01x30 - Episode 30

[bunniefuu]

♫ Flowers falling by the river again Turning the clear waves red ♫

♫ Sparrows singing in celebration ♫

♫ Calm years pass by the silent bustling city Sitting at home ♫

♫ No one knows love's outline like I do ♫

♫ If one day the river breeze blows again ♫

♫ I won't be a mere reflection in the mirror ♫

♫ Dreams can shatter; Memories remain ♫

♫ Rich fragrance A*DS; Light ink writes ♫

♫ In the deep red windows lies mundane dust ♫

Are You The One

[Episode 30]

These dates are incredibly fresh. You two should try them.

Thank you.

Are they sweet?

- Very sweet.
- Sweet.

Then be careful.

Empress.

Your Majesty.

Get up.

What are you doing?

Washing dates.

Dates.

Did your return home go smoothly?

Everything went smoothly.

My father asked me to pass on a message
to wish you well.

So, Empress,
is there anything else you wish to tell me?

Yes.

I feared you might find dinner greasy.

I prepared some green dates.

They're in season.

I recall that common folks serve dates at their tables

to prompt an early childbirth.

What do you mean by using

green dates?

Your Majesty, do you know?
There are many kinds of dates.

These are barely-in-season green dates.

When it gets colder,
there will be winter dates.

In the western regions with plenty of sunlight,
there are also tribute dates.

What do you mean by this?

I believe that people should eat
what's in season.

Otherwise, it's untimely.

Without enduring frost and sunlight,

these green dates can only remain green dates.

They can never become tribute dates.

This is what I wanted to say.

What do you think, Your Majesty?

Sweet, crisp, and refreshing.

I am very satisfied.

Why did you bring me here?

In Chonghua Palace, this is my favorite place.

Looking out from here,

I always feel at ease and peaceful.

I know what you want to say.

You want to ask why I don't favor
the Shi family.

I haven't known you for long,

yet it feels like a long time.

You always make me feel at ease.

But behind this comfort,

are you entirely at ease?

When you were with the Shi family,

you feared making mistakes and being
schemed against, and left with no options.

You don't want to sacrifice
for your father's ambition.

I brought you to the Palace,

thinking I could provide
you with complete peace of mind.

With you choosing me as the Empress,
I have indeed gained great peace of mind.

You have indeed acted like an Empress,

and you've done well.

But the more you do so,

the more I sense your inner uncertainty,

and unspoken grievances.

This grand palace to you is like...

another Shi family,

isn't it?

Yes.

Is it because of me?

Have you heard the story
of the hunter seeking the hidden deer?

A starving woodcutter finds an injured deer.

The deer's meat could satisfy his hunger.

It's another story of food.

The woodcutter, fearing discovery,
hides the deer in a ditch

and covers it with banana leaves.

He comes back at night to retrieve it.

But he can't find the deer anywhere.

The woodcutter remains
a starving woodcutter

and must consider it all
as just a beautiful dream.

Your appearance is not trapping me,

but rather my dream.

I seem to have transformed from a mere swallow
into a high-branch phoenix.

Yet, in reality, there is no real difference.

For the Shi family,

I'm someone who can be discarded and replaced at any time.

There's only obedience for me.

No way to retreat.

In the past, I was used to
surviving one day at a time.

Now, in the Palace,

I just want to protect myself.

So why do you oppose Shi Yikuan's wishes?

Do you truly possess your so-called

complete peace of mind?

Now, Prince Sui holds
all the power in the court.

I can see that you stand
under a precarious wall.

I can also see that you want to
be a wise ruler.

As your principal wife, protecting you

is protecting myself.

The Shi family has never been my fallback.

I only share the same boat with you.

There is green wine in the Palace.

It's recently presented.

Xueji, would you like some?

It seems I haven't heard you
speak about your past.

I'd like to share my past

with you too.

Yesterday, there was heavy rain.

That dog came to the courtyard again

with its fur wet, ears drooping,

rarely aggressive.

At night, I dreamed
that you invited it to shelter under the eaves.

The dog turned into a man,
claiming to be your husband.

I was upset, so I k*lled the dog.

When I woke from the dream, there was no dog,

nor you.

That dog often visits the courtyard,
annoying me, but I must feign civility.

Cui Xingzhou?

Cui Xingzhou?

Didn't expect it to happen to you.

So, tell me.
Do I appear in your dreams now?

Have you ever dreamed
that I would k*ll you with a single knife?

You've already woken up.

If you want to see me, I won't avoid you.

You don't need to sneak around.

Why the smoke?

I thought for a moment that
an assassin had snuck in.

But then I thought of it.

Which assassin would enter someone else's room
only to read letters?

I'm not interested in those cheesy letters.

Those are my personal letters.

Every word is sincere.

Not exaggerated in the slightest.

Dreams are false.

Things built on deception.

