01x27 - Episode 27

[bunniefuu]

♪ Pink hands so fine ♪

♪ Gold-branded wine ♪

♪ Spring paints green willows
palace walls cannot confine ♪

♪ East wind unfair ♪

♪ Happy times rare ♪

♪ In my heart sad thoughts throng ♪

♪ We've severed for years long ♪

♪ Wrong, wrong, wrong ♪

[Si Jin]

[Adapted from Si Jin,
by Dong Tian De Liu Ye]

[Episode 27]

[Jiang Si, the daughter
of the Count of Dongping]

Why did Imperial Concubine Xian

invite a lady

like Jiang Si?

It wasn't you?

Why would I do that?

Background and personality
are far more important

than having good looks.

Imperial Concubine Xian is going

to match Prince Yan

with a lowborn consort.

But, she shouldn't pick
the woman whose engagement

was annulled

by the Duke's family.

I heard Imperial Concubine Xian
was cruel to Prince Yan,

showing him no motherly love whatsoever.

I finally witnessed it for myself.

Does Princess Consort Zhuang
want a peerless beauty

as Prince Shu's concubine?

However,

there is a proper procedure for that.

It's not right to pick one

while selecting a principal consort.

During the Floral Banquet,

I gave the peonies

to six women.

But deep down, I only wanted

Qingrong to have it.

You and the late Empress

were a match made in heaven.

Everyone envied you.

In a blink of an eye,

it's been years since she passed.

Your Majesty,

Yang Nianzhi
of the Directorate of Astronomy is here.

Send him in.

Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

Before the princes' wedding,

we routinely

calculated the feasibility
of the marriage.

These are the results

for Prince Shu and Prince Yan.

Please have a look.

Prince Yan's fate carries ill fortune.

His life is one of adversity.

He must never marry

[Yang Nianzhi, Directorate of Astronomy]
a woman with a life of desolation.

The union of the two

brings harm to the nation
and the families.

It could be a great calamity.

Prince Yan saved my life

in the nick of time.

Do you still declare him

a prince of ill fate?

But...

Supervisor Yang.

He is a prince.

Does the Directorate of Astronomy
have jurisdiction over

his birth

and his marriage?

My brother has promised Prince Yan

he could pick the woman he likes.

So, spare us

your baseless claims.

Your Majesty,

we're responsible
for aligning palace affairs

with Heaven's will.

Controlling the prince is not our goal.

You!

The result is the work
of countless calculations.

We can prove our claims.

Hence, it's not baseless.

Enough.

He carried out his duty.

Rest assured.

Only noble ladies were invited

to the Floral Banquet.

How could any of them
carry desolation in their fate?

Never mind.

Supervisor Yang.

Yes.

When the banquet is over,

check the background

of every lady
who receives the gift flower.

Your Majesty's decision is most wise.

I take my leave now.

♪ Through endless twists
in the mundane world ♪

♪ The breezy wind blows,
the heart grows tender and bitter ♪

♪ I ask the Sun
if the light has taken root ♪

♪ As it prospers,
our love story writes itself ♪

It's time!

♪ Hearts bound as one,
through time's soft chase ♪

Just to be safe.

♪ Love's tide guides,
beyond our mortal space ♪

♪ A moment kept with your embrace,
where blooms have found their place ♪

His Majesty
and the Princess Royal have arrived!

Greetings, Your Majesty,

Your Highness.

You may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

These are paintings by the noble ladies.

Please have a look.

Radiant and graceful,
as if exuding a fragrance.

Your Majesty,

this is

"Outshines the Spring Morning"
by Princess Mingyue.

Not bad.

A painting with auspicious signs.

Mingyue's artistry
reflects true mastery.

She shall be rewarded.

His Majesty praises Princess Mingyue's

"Outshines the Spring Morning"
for its elegance.

The reward is a jade bangle.

I appreciate it, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Brother.

Jiang Si, have you seen it?

My will to win

makes losing unthinkable.

"Heavenly Charm by the Water"

by Kou Lingbo
from the Grand Preceptor's Mansion.

Graceful and refined,
beyond the ordinary.

As expected.

