01x24 - Episode 24

[bunniefuu]

=Against The Current=

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

=Episode 24=
[This drama does not correspond]

[to any real historical dynasty.]

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

[Zhenhuai Gate]

Hyah!

♪If there were a promise♪

♪Could I still refuse with a smile?♪

♪Sadly, things did not go as I wished♪

♪Yet I still
have to smile through it all♪

♪Those things I cannot forget♪

♪The absurdities
I cannot let go of fill the pages♪

♪Building a wall♪

♪Trapping me in the midst of time♪

[Order of the Commander
of the Shence Garrison]

♪Drifting with the wind♪

♪Etched upon my heart♪

- Hurry!
- Quickly!

[Qingyan House]
Hurry!

[Intoxicated Moon in the Mist]

Young Master.

All the young ladies here are present.

The young lady you're looking
for ran away long ago.

Look, Young Master.

Just to find her,

I sent almost all

the guards out searching.

Only we women are left here.

Young Master.

We've searched everywhere.

We couldn't find Young Lady Xu.

While I was keeping watch outside,

I heard them shouting
that she had escaped.

I saw the brothel servants

leave with the guards to search for her.

What

did you do to her?

That young lady is even better
at sweet-talking than a man.

She said she was a rare prize

and that I should
wait for the highest offer,

promising to make me a fortune.

She had me completely delighted.

I gave her the best food
and drink for a whole day.

But when I

invited all
the wealthy merchants in Yangzhou,

she actually ran away.

Didn't you send guards after her?

Did they catch her?

Young Master.

That young lady
is as slippery as an eel.

She's probably long gone from the city.

If you're looking for her,

you might want
to ask the local authorities.

She has no travel permit,

so she can't board a boat

or take a carriage.

Chances are

the constables will catch her
and bring her back.

You should be grateful

that she escaped.

Take care, Young Master.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Because of him,

I've ended up like this,

yet he doesn't even remember

what I look like.

He doesn't remember who I am at all.

Young Lady.

Young Lady Shuang.

You betrayed me first,

so don't blame me
for turning against you.

Without a travel permit,
she can't board a boat.

She should be easy to find.

Once we get the reward,

let's go drink at Qingyan House.

If someone without
a travel permit tries to board a boat,

report it to the authorities at once.

There's a reward for reporting them.

- All right.
- Sure!

♪Who dares predict
tomorrow's rain or shine?♪

♪A sudden clap of spring thunder♪

♪With wealth and children♪

♪Free from trouble and strife♪

♪Who dares say?♪

♪No one dares say♪

♪No one dares say♪

Scholar Han, Furong.

Why are you here?

We came to take you home.

I knew a clever girl like you

would find a way out of danger.

How did you know I was in Yangzhou?

Commander Lin found out

that this misfortune
befell you because of him.

He also said the person behind it was
beyond even his power to confront.

So I went to Furong

to ask about
the powerful and influential.

There are always plenty
of people talking at the theater,

and our troupe often
performs at private residences.

If we pay attention,

we can learn a great deal.

Recently, the young lady
of Duke Xianguo's family

has been discussing marriage
with Commander Lin.

That matched what happened to you.

Once we knew the person who harmed you

was the young lady
of Duke Xianguo's family,

we could guess what she intended to do.

The closest places

to Jinling are Yangzhou Prefecture
and Zhenjiang Prefecture.

After discussing it,

Furong and I

came to Yangzhou to look for you.

Mister Lu and Uncle Xu

went to Zhenjiang to look for you.

You've both gone to
a lot of trouble for me this time.

Scholar Han

especially went to great lengths.

Our families

live next door to each other

and have always been as close as family.

We're family, so there's no need
for such formalities.

All right.

I won't stand on ceremony, then.

This Young Lady Zheng is rather strange.

She's never even met you.

Why would she resent you so much?

I just heard
your father call you Lanxiang.

I imagine this orchid
has some connection to you.

Won't you miss it?

We did meet once.

I'm afraid
there was some misunderstanding.

She mistakenly thought I was standing
in the way of her marriage.

Even if there was a misunderstanding,

she should have taken it up
with Commander Lin.

What right did she have to frame you?

She relies on her wealth and power

and treats us
all like insects beneath her feet,

trampling on us as she pleases.
It's truly infuriating.

That day,

if something had really
happened to you on stage,

our troupe would've been finished.

Taking away someone's livelihood

is no different from taking their life.

Fortunately, Lanxiang
thought quickly on her feet.

Otherwise, my reputation
would've been completely ruined,

and I would've had no chance
of an official career ever again.

They say yielding a step
opens up a world of possibilities.

But this Young Lady Zheng

has gone far too far

and left us nowhere to retreat.

We can't just let this go.

We have to seek justice.

We have neither power nor influence.

