01x03 - Episode 3

[bunniefuu]

(Three years later, Spring of

the 24th year of Chengping reign)

Pirates! Pirates!

Please spare us! They will k*ll us

if you steal everything away!

Song Mo? This is a trap!

Tell us.

Where is your base?

Song Mo,

do you think capturing me

will lead you to our base?

We people of Dongyu will never yield!

Is it

South Mountain?

Tongzhou? Jilang? Zhanshui? Shan Island?

Meizhou? Feiyu Island?

Or Zhou Island?

So it's in Zhou Island.

Song Mo, you tricked me!

You won't get your way!

General, it's all thanks

to your brilliance.

Because of that darn rations

officer's delay, we nearly starve!

-If you hadn't baited the pirates

-Lu Ming, shut up.

-we'd still be starving.

-Stop! Get on your knees!

General, my brother is new here.

He doesn't know the rations officer

is your father, Duke of Ying.

-Please forgive him.

-His anger is understandable.

I'm angry too.

If you want to complain, go ahead.

I won't hear a thing.

At least we didn't ruin

Grand General's plan.

Taking down five pirate ships

should count as a decent result.

Five ships aren't enough.

-Duke of Ding's Army, hear my command!

-Yes, General!

Everyone, eat quickly.

In half an hour, change into pirates'

clothes and head for Zhou Island.

To secure ten years of peace

for the people of Futing,

we must make history with this battle!

For the homeland!

For a place in history!

For the homeland!

For a place in history!

(Blossom)

(Episode 3)

(Futing)

Attack! Attack!

Duke of Ding's Army will win!

Duke of Ding's Army will win!

It's Duke of Ding's Army!

They're back!

Duke of Ding's Army is back!

-Did you win?

-We did.

A great victory at Zhou Island.

With the sea now pacified,

the goods will become valuable again.

Zheng, aren't we impressive?

Don't be dramatic. This is nothing.

There's more glory to come.

Long live Duke of Ding's Army!

All thanks to Duke of Ding's Army!

Lu Zheng, have the Ministry of w*r send

the captured women

and children back to Dongyu.

Any soldier found abusing children

or assaulting women will be ex*cuted.

Yes, General!

Congratulations, General.

News of your attack

on Zhou Island

has reached the camp.

The Duke has also arrived.

My father is here?

Jiang Mei Sun!

(Song Yi Chun)

The delay in the delivery

was because our troops

encountered bandits along the way.

We were eliminating threats to

the people. How is that a crime?

Release me!

-Release me!

-Grand General.

He's Duke of Ying

and your brother-in-law.

Listen up, everyone!

Song Yi Chun has delayed

military operations

and spoken outrageously.

As per military law,

30 lashes.

-Carry out the punishment.

-Yes, sir!

How dare you! I am

a duke of the highest rank,

with generations of merit behind me.

Without an imperial decree,

who dares to touch me?

Grand General!

Yan Tang.

Grand General, I have

completed the mission successfully.

Please get up.

Despite the shortage of rations,

we managed to dismantle

the Dongyu forces,

thanks to you using yourself as bait.

Well done! This is a great achievement.

Grand General,

not only did General

destroy ten enemy ships,

he also used their fleet

to seize Zhou Island.

The last pirate stronghold

has been wiped out.

The decades-long mission to

secure the borders and seas

has finally succeeded.

Bravo! Bravo!

Oh, you,

you were short on supplies

and outnumbered.

Were you trying to get yourself k*lled?

It's thanks to the delay of the rations

that my son had the drive

to fight against the odds.

Yan Tang,

reason with your uncle for me.

I'm tired of arguing with him.

How absurd!

Discipline comes first in the army.

There's no room for family sentiment!

You lost sight of the bigger picture,

chasing credit for taking out bandits

and delaying the delivery

by ten days!

If Yan Tang hadn't taken the initiative,

we would have lost this battle!

And you still dare to justify yourself?

Bring me the whip!

I'll punish him personally!

-You wouldn't dare!

-Watch me!

Grand General,

it's true Duke of Ying

is guilty of delay,

but doing nothing and watching

my aging father suffer punishment

makes me an unfilial son.

30 lashes would cr*pple him,

if not k*ll him.

