01x26 - Give Betrothal Gifts

[bunniefuu]

[Love Like the Galaxy]

[Episode 26]

Everyone, I'm sure you've heard of my engagement with

Miss Cheng.

When I get married,

I will invite everyone to honor us with your presence.

Congratulations, General Ling.

Young Ladies,

what other questions do you have to ask in regards to my engagement?

Ask them all now.

None! None!

Stop making things difficult for my bride-to-be.

General Ling and Miss Cheng's marriage is really–

- A match made in Heaven.
- A wonderful fate bestowed by Heaven.
- Yes, yes.

How come you're not saying anything?

What else should be said?

We exhausted all our words in trying to reason with them.

But we're still getting picked on.

But he is clearly standing up for you. Are you not happy?

I don't know why,

I am unable to feel happy.

Why are you not speaking?

Is it important if I speak or not?

If I say ten thousand words, it is still no match for one word from General Ling.

Since that's the case, why should I waste my breath?

You...

What are you trying to say?

Today,

I finally personally witnessed what power looks like.

Sister Qiqi tried so hard to resist,

and it wasn't easy...

for Mother to put up with them.

But those noble ladies still would not budge. They still would not let us be.

Yet, when you came,

only a few words made them shut up.

You did not even need to waste your breath.

They obediently do whatever you say...

if you just give them one glance.

You dislike power?

That's your power and influence.

Not mine.

And why am I able to use your power?

Because soon after, I will be married to you.

Bearing and raising children for you. Making you feel happy and relaxed.

All so I can have a share of your power and influence. Isn't that right?

Married couples are said to act as one.

Once we are married, what is mine is yours.

Is there...

anything wrong with that?

There's nothing wrong with it.

I'm just making a big deal out of nothing.

I'm the kind of person...

that does whatever I please.

But if I am to be married to you in the future,

I should live in accordance with your rules.

Then,

I will no longer be Cheng Shaoshang.

It's getting late.

Eating too much before you sleep can easily cause indigestion.

I never ate after noon when I was out at w*r.

You're more alert when you're hungry. You lose your will to fight if you get too full.

General Ling.

I know you give orders in the army and don't like to discuss things with others,

but I'm used to being careless and unruly ever since I was young.

I am most unaccustomed to someone controlling me, even if it's for my own good.

If you want to marry me, you must tolerate me.

I am already attempting to discuss this with you.

Shaoshang,

I already told you my reasoning. Can you tell me one reason why,

even though you know it's harmful to you, you must eat this millet bread?

General Ling.

In this world, not everything must have a reason.

Just like how you proposed to me with no cause or reason.

For what reason?

Young Lord, the West Village has something important to report.

- Send Miss Cheng back to her manor first.
- Yes.

Let's set off.

Han Wu said he'd be back within three days, but we waited until sundown yesterday and there was still no sign of his whereabouts.

I was worried about his safety, so I sent someone to check.

We found many suspicious-looking people.

I have a suspicion that Han Wu is already in danger.

The Huo Army's messenger would have definitely left clues if they were in danger.

Let's go to the West Village.

But you are to deliver the betrothal gifts to the Cheng family tomorrow.

I will make my own arrangements.

That will do.

Send these junk items to the backyard.

Leave the front courtyard open. I have a big use for it.

Yes!

Slow down. Don't leave any scratches.

Slow down. That's my dowry.

Slow down.

Mother!

What are you up to now?

Yuanyi.

When Niao Niao was born,

you and my eldest son won a great victory in the lone city.

Niao Niao brought fortune at her birth. She's an auspicious child.

There's not a single daughter in the capital that brings more pride than Niao Niao does to her family.

The Lou family's marriage was just canceled.

The Ling family rushed to propose.

I asked around. Ling Buyi was raised by His Majesty.

He was treated almost like a prince.

If our Niao Niao is to be married,

isn't that the same as a princess consort?

Mother. Mother!

You must be careful with your words. This will cause trouble for the Cheng family!

I understand. I understand.

The Ling family has such a high status. Its betrothal gifts

must be a lot more than those from the Lou family.

At that time, when the Lou family sent over the betrothal gifts,

they filled out at least half the courtyard.

Won't the betrothal gifts from the Ling family

fill up the entire courtyard?

That's why I must prepare early to have the entire courtyard cleaned and the space cleared

so that the betrothal gifts won't take up your warehouse.