"Spring Breeze Rises,"

by Jiang Si, the daughter
of the Count of Dongping.

But...

What is this?

Well...

We can tolerate a bad painting,

but Jiang Si

submitted a blank sheet of paper!

This is utter contempt
of the royal family.

Who is Jiang Si?

Send her in.

His Majesty orders

Jiang Si
from the Count of Dongping's Mansion.

What about me?

Your Highness,

His Majesty only summoned Jiang Si.

I am Jiang Si.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Jiang Si.

This is a contest in a palace.

You dare submit a blank sheet of paper?

Your Majesty.

I spent

two hours on this painting.

It's definitely not blank.

Mr. Sun,

when you inspected the venue,

you saw me painting.

Insolence, Jiang Si!

Not only did you submit nothing,

you even slandered me.

Your Majesty.

Even after an hour, I never saw Jiang Si

draw with her brush.

In the next hour,

I saw her holding her brush,

pretending to be painting.

Show her the painting.

Yes.

Stop.

Now is not the time to stand out!

Father,

I saw Jiang Si painting

with my own eyes.

You sat nowhere near where they painted.

How did you see it?

Jiang Si attended the banquet.

Why would she submit nothing

just for you to punish her?

Something is off.

Please investigate.

We have concrete evidence.

What else can it be?

She has no talents or skills.

She submitted nothing
because she could paint nothing.

Your Majesty.

This painting is indeed my work.

But it's not blank.

Are you implying

everyone else here is blind?

There is a scent on this paper.

It reeks of a type of grass.

I grew up studying plants.

I learned about the plant

Traceless Grass.

Mixing ink

with its juice

will make the ink vanish

in less than 15 minutes.

I suspect my ink

had been tampered with

beforehand.

Your Majesty.

Could I have a cup of water?

Yes.

Pour it over the painting.

How dare you, Jiang Si?

Black flowers are only used
for a national funeral!

You insulted us with this painting!

Someone!

Drag her out and flog her with a rod!

Wait.

Please hear me out.

The black peonies

are indeed my work.

But I painted the black peonies

for a reason.

Fine. Do tell.

I'd like to hear

your reason.

The black peonies I painted

are not

meant for the guests here.

They are meant

for the late Empress.

Empress Qingrong loved peonies.

Everyone knows that.

Your Majesty had the Imperial Garden

filled with peonies

to mourn her passing, am I right?

Empress Qingrong
was kind and compassionate.

She cared about the common people.

She advocated frugality

and practiced it.

She was my role model.

She provided education

for the poor.

She founded free dispensaries

to save countless lives from disease.

Empress Qingrong

was beloved by the people of Zhou.

She is the woman

I look up to the most.

Today, I name this painting

"Spring Breeze Rises"

because

the thought of her

feels like a spring breeze.

Having known greatness,

most will pale in comparison.

The Imperial Garden

is full of vibrant colors,

but the black peonies

are rare and precious.

Not unlike Empress Qingrong,

who is irreplaceable

in Your Majesty's eyes.

How thoughtful of you.

Father.

It's a great painting.

But due to the tempered ink,

such a thoughtful piece of artwork

could've been lost.

Sun Congxin.

How do you explain

Jiang Si's painting?

I had no idea the ink would vanish.

I am innocent, Your Majesty!

You were

behind this entire plot.

Why was Miss Jiang

the only one with tempered ink?

Who dares employ such trickery

right under my nose?

I'd like to examine the ink.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

The ink, brushes, and ink-stones

have all been cleaned.

There's nothing left.

Well done, Sun Congxin.

You did your job too well.

You made the painting vanish

and got rid of the evidence.

Displeased with the job

at the Office of Ceremonies?

I did no such thing!

This was done during a royal banquet.

He must have accomplices.

Your Majesty,

let me interrogate him.

Brother,

from what I know,

the Seventh Prince and Miss Jiang

share a relationship.

It's best he's not involved.

We should first detain

Sun Congxin

and try him later.

The noble ladies of Ling'an are here

for the banquet.

This matter concerns

the image of the royal family.

What do you think, Brother?

That's right, Rong Yang.