How can we seek justice
from a duke's daughter?

Don't they say justice
lives in people's hearts?

If the authorities
won't uphold justice for us,

then we

will ask the people what they think.

Ask the people?

Slow down.

You'll choke.

Have some tea.

Here.

Take your time. There's more in the pot.

Mother.

How much money do we have left?

You need money?

If Ji'er hadn't saved me,

I never would've escaped.

I promised her

I'd go back and buy her freedom.

Three hundred and eighty taels.

Is that enough?

No.

We'll need at least five hundred taels.

Don't worry.

Wait until your father and Mister Lu

return from Zhenjiang Prefecture
in a couple of days.

We'll find a way to borrow some.

Don't worry.

Ji'er saved you.

Even if we have
to sell everything we own,

we'll get her out too.

Once

we get Ji'er out,

if she wants to find her parents

and her younger brother,

we'll help her look for them.

If she doesn't,

she can stay

and be my daughter.

You two can be sisters

and keep each other company.

All right.

We'll do as you say, Mother.

I'll get you another bowl of rice.

I'm full.

I'll be stuffed if I eat any more.

Really!

Leave it. I'll do it.

Sit here.

Drink your tea.

What is it?

Furong said

the star courtesans in Yangzhou City

don't come cheap.

This is the money my sister and I

pooled together with Furong.

Take it for now.

Saving her comes first.

You can pay us back slowly.

Mother and I

were just talking about borrowing money,

and now you've brought us some.

Then I won't stand on ceremony.

I'll take it for now.

Wait.

I'll go put it somewhere safe.

All right.

I'll take this to the kitchen.

We can eat it together
when Mother gets back.

Furong asked me to tell you something.

At a place like Qingyan House,

it would be difficult for a young lady
like you to handle things,

especially since you've
already crossed the madam.

You might only make matters worse.

It's better to wait
for Uncle Xu to return

and have him
go to Yangzhou with Mister Lu.

With Scholar Zongbai's reputation,

they'll surely be able to bring

your savior back.

Furong has a point.

It would be safer

for Mister Lu and my father to go.

Have you decided

what to do about Young Lady Zheng?

♪Turning right and wrong upside down♪

♪Doing evil without restraint♪

♪You make a mockery of the law♪

♪You corrupt all moral order♪

♪My Lord, do not believe
these slanderous words♪

♪My thoughts are like a red umbrella♪

♪Drifting through the rain♪

♪Held tightly in my hand,
shielding me from hidden currents♪

♪Yet fate stains my sleeves with blood♪

Young Master, aren't you
going in to see Lanxiang?

Chengze is still waiting for me.

Let's take care
of the important matter first.

♪Fabricating lies to ruin her good name♪

♪k*lling without spilling
a drop of blood♪

♪I'd spend this life
and call it courage♪

♪My Lord, uphold justice♪

♪Tell right from wrong
and judge what is just♪

Well said!

I've made up my mind.

For Marquis Yongchang's wedding,

was Furong invited to perform
The Tale of the Treasure Chest?

Yes.

The Crown Prince enjoys opera,

especially popular plays
about everyday life.

So Marquis Yongchang
chose The Tale of the Treasure Chest

for the Crown Prince.

I hear many nobles want
to go to Marquis Yongchang's Residence

just to see the play.

Perfect.

Then we'll

use the play to stage a play of our own.

Use the play to stage a play of our own?

Once we bring Ji'er back,

I should talk to Madam Han again

about the marriage between those two.

[Marquis Yongchang's Residence]

♪In spring, my heart
sets out filled with hope♪

♪For all the tenderness in this world♪

Please have the bride
and groom drink the nuptial wine.

Please.

Please.

♪Though summer brings
its share of hardships♪

♪I still struggle
through the wind and rain♪

♪My spirit remains undaunted♪

♪Daring to press on, daring to fight♪

♪Riding with the wind♪

What's this?

Dates and chestnuts.
[*Have a child early.]

First, scatter the fruits.

May the newlyweds
share a blissful bridal chamber.

Second, scatter the fruits.

May two red candles shine
upon the loving pair.

Third, scatter the fruits.

May three cups of fine wine
be raised to the groom.

Fourth, scatter the fruits.

May the flowered bridal sedan
carry the bride to her new home.

Fifth, scatter the fruits.

May five worthy sons achieve honors
in the imperial examinations.

Sixth, scatter the fruits.

May you rise to greatness
like Su Qin, who served the six states.

Seventh, scatter the fruits.

May seven celestial maidens
accompany the bride.

Eighth, scatter the fruits.

May the Eight Immortals
bring blessings to your home.

Ninth, scatter the fruits.

May nine generations
live together in harmony.

Tenth, scatter the fruits.

May ten generations of descendants
serve and safeguard the realm.