I did nothing wrong!

I beg you, Grand General!

In light of the victory at Zhou Island,

allow me to take his punishment.

It upholds military law

and preserves loyalty and filial piety.

Please show mercy, Grand General!

Please show mercy, Grand General!

Please show mercy, Grand General!

Loyalty and filial piety, huh?

Fine.

As you wish then.

You will take ten extra lashes.

Do you accept it?

Yes, sir!

I'm sorry.

Let's go!

An outstanding son

with a useless father.

How foolish!

This may hurt.

Look at you,

you dared to attack Zhou Island

with only a few ships and troops.

You were practically courting death.

Reckless!

The Art of w*r says,

"Throw them into death ground,

and they will fight to survive;

place them in peril,

and they will thrive.

Desperate troops always win."

You taught me that.

Don't throw w*r strategies at me.

I might not have been there,

but I know exactly

what you were thinking.

Your attack on Zhou Island

was just to plead

for your father's pardon.

And you saw how he repaid you.

Was it worth it?

Why did you have to whip him for real?

I told him to.

There's no jesting in the military.

Forty lashes are nothing.

I said I'd take the punishment

for my father,

I had to bear it seriously,

no pretense allowed.

-Leave us.

-Yes, sir!

Uncle,

worth it or not, he's my father.

My mother and Han

are waiting for him to come home.

This is my fault.

I should never have agreed

to let Hui Sun marry him.

That's not fair.

If they hadn't married,

I wouldn't exist.

And without me, who would keep

you company securing the borders?

You'd be so bored.

Honestly,

I feel refreshed right now, like

after a good cupping treatment.

You feel refreshed, huh?

Duke of Ying has packed up and left.

Lighting every lamp,

burning every incense.

Grain God,

(Zhao Zhang Ru)

bless us with a bountiful harvest,

and may Shou Gu and An Su

earn baskets full of money.

Farmers pray for favorable conditions

because they depend on

the weather to survive.

But businesses rely on human effort.

Instead of asking the gods,

maybe you should reward me generously.

Don't speak carelessly.

Even launching ships for trade

depends on the heavens.

Oh, Grain God,

don't hold it against Shou Gu.

If you have time, please bless us

with more wealth and fortune.

I predict the pirates will be

completely eradicated this year,

and spring and summer trade

will bring great wealth.

I'll make sure to add to your fortune.

If you really are a clairvoyant,

did you see this coming then?

Zhang Ru!

Oh, I got another premonition.

You won't find a husband

this year either.

How dare you say that!

Zhang Ru!

Good news!

I've got great news!

Su Su.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Stop it!

Stop!

Oh, no.

What are those?

Money.

You didn't guess it would be money.

One thousand taels each,

and so many of them!

There aren't many

this wealthy in all of North Zhili.

The tea, silk, and porcelain

we stocked last year

all sold at a premium.

Thanks to Zhao seizing

the opportunity early,

my father says

this month's shipping orders

have increased tenfold.

The profits will only grow from here.

An Su, go back and tell

Mister and Madam Miao

to sell the ships after

selling off our current stocks.

We'll look for

a new business opportunity.

Shou Gu, are you serious?

Why?

We've established our business

in Futing early on

and became the shipping tycoon here.

When all the sea routes open up,

won't we make even more money then?

This is the 24th year

of the Chengping reign.

The Duke of Ding's Army's coastal

campaigns are nearly finished.

With the pirates eradicated,

maritime trade will

become hugely profitable.

From local officials in Futing

to the Ministry of Revenue,

they're bound to tighten

regulations and increase taxes.

This business might not

be as easy as it seems.

Even if local officials

want to take a cut,

it's not like the business

would become unviable.

Isn't pulling out now too early?

Or did you hear something from Mr. Chen?

No, nothing like that.

It's just that when you buy

during a slump,

even if prices rise, it's still cheap;

and when you sell during a boom,

even if prices fall, it's still high.

If everyone knows

it's easy money,

then there's no real profit left.

Trust me on this.

I don't understand all that,

but I know one thing,

If you become the richest person

in Zhending,

your stepmother and

your fiance, Marquis of Jining,

will be drooling

when counting your money.

Young Lady Zhao,

Nanny Zhou from the capital is here.

