01x07 - Speak for Him

[bunniefuu]

(Marquis Quling's Residence)

Congratulations on moving

into a new home, General Cheng.

-Thank you for coming. This way inside, please.

-Brother Shi.

Best wishes for your new home.

Wan.

-Congratulations.

-Wan.

(Virtue Flows Like Water)

There are many distinguished guests today.

Speaking of which,

(Wan Songbai)

it's my mother's birthday after a few days.

(Wan Songbai)

You and your family must be present.

I'd naturally attend

Old Madam's birthday banquet.

I don't see Qiqi.

She wanted to come.

But my mother confined her at home.

Well, she deserves it.

She caught a cold

after she went out riding horses.

By the way,

where's your precious daughter?

Let me meet her.

Niaoniao,

come and greet Uncle Wan.

Come here.

I wish you great health, Uncle Wan.

Good.

Good.

Shi,

I thought you were exaggerating

when you bragged about your daughter.

I had no idea

she was raised well.

I almost forget.

Take this, Niaoniao.

It's a gift for our first meeting.

Take it.

Thank you, Uncle Wan.

No need.

She's only a child.

General Wan's gift

is too valuable.

No, no.

Only good things fit Niaoniao.

Niaoniao,

your father and I are

very close friends.

Should you suffer any injustice,

you can come to me.

I'll definitely speak up for you.

Especially if it's

because of your mother.

You can come to me anytime.

Niaoniao,

stop idling there.

Go and attend to your grandmother.

Keep it.

Where are your manners?

(Virtue Flows Like Water)

Sister-in-law, you're too rigid.

She plays by the rules with you

and with Niaoniao too.

If

a person's life is all about rules,

how boring it must be.

No, it's not.

When I go out now,

no one teases me for being uncultured.

I have to thank Yuanyi

for teaching me well.

One thousand liang from Mr. Yuan

of the Jiaodong's Yuan Family.

I don't recall being acquainted

with the Yuan clan of Jiaodong.

Did you send them an invitation?

General, I didn't send them an invitation.

It hasn't been long

since you were promoted.

I didn't have the time

to be acquainted

with any aristocratic families.

I hear Yuan Shen is

as sly as a fox.

I wonder what ill intention

he comes bearing

for coming uninvited.

I dare not come with any ill intention

in front of two generals.

Mr. Yuan.

My father and the eldest son

of Marquis Quling's Residence studied

under the same tutelage.

Father said

his teacher often praises

the intelligence of this junior.

I've long admired your eldest son.

I heard there's

a housewarming celebration here today.

So I came uninvited.

But my eldest son isn't home now.

A son is an image of his father.

If I can see

your elegance bearing myself,

it's equal to seeing your son's charm.

Mr. Shanjian, this way inside.

I didn't expect my eldest son

to have such prestige.

Wan, come inside.

This way, please.

Your earrings look novel.

My husband gave them to me yesterday.

It's enviable to have such

a good husband.

This way, please.

All right.

Here, Official Liu.

You came all the way

on an arduous journey.

I'm truly honored to have you here.

You're being courteous. You're too kind.

This way, please.

All right.

We can meet Official Li over there.

Greetings, Mr. Cheng.

Greetings, Official Song.

And you too, Official Li.

This way, inside.

What a fine-looking man.

Please come with me.

Come here.

Hurry now.

Move it.

Come here.

Be careful not to drop them.

Keep up.

General Cheng rises in his ranks.

Even Old Madam is glowing with radiance.

You look even younger now.

That's because you never saw me

when I was young.

I was delicate.

My appearance

may have not changed much.

But

I'm no longer a young maiden.

Am I right?

When did Grandmother send

the hairpin on her head to be made?

They look crude.

Grandmother added exactly

two liang of gold.

Why didn't you dissuade her?

How embarrassing.

I dare not.

Sit properly.

Greetings, Old Madam Cheng.

All right.