Get Sun Congxin out of my sight.

Your Majesty!

I've been framed!

I swear!

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty!

This matter was unsettling,

but it was also eye-opening.

We witnessed Miss Jiang's

black peonies with a special touch.

How about

we let her compete

in the second round?

I agree with your suggestion.

My gratitude.

Thank you, Your Majesty
and Concubine Zhuang.

What is your name?

Your Majesty,

I am the Deputy Director
of the Office of Ceremonies,

Lan Xingwen.

Very well.

Next,

you shall oversee the contest.

Thank you.

Who would use dried wood
and flower buds

for floral arrangements?

Hilarious.

Time's up.

Your Majesty,

this is from Kou Lingbo
of the Grand Preceptor's Mansion.

Your Majesty,

the name of this artwork

is "Running Brook."

Fresh and elegant.
You shall be rewarded.

Your Majesty,

this is from Princess Mingyue.

Mine is called "House Full of Radiance."

It does bring vibrancy to the garden.

There is a second side.

The design is the character "Zhou."

I'd like to use this design

to wish Your Majesty
a long life of prosperity.

May the realm thrive and flourish.

Wonderful.

Symbolic mastery of form and spirit.

Very well.

Many thanks, Uncle.

Mother taught me well.

I am

but an amateur.

Indeed.

Your mother is a master
of floral arrangement.

None of the contestants

can even compare.

Stop making fun of me, Brother.

They are the stars of this banquet.

Your Majesty,

this is from Jiang Si
of the Count of Dongping's Mansion.

Miss Jiang,

why do you use flower buds
instead of flowers?

You even decorate it with dried twigs.

Your Majesty,

I call this arrangement

"Spring's Rebirth."

It symbolizes how even after hardship,
life blossoms anew.

I only see a dead branch.

Where's the renewal?

Miss Jiang.

Is this a magic trick?

It's no magic trick.

The blossoming season

will soon pass

in this garden,

but only these two buds

are yet to bloom.

I thought I could

rush them a little

so they could catch up

and bloom.

If you manage

to make the buds bloom,

then it's no magic,

but a literal miracle and wonder.

I've never heard

of such a trick.

Jin, do you think
Miss Jiang can actually

make them bloom?

I'm quite curious.

Is this...

Is it the water temperature?

Is there something in the water?

Well done, Miss Jiang.

I'm flattered.

I present this
to the Imperial Concubines

as a gift

to wish them

everlasting youth.

This is the first time I've seen anyone

make the flower bloom.

I appreciate your consideration,
Miss Jiang.

Miss Jiang's gift

is definitely unique.

Witnessing such a marvel

is truly eye-opening.

I'm flattered.

♪ A sudden glance,
just like our first meeting ♪

♪ Feelings remain,
but things are ever unclear ♪

♪ Memories replay ♪

♪ My heart hesitates ♪

[Shu]

♪ Can I make it through
another long night? ♪

[Prince Yan]

♪ The pain lingers deep inside ♪

♪ Leaving dreams incomplete ♪

♪ I still can't let you go ♪

♪ No matter how far the journey takes me ♪

[Jiang Si]

♪ I'll do anything to save ♪

♪ Our shared past ♪

Your Highnesses,

the noble ladies have written

their thoughts in the letters

and hid them in the flowers.

You may give the flowers

to the ladies you admire.

Sixth Brother, do the honor.

Very well.

I shall start first.

Please accept my flower, miss.

Jin, it's your turn.

Sixth Brother,

it's too troublesome

to make so many trips.

I have an idea.

Take the flowers.

Do it in one go.

Jin, that seems to be
against the rules.

What rules are there?

We are brothers.

Forget the rules. Come on.

Very well.

Jin, your turn now.

Very well.

Jin, aren't you...?

I don't mind it.

