giving it some thought,

I've chosen the three of you

to accompany me to the banquet.

- Thank you, Young Madam.
- Thank you, Young Madam.

Once we enter the Zhao Residence,

you must follow instructions
in everything I say and do.

You are not to act on your own.

If you think First Madam
will protect you

and disregard what I say...

If I could deal with Ji'er,

I can deal with you, too.

[Jinling Zhao Residence.
First-Rank Scholar]

Madam Zhao.

[Zhao Residence Birthday Banquet]
May your blessings be endless,

[Women's Section]
and your life be long.

May we all share in the joy.

Ladies.

Congratulations.

- Congratulations.
- Congratulations.

Come.

- Congratulations.
- Ladies.

May everything go smoothly.

Congratulations, Madam.

Wishing you good health and a long life.

[Longevity]

May we all share in the joy.

[Be my ears and eyes.]

[Everything you hear
while you're with Zhao Xingtang,]

[and everything you see,]

[report it all to me.]

All right.

Xingtang.

Why didn't your husband come?

[Zhao Xinghui, Zhao Xingtang's Cousin]
Today is

[Young Lady of the Zhao Family's Second Branch]
Aunt's fiftieth birthday.

Even my husband

came with me to celebrate her birthday.

Why did you

come back all by yourself?

What do you mean, all by herself?

Don't I count?

Madam Wu.

Send a maid

to bring all three young ladies
from our Lin family here.

We wouldn't want anyone saying

my daughter-in-law came all by herself.

If men don't go out and work hard,

how are they supposed
to rise through the ranks?

Surely you don't think

a man can become an assistant commander

by staying home with his wife,
eating and drinking all day?

No wonder your husband...

Listen to me.

I deserve a slap.

Please don't take offense.

My daughter has
been pampered since childhood.

I'm sorry you've had to fuss over her.

With her looks and figure,

it's not the fuss that costs me.

It's all the fabric.

Whenever

I see her,

I can eat an extra bowl of rice.

Just look how much fuller I've gotten.

No wonder I need so much fabric.

If you keep teasing me,

my sisters are going to laugh at me.

If you have something to attend to,

there's no need to stay with us.

It's nothing.

The servants
are making a fuss over nothing.

They came rushing over
some trivial matter.

It would only
make everyone laugh if I told you,

so let's not mention it.

You

need to learn from me
how to take it easy.

I simply made up my mind

and handed the household authority
tokens straight to my daughter-in-law.

[Gan Yingzi, Zhao Xingtang's Sister-in-Law]
Whatever trivial matters come up,

none of them ever reach me.

Easy for you to say.

You'd need a daughter-in-law
as capable as yours.

And you'd need to be like Madam Qin,

knowing how to care
for your daughter-in-law

and always standing up for her.

That's right.

By the way,

I specially had the kitchen prepare

some nourishing soups for the winter.

Everyone, have a taste

and see if they're to your liking.

Go on, try some.

All right.

First Madam.

My stomach doesn't feel well.

I drank too much tea just now.

I'll be right back.

Young Madam is coming out.

Let's go.

Let's go.

What's the matter?

This morning, Aunt Qian
brought Young Master Qian

to wish First Madam a happy birthday.

The servants at the gate
didn't know what was going on

and let them in without question.

First Madam couldn't
very well turn them away,

but she was afraid
Master would find out,

so she had Madam Li
set up a separate table for them.

Young Master Qian
had a few drinks to drown his sorrows,

then started crying and making a scene,
demanding to see you.

The servants took
their eyes off him for just a moment,

and Young Master Qian disappeared.

Madam Li was afraid

he might wander
to the front in his confusion

and disturb the guests,

so she quickly
sent more people to look for him.

But strangely enough,

they've been searching all this time
and still haven't found him.

Shaoze isn't that foolish.

He would never go
to the front and cause a scene.

The courtyard where he used to stay?

And the one where I used to live?

We've checked both.

He wasn't there.

Those servants are useless.

You and Zijin split up
and search again.

Maybe he's hiding in some little corner,

just like when we were children

playing hide-and-seek.

If Zijin and I both leave,

there'll be no one here
to attend to you.

Whether it's appropriate or not,

it would draw far too much attention.

That Lucao

has probably run off
somewhere to shirk her duties.

Now that we need her,

she's nowhere to be found.

Young Madam.

Young Madam.

All right.

Now that they're both here,

you two hurry and go.

- Yes.
- Yes.

Nurture the heart
through poetry, books, and farming.

