01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

[The Unexpected Marriage]

[Episode 1]

The sound of firecrackers closes the old year. Gongs
and drums welcome the New Year. [Red Luan Pavilion]

Gongs and drums welcome the New Year.

On the occasion of the annual Spring Festival,

it's not just spring coming to us,
[Sheng Tiangang, Storyteller]

but also anguished crying.

When the New Year's bells echoed across the land, a
strange thing happened in the Sun Mansion of Fuyu.

- Honey, please.
- Honey.

Master, Madam! It’s the visit request letter for
the eldest young master [Prince Changle's Mansion]

from Princess Changsheng.

What do we do?
[From Liu Changsheng]

Quick. Pack up our things and leave.

- Go, go, go.
- Hurry up.

Pack up. Quickly.

Who's this Princess Changsheng
that makes people run for their lives?

- Keep talking!
- Prince of Changle has great power and authority.

It's a pity that he had no children.

But twenty years ago,
Princess Changsheng was born.

Legend has it that whoever admires
her will not end up well. [A Perfect Match]

Nonsense. How can we believe it?

At that time, the people of
Fuyu, like you, didn't believe it.

But the admirers all died one by one.

Take a man from Kang'an Lake for example.

A blind tuner died tragically.

And a widower from the East River. Why doesn't he believe
in tears of blood? [Tomb of beloved wife, Wang Qianxue]

The Princess is the reason
behind every sad story in Fuyu City.

Her snare of love is vast and inescapable.

As a storyteller, you know a lot.

In addition to storytelling, I also know a bit

about divination and the Eight Diagrams.

You might as well have a try.
Come on, let me tell your fortune.

Come on. Try it.

Who's this young master? So handsome.

Look at his style and charm.

He looks just average. Not as good as me.
[Liu Changsheng, Princess of Changle, Fuyu]

- You are far worse than him.
- Let me tell your fortune.

Come on. Let me tell your fortune.

Forget it.

Sheng Tiangang!

Princess Changsheng.

- Princess Changsheng?
- Greetings.

- Run, run!
- Run!

- Run!
- Run!

Keep your voice down.

Didn't you see I'm wearing men's clothing today?

It's to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Yes, yes, you are the biggest trouble.

- What did you say?
- I said there's no trouble.

Your Highness, please.

I'm here to support your business.

Just forget it.

- My birth chart.
- I... Your Highness, you've come many times.
[Birth Chart]

If I could help you, I would have done it.

I've told you everything I should tell you.

- Really. Nothing left.
- I don't care.

If I can't get married this year, I will marry you.

- No.
- Your Highness, please watch your words.
- And your actions.

Yes, yes, Your Highness.
You can't threaten me like this.

What? Am I, a princess, not
good enough for you, a storyteller?

No, Your Highness. That was
not what I meant. I mean, I...

You spread the rumors that
it's dangerous to marry me.

- Think of a solution.
- I will.

Let me think...

Your Highness. Red Luan Pavilion.

In half a month, Red Luan Pavilion's Marriage Pearl will
be on sale. [T/N: red luans are symbols of marriage]

According to legend, this Marriage Pearl
has the effect of accelerating marriage.

Why don't we make every
possible effort and give it a try?

Marriage Pearl? Good.
[Red Luan Pavilion]

Don't even mention one Marriage Pearl.

Even if there are ten, I won't hesitate.

Good. Very good.

[Longevity Hall, Great Tang]

Prince of Qin. Entering the palace in armor is
disrespectful. [Lv Jing, Prince of Great Tang]

Please...
[Lv Jing, Prince of Great Tang]

This is the sword worn by the Sovereign of Great
Yu, and also a gift from me to Imperial Father.

Today is Imperial Father's birthday.
I came late. Please punish me.

All right. I'll punish you severely.

I'll make you drink a few more glasses.
[Lv Shang, Sovereign of Great Tang]

- Rise.
- Thank you, Imperial Father.