♪ Through endless twists
in the mundane world ♪

♪ The breezy wind blows,
the heart grows tender and bitter ♪

♪ I ask the Sun
if the light has taken root ♪

♪ As it prospers,
our love story writes itself ♪

♪ We lock eyes
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ After countless challenges,
we are still us ♪

♪ Our inseparable souls
can weather all storms ♪

♪ We cross paths
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ The tapestry of destiny
is filled with our youth ♪

♪ Our blissful time together
will lead us to the sea of stars ♪

♪ We lock eyes
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ Through frost-kissed trails,
and starry space ♪

♪ Moon-silvered dreams,
on love's embrace ♪

♪ Hearts bound as one,
through time's soft chase ♪

♪ Love's tide guides,
beyond our mortal space ♪

You have a good taste, Sixth Brother.

♪ A moment kept with your embrace,
where blooms have found their place ♪

You...

How could you give all six flowers

to Jiang Si?

Jin.

I must say,

that was utter nonsense.

Ridiculous!

Is this a place for that?

This is a formal and serious event.

All the more reasons

to take it seriously.

Father, I wasn't fooling around.

All the ladies present today came from

esteemed families.

Giving all six flowers

to one person

seems rather unfair

to the other ladies.

Fairness?

Aunt.

There is no absolute fairness

in this world.

I only want Jiang Si

to have the flowers.

It wouldn't be fair

if I were forced to give them

to the other ladies.

I'd be lying to myself.

Aunt, that'd be ridiculous.

No, it's not!

This is not a banquet
to pick a concubine.

You were to pick a principal consort.

I am but one man.

I don't need six consorts.

Mother, calm down.

It baffles me.

Why did you give the flowers

to Jiang Si alone?

My reason is simple.

There is but one.

The moment I laid eyes on her,

I knew she was the one.

Well said.

Prince Yan, there are things
you are simply too young

to even understand.

Choosing the right one

takes more than just a whim

and the feeling of falling in love.

You will share a life.

There are a plethora of things
to consider.

But there are people

who I find annoying

at first glance.

How can I live with them?

Father.

You and Mother

made me a promise.

You promise I could choose the one

to my liking.

Jiang Si is the one

that fits my liking.

You had it planned

all along?

A flawless plan

that fooled me

and your mother.

I never did that.

You're not choosing a wife
to your liking.

You are doing whatever you please.

This is against the rule.

I will never agree!

Take them back

and give them to everyone

or

I will make the arrangements for you.

That was a gift from a prince.

I can't take it back.

Right, Father?

Your Majesty!

Prince Yan is...

Enough.

They were only flowers.

No need to make a fuss out of it.

The Floral Banquet is over.

Dismissed.

Yes.

Your Majesty!

I'll see you off.

Calm down.

Giving out flowers

was merely a tradition.

There are no written rules

about it.

Prince Yan doesn't get the final say

about which of them
will become his consort.

Well said, Princess Royal.

Why did you

get so upset earlier today?

The boy grew up
in the Southern Frontier.

I feel sorry for him too.

But he can't simply disregard

the rules of the royal family.

I think

Miss Jiang is a fine candidate.

Your Majesty!

I had it examined.

The name Miss Jiang hid in the flowers

was "Yu Jin."

It's clear they feel connected.

Why not give them your blessing?

Perhaps you're unaware.

Miss Jiang

once annulled an engagement
with the son

of the Duke of Anguo.

Is that so?

That is not a serious matter.

In the past, an empress

was even married

and had two kids

with her former husband.

In the end,

she and the emperor
brought prosperity to the realm.

And she was lauded for her deeds.

That is not the same.

Dear,

it's Jin's consort,

not the Crown Prince's.

As long as he is happy,

that's enough.

Look at the bright side.

Isn't it fun to have

a daughter-in-law
who knows magic tricks

to cheer you up?

I am mad

because he should've told me

before making these decisions.

He disregarded all of that.

Does he even

have any respect for his mother?

I have an idea.

I'll see what's Jin's take
on the matter.

Father. Mother.

Jin.

You said Miss Jiang was to your liking.

Do you intend to marry her?

Father,

you read my thoughts.

But she annulled an engagement.

You don't mind it now.

But what if

you regret it?

Will you blame me

for not upholding my promise?

Convince me

as to why her past doesn't bother you.

A gem overlooked by the blind

can still be cherished by the one

who knows its worth.

Very well.

I'll grant you the wish.

