01x34 - Episode 34

[bunniefuu]

"Drifting through the Willow Trees" by Zhou Shen

♫ 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 34]

Consort Dowager.

I've always loved dressing up.

Before Fu was married,

she was renowned for her grace and noble bearing.

All these fine clothes were crafted
by my hands.

Later, after she married far away
in the capital, Binglan came along.

I often prepared outfits for her as well.

It's a shame she doesn't resemble me.

Though her features are delicate,

she's still somewhat a small-town beauty.

None of these hairpins suit her.

I never expected

to end up with a daughter-in-law like you.

Whether in light or heavy makeup,
you carry it all.

Dress well, and you'll truly look
like a noble lady.

No wonder Xingzhou, with all his pickiness,

is so deeply taken with you.

Xingzhou has been gone for over ten days now.

You must miss him dearly, Consort Dowager.

As women married into military families,

we've spent half our lives waiting.

There's no room left for the word "longing."

I've lived like this,

and I believe so will you.

For Xingzhou to be so enlightened,

he must take after you.

Is he?

I suppose. He certainly takes after me.

A gentleman is slow to speak but swift to act.

Xingzhou's deep affection for you must have
been ingrained in him from a young age.

No matter where he is,

his heart is always tethered to you, to this home.

Nothing is more comforting than hearing
that he is safe and sound.

You wouldn't believe it, but Xingzhou has never written home

to say he's safe since he joined the army.

Never?

Has he written to you?

No.

Then don't expect it.

I'm sure you will get used to it eventually.

None of these match the hairpin.

Do you have any other hair accessories?

There may not be any that are quite suitable.

It doesn't matter. Bring them out, and I'll take a look.

There truly aren't any more.

Isn't your trousseau right here?

[To my beloved wife]

This is Xingzhou's handwriting.

To my beloved wife. One day seems longer than months three.

This is the calligraphy sample he left me.

A calligraphy sample?

He left it before he went to battle. He never wrote home.

It rains heavily in Dongzhou today.

I was reminded of your wrist pain,
and my heart longed to return.

Consort Dowager,
Xingzhou must miss you deeply too.

All right. Knowing that you've been in touch
puts my mind at ease.

I just didn't know about the pain
in your wrist.

Make sure to have someone
take good care of you.

After all, replying to so many letters
can be quite exhausting.

It's nothing serious.

The day grows late. I shall leave you be.

Consort Dowager, please stay for dinner.

The chef prepared your favorite delicacies.

Moyao, we shall proceed.

Consort Dowager.

Ten days later, the official selection ceremony
will be held at the Zhenzhou Prefecture.

As usual, each family must send a
representative to present their porcelain.

Mr. He, none of us have been able
to produce black-bodied celadon.

If we go, it might be in vain.

- Indeed.
- To go empty-handed...

The porcelain merchants of Lingquan

are in this together.

If one of us is selected, it means we all are.

It was so in the past,
and it will be the same in the future.

The He family will share our techniques

and raw materials with you all.

Wonderful.

This time, I won't show up myself.

You will represent the He family
at the prefecture.

Starting next year, you will take charge.

Thank you, Father.

Jia,

you're getting on in years as well.

It's time for your son to gain some experience.

Otherwise, Lord Jiang
might not even recognize him.

Mr. He is right.

I'll have my son go out
and meet the challenges as well.

Everyone,

when did I ever say this was the He family's work?

- What?
- What does that mean?

Zhen, what do you mean?

The black-bodied celadon was my creation in Beizhou. It belongs to my Zhen's.

If it's to be presented, it should be
under the name of Zhen's of Beizhou.

Ridiculous.

Zhen's? That was a name Father gave you.

Zhen's is merely a branch of our He family.

Zhen, we are all one family.

How could you say something so disheartening?

Not only do I say it,

but I also refuse to share the firing techniques and raw materials.

You dare defy us?

Ingrate! How dare you?

And why wouldn't she dare?

Princess.

- Princess.
- Princess.

Please sit.

Today, I am just the shopkeeper of Yushao Porcelain Shop. There's no need to be troubled.

Princess, you must have heard

that the selection of Lingquan porcelain as imperial tribute

is crucial to the tax revenue of the entire Zhenzhou County.

But my daughter insists on her own way,

and it could ruin the hundred-year legacy
of Lingquan porcelain

and the financial stability of Zhenzhou.

- Indeed.
- That's right, Princess.