This is Wang Ling, the daughter

of Cavalry General Wang Chun.

(Lou Li)

Her mother Madam Wenxiu is the Empress's younger sister.

They're joining us here today

to congratulate the Cheng Family.

(Wang Ling)

I didn't want to come.

However, my father has some ties

to General Cheng.

So he ordered me to attend.

That's wonderful.

Don't feel restrained

among us elderly women.

Yangyang,

show the guests their seats.

Yes, Grandmother.

This way, please.

So that's the rumored Fourth Lady Cheng.

Sure enough,

seeing is better than hearing.

She's indeed haughty and arrogant.

Indeed.

I heard

her Second Aunt always confined her

in her room

because of her impertinent behavior.

Let alone walking around the house.

But today is different from the past.

She has her parents on her side now.

We'll have to meet her often

in the future.

Cheng Yang, you can be my witness

to how impertinent I am.

But there are some people

who humiliate people as they speak.

I wonder who's more disrespectful.

My sister was brought up by my mother.

It was my mother's lacking

to not raise her well.

Niaoniao is not to be blamed here.

I heard Mr. Shanjian will be here today.

I don't see him anywhere.

Are you here to see Mr. Shanjian too,

Miss Wang?

Of course.

I was idling at home.

I only dropped by

because there's a celebration

at Cheng's residence.

Look!

Mr. Shanjian is here.

I'm Yuan Shen of Jiaodong.

I'm here to greet Old Madam.

Very nice.

Miss,

pardon me.

Take it back!

Young Lady,

it's cold out in the garden.

Why did you come out here?

Cover yourself with this cloak

or you'll feel cold.

I'd rather freeze to death

than sit with them.

They keep on mocking me.

I'm not patient enough

to argue with them.

So I came out to take some fresh air.

Young Lady, don't stoop to their level.

When you came out,

did you see the good-looking man?

I have no interest in

who that person is.

I want to get some air.

Lianfang, you can stop following me.

Miss,

how have you been?

You?

What's the matter?

Don't you welcome me?

It's an honor to have you here,

Mr. Yuan.

I wouldn't dare to displease you.

My father and brothers are

at Jiuzhui Hall.

You can meet them there.

But I came especially to meet you.

I only caught your embroidered ball

and returned it to you.

Why did you have to come after me here?

There's no need to go to such an extent.

You turned me away like this.

Is this how the Cheng Family treats

their guests?

Don't you find it a little rude?

We don't know each other.

Our families are not even acquainted.

Don't you think it's rude of you

to block my path?

Why don't you be straightforward?

All right.

An outspoken man speaks his mind.

I only want you

to deliver a message to Madam Sang.

If you're here to deliver a message,

you can tell it to Third Aunt in person.

There's no need to go

through this trouble.

There are things that are not

to be mentioned to outsiders.

So I can only trouble you

with this task.

This isn't

a particularly important

or a trivial matter

Make haste.

Are you agreeing

to do it just like that?

What message is it

that you want to deliver to Third Aunt?

Please tell me.

You only need to tell Madam Sang these.

"Looking at empty words

with sincere expectation,

hoping to meet at the palace gate.

Climb up the platform to watch out

for you in the distance

with my mind wandering

like a dream and like a soul.

An old friend is only asking

but the sound of wind and water."

That is all.

Miss,

is something troubling you?

I don't understand.

I don't understand

a single word you said.

Can you remove

the confusing words?

It's not confusing.

It's a rhapsody.

Then remove the confusing rhapsody.

Sum them in a sentence.

I can remember if it's a sentence.

Fine.

You can tell her

that an old friend misses her.

But only need a few words

I understand.

I'm sure she won't remember it.

After I left,

did they make up anything

to ridicule me?

No.

Mr. Yuan was here.

So they were too busy

to bother about us.

Who invited Yuan Shanjian?

Are we acquainted

with the Yuan Family?

Mr. Yuan said

Eldest Brother's teacher and his father studied

under the same teacher.