What truth can they hold?

I agree with that.

I used to dream thousands of times
that you tried to k*ll me.

But dreams are always the opposite.

You softened.

Wrapped so well.

I just came to return the medicine to you.

I don't want to owe this favor for nothing.

Isn't there more to it?

If you're repaying a favor,
there are plenty of other ways to do it.

But tonight, you still came.

Let go.

Since you're here, how can I let go?

If Lu Wen were truly ruthless,
you would have attacked my injured leg.

But you didn't.

Do you think I wouldn't dare?

To speak insincerely is also a form of deceit.

Liu Miantang, you're also
always deceiving me, aren't you?

You madman.

If you truly didn't want your life,
why not just fall harder?

If this injured leg were to be given
to that Princess, she couldn't bear it.

But if it's broken here with you, it's fine.

Forget about this injured leg. Even if I
were to give my life to you, I would...

Miantang.

Actually, I've always owed you an apology.

From the start, I was wrong.

I shouldn't have deceived you.

I shouldn't have claimed to be your husband.

When falling in love with you,
I shouldn't have tried to maintain this lie,

which only made my mistakes worse,
and my feelings for you grow.

You've been gone for so long.

I've been unable to eat or sleep.

If my dreams lack you, my nights are dull.

If my dreams include you,
I can't sleep through the night.

In the past, I was proud and arrogant.

But now I've realized that in this lifetime,

I won't marry any other woman besides you.

But I'm not.

I live very comfortably now.

Even if one day I fall into poverty and become
a beggar on the streets, I'd still be content.

I've now established my own household.

Even if I don't marry, I can still live well.

If someday I meet a handsome and
charming person, I can always have a fling.

If you have another man, I would k*ll someone.

k*ll whom? k*ll me?

When would I ever bear
to lift a finger against you?

I want to k*ll that adulterer.

Where does the adulterer come from?

If we discuss it in detail,
you are the most playful.

How am I playful?

Both of us are unmarried.

I'm the most proper.

If you want a life like that,
then you might as well choose me.

- I'll do that with you.
- You...

I, Liu Miantang, vow here that even if all
the men in the world die out, I will never...

These words are to sever ties.

Don't say that.

Cui Xingzhou, I haven't forgiven you yet.

My Lord, you're awake.

Then I'll sleep a bit more.

I...

Mr. Cui.

You've achieved your goals in Beizhou,
and don't need to stay.

Also, your leg injury
hasn't affected the bones.

Now is the right time to return to Zhenzhou.

But I really feel a bit reluctant
to part with you.

Then I'll stay a few more days.

- Just to rest a bit.
- No, no.

Zhenzhou's affairs are urgent.

Moreover, the gifts I've prepared
for your mother are mostly seasonal.

They can't be stored for long.

My mother, with her sharp eyes, would find
the specialty of Beizhou a bit coarse.

I've prepared them myself to
ensure top quality, suitable for all ages.

Alright, alright.

Ms. Liu.

Are you still happy to see me?

Are you finally going back to Zhenzhou?

You have a long journey.
So I won't be seeing you off.

My Lord, take care.

Stop.

Your cousin is coming home after her wedding.
You're dressed a bit too plainly.

Only men who are full of themselves
like to comment on a woman's attire.

You look so dignified.

Do take care on the road.

Do you think I look dignified?

That's good.

I'll feel at ease going to the Qiao's mansion.

Stop.

You...

Why are you going there?

The Qiao family is a prominent family
in Beizhou.

Local gentry want to befriend them. Of course,
I need to pay my respects to Master Qiao.

You're not thinking
I'm going to propose, are you?

Whether it's for a proposal or for charity,
it's none of my business.

My grandfather won't pay you any attention.

- Moru.
- Yes.

Let's go meet Grandfather.

Alright.

They came.
[Qiao Mansion]

Mr. Qian's demeanor is quite grand.

[text]

See? I told you. The Qian family was the right choice.

He treats Qingying so well.

He sent such a splendid carriage for the visit.

Is this carriage from the Qian family?

Could it be from some other lord?

Ridiculous.

Beizhou doesn't have that many lords.

Isn't that the madman
who stopped the sedan?

Be careful.

Sorry to trouble you.

I'm Cui. I'm here today to...

My Lord. There are important matters
at home today.

If you're here for questioning or
anything else, could you delay it?

I know there's a celebration at home today.

Just introduce me as an old friend
who's here to congratulate you.

The last person said the same thing.

It didn't work.

Xian.

May I ask who this is?

This is Mr. Cui, my friend.

He's here to congratulate us.
He'll be leaving soon.

This...

To congratulate.

You... You actually dared to come?

- Moru.
- Yes.

Ms. Liu is here.
Have the gifts been unloaded?

- Yes.
- Good.

Grandfather.

After getting your household,
you actually brought an outsider to visit.