Zhen keeps speaking of her Zhen's in Beizhou,

implying that her work has no connection
to Lingquan of Zhenzhou.

You will be the future Princess of Zhenzhou,
right?

Could you persuade her?

Yes. Please persuade her.

Persuasion usually requires
an exchange of conditions, does it not?

The imperial tribute is so important, and He
Zhen's black-bodied celadon is the only choice.

Perhaps she should be the one in charge
from now on.

What? A woman in charge?

Why should she?

Mr. He,

do you know what He Zhen truly desires upon her return?

Didn't you already say it? She wants to take charge,

using the selection to bargain.

Princess, this must be

an idea you gave my sister.

What she wants is not merely to take charge.

She wants the respect of the He family,
the trade guild, and all of Lingquan.

Taking charge isn't what matters.

The imperial tribute isn't what matters either.

How can that not matter?

The Lingquan porcelain industry is complacent
and short-sighted,

selling only to the imperial family
and the nobility.

Though this has been our century-old tradition,
it is not sustainable.

Losing half of the imperial tribute would mean a loss of seventy to eighty percent of our income.

But Lingquan's fine porcelain and celadon
are not the only porcelain in the world,

nor are Beizhou's black-bodied celadon.

What we need to do is to open up trade routes,

making Lingquan
the capital of porcelain trade of the world.

As the saying goes,
porcelain flows throughout the world.

[He Mansion]

Haven't you always wanted the He family?
[He]

You...

What is this about?

Father, only when you hold me in your heart
can I truly have the He family.

Inheriting the family business
is not important for me.

This is the firing technique and raw material
formula for black-bodied celadon.

I'm handing them over to you, Father.

I've also asked Ms. Liu for
Beizhou's deep brown clay.

She promised me that in ten days,
she would have her escort agency

deliver a thousand dan.
[Black-Bodied Celadon]

Actually,

I've heard from the elders that you praised my porcelain work in front of them.

I may not have heard it myself, but...

it made me very happy.

Hard to say goodbye?

No need to be.

When your brothers get married,
we'll have to come back.

Isn't that right?

Don't be upset.

Let me take you somewhere.

Where?

Do you remember when your brother tricked us

into that restaurant and drugged us?

When I held you and put you on the bed,
I really wanted to kiss you.

Why don't we make up for it now?

What are you talking about?

Look.

Being with me, you'll be laughing so hard
every day that your stomach will hurt.

Physician Zhao, I might need you
to treat my stomach!

Why are you upset again?

Zhao Quan.

Are you sure you won't regret going to
the mountains to make porcelain with me?

I've thought it over.

I can give up everything,

but I just want to be with you forever.

If you succeed in making porcelain,
I'll smile with you.

If you fail, I'll cheer you up.

As long as you're willing,
I'll always assist you.

No matter where we go,

I'll stay with you forever.

Your Highness, practicing calligraphy?

Did you write this?

Do you like this piece?

I've seen many calligraphy works,
but I like yours the best.

This piece shows strength in the strokes.
[Kun]

It just so happens that I don't have any decor at my place that would be ideal for displaying calligraphy.

Miss Shi, the character "Kun"
is used by the Empress.

I may like it, but in terms of status,
in front of others,

I absolutely wouldn't dare to disrespect the Empress.

However, as your elder sister, it would be
improper for me to defer to you.

Do you remember the jade pendant I always wear?

Why not add a stroke to the character "Kun",
and make it "Shen"?

It signifies a beautiful jade,
and jade is a stone.

It suits us sisters perfectly.

But it would outshine the
Empress's "Kun" character.

Sister, if you want my calligraphy,
I shall not refuse.

But, "Shen" is the ninth
in the earthly branches,

and nine is the number of the Emperor.

So in the calligraphy I give you,
I can't include the character "Shen,"

nor can I leave just the character "Wang".
[*Wang: Emperor]

Therefore...

[Tu]
[*Tu: Earth]

I'll give you the character "Tu",
signifying that one should be down to earth.

What do you think?

I don't want it.

Sister, the Empress wants you to have it.

So you must accept it.

Xueji, don't forget Father's instructions.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Enter.

Your Highness, I'm here to deliver
the Emperor's decree.

His Majesty said that as the weather turns colder, the atmosphere in the palace should change accordingly.

Warm clothing must be of the finest quality,
but not wasteful.

We must practice thrift, and reduce
the number of idle people in the palace.

What does that mean?

I am not an idle person.

Of course not.