Mother, this matter isn't fully settled yet.

The Ling family hasn't sent anyone over to exchange their birthdates [to match their horoscopes].

If they don't come, you can go over there to ask.

If you think it's a little embarrassing,

just tell me, and I'll go there myself.

These old-fashioned people adhere to too many etiquettes.

Haven't you learned a lesson from the Lou family?

The sooner the betrothal gifts are here, the better.

You...

What I mean is...

The sooner the marriage happens, the better.

Old Madam. Madam.

The Ling family's steward came, and he said their madam is sick

so they cannot send the betrothal gifts on time. They ask for our understanding.

Sick... Sick how? What does that mean?

Everything was just fine, why is she sick?

I've already cleared space in the courtyard.

You... This...

Yuanyi, since the in-law is sick,

we can take some medicines with us and visit her.

The Ling family's steward also especially gave me a reminder.

In order to avoid infecting the in-laws,

they ask that the Cheng family to not visit.

That Marquis Chengyang's household is truly too much to be acceptable.

We're doomed.

We're doomed.

It looks like the Ling-Cheng marriage

is probably a goner.

Oh, heavens...

It's all my fault to be sick at a bad time.

So the marriage with Marquis Quling's family must wait until I fully recover.

Or else, if I pass the illness to the Cheng family,

it will be a great sin.

Miss Cheng must have a bad fate. Before she's even entered the Marquis' manor,

she's already jinxed her future mother-in-law to be sick.

Later, who else would dare to propose to her for marriage?

That's right.

How many other people in the country

are as nobly destined as Princess.

This marriage was decided by His Majesty.

Madam, you can't reject it.

You and I both suffer a bad fate.

Don't worry.

As long as the betrothal gifts aren't sent and the birthdates aren't exchanged,

this marriage can't take place.

I'll go to the palace tomorrow and ask His Majesty to reason it out.

If Miss Cheng can withdraw from the first marriage,

she can naturally withdraw from the second time.

Princess. Old Princess Consort.

We heard that General Ling dispatched someone to claim to His Majesty that his father is unavailable and his mother is sick.

So he asked His Majesty to oversee the marriage with the Cheng family.

His Majesty has already agreed.

He'll send Old Prince to act as an Officer of Rites to deliver betrothal gifts to the Cheng family tomorrow.

What? Zisheng is actually disregarding normal etiquette for Miss Cheng?

What Old Prince?

The only Old Prince in this dynasty is...

Grandfather!

Why are you crying?

If it's anyone else sending the betrothal gifts, that's worth your crying.

Your grandfather listens to us.

[Prince Ruyang]

Shrew,

how dare you be unruly in front of the Daoist Master?

Let me tell you. Don't be impudent.

Watch how I'll report to His Majesty tomorrow to divorce you.

You... You dare call me a shrew?!

You became a prince and forgot your origin.

Back then, I followed you to climb the mountain and work in the field.

There was not enough to eat. I endured innumerable hardships.

If I weren't a shrew, how did I feed you and His Majesty to stay alive?

In this court, is there anyone whose muddy legs I haven't seen?

Even His Majesty grew up being fed by me

with the grains and water that I saved.

Even if I have no military merits, I earned merits through hard work.

So now you want to burn the bridge after crossing it?

Are you bullying your old wife?

You, a man from the Wen family, you have no conscience!

You want to force me and your granddaughter to die?

Don't say nonsense.

If you have to scold, just scold me. Don't you dare scold His Majesty.

Grandmother, why make it difficult for Grandfather?

His Majesty ordered Grandfather to send the betrothal gifts on Zisheng's behalf.

Grandfather doesn't dare to defy His Majesty.

I have such a bad fate and can't marry Zisheng.

I might as well stay in the Sancai Temple to serve the Immortals.

Wen Daniu!
[Big Ox]

Our sons and daughters are dead.

I worked hard to finally see our granddaughter grow up.

If she becomes a nun now,

let me tell you, I'll beat myself to death in that Sancai Temple with you!

Enough! Enough! Enough!

You don't die, and you don't cry.

I'll go to Cheng Shaoshang tomorrow

and mess up her marriage with Ling Buyi. How about it?

Then, let's see Grandfather's skills tomorrow.

I've been set up.

Ling Buyi didn't come?

Young Miss, don't be sad.

Even though General Ling isn't here,

he asked the respectable Prince Ruyang to send the betrothal gifts.