Lv Jing, how disrespectful.
[Lv Hou, Second Prince of Great Tang]

Imperial Father. This time, Great Yu was pacified.

We've restored peace and prosperity.

In the short term, small countries around
us will not dare to cause trouble again.

It's a blessing for our Great Tang.
[Lv Ke, Fifth Prince of Great Tang]

Right.

Jing'er. I have something else to discuss with you.

It's related to Fuyu.

Imperial Father, do you want to follow up
the victory, and send troops to conquer Fuyu?

Fuyu sent an envoy to propose a marriage alliance.

Among all my sons, you're
the only one who hasn't married.

Why not take this opportunity to go to Fuyu

and investigate the country,
disguised as an envoy?

I am willing to go to Fuyu as a pretended envoy.

I'll set off immediately.

[Half a month later]

Everyone, open your eyes.

Shining and translucent.

This is the most precious treasure
of Red Luan Pavilion, Marriage Pearl.

- The bidding starts now.
- I'll give you fifty taels.

Good, fifty taels.

- Eighty taels.
- Eighty taels.

- One hundred taels.
- Young Master Beard offered 100 taels.

Do you have one hundred
taels? Is there a higher bidder?

- One hundred and one taels.
- Sir Xiao is here.

Isn't this Sir Xiao Zilv?
[Xiao Zilv, Third Young Master Xiao]

He is indeed the most talented person in Fuyu.

Xiao Zilv, a gentleman doesn't stand
in people's way. Stop making trouble.

Sir Xiao offered 101 taels.

- Anyone else?
- One hundred and fifty taels.

- One hundred and fifty taels.
- One hundred fifty-one taels.

- One hundred fifty-one taels. Sir Xiao offered one hundred fifty-one taels.
- But I'm not a gentleman.

- Two hundred taels.
- Two hundred and one taels.

- Two hundred and fifty taels.
- Two hundred and fifty-one taels.

- Sir Xiao offered 251 taels.
- Three hundred taels.

- Three hundred taels can buy a house.
- Three hundred taels. Good.

- Yes.
- Any more bidders?

Three hundred taels goes once. Three hundred
taels goes twice. [Elegance and Splendor]

Three hundred taels goes thrice. Sold!

Congratulations. Young Master
Beard, please come to the stage.

Please. Please, sir.

Congratulations! Congratulations
on getting the pearl!

Congratulations!

Fuyu is small. But the people live and work
in peace and contentment. It's quite lively.

Your Highness, look.

Young Master, look there.

[Red Luan Pavilion]

This time we came to Fuyu under the disguise of the marriage
alliance. But in reality, we're collecting intelligence.

Never reveal our true identity.

Princess Changsheng is indeed generous.

I admit defeat.

Did I hear wrong?

How come I heard Princess Changsheng?

Sir Xiao has known Princess
Changsheng since childhood.

He will never mistake her.

He... He is Princess Changsheng!

- Run!
- No, no.

I'd better go back first.

Bad luck.

[Red Luan Pavilion]

Young Master, be careful.

That isn't the place we need
to be careful of, over there is.

Xiao Ke. Sorry for frightening you.

Jinyan, Shenxing. Let's go.

Your Highness, where are we going?

Looking for my destined man.

[Red Luan Pavilion]

Don't be afraid.

My marriage!

Careful!

Thanks.

Young Master.

- Young Master, are you okay?
- Young Master. Your hand is bleeding.

- Changsheng. Is your hand okay?
- This is not a place to dawdle.

- Let's go quickly.
- Xiao Zilv.

Congratulations to Your
Highness! Congratulations!

The pearl has shattered. The marriage is gone.

My hand is injured too. Why
are you congratulating me?

No, no.

Your Highness, you don't know.

Even the pearl may not help with your marriage,

but just now in the accident,

a scar appeared out of nowhere on your palm.

This indicates there's a glimmer of
hope for your marriage, Your Highness.