Great, speak of the devil,

and here comes trouble.

I've clearly turned down

the family banquet for the festival,

and now they're inviting me again.

I have distant relatives visiting,

no time to play the role of

the doting mother in a happy family.

Oh, Old Madam, how can

you say such a thing?

It's rare for Fifth Master and

Seventh Master to both be here.

A family reunion during the festival

is a wonderful thing!

To be honest,

Seventh Master caught

a cold a few days ago.

He's been missing his daughter terribly.

Using my father as an excuse?

If I don't go, I'll be accused

of being unfilial, won't I?

Young Lady Zhao,

how can you think that way?

Madam went out of her way

to prepare a whole table

of dishes just for you.

Is her food even edible?

Yes, what if she's up to no good

and poisons the food?

I refuse to believe

she would be nice.

How can you say such things?

Fine.

Shou Gu, are you really going?

Grandmother,

since Father still remembers

he has another daughter,

I want to go.

We're going with Zhao then.

Surely you won't mind

receiving a few more guests.

Alright then.

The capital is only half a day's

journey from Zhending.

Nanny Zhou,

take good care of my granddaughters.

Of course!

I'd like one, please.

(Duke of Ying's Residence)

(Song Han)

Han, your spear skills

have improved a lot.

I imagine your mother has had

to work hard to train you.

Nonsense.

It's been ages since

I practiced with a spear.

A little exercise is good for me anyway.

Brother? You're back!

Yan Tang?

Yan Tang!

Mother.

This is a dagger

seized from the pirates.

It's yours now.

Thanks, Mo!

I heard you were badly injured

in the battle at Zhou Island.

Where are you hurt? Let me take a look.

I'm fine.

After such a bumpy journey,

how could your body handle it?

Showing off your big victory

the moment you walk in, huh?

His uncle takes good care of him.

He doesn't need us.

Will you stop picking

fights with my brother?

The children are watching.

Ignore him.

It's been a while since

you've tasted my cooking.

Get some rest.

I'll cook for us today.

Let's have a family reunion dinner.

Great! I'll help you in the kitchen.

Alright.

Leave us.

Your uncle sure knows

how to play his cards.

He submitted

an expedited military report,

accusing me of negligence and delay,

and only your merits

spared me from the lashes.

Now the entire court knows!

As a father,

I had to rely on my excellent son

and beg for Jiang Mei Sun's mercy.

It's a victory report,

not an impeachment letter.

Amid the joy of a great victory,

a few sentences mentioning this matter

ensures His Majesty doesn't

dig deeply into your mistakes.

Did I do wrong to eliminate

bandits for the people?

If you hadn't

volunteered for the lashes,

I'd still have a case

to argue before His Majesty.

Now this is great.

His Majesty has demoted me to

overseeing the South City garrison.

The son earns merit

while the father gets demoted.

You still think Jiang Mei Sun

did this out of kindness?

Father

So you do know I'm your father.

For years,

you've barely come home.

His Majesty praises you

for embodying Jiang Mei Sun's integrity.

Now I'm confused.

Whose son are you?

Do you like it?

Whose son are you?

His Grace has been strict

with you since you were little.

Rules and expectations

are naturally stricter

in noble families.

I've only just realized

that during the years I've been away,

my parents and brother

have grown close, like a true family.

My return

has only disrupted their harmony.

I'd like to take a walk alone.

Don't follow me.

Today,

the shadow puppet show

we'll be performing

is called the Record of Truths.

Yes! Yes!

Would it be better for everyone

if I weren't the heir to Duke of Ying?

Awesome!

Yes! Bravo!

It's been so long

since I've been to the capital.

The festival here is so lively!

Look at all these Nuo opera masks!

We're going to be late.

Ladies, why did you

get off the carriage here?

Fifth Master and

Seventh Master are waiting.

Come on, get back in! Quickly!

Ladies, I'll go inform

Fifth Master and Seventh Master.

Young Lady Zhao.

Chen Shi Yuan, Liu Xue Zhen,

Pang Kun Bai

All the guests are sons of

newly prominent court officials.

Know your enemy

and prepare accordingly.

So many young men are here.

If I'd known,

I would've dressed up properly!

They're all Uncle Shi Shu's students,

from prestigious families.