His Majesty cares for you, Miss Shi.

He said that once you've visited
all the gardens in the palace,

you should be safely escorted out.

Your fourth daughter is talented and beautiful, truly winning hearts.
[Securing the Nation]

She merely read some books, and learned a few minor skills,

nothing profound.

It's one thing for you to be humble
in front of me,

but you mustn't say that
at the betrothal discussion.

Betrothal discussion?

Yes.

With such a fine daughter of marriageable age, how can you not be anxious to find her a good match?

Why do you look worried?

Is it because you haven't
found her a suitable match?

How about I take charge and find a nobleman
for your fourth daughter to marry?

But she must also take this seriously.

If she always hangs out with her sister
in the palace, she might miss out.

I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern.

No need.

This is also a matter of the royal family.

Yes.

However, is this Your Majesty's idea,
or did the Empress suggest it?

Pardon my directness,

but the Empress lost her mother early
and was not properly guided,

so she retains some small-mindedness
from her lowly birth.

- I...
- The Empress

is the most virtuous and kind-hearted woman
I have ever known.

This is my own decision.

[Mansion of Lord Zhennan]

This year's flowers are blooming
better than ever.

Every year, the flowers in your mansion
bloom the brightest.

Not at all.

It's the Mansion of Lord Huaiyang
that looks stunning.

Look over there.

There are even some new varieties.

Let's go over and take a look.

What kind is this?

It's called "Spring Day Mountain Bloom."

I apologize for being late.

Princess.

I wish you a joyous and prosperous birthday,
Madam.

I'm late today. Please don't be upset.

You stand upon ceremony too much.

I am so delighted that you could come today,
Princess.

Greetings, Consort Dowager.

Greetings, Mrs. Lian, Miss Lian.

The hairpin on your head doesn't seem
to be jade or emerald.

Is it...

It's a night-glowing pearl.

A night-glowing pearl?

It's as big as a golden pill.

I've heard that the Cui family has a
legendary hairpin with a night-glowing pearl.

Is this the one?

It's no longer in style
and isn't really a treasure.

It's been sitting at home for so long.

Miantang looks good wearing it,
so I let her wear it.

But we'll have to wait until it gets dark
to see its glow.

There's still some time before it gets dark.

I can't wait to see the pearl's light.

Yes, Madam.

Before the banquet, let us have a look.

That's right.

In that case, ladies, since the other
female guests have not yet arrived,

please follow me to the tearoom.

How can this be?

The night-glowing pearl
on this hairpin isn't glowing.

What's going on?

This doesn't look like a night-glowing pearl,
more like an ordinary stone.

Sister, could it be that you
don't want to give it to her?

What nonsense!

I am a Consort Dowager.

If I didn't want to give it, even the

Great Deities couldn't take it from me.

If I wanted to give it,
why would I use a fake to fool others?

Aunt, please don't be angry.

We all trust you.

But the gem on this hairpin
isn't the real night-glowing pearl.

Something must be wrong.

Let me ask you,

the other day I gave you the real hairpin,
did I not?

Yes, you did.

Good. If that's the case, then explain

why this hairpin has become a fake.

Did you switch it?

Yes.

Why?

I switched it for the Consort Dowager's sake.

What do you mean?

The Consort Dowager has always
honored our ancestors and respected traditions.

According to ancestral rules,

this hairpin should only be given to
the new bride after completing the six rites.

But the Consort Dowager,
out of kindness and deep affection for me,

feared that my humble origins
might invite criticism,

so she gave me this hairpin early
to wear in public.

I wanted to honor her intention,
but could not bear to let the Dowager

break the rules for my sake.

If I were to defy her, I would be unfilial.

If I were to comply, the Consort Dowager
would be going against family tradition.

I was truly in a difficult position,
so I came up with a foolish idea...

to wear an ordinary hairpin before completing
the six rites, hoping to please both sides.

But today, I have made a fool of myself
in front of all the ladies.

I am indeed guilty,
and ask for the Consort Dowager's punishment.

So you're saying the real hairpin
hasn't been lost?

It hasn't.

Princess, please rise.

Your loyalty should be praised, not punished.

Thank you for your kindness and mercy.

Since the real hairpin isn't lost,
why not bring it out?

It could clear up the misunderstanding,
and prove the Princess's innocence.

Also, we've all been curious
about the night-glowing pearl all day,

and would love to see it.

Yes.

Well...

Binglan, your manners.

How can the hairpin be shown here?