I believe that soon,

good news will be heard from
Prince of Changle's Mansion.

Good news. Right?

Good news?

Good news.

[Valley Pass Posthouse]

- Sir.
- Did they confess?

No. They are tight-lipped.

We used all kinds of punishment.

Some couldn't stand it, and...

Open the door.

Who sent you here?

Don't want to say it, right?

Will you say it?

Sir.

Prince of Qin.

You can k*ll me if you want.

I won't say anything.

No rush.

You'll be rushing to talk in a moment.

We brothers are not afraid of death.

Prince of Qin. What kind of
t*rture methods do you have?

Use them all.

We can stand them.
[T/N: lit. we can eat it]

Can you?

Speaking of which, I'm a little hungry.

Bring it.

Now in the cold winter, it's
the perfect time to eat barbecue.

You said before you can
withstand all kinds of punishment.

Have you heard the method
where one's feet are cut off,

and dragged by people to walk back and forth

on this red-hot iron plate?

Walk a few steps and your bones will be roasted.

Don't think we'd confess under t*rture.

We've endured all kinds of pain.

Then what about the pain of having
your whole family exterminated?

- What do you mean?
- If I k*ll you directly

and send your body back to Great Tang,

someone will naturally get rid of
your relatives to avoid future trouble.

What nonsense are you talking
about? We are not from Great Tang.

You're not from Great Tang?

You just called me Prince of Qin.

But I came here as an envoy.

No one knows my background in Fuyu.

According to your accent,

I knew you were from Hedong.

You might as well take a guess.

If I send your body back to Great Tang,

how many days will it take for
your family to come and claim it?

And how many days will it take to k*ll all of them?

I'll tell you.

I'll tell you everything.

We only need one person to talk.

Yes.

Sir. It seems that someone wants to
cause trouble during your trip in Fuyu.

I just arrived at Fuyu. But Great
Tang couldn't wait any longer.

What are you going to do next, sir?

It is easy to dodge a direct attack, but
hard to guard against a hidden arrow.

We have to hurry up and gain intelligence on Fuyu.

Yes.

Didn't I just have my picture drawn a few days ago?

Why do I have to do it again?

- I'm tired to death.
- Your Highness, please watch your words.

How can matters of life and death be spoken of?

This is not what a lady from a noble family would do.

Your Highness, please watch your actions.

You should always look dignified.

Act like a lady from a rich family.

You're repeating the same
things over and over again.

Even if you are not tired, I am tired.

Your Highness. Your Highness, bad news.

There's news from the Chinese Sumac
Forest, saying someone fell from a tree.

He hasn't woken up yet.

Your Highness. The goods sent by
Shopkeeper Zhang are ten pounds short.

- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.

- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.

Your Highness, the eagle is not eating again.

The kitchen said the market is out of river shrimps.

There is a discrepancy of 130 taels
in the Jiangshui factory's accounts.

The servant accidentally
broke Princess Consort's vase.

Should the lunch dishes be changed?

Go to Aid the People Pharmacy
and find Physician Gongsun.

Let him go get treated immediately.

- No matter what the result is, our mansion will be responsible.
- Yes.

Remember this. Four ounces of beef and four
ounces of mutton. Two ounces of sesame oil.

Mix them together and mash
them into fingernail-sized meatballs.

- Feed the eagle again then.
- Yes.

Let's change it to West Lake Beef Soup.

Yes.

It's Liu Neng.

I have been observing him for a long time.

Ask him to return the money
and flog him twenty times.

Give him some money for
treatment, and then send him home.

Yes.

Go to the western part of the city
to find Uncle Sun, and make a fake.

- Put it there before Princess Consort comes back.
- Yes.

Cut the price in half.

If there is a next time, send
him to the officials for inspection.

Yes.

Your Highness. You have
been drawn for a long time now.

- Let's take a break.
- Let's go.