They're celebrating

their promotion.

Our attire does seem inappropriate.

Zhao.

Zhao, what are you doing here?

Ming, you look stunning.

I simply did as Mother asked.

I didn't know you'd be coming today.

We have many guests today.

Let's go to my room first and

get you all changed. Come on.

-Zhao!

-It's fine

You're finally here.

Master and Shi Shu are waiting for you.

Ming, why didn't you

announce your sister's arrival?

Come with me.

This way.

Master, Zhao and the girls are here.

Not bad. They are

all talented young men.

Shou Gu.

Our guests today

are all prominent figures.

It's rude enough that you're late,

and on top of that,

look at how you're dressed.

Standing next to Ming,

you look like a servant.

Shou Gu dressed like her grandmother.

Simple and elegant is perfectly fine.

This is my fault.

I should have reminded the girls.

(Pang Kun Bai)

I'll take them to get changed now.

Come.

Please forgive us, Uncle Shi Shu.

My sisters and I wore plain clothes

not out of disrespect,

but because dressing extravagantly

felt inappropriate.

How so?

Disasters have struck

across the land since last year,

and wars have been frequent.

His and Her Majesties have cut back

on their use of jewels and silks,

urging officials not

to indulge in extravagance.

I hear you are set

to be promoted

in the Ministry of Rites.

With the promotion decree

not yet issued,

such a grand display might invite

criticism from your political rivals.

Well

You're right.

I hadn't considered that.

This is a festive occasion!

Even common folk dress brightly

for good fortune.

Zhao, must you always tie

everything back to national affairs?

It's rare to hear

such practical and grounded insights

from a noble lady.

Who is he?

As expected of you, Young Lady Zhao.

Young Master Wu, it's been a while.

How is Lord Wu?

My grandfather is in good health.

(Wu Shan)

On his behalf, I extend

early congratulations to you,

-Fifth Master and Seventh Master.

-Thank you.

-Young Master Wu, this way, please.

-Remove the lanterns.

Ying Xue,

take Ming to change into

something more suitable.

Wu Shan, the only grandson

of Grand Secretary Wu.

I didn't know you had a connection

with the Wu family.

My stepmother is

an expert at networking.

Besides, Wang Xing Yi

is Wu Shan's mentor.

At this banquet, he's likely the arrow,

and either Dou Ming or I

will be the target.

They're actually changing the lanterns?

Mr. Chen, your prediction became true.

(Su Xin, Su Lan)

You even knew they would change

the lanterns during the banquet.

Since they're changing the lanterns,

it means Young Lady Zhao

and the girls are not only safe

but may have even gained an advantage.

Let's go, Mother.

Ming, let me ask you,

what were you and Dou Zhao

talking about at the door earlier?

I was just catching up with my sister.

She's never treated you as a sister,

yet you're eager to call her one.

Everything I'm doing

is for your own good.

Why do you think I went to all that

trouble inviting Young Master Wu here?

But I don't have feelings

for Young Master Wu

Enough!

When it comes to choosing a husband,

your feelings are the least important.

Young Master Wu comes

from an esteemed family.

He's kind and ambitious.

There's no better match.

You've just come of age,

at the height of your beauty.

Tonight,

you must make me proud,

understand?

-Yes, Mother.

-Let's go.

Shou Gu.

The discussion about politics earlier

was just a cover.

I'm dressing plainly

because Mother's death anniversary

is approaching.

Do you remember that?

Of course I do.

Look at this magnolia tree.

I tend to it personally.

It's blooming especially well this year.

Flowers bloom again,

but the dead cannot return.

The celebration is

just an excuse, isn't it?

You and Uncle Shi Shu are using

this opportunity to parade

our family's daughters

in front of Young Master Wu

and the other guests, aren't you?

Your uncle is just concerned

about your marriage prospects.

Am I supposed to lower myself

to be scrutinized

and compete with Ming, like a

peacock spreading its tail for display?

The elders mean well.

Don't look at it so negatively.

Back then, Uncle Shi Shu

insisted you marry Wang Ying Xue

to gain the Wang family's support.

Now that he's risen from a clerk

at the Office of Transmission

to a senior post in

the Ministry of Rites,

does he really need to use our marriages

to curry favor with the Wu family?