It's very prestigious.

So now everyone in the capital envies you. The betrothal gifts are even too many to fill an entire street.

Envy me how?

Envy me that I have no choice in my marriages?

You should go help. Leave me alone.

Yes.

Young Miss, be gentle.

My ears are shaken deaf.

Did this desk offend you?

I'm like this desk.

Anyone can hit a few times.

No arms, no legs.

I can't fight back.

All these young people, why is everyone complaining?

Young Miss, let me ask you. Where is that Cheng Shaoshang?

She stole someone else's husband and caused my granddaughter to cry uncontrollably yesterday.

I just want to ask her, why is she climbing above her status to marry General Ling?

Men and women are both people.

What is this talk about climbing up?

The entire city is saying that

when I marry Ling Buyi, I'm the one climbing up.

But no one knows, that to have such an unequal marriage,

I, Cheng Shaoshang, don't care for it.

Old Prince,

are you perhaps here today to mess up the marriage?

I am His Majesty's uncle. Why would I do such a crude deed?

You are Miss Cheng?

I actually thought, finally someone is here

who is high above everyone except for the emperor and can be my savior.

You already knew my identity?

Someone who can come in and out easily in Marquis Quling's inner courtyard

can only be Prince Ruyang who is here to deliver the betrothal gifts.

You are quite bold.

You knew who I was, but you dared to retort to me.

This is how I am.

I don't know etiquette.

If Old Prince doesn't like what you see,

why not withdraw this marriage for Ling Zisheng?

Countless young women in the capital fancy Ling Zisheng.

Why is it that, when I'm here,

I sense that you want me to mess up this marriage.

Right from the start, he and I have been unequal.

In my mind, if we can't respect each other equally,

I'd rather stay single.

Do you know that people are divided into three levels and nine professions in the country?

Even for a married couple,

they still might not be equally respected.

I've been married to that woman in my home for 50 years.

We haven't agreed on even one thing.

She doesn't respect me, and I don't regard her highly.

Except, I've been cultivating for many years

to seek the way of no conflicts and no desires.

So I'll just tolerate and endure it.

Old Prince,

you are someone who cultivates?

I didn't notice.

By focusing on no conflicts, Old Prince has forgotten that

a cultivating person should follow his true heart and watch what they say.

Old Prince, why haven't you achieved anything?

In this world,

there are plenty of unhappy couples. Some say it's for their children

and can't leave each other. Some say they are afraid of their parents

so they don't dare to separate.

But no one has dared to admit

that they won't part because they don't dare to bear the consequences.

Old Prince,

if you don't dare to divorce, don't use cultivation as your excuse.

I think you clearly fear power and influence.

You fear that you'll make His Majesty upset.

How dare you lecture me?

Since you think you are unequal in status with Ling Buyi,

why didn't you refuse the marriage?

I also fear power and influence.

Old Prince, since you're ordered by Old Princess Consort

to help Princess Yuchang get her way, why not

just move all the betrothal gifts back

and mess up this marriage.

This way, you'll be fine and I'll be fine.

Whose order do I need I listen to? That woman can order me?

I see.

You were waiting here to trick me.

You don't want this marriage to happen.

I'm not getting fooled.

I watched Zisheng grow up. I really want this marriage to happen.

- No...
- You want me to help you refuse this marriage? Do you think I'm an idiot?

Anyway, the betrothal gifts are delivered.

I'll go back to the palace to report on my mission. You wanted to use my hand to mess up the marriage.

I'll never get tricked.

So he isn't muddle-headed due to his old age.

I wanted you to mess up the marriage. Who told you to treat it like it's our own family's marriage?

You are such an unreasonable shrew. This marriage can't be messed up.

His Majesty personally bestowed this marriage. What can we do?

Grandfather is His Majesty's uncle. Even he has to show respect to you.

How about Grandfather going to the palace and asking His Majesty

to order Ling Buyi to marry the both of us?

I'm willing to serve Eleventh Young Master together with Miss Cheng.

Ridiculous! Yuchang, look at how much you want to marry

that you would debase yourself. So embarrassing! So embarrassing!

Grandmother! Grandfather has changed. He doesn't cherish me anymore.

Now everybody in the capital sees me as a joke. How can I still have the face to live in this world?

- Just let me die.
- Don't cry. Don't cry.

Ridiculous!

Yuchang, listen to my sincere words.