[Imperial Palace, Fuyu]

Good news. Definitely good news.

Great Tang already agreed to ally with us through
marriage. [Liu Shao, Prince of Changle, Fuyu]

I have met the envoy
[Liu Yu, Emperor of Fuyu]

and given them the book of drawings
of the women of marriageable age.

This year, Changsheng is turning twenty, right?

- There's still one month left.
- It does not matter.

The thing is, do you want to keep her by your
side forever, and not let her get married?

She'll be a laughingstock.

Changsheng is difficult to marry off.

The whole city knows about it.

- Since currently we're just choosing an alternative...
- Let's choose her.

Changsheng is hard to marry off, everyone knows it.

It's not that she prefers to be alone.

She can't get married at all.

The marriage alliance can
not only marry her off, besides,

if we go to w*r, she can help us deal with Great Tang.

Isn't this a win-win solution?

- Imperial Brother...
- It's settled.

This is also Changsheng's honor.

Next, this envoy should live in your mansion.

You and Changsheng will receive him.

- Imperial Brother.
- Accept it.

I accept the command.

Your Highness, your destined
man is about to appear.

Why are you so depressed?

I'm thinking about how to seize the opportunity.

I can't just sit there and wait for him to come to me.

Why don't we throw the embroidered ball again?

We've done it 103 times.

Every time I wanted to
throw, they fled in all directions.

It's like I was throwing a fireball.

- Otherwise we can hold a contest for marriage.
- Yes, the contest.

It's been held 43 times.

Before I even made a move, they said they
were knocked off the stage by my inner force.

- Changsheng. Changsheng.
- Dad.

I'm here.

Dad, take a seat.

Why are you so flustered?

I have good news and also bad news.

- Which one do you want to hear?
- Good news.

Your marriage is going to be settled.

My destined man came to me himself.

My goodness. I've been searching
for rare marriage prospects for years.

Today, he came to me himself.

My Changsheng... You should
listen to the bad news as well.

His Majesty wants you to be a candidate for the
marriage alliance with Great Tang's Prince of Qin.

Marriage alliance?

That's not bad either.

Although the distance is far,
the transportation is convenient.

I can still come back to see you often.

This Prince of Qin, well, how does he
look? What is he like? How old is he?

Prince of Qin is said to look like Zhong Kui and lacks integrity.
[T/N: Demon Queller in Chinese folklore]

The scariest part is he's cold-blooded.

All in all, all the words added
up are hard to describe him.

This Sheng Tiangang is really unreliable!

Dad. Can you refuse it?

The imperial decree hasn't been released.

There may be room for maneuver.

But my imperial brother
arranged for us to receive them.

Soon this envoy of Great Tang
will be living in our mansion.

From what I know about him, he may want
to let the envoy and you make more contact

to find out their background.

It's all the grace of the Emperor.

Since Imperial Uncle has made this arrangement,

then I will perform well.

[Prince of Changle's Mansion]

[With Great Virtue One Can Rule the World]

Your Highness. How are you going to perform later?

Why don't I find some soot to wipe on your face?

Easy for you to say.

I am a famous beauty in Fuyu.

Do you want me to pretend to
be ugly? Will anyone believe it?

Your Highness, firecrackers are used up.

- Use double-bang firecrackers.
- Will it be too...

- Just listen to me.
- Yes.

Your Highness, please watch your actions.

After thinking it through, this is
my carefully thought out actions.

Didn't you ask me whether I figured out a solution?

This is my solution.

I want the envoy to be very disappointed
in me, and ask to change the candidate.

- Your Highness, you're smart.
- Your Highness. The red silk in the warehouse is not enough for decoration.

Someone has already gone to
buy it. But it is still the New Year.

I'm afraid we still can't get enough.

There are not enough flowers too, Your Highness.

Should we use West Lake Longjing or Tianshan
snow chrysanthemum to prepare the tea?