To see it, you'd have to visit the mansion,
wouldn't you all agree?

Yes.

Consort Dowager.

Princess, what do you think?

You're all welcome to visit.

This is the best time of year
to see the flowers.

Lord Lian has an urgent case,
concerning the royal family.

What happened?

Sister, Hanshan is dealing with an urgent case
involving the royal family.

How is the situation at the front?

My Lord.

When will reinforcements arrive?

We received word that the Ji and Lu armies
haven't sent reinforcements.

They are holding their positions,
and it's unclear why.

What's worse, the Left Wing of the Prince Lu's
army, originally heading for Dongling Pass,

was not intercepted,
and is now turning back towards Tongyu.

If they form a pincer movement
with the Right Wing army outside the valley,

we stand no chance of victory.

My Lord, what should we do now?

We're outnumbered,
and cannot afford a direct confrontation.

Today, they will surely launch an attack.

Mount Li's bare rocky walls and narrow path
make it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

For now, we can only retreat to Mount Li,
use the terrain to hold them off,

and then find a way to break through.

Pass the order.
The entire army is to retreat to Mount Li.

As you command.

Bring him in.

Greetings, Consort Dowager.

I'm Gu, the owner of Yongli Pawnshop.

I've been running the business
in Zhenzhou for ten years.

Repeat what you just said, word for word.

Yesterday, a customer came to my shop.

It was a maid servant.

She wanted to pawn a hairpin.

The moment I saw it,
I knew it was no ordinary item.

After asking further, she revealed that it
belonged to the Mansion of Lord Huaiyang.

Ladies, please take a look.

Could this be the real
night-glowing pearl hairpin?

What did the maid say?

After I questioned her repeatedly,
she only said it belonged to her mistress,

who was in a hurry to pawn it.

I did not dare to ask further.

Her mistress?

Does that not mean the Princess?

Bring Princess Huaisang here.

The item is in the room.

Wait here for a moment.

I just couldn't understand.

She's destined to become a princess consort.

The hairpin would be hers eventually.

Why pawn it?

I heard she has businesses in Beizhou.

That explains it.

The rewards she gets stay in the royal family.

It's always better to send money back home.

This is the way of small households.

If you wish to marry into the royal family,
you must be of equal status.

Enough, say no more.

I've changed my attire.
Sorry to keep you all waiting.

I find the pearl the Princess is wearing
seems even brighter.

Indeed.

How could there be two hairpins?

How did the fake end up in the hands
of the Consort Dowager?

The fake?

It's fake?

How do you know it's fake?

Because I made it.

I mixed jade powder and fluorite powder,
melted them into a paste,

and coated a porcelain bead with it.

As long as it's exposed
to enough sunlight during the day,

it will glow for several nights.

The method is known to the craftsmen
at the Lingquan's porcelain kilns.

For a roll of silk, they can make one for you.

The fake one will shatter if dropped.

If you don't believe me, you can try.

It's porcelain.

Bring the person in.

Madam Wang?

This Madam Wang has been spying
on my trousseau several times.

I became wary and prepared a fake
in advance to prevent any mishaps.

Sure enough, she took the hairpin
while I pretended to sleep.

I had the Lord's shadow guards
keep an eye on her.

It's strange that this Madam Wang,
who came from the palace,

has visited not only the mansion and her
own house, but also several other places.

Be careful.

For instance, the Lian Mansion.

Don't you dare slander me.

I merely had her come once
to teach the young ladies proper etiquette.

Once?

Once, or twice at most.

What's the problem?

If you can invite her, why can't the Lians?

Mrs. Lian, please calm down.

I didn't say anything.

Aunt, didn't you just think

this fake hairpin was real?

The Consort Dowager cherishes the hairpin.

She keeps it stored away
and rarely takes it out.

It's understandable
that she couldn't tell at first glance.

Indeed.

I've only worn it a few times.

It's always kept in my trousseau,
too precious to use.

The owner might not recognize it,

but there's someone who surely can.

Mr. Gu, you've been in the
pawn business for decades.

How could you not tell the difference
between porcelain and a genuine pearl?

I...

I made a mistake.

It happens.

A mistake?

Madam Wang stealing the hairpin
would've been bad enough,

but it had to happen tonight,
when all the noble ladies of Zhenzhou are here.

Someone came forward
to accuse the mansion of harboring a thief,

tarnishing my reputation.

Isn't this intentional framing?

- General Fan.
- At your service.