Dou Zhao,

you shouldn't slander your elders.

Marriage has always been

decided by the parents.

Have I ever forced you into anything?

You may not have forced me,

but you've never raised me either.

Keeping things simple and staying out

of each other's way suit us just fine.

-You

-As for your high hopes,

place them on Ming instead.

When she marries,

I'll contribute to her dowry.

Young Lady Ming seems delicate.

It makes me want to protect her.

But she doesn't look like

she's built for childbearing.

Young Lady Ming is reserved

for Young Master Wu.

So, don't bother trying.

If you want to rely on the Dou family,

aim lower, someone they've written off,

like that girl from the Zhao family.

I might as well marry

Young Lady Zhao then.

At least she's filthy rich.

Young Lady Zhao is mine.

You can have Young Lady Miao instead.

Her family may not be as wealthy,

but at least she's easy to control.

A gentleman knows to exercise

restraint in his words and actions.

Yet here you are, under their roof,

engaging in such vile discussions.

Have all the moral lessons

you've studied been for nothing?

Trust me, pick Young Lady Miao.

Just trust me.

What is this?

It stinks!

This is a rain gauge

from the Ministry of Works,

used by various provinces to

measure rainfall and prevent disasters.

It must not be tampered with.

Ming is here.

The star of the show is here.

Should we just play supporting roles?

Yes, keep quiet and stay out of sight.

Just focus on eating and drinking.

I agree with that!

Everyone, it's a pleasure

to have you here.

Please make yourselves at home.

Zhao.

Gentlemen, you are

all well-learned scholars.

I have a suggestion.

How about you compose couplets

and challenge the young ladies

to match them?

If anyone succeeds,

-they'll drink a toast.

-Sounds great!

That's a great idea!

Since you've proposed it,

it would indeed be

a privilege to witness

the young ladies' literary talents.

Excellent. Young Master Wu,

why don't you start us off?

Beside the wall lies Willow Alley,

water floods the long dike,

narrow paths make the cattle

doubt there's room to tread.

Excellent!

Your talent rivals that of the scholars

from Imperial Academy!

Ming.

You can write

Dou Ming has written one.

Beyond the heart

lies Peach Blossom Land,

clouds obscure the narrow path,

in a forest where animals roam,

a new world unfolds.

Brilliant!

What a perfect match!

Thank you for the inspiration,

Young Master Wu.

Shi Shu, look at this couplet.

Here.

Young Lady Ming completely

stole the spotlight.

Wang Ying Xue must be overjoyed.

Why is she still dragging this on?

Yes, why, Shou Gu?

That's just how she is.

Young Lady Zhao, you're very talented.

Why haven't you written anything?

I grew up in the countryside.

I'm not skilled in literature.

You must be joking.

The young ladies are

the stars of this banquet.

Why don't you compose a couplet?

Shou Gu, do you not want to write one?

Let me write one for you then.

A young boy herds sheep

and cattle in the northern plains,

watching the sheep, the cattle,

and the stars.

I have one to match that.

A bandit in black sneaks in at midnight,

grabbing, embracing,

and stealing kisses.

Shameless scoundrel.

Outrageous!

Judging by the handwriting,

this must be from Young Lady Zhang Ru.

Zhao Si is a two-time

imperial exam laureate,

yet his only daughter comes up

with something so vulgar and absurd.

And you, Young Master Pang,

matched it so well.

Shall I arrange a marriage for you

to become the Zhao family's

live-in son-in-law?

Who would want him as a husband?

It was thoughtless

of me to speak like that.

He thought it was written by Zhao.

He was just trying to help her.

It was just a joke.

Young Lady Zhao's couplet

lacked refinement,

so naturally, the reply was vulgar too.

With her parents

far away in Diannan,

she's had no one to guide her.

Spending years mingling with merchants

and common folk in the countryside,

it's no surprise

she's neglected her studies.

You're full of crap!

Alright, alright.

By your reasoning,

I too grew up

without parents' guidance,

doing lowly work and

mingling with country folk

Dou Zhao!

You know what,

I've thought of a couplet.

Shou Gu!

What is she doing here?

Dou Zhao, this is the men's table.

What are you doing?