Your Highness, bad news. The gold-inlaid Jade Ruyi,
which's supposed to be the gift to the envoy,
[T/N: ornament, symbol of good fortune]

was just broken by Princess Consort.

There's nothing like it in the
mansion. What to do now?

[With Great Virtue One Can Rule the World]

Your Highness. His Royal Highness and
the envoy are already at the street corner.

Take out last year's red silk.
Use it if there's not enough.

If there aren't enough flowers,
replace them with green plants.

Neither of the two you mentioned.

Replace it with Lu'an Melon Seed tea,
which represents peace and prosperity.

Go to the warehouse to get a
random gift, not an expensive one.

But maintain propriety.

Although I want the envoy to dislike me,

we can't harm Fuyu's reputation.

Your Highness.

- Go now.
- Yes.

[With Great Virtue One Can Rule the World]

Your Highness, by doing these, I'm
afraid the envoy won't choose you.

Your Highness. His Royal
Highness has returned with the envoy.

Let's go.

Greetings, Sir Envoy.

No need for formalities.

It's you.

How could it be him?

Changsheng, come.

Why is this silk old?

And it's wrinkled.

Sir Envoy made a sudden visit.

There is not enough silk at home.

You don't mind, do you?

I don't.

I hate bright red the most.

The dark red color of this old silk is excellent.

I'm glad you like it.

There were also no flowers at home.

- I switched them to green plants.
- I hate flowers.

Your Highness is thoughtful.

Sir Envoy, please.

Please take a seat, Sir Envoy.

In the following days, you can
stay in my house temporarily.

If you need anything, just tell Liu Changsheng.

I will.

Serve the tea.

Please have some tea.

The food is bland and the tea is coarse.

I guess you're not used to drinking it.

This is Lu'an Melon Seed tea.

- Exactly.
- Don't make trouble.

Go get my Tianshan snow
chrysanthemum, and West Lake Longjing tea.

- Quickly go!
- No need.

My favorite drink is Lu'an Melon Seed tea.

Your Highness knows the preferences of an envoy so
well, even though you’ve never stepped out of the house.

It's just perfect.

After marrying Prince of Qin, you'll be a good wife.

I...

Sir Envoy, you are overpraising me.

Let's eat.

[Looking for Heron]

All the efforts are in vain.

Unexpectedly, the envoy likes you.

Young Master.

Your Highness.

Sir Envoy.

Your Highness, call me Yi'an.

I was being rude.

Previously on the street, I offended you.

Today in the mansion, I didn't welcome you well.

I am born to be reckless.

- Please forgive me.
- You're considerate.

You've even prepared my favorite drink.

Why do you say you're reckless?

When you saw the old silk, you clearly frowned.

It shows you don't like any old things.

You said you only drink Lu'an Melon Seed tea,

but its color and taste will only appear
when it’s brewed with boiling water.

But I used warm water.

With your identity,

if you only drink this tea, how can you not tell?

Your Highness is perceptive and meticulous.

I will definitely put in a good word
for you in front of Prince of Qin.

You'll need to stay in the mansion for a few days.

It's better to observe more.

Your Highness, are you trying to get my attention,

so you can marry into Great Tang?

Your understanding is a little
different from ordinary people's.

Many people say that I can comprehend by analogy
and understand the true meaning behind things.

That's why I'm here.

Sir, I have something else to do.

I'll leave first.

This Princess Changsheng is scrupulous.

If you are received by her...

I think this princess is good.

Just marry her.

Sir, the spy we sent is
already stationed in the city.

The previous assassin has been taken back to
the secret room, waiting for your interrogation.

[Xiao Mansion]

[Xiao Jin, Sixth Young Lady Xiao]

I'm furious.

This envoy from Great Tang is so abominable.

Right.

Then I'll help you scold him, okay?

Don't be angry.

He's a stinky turtle, bad thing.

Jin'er. You are the best.

But cursing people is hard for you.

You should continue to be a good girl.