Interrogate Gu thoroughly for me.

Right away.

I'm innocent!

- I'm innocent!
- I did it.

That day, I took the hairpin to pawn it.

That's her. I remember now.

She was the one yesterday.
No doubt about it.

Madam Wang, you taught me the rules yourself.

Over the years, I've paid you well.

Why did you steal?

Consort Dowager,

it's all about the money.

See?

Now all the testimonies match up,
and the truth is out.

I apologize, everyone.
Today is the Madam Zhao's birthday.

It shouldn't have happened.

Mrs. Lian.

What is it now?

Shall we leave this thief, and this unobservant shopkeeper

to Lord Lian for judgment?

Good. That would be best.

Princess, you've been wronged.

Do you realize your mistake?

Princess, what do you mean?

Today, you were the first
to doubt about the hairpin.

Instead of questioning the servants,
you pointed fingers at me,

insisting there was something suspicious.

Were you trying to make our family
a laughingstock

- in front of all these noble guests?
- No.

I was just anxious.

The Consort Dowager has always
been careful with her words and actions,

prioritizing the honor of the family.

Even I, who only recently came here,
have taken this to heart.

You've been raised here,
yet you don't remember?

My apologies.

I was just eager to find the real hairpin,

- and got carried away.
- If you cannot speak properly, just be silent.

We don't need your opinions here.

Mrs. Lian.

I have a few private words to say to Mrs. Lian.

Please wait a moment.

Just say it quickly.

Madam.

Since I've already confessed,
I won't implicate anyone else.

Thank you.

I'll ensure that Hanshan shows leniency
in your punishment.

Twenty years ago, when you asked me
whether to marry Lord Cui,

if I hadn't critiqued his flirtatious nature,

and hastily given you advice,

you might not have exchanged
the marriage certificate with your sister's.

Your life now

might be of wealth and luxury,

rather than struggling to maintain
what you have.

You're helping me

out of guilt.

What I owed you,

I've already repaid in full.

Farewell.

This mansion was meant to be mine.

And if not mine, then Binglan's.

I won't accept this fate.

[One day seems longer than months three.
[One day seems long as seasons three.]

Madam, the Consort Dowager
has been ill for days

due to concerns
over Xingzhou's military matters.

Yet, you seem so calm.

Xingzhou is good at using surprise tactics, and
always finds a way out of desperate situations.

There's no need for me to worry.

I mean, you rarely attend to the
Consort Dowager at her sickbed.

I'm afraid people will talk.

Many visitors have come
to see the ailing Consort Dowager.

Mrs. Lian attends to her

even more diligently than I do,

fearing I might show my filial piety,
and steal their good reputation.

So, I might as well
give the Consort Dowager some peace.

After practicing for so long,
it finally has some grace as Xingzhou's.

Princess, the Consort Dowager
requests your presence.

Mrs. Lian.

The children's marriages

are of utmost importance to me as well.

You may all return now.

I will ensure that everyone is satisfied.

Thank you, Consort Dowager.

Miantang, you're here.

Consort Dowager, how are you feeling?

Much better.

I was just feeling bored and wanted someone
to talk to.

Please sit.

I've been resting these past few days.

From a quick glimpse of
you in the crowd,

I could tell you

were the one most worried about Xingzhou besides me.

It seems like we're the only ones in this house
who truly trust him.

Consort Dowager, please don't worry too much.

Xingzhou is very capable.
He'll surely land on his feet.

Yes.

I'm no longer worried.

I just hope he returns soon.

When the men are away,
all that's left for the women is waiting.

When Xingzhou's father took concubines,
I wasn't exactly happy about it.

After all, no woman wants
to share her husband.

But now that he is gone,
I've come to appreciate the benefits of that.

It left me with sisters to talk to,
so I wouldn't be that lonely.

It's easier when your husband is around,

but once his affection fades, and you're left as a widow,

you must learn to stay low-key.

The future of the children depends entirely
on the head lady in the family.

When you become the Princess one day,
you'll understand the power that comes with it.

A woman's beauty doesn't last long.

Only virtue endures, commanding respect
through the years.

You're right, Consort Dowager.

Thus, I've never pursued power.

My heart isn't as broad as yours,
Consort Dowager.

I only wish for a lasting marriage with a man.

song title

♫ 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 ♫

♫ In this lifetime,
my wish is to the vast sky There are 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 journey with you forever Year after year ♫

♫ For many years to come ♫