That was one huge back road.

Besides, Eldest Brother is not home.

He indeed made a lot of effort

to establish a connection

with our family.

He's our guest.

You mustn't criticize him.

Could it be

that you think he's a nice person?

I

I've never spoken to Mr. Yuan before.

How do I know what kind of person he is?

If you engage in a conversation with him,

you'll know his disposition.

He's nothing more than

a rude pleasure seeker.

This isn't a particularly important

or a trivial matter

Make haste.

Cheng Yang,

I want to ask you something.

Have you heard of a poem

like this?

Looking at empty words

with sincere expectation,

hoping to meet at the palace gate.

Something about palaces.

Climb up the platform to watch out

for you in the distance

Platform.

What else

What else

But the sound of wind and water.

That is all.

Is it

"Changmen" a famous rhapsody by Sima Xiangru?

I think so.

Is this poem that popular?

It's not exactly well-known.

But

people love it

for its figurative language

that doesn't involve politics.

So often times young women

would read it for pleasure.

Niaoniao, be patient.

After Aunt Yuanyi spends

more time teaching you,

you'll know no less than others.

No need.

I think I'm better this way.

I don't need anyone to teach me.

You're indeed fine.

Silks and satins for sale!

Top-quality fabrics!

Come and take a look!

Top-quality wine! Take a look!

It's written "Young Lady Cheng"

on the invitation.

But it didn't mention

which of us is invited.

Of course, it's you.

I have to thank you, Cheng Yang.

If Wang Ling didn't invite you

to attend Princess Yuchang's

birthday banquet,

my mother wouldn't let me go out

to pick Princess Yuchang's

birthday gift with you.

Where did you get the lanterns?

General,

I purchased them from the market.

Some guests hung them here

to let someone fated guess the riddles.

Move!

I've inspected them.

These lanterns are different

from Prince Xiao's lantern.

It had caused a huge commotion.

They won't leave

the same lantern behind

to us for investigation.

They reduce what they have

to destroy every trace of evidence.

It proves we're investigating

in the right direction.

Have you found anything

on Prince Xiao's expenditures

in the last six months?

It's as you've expected.

It was six months ago

when Prince Xiao complained

about struggling in the capital

because he was short of money.

But he has been spending lavishly

for the past six months.

He would travel around,

drink, and play all day.

Does he own any property?

He does own several shops in the capital.

But he has a poor business acumen.

It was a total loss.

He entrusted someone

to sell his shops in the first half of the year.

But not only didn't he sell them out,

but he also had extra money

to set up more shops after that.

Head Armorer Dong and Xu Jinzhong were

involved in the dealings for six months.

Prince Xiao lived lavishly

for six months.

No one would believe it

if they're not related to each other.

Order the men to cause trouble

at Prince Xiao's shops.

We must cut their financial resources.

Someone who's used

to luxury won't be able

to bear being penniless.

He will take the risk

out of desperation.

The moment he contacts the buyers,

we'll have the chance

to find out the person

who steals the armaments.

Isn't that the Cheng Family's carriage?

Young Master, something had happened.

Madam Chunyu went to the residence.

Let's go back.

Young Lady, we've arrived.

Take a look.

Young Lady, I've been waiting for you.

May I ask if this inn belongs

to General Cheng, the Marquis of Quling?

Yes, indeed.

My Young Master was not prepared

for the long journey.

So we wonder if we can ask

for some charcoal?

Please come with me.

Mr. Yuan?

It's cold outside.

How about getting some rest inside?

No need.

Mr. Yuan,

my brothers missed you

after not seeing you for days.

I wonder if we could exchange

poetry again.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

"Looking at empty words

with sincere expectation,

hoping to meet at the palace gate.

Climb up the platform to watch out

for you in the distance."

I said I would discuss it next time.

It's a rhapsody, not a poem.

All right.

Rhapsody.

Rhapsody.