[Zhao Residence Birthday Banquet,
Men's Section]

Uphold family traditions,
propriety, and moral principles.

[Fang Yu, Courtesy Name Shouyi,
Renowned Scholar of Qixia Academy]

I thought

[Zhao Xuede, Zhao Xingtang's Father]
you wouldn't be able to come today.

[Sixth-Rank Judicial Officer, Zhejiang]
I didn't expect you not only to come,

[Provincial Administration Commission]
but also to bring Scholar Shouyi here.

You've truly gone to great lengths.

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday.

How could I neglect proper courtesy?

Scholar Shouyi is a man
of profound learning

and great virtue and prestige.

If we can ensure
he leaves satisfied today,

then when Grandfather takes up the post

of chief compiler
of the Compendium of Literature,

we'll have his support.

Today,

I will certainly not let
your thoughtful efforts go to waste.

[Ten Thousand Volumes Library]

[Zhao Residence Library]

There were too many people inside.

After being in there so long,
my head started to ache,

so I thought I'd come out for a walk.

Before I knew it, I'd come this far.

Lanxiang.

The soles
of these shoes are a little thin.

My feet have gone numb.

Go back and bring me
a pair with thicker soles.

Yes.

Wait here.

Excuse me, please let me through.

I'm in a hurry...

Jiugao, you...

Where is

Young Madam?

The library.

If you want to stay alive,

don't go back.

Xiaolian wants to live, too.

[Zhao g*ng,
Zhao Xingtang's Elder Brother]

My father inscribed
this twenty years ago

when this garden was built.

The sentiment is admirable,

and so is

the calligraphy.

Grandfather loves reading

and always urges
the family to study hard.

There's also a library here,

with old books Grandfather

collected from all over.

May I have a look?

Of course.

Scholar Shouyi,

please.

Very well.

I'll lead the way.

This way, please.

Shaoze.

Shaoze.

Xingtang.

You...

Shaoze.

I waited for you half the night.

Why did it take you
so long to sneak out?

Fool.

That was so many years ago.

We...

haven't been here in almost seven years.

You married into the Lin family,

and I was driven out
of the Zhao Residence.

The child...

Our child...

It was all my fault.

It was all my fault.

I couldn't marry you properly,

so you lost our child

and your health suffered, too!

Shaoze!

It wasn't your fault.

It really wasn't.

It's this world we live in.

It's in the past.

It's all in the past.

I heard

that you and Lin Jinqi
have fallen for each other.

To please you,

Lin Jinqi went
all the way to Qixia Academy

to invite Fang Shouyi
to Aunt's birthday celebration.

Is that true?

Is it?

No wonder you came
to the birthday celebration.

Where did you

hear such nonsense?

Why would Fang Shouyi

come to celebrate my mother's birthday?

And why would
Lin Jinqi try to please me?

He's trying to please Grandfather.

Xingtang.

You can't abandon me.

You can't abandon me.

Shaoze, this isn't the time.

Shaoze.

I can't lose you.

Xingtang.

I can't lose you.

You can't leave me.

You can't leave me.

Xiaolian.

Let's go.

Young Madam said

we mustn't wander off.

She ordered us to wait for her here.

Sir.

I'm not boasting,

but you won't find another library

like the Ten Thousand Volumes Library
anywhere in Jiangnan.

Watch your step.

Come.

Don't make a sound.

We're here.

Sir, this is it.

Sir.

I read here every night

and can hardly put my books down.

Everyone,

before us lies centuries of learning.

We must show due respect.

Keep your voices down.

Yes.

Keep your voices down.

Scholar Shouyi, please.

Please.

Hurry!

Why did Young Master suddenly come here?

The back door.

There's only one way in and out.

What if someone comes this way?

[Nanke and Jiugao must be nearby.]

[They must have brought people
from the Zhao family as witnesses.]

[If we stay,]

[we'll die if we're caught.]

[If we leave,]

[we'll still die if we're caught.]

Scholar Shouyi.

This way, sir.

Why would anyone come here now?

[Ten Thousand Volumes Library]

Why won't it open?

Lin Jinqi.

Let's go.

Let's split up.

Scholar Shouyi.

There's a Song dynasty edition of
the Commentary on the Water Classic.

As expected
of Grand Secretary Zhao's collection.

Scholar Shouyi

really is a true lover of books.

Father.

Let's stop pretending.

Go rest inside for a while.

Let's go.

The main gate is the only way out.

Get some rest.

All right.

You...