You may make Miss Jiang
your principal consort.

Many thanks, Father.

Many thanks to you too, Mother.

This decision is your responsibility.

Whatever the future holds for you,

you must endure it.

Don't worry.

I will be happy.

Go now.

I'll take my leave now.

See how thrilled he is?

This boy is just too straightforward.

He can't contain his emotions.

I am concerned

about his best interests.

And that made me the villain?

You're overthinking.

I'll leave Jin's wedding

in your capable hands.

He will understand your effort

sooner or later.

But I...

You may stay.

That silly brat.

He is too blunt.

Even if he adores her,

he could express
his affection more subtly.

Prince Yan has a pure heart.

He is a young man
with confidence and enthusiasm.

It's hard not to express
his true feelings.

Very well.

All six flowers for one girl.

He did the exact same thing

I was too afraid to even try.

[Count of Dongping's Mansion]

Si.

You received six flowers

at the Floral Banquet last night?

You've made our family proud.

So, who were they from?

Prince Yan.

Anyone else?

Nothing more.

They were all from Prince Yan.

This bodes trouble.

How so, Grandmother?

"The nail that sticks out
gets hammered."

Don't you understand that?

You outshone the others.

That will garner jealousy.

Even our family

will be at the center of criticism.

Mother!

Mother!

What is it?

Mother.

Rumors are spreading.

They're targeting Miss Si.

She's being called
a bringer of ill fortune.

They say regardless of any favor shown,

the royal family
will never acknowledge her.

They say we're naive

to think our girls

can rise to prominence and become great.

Si, did you hear that?

Do you know

how people see you?

You are too young and naive.

You should've been more reserved.

Yield when necessary.

Don't you know that?

If no one is embarrassed,

then everyone can be on good terms
with each other.

Indeed.

I will obey you

if it's anything else,

but when it comes to my marriage,

I won't hold back.

Think it through.

If he marries you,

all is well.

But what if he doesn't?

You will bring

tremendous shame to this family!

Enough.

For the time being,

stay in

your room,

reflect on this

and tone down your temper.

I don't want people to think

that we are overstepping

boundaries.

Yes.

I'll take my leave.

Mother, calm down.

Take it easy.

I've been thinking.

If he marries the prince,

I should be happy.

I want the girls
to marry great husbands.

But...

Noble families
could be riddled with perils.

Mother, you are right.

Who knew

Commandant Yu was actually Prince Yan?

Ever since

she got close to Prince Yan,

she's been acting recklessly.

Mother, calm down.

I told you.

She shouldn't marry the prince.

You are endangering her!

Mingyue fell in love
with the Seventh Prince.

There is nothing I can do.

Very well.

The Seventh Prince gave all six flowers

to Jiang Si alone.

Mingyue saw it for herself.

She should give up.

The flowers meant nothing.

I put meticulous effort

into the Floral Banquet.

Yet, Jiang Si was unappreciative.

What a shame.

I almost got her punished.

As expected from Su Ke's daughter.

Just like her mother,

Jiang Si is trouble.

What?

Wasn't it enough

that you took Su Ke from me?

And now you want Mingyue

to steal the love of her daughter?

Is Mingyue your daughter,

or is it

that cursed Jiang Si?

Cut the nonsense!

Feeling guilty?

Did I touch a nerve?

No wonder there are rumors

that Su Ke and you have been so intimate

that she lost her purity long ago.

Perhaps the rumors are true.

Rong Yang.

That was out of line.

There was nothing between Su Ke and I.

She's been dead for years.

Must you tarnish her reputation?

How vile are you?

Silence!

You dare yell at me

over a dead woman?

Pretty.

So pretty.

This flower looks like you.

It's Her Highness.

- I'm sorry.
- Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Raise your head.

- Please have mercy!
- Please forgive me!

Please!

Bring me the torch!

Mother.

Mingyue.

When a man doesn't love you,

all of his finest qualities

are meaningless to you.

But I've seen

his finest qualities.

If I can't have him,

then I shall never have peace.

There are things

you can't have

if you seize it by force.

But Mother,

if I could do it again,

I would

make the same choice.