The weather is great today.

I have some spare time,

and I happen to want to exchange poetry.

I wonder

if you're available

to step aside for a moment.

May I know what I can do for you?

I've been waiting for you for days.

Yet, you never bring back word.

Have you forgotten

to deliver the message

to Madam Sang for me?

I never wanted to help you deliver

the message.

So it's not a matter of forgetfulness.

Do you understand people should keep a promise?

No.

That's right. I broke my promise.

What can we do about it?

I don't have a horse,

let alone four of them.

There's nothing more

than begging, coercion,

and temptation in this world.

Since you're reluctant to speak nicely,

I can use other means too.

Did I scare you?

Rest assured.

I can't do anything to you.

Many people know my name.

If you're willing

to deliver the message for me,

I'll be willing to do you

a favor as repayment

in the future.

Any favor?

Apart from being unfilial, rebelling,

treachery, abandonment,

and forbidding from asking

for your hand in marriage,

I can agree to the rest.

I

When have I ever asked you to marry me?

When did I ever say I want to marry you?

Have you never thought

of wanting to marry me?

Now, that's appalling to me.

You were t*rd in delivering the message.

Isn't this your strategy to cling to me

and lure me into meeting you?

If

you truly want to draw a line

between us,

why didn't you deliver the message

to Madam Sang

with haste?

We'll be on our separate ways then.

You have a point.

Mr. Yuan,

I'm to blame.

I suddenly understand something

from your teaching just now.

I should carry my task dutifully

after being entrusted.

How about this?

I shall deliver the message

to Third Aunt

when I return home today.

No need to thank me,

and please forgive me

for giving you the cold shoulder.

From then on,

we won't be indebted

to each other.

What if I need you

to deliver messages again?

If Third Aunt doesn't mind me

delivering messages for you,

I shall not decline then.

But if Third Aunt doesn't like it,

I can only respect my elder.

Mr. Yuan,

we shall not meet again.

It's not up to you

if we ever meet again.

That will be up to me.

All of the attendants

and bodyguards here

should take notice of things

around here.

As I walked

into the General's Residence,

it looks cold and desolated.

Forget about fire to keep warm.

There are no plants here at all.

There's not even

a single servant girl here.

Where's your Young Master?

I prefer peace and quietness.

I don't like plants.

Zisheng.

It's not surprising

because you're always surrounded

by these men.

They wouldn't know any of these.

I think,

you have everything you need here.

You only lack someone you love.

What brings you here?

I'm your stepmother.

We're family in any case.

Can't I visit you?

We're indeed family.

You and Marquis Chengyang are cousins.

When I was a child,

I even greeted you as my aunt.

But it didn't take long for you

to take the advantage

to climb into Marquis Chengyang's bed

to become his wife

while my mother

and I were wandering in destitution.

After going in circles,

we indeed become family in the end.

Even if

you hate us as your parents,

you mustn't mistreat yourself.

Princess Yuchang

of Lord Ruyang's Mansion

is truly devoted to you.

You must cherish this betrothal.

Well,

Her Highness's birthday is in a few days.

It's best

that you go.

See her off.

I haven't finished yet.

I've finished talking.

Young Master,

are we attending

Prince Yuchang's birthday banquet?

Her Highness especially sent

an invitation.

(Invitation)

Receive ten strokes yourself.

(Invitation)

Why am I being punished?

(Invitation)

Did I commit anything wrong?

If you cherish your bottom,

you should control your hands.

(Invitation)

Why did I accept this?

Mr. Yang.

Yuan Shanjian.

You're finally back.

As long as you agree,

I'll exchange my sister's

written marriage proposal immediately.

Please rest assured.

I'm certain no lady

in this capital is more suitable

to marry you than my sister.

Isn't this

Isn't this the scroll I gave you?

Could it be

you're cutting ties with me?

I have to return your favor

for giving me this scroll.