May Your Lordship and your wife

share a loving marriage

and grow old together.

- A loving marriage.
- A loving marriage.

- Grow old together.
- Grow old together.

My Lady.

Get some rest.

I'll go see to the guests.

Go ahead, Your Lordship.

Just as Your Lordship
and Young Master Lin expected,

Duke Xianguo chose
to make his move today.

He has stationed
a large force outside the residence.

It looks like he has no intention
of letting the Crown Prince

leave the residence alive.

Does Fengtai know?

Yes.

♪My Lord♪

♪Let me tell you instead♪

♪Her name is Tanniang♪

♪She's a widow♪

♪She should have remained
faithful to her late husband♪

♪Yet she tried to seduce me♪

♪But I refused her advances♪

♪Who would've thought♪

♪She would set
her sights on my treasure♪

♪My pearl-threaded golden robe♪

♪My Lord, utter nonsense♪

♪He tried to force himself on me♪

♪But I refused♪

♪So this scoundrel held a grudge♪

♪When one scheme failed,
he devised another♪

♪And tried to frame me♪

♪This is a court of law.
I will not tolerate such insolence!♪

♪Guards♪

♪Open the chest at once♪

♪And let me examine it carefully♪

♪To see if there are any clothes inside♪

♪There are♪

♪There are none♪

♪Why should anyone believe
this wretched woman's words?♪

♪Curse Guo Qiu, you vile beast♪

♪You vile beast♪

[Chen Shaoxin, Yuan Shaohui's Mother,
Old Madam of the Yuan Family]

[Yuan Jiarong, Yuan Shaohui's
Eldest Daughter, Age Twelve]

Manyi, you've
always lived in the capital.

You're accustomed to refined
northern opera and court music.

Can you get used to

our more popular southern opera?

I was born in Jinling.

Why wouldn't I be used to it?

Besides, Emperor Shengzu once said

Gao Ming's The Story of the Lute

is like the finest delicacies,

something no noble household
should be without.

Clearly, neither northern
nor southern opera is superior.

It all depends on
the skill of the playwright.

Take The Tale
of the Treasure Chest before us.

It was written by Lu Zongbai.

Its lyrics are elegant,

which is why it belongs
on the finest stages.

Just look

at her bearing, speech,
and breadth of knowledge.

As expected
of someone raised in the palace.

Old Madam is quite right.

A young lady like Manyi

is what a truly
well-bred young lady should be.

You flatter her, Old Madam.

It's all thanks
to Dowager Consort Zheng's guidance.

♪Fabricating lies to ruin her good name♪

♪k*lling without
spilling a drop of blood♪

Your Highness.

I arrived late.

Today is your wedding day.

No need for formalities.

Chengze.

You should offer
your brother-in-law a proper toast.

You weren't here earlier.

He was the one
helping receive the guests.

I shall obey Your Highness.

Commander Lin is a few years
younger than the Marquis,

yet now he's become his brother-in-law.

Thank you for your help today.

We're family. It's only right.

♪If everything she says is true♪

♪I beg you to find him guilty♪

♪My Lord♪

♪Find her guilty♪

♪Say no more. One look will tell♪

♪- Guards
- Yes♪

♪Open the chest at once♪

♪Good♪

- Good!
- Good!

♪There's a ghost in the chest♪

♪There's a ghost in the chest♪

♪There's a ghost in the chest♪

Manyi.

What a wonderful performance.

I simply couldn't help myself.

Forgive my manners.

What's wrong?

There's a ghost in the play.

I have to go catch the ghost.

So it really is Young Lady Xu.

I should've known.

She's not one
to let others mistreat her.

I'll have to trouble you, Chengze.

Make sure she stays safe.

All right.

Your Highness.

After escorting the bride here,

we must return and report
to our parents and elders,

and inform our ancestors
at the ancestral hall.

So we must take our leave first

and cannot remain
at Your Highness's side.

Please forgive us, Your Highness.

Those are our ancestral family rules.

It's only right.

You may go.

Yes.

♪Guards♪

♪Take this guilty woman
and throw her in jail♪

- Bravo!
- Bravo!

Chengze.

Make the arrangements.

I want to take the stage

and play the Mountain Deity
who upholds justice

in the final act
of The Tale of the Treasure Chest.

Your Highness.

I don't think this is appropriate.

Duke Xianguo.

What do you think?

I...

also think it's inappropriate.

I'll be playing a deity onstage.

That doesn't violate
Emperor Shengzu's teachings.

What's inappropriate about it?

Your Highness...

This is a rare occasion.

My mind is made up.

If you try to dissuade me again,

I'll return to the palace.

On this joyous occasion,

it's rare for the Crown Prince
to be in such high spirits.

We wouldn't dare spoil your enjoyment.