I'm Cui Xingzhou.

Greetings, Master Qiao.

Greetings, two elders.

Another friend?

Maybe.

Maybe?

Maybe yes.

Mr. Qiao is a man of the world,
making friends everywhere.

I truly admire him.

You're a martial artist.

I'm from a military background.

What a pity.

Otherwise, you could fight
and defeat some foreign enemies.

I often hear Mr. Qiao speak highly
of Master Qiao's teachings.

And the girls are also very gentle.

The words are the same.

Since it was my first visit, I brought
a small gift as a token of respect.

Moru.

It's just two walnuts.
What's so special about them?

Uncultured.

These are Hetian jade.

Before, they were imperial tributes.
They would never have flowed into the market.

Even if they did, they'd be made into pendants,
not this large.

We've escorted goods for twenty years.
I can judge with precision.

Such a large pair of jade walnuts
could feed our guards for a lifetime.

Qingying married early.

Who married early?

Mr. Cui, you're just here for a visit.

Our Qiao family will host you
with good wine and meat.

There's no need for such a grand gift.

Please take it back.

I can't accept it.

It's not something of high status.

My mother likes to collect small items.

Hope you don't mind.

I once received a treasure from Mr. Qiao.

Even if it's gold or silver mountains,
you can accept it.

I'll go check if Qingying has arrived.

Mr. Cui, don't speak carelessly.

When did I ever promise you anything?

What exactly is this treasure?

Master. They've arrived.
Ms. Qiao and her husband are here.

That's more important. Let's step out.

[Known for Honesty]

Greetings, Mr. Qiao.

Greetings, Mrs. Qiao.

Father, Mother.

Glad you're here.
Why bring all these things?

Hurry and greet Grandfather.

- Come on.
- Alright, go in.

Wait a moment.

Aren't you fearless?

You do have someone you're wary of.

What exactly do you want to do?

I remember that outsiders
don't have to attend the banquet.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to take you back.

Take me back?

Send you out.
To the Lord of Beizhou's place.

Then I should indeed return.

But I have to wait for your grandfather
to be free.

After my talk with him,
I'll let you take me back.

Mr. Cui.

Please have a chat with me.

Go to the banquet.

My granddaughter once had an old friend
in Zhenzhou.

According to my eldest son,
he's also surnamed Cui.

That's me.

Good.

I was just about to find you,
and you showed up at my door.

I know how important you are
in Miantang's heart.

I came here today to apologize to you
and confess everything.

I truly come from a military background,
and my admiration for Miantang is real.

But all of this started because of
my own selfishness, and arrogance.

I pretended to be Cui Jiu from the capital,

taking advantage of Miantang's amnesia,

and kept her at home,
saying it was to lure the enemy.

But the truth is... I can't live without her.

Enough!

I made her think she was my wife, invest her
true heart, and even follow me to the w*r.

Knowing it was a grave mistake, I still
continued to take this illusion seriously,

falling completely in love with her.

You wretched thing!

Did you come here to flaunt your power?

I came here today
to sincerely apologize to you.

Miantang has said you're the one
who loves her the most.

You taught her to be kind, wise, and righteous.

But such a woman, because of my mistakes, has
been forced to endure all kinds of suffering,

when all of it should have been borne by me,
the man.

Today, you can vent all your hatred
on me alone.

I will accept it willingly,
without a shred of complaint.

Good. If you want to be punished,
then I'll do it.

Grandfather!

What? Are you still protecting this beast?

The grievances between us and all consequences
should be borne by me alone.

Grandfather, please don't get angry.

Is struggling with him your way to handle this?

Like you're doing now, blocking my way?

I've got my household.

My matters are beyond your jurisdiction.

Dare you say that again?

Grandfather.

He is Cui Xingzhou, Lord Huaiyang.

What?

Lord Huaiyang defeated the western tribes.

He's a benefactor to the world.

I went to Xizhou to follow him.

He may have worldly merit.

But does that mean he can
mistreat ordinary people?

I've lived for over sixty years.

- So what if I risk my life today and stab him?
- Grandfather.

Do you remember when you were afraid
of being implicated in my father's case?

No matter how much I cried and fussed,

you insisted on marrying me off
to that unrelated Cui Jiu.

Why did you of that day
not have the courage of today?

Why did you not foresee
that with my temperament,

I would suffer such ordeals later?

Good.

Good.

Your gaze

is just like your mother's.

If Mother were alive, she would never agree.

Sometimes, I can't understand

whether you're angry with me or with yourself,
for not stopping my mother.

What do you know?

The world is harsh.

If a woman chooses according to her own will,
what good outcome can she expect?

Only by marrying a good family
can she secure a stable life.

But you just don't understand.

You don't understand.

If Miantang wants to secure her life,
she doesn't need to marry a good family.

She is her own secure place.