So I marked several mistakes

to remind you

that if you add more thoughts

in enhancing your knowledge

instead of judging people's marriages,

you wouldn't be making

such mistakes anymore.

Why you

You don't know what's good for you.

I heard Mr. Yang is

a famous Confucian scholar

in the capital.

He has a younger sister

with a beautiful appearance

who's quiet and docile.

She's both beautiful and gifted.

Why did you upset him?

No matter.

He wouldn't have

the face to tell anyone

about what happened today.

Young Master,

Madam never meddles in your marriage.

As usual, I shouldn't bring it up.

But I watched you grow up.

It's inevitable that I worry.

You're 21 this year.

When do you plan on finding a wife?

Who says people must marry?

Father and mother have been married

for more than 20 years.

Yet, they rarely talk to each other.

If life after the marriage is this dull,

I'd rather not marry at all.

Could there be no woman

in this world

who you find interesting

and wish to marry?

Must I marry that interesting woman

if I meet one?

To a family clan, marriage is

an embellishment.

To the women,

marriage is to climb up the ranks.

But from what I witness since young,

marriage is putting up with each other.

I, Yuan Shanjian, would never do

anything that brings no benefit to me.

Your fingertips are more delicate

than my face.

If you keep spouting nonsense,

I might accidentally cut your face.

When that happens,

Old Madam will wail and weep.

Which part of me doesn't belong to you?

Not only would I let you shave my face,

but I'll also let you do

whatever pleases you,

even if you want

to embroider flowers on my face.

Aunt!

Aunt

Aunt, I have something to tell you.

Uncle, please step aside for a moment.

Can't you see your elders are occupied?

Is there something so important?

Can't you tell her a little later?

Don't mind him.

Come in.

Don't hesitate. Just tell me.

It's all right. Just tell me.

Your uncle knows everything

about my affairs.

Then I'll speak now.

What is it?

A man by the name

of Yuan Shanjian wants me

to deliver a message to you.

He said a lot of confusing things called

a rhapsody.

In any case, I don't remember any of it.

In other words,

an old friend longs

for a few words.

An old friend?

Why did he tell you

to deliver the message

instead of coming himself?

Could this Yuan Shanjian be

the disciple he accepted

back then?

Disciple?

So it's him.

What does he want?

I don't know either.

In any case, that's what he said.

Other than these,

he didn't say anything else.

A few words.

What does he mean by that?

I haven't met that person

for more than a decade.

I remember now.

He must have found out I was ill

because you were searching for physicians

to find medicinal prescriptions for me.

So that's the reason.

But you've recovered from your cough

for quite a while now.

Why is he still concerned about it?

Wait here.

Take this.

Deliver this for me.

(I've recovered. Rest assured.)

Is this all that you write, Aunt?

Don't you want to leave your name?

He recognizes my handwriting.

So I don't need to leave any.

(I've recovered. Rest assured.)

Aren't you going to tell me

what happened?

For instance,

his name

and the relationship you had with him.

I can't tell you in a few words.

It doesn't matter.

If it takes time to tell,

you can tell me slowly.

I can listen patiently.

When people say

it's something they can't say

in a few words,

it means they don't want to explain it.

Is that what you meant?

I can let it go

if you don't want to tell me.

But can you tell me

why Yuan didn't come

and see you directly

and insisted to go through me?

I once told someone this.

"Be it you,

your friends, family, or the disciples,

please don't come and see me

or send any letters to me."

I was young when I said that

out of spite.

I never expected that person

to be so dense

that he actually agreed.

So that's what happened.

But speaking of which,

how did you know Yuan Shanjian?

This matter isn't

something I can say in a few words.

How cheeky.

Have you found out

what I ordered you to inquire about?

The Young Ladies of Cheng went

to their family's shop

to pick a birthday gift.

Princess Yuchang also extended

an invitation to the Cheng Family.

I didn't ask you to inquire

about Fourth Lady Cheng.