By the way, I heard that you
and Xie Lin have settled down.

He returned to the capital to report on his work.

He probably won't leave anymore.

By the way, I asked him to bring you something.

After you see it, you'll be happy.

"The Junior Lord of Fate" by Qu Yuan.
[T/N: Warring States period poet]

[The Junior Lord of Fate, Nine Songs]

Thank you, Jin'er. I will definitely treasure it.

This is a handwritten copy by a
famous calligrapher and painter.

The original copy should
only be available in Great Tang.

Great Tang again.

Young Lady. Third Young Master is here.

Let him in.

Jin'er, it's getting late, I'll go back first.

What are you in a hurry for? Stay with me.

Your Highness. Why are you in a rush?

I can't catch up with you.

- Third Brother.
- Third Young Master Xiao.

You like to collect rare manuscripts.

Is it because of fate?

I heard that you have scarce marriage prospects.

But you're a unique lady.

I'm afraid that a precious jade like you will
be covered in dust and never see daylight.

Xiao Zilv. Don't push your luck.

Last time, you raised the price of the
Marriage Pearl and cost me a lot of money.

And in the end it shattered. I
haven't settled accounts with you yet.

I was wrong. I was wrong. I was really wrong.

There is nothing better than
knowing and correcting a mistake.

Your Highness, now your luck changed.

I heard that you'll be part of a marriage alliance.

It is Fuyu's great blessing.

- What did you say?
- Your Highness will marry into a place far away.

All the men in Fuyu don't have to
worry about marrying you anymore.

- Isn't it a great blessing?
- You...

All right. Why are you two arguing again?

For Jin'er's sake, I'll let you go.

Jin'er, I'll go back first.

If you don't want to marry far away, it's simple.

Really?

Tell me quickly.

Before the marriage alliance,
you just need to get married first.

I want to get married.

- Will you marry me?
- It's not impossible.

You wish.

She rejected me.

Did you hear? She rejected me.

I can't hear. I can't hear.

You deserve the marriage alliance.

It's good that someone wants to
marry you. How come you're so picky?

Your Highness, it's getting late.

I will help you get changed and go to bed early.

Your Highness.

I'm thinking about what Xiao Zilv told me today.

It's a solution.

What did he say?

Get married.

Imperial Uncle won't force me, a
married woman, to get married again.

Although His Majesty did not issue a decree,

his intention is known to all.

Besides, your reputation is...

Now who else dares to marry you?

There are always a few who are not afraid of death...

No. There are always a few who won't submit to power,

and are willing to take risks.

- I don't care. I've made up my mind.
- But...

You don't need to persuade me.

I'll take a bath and get changed.

Xiao Ke.

You guys leave me first.

I want to be alone for a while.

Xiao Ke.

- So you are here.
- Sir Envoy?

Come out. Don't force me to go in.

- I'm very rude.
- He is coming in?

If you push me, I can do anything.

- What is he going to do?
- Better come out on your own.

Otherwise, you will be in trouble later.

Come out.




"Like Snow" by Duan Aojuan

♫ Sitting alone at the western
window, quietly watching the snow ♫

♫ Silently falling and piling up ♫

♫ The red flowers are unable to stand the chill ♫

♫ Once night descends, they wither and fall ♫

♫ Facing the northern wind,
feeling the biting breeze ♫

♫ Wanting to look at you, but unable
to bear to leave and say goodbye ♫

♫ I fear the warmth will fade in an instant ♫

♫ The swirling snow buries the long night ♫

♫ After bidding farewell, meeting
again in this vast world is rare ♫

♫ Unable to tell what fate has in store ♫

♫ Let the longing burn the years away ♫

♫ How can the lone lamp comfort me? ♫

♫ The sky has already darkened,
the autumn moon has waned ♫

♫ Hear my cry ♫

♫ You wear humble blue robes ♫

♫ The spring breeze brushes my face ♫

♫ Another year has passed ♫