You can't force a marriage.

If you force it, you'll become enemies.

Look at me and your grandmother. There's not a single day that we don't fight.

There's not a single day we don't complain. We are your lesson for the future.

Why make the same mistake?

What nonsense are you saying in front of our granddaughter?

Do you dare to divorce me? The emperor will lose face.

When you asked me to find trouble with Miss Cheng

and force her using my power and influence,

did you think about my face?

After 50 years, I finally understand.

I have to live for myself.

This time, I decided for myself.

I will do what I like.

Grandmother, I'll go to His Majesty and

find a rope to hang myself. Let's see if His Majesty will bestow marriage to an outsider

or force me, his niece, to death!

Your parents died early.

I've indulged you because you were orphaned as a child.

I've spoiled you this way where you would clamor for death when there is any disagreement.

Have you ever thought? If you threaten death upon a simple disagreement,

who would respect you?

If a woman doesn't respect herself,

why would your future husband respect you?

Yuchang, I'm sorry.

You've already missed your best years for Ling Buyi. I think...

you'd better choose a good family to marry soon.

As for Ling Buyi, forget about him.

You and Cheng Shaoshang are far, far apart. You can't surpass her in this lifetime.

Grandmother...

You heartless person! You dare to break my lifeblood?

I'll fight you to death. I'll also enter the palace to ask.

Why did I give His Majesty a bowl of rice to keep him alive all those years ago?

Enough! I've had enough!

You've been flattering yourself all these years.

What's this about giving His Majesty rice to save his life?

Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, and I know.

It was a bowl of spoiled rice. A bowl of spoiled rice that you didn't want.

A bowl of spoiled rice in exchange for more than ten years of glory and fortune. That's enough.

That's enough.

Yuchang, I've firmly decided.

Either you choose a good family to marry soon,

or stay in Sancai Temple and live out your life with the oil lamp.

Cut your hair to become a nun, or braid your hair to marry?

You choose.

Grandmother...

Young Lord, we've searched the area within ten li and didn't find any traces.
[1 Li is about 0.3 mile]

The soil is damp here. When people walk across, they'll leave footprints.

But the vicinity is clean and peaceful. Not to mention Han Wu's footprints,

not even hoof prints of horses are seen. To be able to clean it up

in such a short amount of time, it must be people from the army.

- Those people are from the army? Then Han Wu—
- Han Wu may have left some other clues.

- Keep searching.
- But we've searched the surrounding area.

Dig.

If it's one short and two long, then I've encountered danger.

If I'm safe and sound, it's two short and two long.

Han Wu discovered that he was being pursued, so he buried clues here.

Two long and two short means he is still alive. He'll come to find us.

- Pay attention secretly. See if there are any other clues from Han Wu.
- Yes.

Embark immediately to rush back to the capital overnight.

Yes!

- Why rush back?
- I need to go to Marquis Quling's Manor.

I was absent when the betrothal gifts were delivered. I should visit and apologize.

Young Lord.

- What's wrong?
- You have such a k*lling aura around you.

Instead of apologizing, you'll look like you are going there to make accusations.

You mean...

I look mean?

No. No.

But, Young Lord, you should try to smile more. Like this.

You... Can you tell jokes?

I'm so envious that you'll marry soon. You won't be controlled by Father and Mother anymore.

On the contrary, Mother previously didn't want me to marry Ling Buyi.

Nowadays she takes marriage matters more seriously than anyone.

She won't mention anything about withdrawing from the marriage. Clearly,

she doesn't have me in her heart.

Niao Niao, you say these words with a guilty conscience.

Mother risked her life to refuse the marriage that day in the palace. You yourself insisted on marrying Ling Buyi.

What's this about insisting? The situation was such that I was forced to agree.

Forget it. Why do I tell you about these things?

You wouldn't understand if I told you. What's power and influence?

What are the pros and cons? You know nothing.

Niao Niao, don't upset Eldest Aunt.

Eldest Aunt hasn't eaten well or slept well these days.

Yang Yang, eat.

Why is Niao Niao provoking Mother today?

She must be upset because Ling Buyi didn't personally come to deliver the betrothal gifts.

I think Mother is being strange, too. In the past, she would have slapped the table long ago.

She hasn't said a word today.

These women's minds are inexplicable.

Ling Buyi is really too much.

The marriage hasn't taken place, and he's already neglecting Niao Niao regarding the betrothal gifts.