I wanted to know about Prince Xiao.

As of late,

did he go to Tian's Restaurant?

We've been watching Prince Xiao

for several days.

He has been spending time

with General He's daughter He Zhaojun lately.

Head Armorer Dong was sent into exile.

Xu Jinzhong committed suicide.

If Prince Xiao wants

to be in long-term armaments dealings,

he can only get

his armament supplies elsewhere.

If he becomes General He's son-in-law,

it would naturally

be more convenient

to get armament supplies.

General He is loyal and valiant.

He may not associate with him

in such evil deeds.

Lord Yong only elevates his cronies.

It is inevitable that his son

may also like to push himself

to read General He.

Do we still have

Princess Yuchang's invitation

from the other day?

We shall go to Lord Ruyang's Mansion.

I already threw it away.

But

I thought

you said you're not going to attend.

General He is acquainted

with Lord Ruyang.

He Zhaojun

will definitely go

to Lord Ruyang's Mansion

to celebrate Princess Yuchang's birthday.

Since Prince Xiao is inseparable from her,

he would be there too.

Fei,

have you recovered from your injury?

It was only ten strokes.

It no longer hurts

after I applied medicinal ointment.

Good.

Then go and receive another ten strokes.

Why?

Don't you think you deserve ten strokes

for throwing out an important invitation?

If you find the invitation,

you shall be pardoned.

Come with me.

(Lord Ruyang's Mansion)

It's such a huge mansion.

Sister-in-law, you picked the right dress.

Niaoniao's complexion

and manners are not inferior

to those of aristocratic women.

Yangyang looks beautiful too.

Gentle and imposing.

I have to agree.

If anyone complains about being unfair,

no one can blame you.

Niaoniao,

don't wander.

Who's that?

Is she wearing all of her jewelry?

That's Wan Qiqi.

She's the Wan Family's tenth

Which number of the Wan Family's

children is she again, Song?

Tenth?

It's the thirteenth.

Thirteenth?

Wan Qiqi is the youngest in the family.

Yet she thinks

(Wan Qiqi)

she's the most senior in the capital.

She behaves conspicuously

wherever she goes.

Who are you talking about again?

Cheng Song!

Cheng Shaogong!

Greetings, Madams.

You must be Shaoshang and Yangyang.

Why are you plainly dressed?

Later

I'll have someone send

several beautiful dresses for you.

Plain and neat is good.

One appears more gentle this way.

Yes.

When you enter a tiger's den like this,

being gentle isn't charming.

Let me teach you how to dress up.

There seems to be something lacking.

Let me take a look.

Qiqi,

aren't these the gifts

you want to give Princess Yuchang?

No matter. I have a lot.

This one looks pretty.

This is better.

Pay more attention.

Beautiful.

Madams,

I'll take them to

Go on.

Let's go.

Let me show you the world.

Let me tell you this.

You must not be afraid when I'm around.

Are you certain

the person who ruined my plan was

Fourth Lady Cheng?

Yes, it was her.

If she didn't meddle that night,

you and General Ling

would have been the talk of the capital.

By all means, you can just watch today.

I invited her today mainly

to teach her a lesson on your behalf.

Let's go.

Where should we sit?

So much delicious food.

♪The beacon-fire has knocked

over the white snow♪

♪I caress the scars gently

from the past♪

♪Your back to the light,

your eyes contain the galaxy♪

♪I hum as the sun

and the moon mutter back♪

♪The light between your brows♪

♪Was put out and rekindled

by the secular world♪

♪The sky, the mountain, and the ocean,

whom do I part them for?♪

♪As I wake up from the blue sea,

stone steles stand like a mountain range♪

♪Under the lantern, criticisms were thrown,

the narrow door could not contain my feelings♪

♪The joys and woes of this mortal life,

we speak as we dream of the future♪

♪Both of us will be♪

♪In the sea of stars,

burning bright with our sincerity♪

♪Our sincerity♪