The air in here is rather stuffy.

g*ng, why don't you take Scholar Shouyi

outside for some fresh air?

Scholar Shouyi.

I'll take you outside
for some fresh air.

I happen to be feeling a little dizzy.

I should get some fresh air.

[Lin Jinqi has caught them together.]

[If we're discovered,]

[we'll have no way out alive.]

When Grand Secretary Zhao
built this library,

he put a great deal of thought into it.

I'll have a look around.

When Fengtai comes out,

come and get me.

All right.

What do we do?

If he comes over,
he'll definitely find us.

If you want to live,

do exactly

as I say.

Son-in-law.

I'm not worthy of the honor.

You shameless wretch!

You ungrateful fool!

I'll kick you to death, you wretch!

I'll kick you to death!

If you want to hit someone, hit me.

Get up!

Scholar Shouyi is still outside.

Son-in-law.

Please calm down.

The library door was locked,

yet they still managed to get in.

Clearly, they know this place well

and have done this many times before.

So all these years,

I've been

a cuckold without even knowing it.

You've kept me
in the dark for so long, Father-in-law.

Son-in-law.

I am deeply ashamed.

It's all because I failed
to discipline my daughter properly.

I've wronged you.

Rest assured.

I will give you an explanation today.

I wouldn't dare.

The man kneeling there

is your true son-in-law.

I'll kick you to death, you wretch!

I'll kick you to death,
you ungrateful fool!

Get out!

Hit me.

If you want to hit someone, hit me!

Get out!

The Zhao family took you in,

yet you took advantage of us

and violated a respectable woman.

Today, I'll k*ll you, you wretch!

I'll k*ll you, you wretch!

I'll k*ll you, you ungrateful fool!

Stop hitting him!

Get out of the way, you beast!

No!

Get up!

No!

Uncle!

Uncle!

It wasn't my fault.

It wasn't my fault.

It was Xingtang.

It was Xingtang.

Xingtang brought me here!

She was the one who kissed me!

It was her!

It was all because of her!

I didn't want this.

I didn't.

She seduced me!

She seduced me!

Nonsense!

This is all your fault!

Uncle, stop hitting me!

You ungrateful fool!

Stop hitting me, Uncle!

It hurts!

Stop hitting me, Uncle!

You ungrateful fool!

I'll beat you to death!

Now that it's come to this,

I no longer wish
to argue over who's at fault.

I only want
to settle this as soon as possible.

First, I'll give Zhao
a letter of repudiation

and cast her out for adultery.

No.

Absolutely not.

Son-in-law....

Fengtai.

For the sake
of our families' friendship,

please spare
the Zhao family this disgrace.

Second, Zhao could die suddenly.

The Lin family
would arrange her funeral,

but her coffin

would not be allowed
into the ancestral burial ground.

This

wouldn't be
appropriate either, would it?

Since she was properly
married into your family,

how could she be denied burial
in the ancestral grounds?

It would certainly invite gossip.

Then there's only one option left.

Zhao and I
will divorce by mutual consent.

For the sake
of our families' friendship,

the divorce agreement will state

that neither party is at fault,

due to irreconcilable differences.

From this day forward,
we will part in peace

and each be free to find another match.

This...

Since you won't agree, Master Zhao,

I'll have no choice but to risk
a feud between our families

and write a letter of repudiation.

The Lin family

isn't afraid of being called cuckolds.

So the Zhao family shouldn't fear
what people will say, either.

Mutual divorce.

Mutual divorce.

I only hope

this can be handled quietly.

It must not affect
Old Master Zhao in any way.

The friendship
between the Lin and Zhao families

has nothing to do with Zhao.

Since I invited
Scholar Shouyi here today,

I'll make sure you're satisfied.

Brush, ink, paper,
and inkstone are all here.

Master Zhao, please put
your promise in writing

as proof.

Only then will I leave.

Otherwise,

we can remain here

until the guests outside
come looking for us.

[Zhao Xuede]

[Zhao Xuede]

[Zhao Xuede]

Lin Fengtai.

I will remember

what happened today.

You still have family matters
to attend to, Master Zhao.

I won't intrude any longer.

I'll take my leave.

Jinqi.

Father...

Your father is inside.

I'll keep watch here.

Go in and see

if he needs any help.

All right.

Where is Scholar Shouyi?

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

If you want more choices

and more freedom,

you need to be capable,

to be able to serve your masters well

and earn their regard.

If you're fortunate,

you may not only
receive your master's favor

and regain your indenture,

but also build a life of your own.

♪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♪