As her older brothers, we must not forgive him.

That's right. Once he is here, we'll take Niao Niao

to give him a scare.

Shaoshang.

General Cheng and Madam Cheng,

that day, I had urgent military affairs.

I was unable to make it back for the delivery of the betrothal gifts.

I am deeply apologetic.

General Ling has never discussed with anyone else and makes his own decisions.

There's nothing to apologize for.

Work is more important. Work is more important.

Since General Ling came, why not eat with us?

Qing Cong, tidy up Jiuzhui Hall and ask General Ling to eat over there.

No need for extraneous formalities.

We will soon be one family.

Let's eat together.

Everyone, no need to feel restrained.

I am easy to get along with.

How come no one is speaking?

That... Eat without speaking, sleep without talking.
[According to Confucius]

Even though we, the Cheng Clan, are a small family,

we still observe some etiquette.

Eat without speaking, sleep without talking.

That's perfect. That's perfect.

Why don't I tell a funny story for everyone?

A long time ago, there was a young scholar who was selfish and cold.

He never got along well with people.

He thought he wouldn't lose any advantage this way.

He lived in a village on an island in the middle of a lake.

Whenever he left the island, he had to cross the lake in a boat.

One day, when he was crossing the lake, he saw that the boat had a hole that was punctured by rocks in the water.

He could have taken his clothes off to cover the hole,

but he didn't want to dirty his clothes, and he didn't want to waste time talking.

So he just let the water keep coming through the hole.

It was not until the boat was in the middle of the lake that people noticed there was a leak.

They screamed, "The boat is sinking!"

Everyone, can you guess what that young scholar replied?

He replied, "This boat isn't mine. What's it to do with me?"

What happened at the end?

What happened to him?

Of course, he drowned to death.

Very funny.

I think he's here to threaten us.

It sounds like it.

Here, Third Brother.

Thank you, General Ling.

Why is Third Brother's face sweating so much?

The weather is so hot. It's so hot.

Here, Third Brother, I'll salute you with a toast.

Third Brother, why did you drink so quickly?

I just drank a few sips casually, to relieve the heat and cool down.

Thank you, General Ling.

Allow me to toast Third Brother again. Let's relieve the heat and cool down.

- Second Brother.
- I'll drink.

I drank first to be respectful.

Great.

I... I can't handle alcohol.

Eat... I'll just eat.

All right.

I heard Young Master Ling is here!

Don't be rude.

It's so lively.

I'm not late, am I?

- You must be Young Master Ling.
- Yes.

Let me see. The eyebrows are eyebrows. The eyes are eyes. The nose is a nose. The mouth is a mouth.

Indeed, so extraordinarily unique.

You're just like my old man.

Let me tell you all. I've never been wrong in judging people.

You and our Niao Niao, same nose and two eyes,

just like you were made from the same mold.

In one look, you are a couple who'll grow old together.

That's what I've said, too.

Old Madam Cheng is really sagacious.

That's right. Sagacious!

Sagacious...

What does that mean?

So many good foods. I've never seen any of them.

Is that right?

After we buy it, I'll ask them to make it for you.

Father, I asked the shopkeeper to pack up everything.

By then, to reciprocate the gifts from the other families, we can send them easily.

You are thoughtful.

That saves us a lot of trouble.

Stop. Open your bags for a check.

What?

There's a saying, "When the house is peaceful, the family will prosper."

Now that I'm engaged to Shaoshang, the Cheng family is also my family.

I've specially deployed a team of guards to check the entries and exits at your house every day to ensure your safety.



♪ The flames of w*r strike against the frost and snow ♪

♪ It lightly covers the lingering illness of the past ♪

♪ Your back is against the light,
the galaxy reflected in your eyes ♪

♪ I hum a tune, the sun and the moon respond ♪

♪ The brilliance that penetrates the eyes ♪

♪ was extinguished by dust and lit again ♪

♪ The edges of earth, Kunlun, and netherworld
feel remorse for someone ♪

♪ The ocean is waking, the forest of steles
are like a mountain range ♪

♪ There are veiled criticisms in the corridor, a narrow door cannot easily close off one’s intentions ♪

♪ The challenges of one’s life become advice for the future ♪

♪ You and I will be in the same galaxy ♪

♪ We’ll use our absolute sincerity to
bring radiance to the ordinary ♪

♪ Bring radiance to the ordinary ♪