Have you no shame?

Dou Zhao

If you gentlemen can openly

discuss women's marriages

without shame,

why should I feel embarrassed?

That folding fan is traditionally used

only by courtesans or talented scholars.

Young Master Liu Xue Zhen,

I heard you've failed

the imperial exam six times.

You're using a folding fan too,

but where's the talent to match it?

Young Lady Zhao, as a lady,

talking like that

is highly inappropriate.

Young Master Chen Shi Yuan,

I hear your family's business failed,

and you even had

to sell your ancestral home.

You're looking for a dowry to

make up for the losses, aren't you?

Shou Gu has been away

from the capital for years.

How does she know all that?

Easy it is to find a fickle lover,

but priceless treasures

are hard to seek.

Why waste false affection

on embroidered words?

I can't stand men like you,

talentless, unprincipled sycophants.

Just because you're educated,

you think you're above everyone,

criticizing and belittling women.

You treat marriage like items

on a marketplace shelf,

weighing and scheming over them.

If we're the bottom-of-the-barrel

oranges and rotten sugarcane,

what does that make you?

Flies and vermin?

Insolent!

You're behaving improperly

and speaking nonsense

in front of our guests.

Zhao is as impressive as usual.

Young Master Wu, my apologies

for the spectacle.

Young Lady Zhao's couplet

is sincere and sharp-witted,

with a touch of satirical humor.

I don't find anything

improper about them.

Though I must admit, her couplet

is quite difficult to match.

My behavior is crude

and unworthy of your company.

I'll excuse myself to reflect.

We'll go with you!

Let them go.

Will Young Lady Zhao be bullied?

In noble households, one must

act with careful timing.

Being too sharp and outspoken

isn't always wise.

The question is

whether she can hold back.

If she can,

we'll need to wait for about

half an incense stick's time.

Mr. Chen, you always speak in riddles.

And what if she can't conceal it?

Zhao, please wait!

They're out.

Zhao, don't be mad.

I'm not mad.

It's not worth getting

angry over those people.

Young Lady, are you really not mad?

Fine, maybe I am a little mad.

Mr. Chen, I understand

that you wanted me to come,

hoping I'd learn to be patient.

But this isn't entirely a bad thing.

In official families,

when choosing a wife,

they care most about virtue

and obedience.

If I earn myself a reputation

as a shrew or troublemaker,

it'll give Marquis of Jining a perfect

excuse to break off the engagement.

That'll save me from

their constant pressure to marry.

Zhao, do you really not care

about your reputation or marriage?

Women can live perfectly well

without relying on men.

Becoming someone's wife means

taking care of his parents,

worrying about his career,

managing the household,

and even looking after concubines

and their children.

And if you really love him,

you might end up like my mother.

I still want to meet someone I love,

get married, and have children.

My parents weren't around

when I was growing up.

I've always wanted a home.

What about you, Zhang Ru?

I'm going to beat those

uncultured brats right now!

How dare they call me old,

crude, and unwanted!

I'll show them what crudeness

really looks like!

Zhang Ru, sit down. Sit.

Oh, Zhang Ru.

They are blind and ignorant.

They can't see how amazing you are.

That's right! If my father hadn't

insisted on a live-in son-in-law,

I'd have been married long ago, right?

Alright, she's had too much to drink.

I'll take her back.

Come on.

I'm feeling stifled.

I'm going to take a walk.

Alright. Don't stay out too late.

Come on.

-Su Su, drink with me.

-Alright, alright.

Young Lady, we're being followed.

Young Lady, have a look.

Go back to Dou's Residence

and get some money.

Yes, Young Lady.

Goodbye.

Good sir, we have a new performance,

The Tale of the Silken Robe.

A lost mother, an abandoned child,

and a courtroom trial of the father.

A life adrift, tangled with

love and resentment,

and an unbreakable bond

between a father and a son.

There are still seats available

in the private boxes.

Please step inside.

We have tea, snacks,

everything you need.

Please come in.

When I invited Ji Jian Ming

to our estate,

it was to see if he and Shou Gu

might be a good match.

Ji Jian Ming and Shou Gu

have been meeting in private.

They're clearly in love.

Zhao, how far have things

gone between you two?

Watch out!