Chengze.

Even Duke Xianguo has agreed.

I'll make the arrangements at once.

Your Highness.

It's just around the corner.

With so many people watching the play,

why are you the only one who thinks

I was pretending
to be a ghost to frighten you?

There's an old saying.

If you've done nothing wrong,

you needn't fear
a ghost knocking at midnight.

If you had nothing to hide,

why would you be afraid
of me pretending to be a ghost?

There's another old
saying that's even better.

Money can make
even a ghost turn a millstone.

I have wealth and power.

I can catch ghosts and destroy them,

even make them
turn the millstones for me.

But you...

can only be a ghost.

I refuse to believe
there is no law in this land.

Scholar Han said

you sent men to abduct me

and are suspected of human trafficking.

You've violated the laws of our dynasty.

It's a serious crime.

Rites do not extend to commoners,

and punishments do not reach officials.

Do you understand what that means?

Rites are made
for those with understanding,

while punishments
are meant for the ignorant.

An ignorant commoner like you

has no right
to lecture me about the law.

Of course there is law in this land.

I am the law to you.

My daughter is talking nonsense.

I failed to teach her properly.

I am at fault.

Xu Lanxiang.

You...

If Dai Sheng and Ban Gu knew

this was how you interpreted
the Book of Rites and Baihu Tongyi,

they would surely
come knocking at midnight

to teach you how to behave.

Ladies,

please follow me to see the Crown Prince.

[Wang Cheng,
Attendant to the Crown Prince]

I never expected this to be one
of Fengtai's romantic entanglements.

If I'd known, I would've made him stay.

It was all my reckless doing.

My father had nothing to do with it.

Please punish me, Your Highness.

Today is Chengze's wedding day.

You're a guest, too.

Go back and enjoy the play.

Tomorrow, report
to the Ministry of Justice

and turn yourself in.

You will be dealt
with according to the law.

Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness.

Thank you for upholding justice
for me, Your Highness.

Duke Xianguo.

You may rise as well.

The guests are all waiting.

It's time for me
to change into my costume.

Go back and watch the play.

Think carefully about what justice
and righteousness truly mean.

I

shall obey Your Highness.

Duke Xianguo.

Let's go back.

The play has already started.

Why are you still here?

Don't you want to see my performance?

I was worried
Your Highness might summon me.

♪My resentment cannot be quelled♪

- Bravo!
- Bravo!

[Bring Honor to Forebears
and Prosperity to Descendants]

[Zheng Yun, Zheng Baichuan's Second Son]

[Fifth-Rank Patrol Officer
of the Rear Military Command]

No need to see me off, Butler Fu.

Take care, Commander Lin.

We're here to escort the bride.

Take care, Commander Liu.

I can still drink.

Take care, Squad Leader Sun.

Wait.

Liu Xiaochuan.

Don't you dare throw up in my carriage.

Sorry.

Did I say you could leave?

A good dog knows
when to get out of the way!

You...

Yun.

Come.

Sorry.

He's had too much to drink.

He didn't recognize you.

For the sake of the Yuan

and Lin families'
joyous occasion today,

please let this go.

When he sobers up tomorrow,

I'll have him host a proper banquet

and make a proper apology.

For the Crown Prince's safety,
everyone entering

or leaving here
must be thoroughly searched.

Anyone who refuses to cooperate

is to be arrested immediately.

Yes.

Yes.

But for Commander Lin's sake today,

I'll let them off for now.

Thank you, Yun.

Thank you.

Then we won't keep you
from your official duties.

We'll be on our way.

Let's meet another day.

- Good!
- Good!

♪The mirror of justice
shines through the ages♪

♪All schemes shall come to nothing♪

♪In this court♪

♪State your name♪

♪I am the Mountain Deity♪

♪Everything you have done
has come before my eyes♪

♪Guo Qiu abuses his power♪

♪And commits evil deeds,
earning everyone's hatred♪

♪Today I have descended
from the mountain♪

♪To clear Tanniang's name♪

♪What say you?♪

♪The Mountain Deity's
will shall be obeyed♪

♪Guards, release Tanniang at once♪

♪Take Guo Qiu away♪

Your Highness!

Protect His Highness!

What's going on?

Guards, quickly!

Your Highness! Protect His Highness!

Move aside!

Zheng Baichuan!

Are you rebelling?

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

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor

hereby decrees.

Lin Jinqi, Commander
of the Shence Garrison,

has served the realm with loyalty

and rendered meritorious service
in protecting the Emperor.

As he has reached the age of marriage,

a virtuous lady
shall be chosen as his wife.

Xu, daughter of Xu Wanquan,

is gentle and kind,

virtuous and accomplished.

To bring about this worthy union,

she is hereby bestowed
in marriage to Lin Jinqi.

♪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♪