How can I swallow it

without first fighting for it?

Mother, please have faith in me.

I can change it.

You couldn't get what you yearned for.

Perhaps I could.

[Chengtian Hall]

Your Highness.

I must

thank you for saving me, General Cui.

It was my duty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

Prince Xiang's rebellion
has been eradicated.

Seven forts reclaimed and 3000 captured.

Great work.

You should be rewarded

for your heroic deeds.

I shall betroth you

with my only sister,
Princess Royal Rong Yang.

What do you think?

Much obliged,

but I am engaged.

I must decline.

Very well.

I will help you win him over.

Old Madam,

why was a decree sent

to our doorstep?

I bet it's the Floral Banquet.

Si shouldn't have

drawn too much attention.

Especially from the Seventh Prince.

Who knows what trouble

awaits us this time?

The Old Madam is here.

A decree by His Majesty.

"Jiang Si, the daughter
of the Count of Dongping,

is kind and honest

and has outstanding qualities.

It was delightful
to learn of her virtues.

My seventh son, Jin,

has reached the age for marriage.

He must marry a virtuous wife.

I hereby

betroth her to the Seventh Prince.

A wedding shall be held
on an auspicious date.

The arrangement shall be ex*cuted."

I am grateful

for His Majesty's grace.

Miss Jiang Si,

please accept the decree.

Congratulations, Miss Jiang Si.

Many thanks.

Farewell, Your Excellency.

Grandmother.

Si.

Congratulations, Miss Si.

You deserve it, Miss Si!

Our sincerest congratulations, Miss Si.

Well deserved, Miss Si!

Aunt, are you going to be a consort?

[Jiang Si, Count of Dongping's Mansion]
Are you moving into the big palace?

I want to go with you!

Sure. You can

tag along.

Si,

congratulations.

Congratulations, My Lady!

Princess Consort Yan.

Your wish has come true at last.

Congratulations, Si.

Come on.

Keep it safe.

Si.

You know how powerful a prince is.

Our family will now have protection

with you as a member

of the royal family.

Things will get better

for the Jiang family

from now on.

You grew up

in this very courtyard.

I knew

you were a blessed person.

Prince Yan is a man of noble character.

You two are in love with each other.

I wish you

an everlasting marriage!

Much appreciated.

I owe it to my upbringing here.

You will need a hefty dowry

because you're marrying a prince.

I have

some bridal head ornaments
and accessories.

Come on, we shall pick together.

Come on.

- Let's go, Yan.
- Let's pick.

I'll pick for you, Aunt!

Sure.

They are gone.

What did the eunuch

call her?

Princess Consort Yan.

She is moving up

in the world.

My daughter was virtuous,

yet she ended up

with that cursed Cao Xingyu.

How is Si so fortunate?

She ends up becoming

Prince Yan's consort!

[The End of Episode 27]

♪ Through endless twists ♪

♪ In the mundane world ♪

♪ The breezy wind blows ♪

♪ The heart grows tender and bitter ♪

♪ I ask the Sun ♪

♪ If the light has taken root ♪

♪ As it prospers ♪

♪ Our love story writes itself ♪

♪ We lock eyes
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ After countless challenges,
we are still us ♪

♪ Our inseparable souls ♪

♪ Can weather all storms ♪

♪ We cross paths
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ The tapestry of destiny
is filled with our youth ♪

♪ Our blissful time together ♪

♪ Will lead us ♪

♪ To the sea of stars ♪

♪ Our destined paths ♪

♪ The years will hold ♪

♪ A light shines at the tunnel's end ♪

♪ Where happy endings will transcend ♪

♪ We cross paths
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ The tapestry of destiny
is filled with our youth ♪

♪ Our blissful time together ♪

♪ Will lead us to what we desire ♪

♪ We lock eyes
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ Through frost-kissed trails,
and starry space ♪

♪ Moon-silvered dreams ♪

♪ On love's embrace ♪

♪ Hearts bound as one,
through time's soft grace ♪

♪ Love's tide guides,
beyond our mortal space ♪

♪ A moment kept with your embrace ♪

♪ Where blooms have found their place ♪