She can control her own fate.

What does it have to do with you?

Forgive me for speaking too much.

Although I don't understand the rift
between you and your granddaughter,

What I do understand
is that in less than a year,

she turned a small shop into a royal tribute
porcelain store, joining a century-old guild.

She single-handedly resisted a group of rulers.
She didn't lose to any man.

That great battle in Xizhou
that everyone praises...

was won with the help
of your granddaughter.

She showed me for the first time
that while men can defend the country,

women can also defend the rear,
and even achieve victory in extraordinary ways.

I also know that such a seemingly weak woman

once led tens of thousands of bandits,

set up her own banner,
and helped the poor from the rich.

A woman like her can live elegantly
even if she never marries.

She doesn't need to rely on anyone
for her livelihood.

There is no towering figure
she needs to depend on.

If she wants to marry,

she would marry a man who is on equal footing with her,

who respects her choices,
and who she deeply loves.

Even someone like me who has known her
for only a year can understand this.

As a family member,
Grandfather, you should also understand.

I won't punish you.

You may leave.

My Lord, be careful.

Slow down. Be careful.

Did you all see it?

Anyone who dares to bully our family's girls
will end up like this.

Years ago, your mother, like you,
wanted to do business.

But I thought a woman could achieve nothing.

Later, the Shenwei Escort Agency
gained fame throughout Beizhou.

People knew me.

But they didn't know that behind the scenes,
your mother managed it.

Later, your mother met your father.

Your father was quite prominent then,
an education official of a county.

In the eyes of the world,
he was well-educated and promising.

Your mother admired his talent.

Despite public criticism,
she became his second wife.

But your father,

who read all the classic books, turned out to be a complete fool.

He was implicated in a serious crime.

If your mother hadn't worked so hard for him,
trying to save him from death,

she wouldn't have died young

from tuberculosis...

burning out early.

It's all my fault.

I didn't think things through.

I didn't see your father's true nature,

which led my daughter astray.

It's all my fault.

My fault.

Grandfather.

Do you want to hear some truth?

Before she died,

my mother told me that she was very happy and satisfied with her life.

Although there were some disappointments,
she had no regrets.

She also said that despite the flow of time
and the passage of years,

she would always remember
two periods in her life.

One was the time spent with my father.

And the other was
the journey to Nanyi for the marriage.

At that time,

I took her to Nanyi.

Yes.

Miantang.

You are more and more like her.

You're more decisive than she was.

Lord Huaiyang,

though he did something outrageous, is a reasonable person.

I'm old and don't understand young people.

But I can see it.

Girl, you've softened.

As you said, you've got your household.

Take charge of your own affairs.

[Qiao Mansion]

Ms. Liu, the Lord's injury
is unbearably painful.

He's worried about you being mistreated.
However I persuade him, he refuses to leave.

Perhaps you could try to persuade him?

Please.

Grandfather isn't here.

Who are you putting on a show for?

What is this?

I took it from home.

I've never seen a lord like you.

My grandfather is so old and weak.
Can't you avoid this?

Must you insist on getting beaten up?

You made my grandfather
bear the crime of assaulting a great minister?

If I hadn't taken these beatings,
how could he have calmed down so quickly?

I think in your Qiao family,
from top to bottom, only he's reasonable.

You should learn from him.

That temper of yours is
like a stone in the latrine.

I'm stinky and hard,
but I didn't delay you chasing me, did I?

Good.

You mean I'm like a fly, right?

Behave yourself.

Injuries to bones take 100 days to heal.

My Lord, remember today's pain.

In the future, sit in a wheelchair,
and go home to recover if you need to.

Don't run around outside
to avoid being beaten up.

You're still bullying me.


"A Lifelong Promise" by Cai Ziyi

♫ The boat drifts,
bringing back the sunset ♫

♫ When we reunite, we still joke
about the cause and effect ♫

♫ Who passed by, the crab apple
falls with a turn ♫

♫ Loving rightly but choosing wrong With joys, sorrows, partings and reunions ♫

♫ Everyone travels far,
seeing clouds and snow ♫

♫ Always hard to stay, yet easy to part Crossing spring waters and autumn trials ♫

♫ A couple under the moonlight,
can stay together ♫

♫ Long hidden in the eyes,
flickering in and out ♫

♫ Let go of the flowers blooming
in the yard last night ♫

♫ Let go of the waves in the stream
in half a lifetime ♫

♫ Let those dust and chaos go on endlessly ♫

♫ My lifelong wish is to reach the sky and many more ♫

♫ Everyone travels far,
seeing clouds and snow ♫

♫ Always hard to stay, yet easy to part Crossing spring waters and autumn trials ♫

♫ A couple under the moonlight,
can stay together ♫

♫ Time flows as we dream through four seasons ♫

♫ I wish to accompany you on this long journey forever ♫