Blossom (2024) s01e03 Episode Script

1
(Three years later, Spring of
the 24th year of Chengping reign)
Pirates! Pirates!
Please spare us! They will kill us
if you steal everything away!
Song Mo? This is a trap!
Tell us.
Where is your base?
Song Mo,
do you think capturing me
will lead you to our base?
We people of Dongyu will never yield!
Is it
South Mountain?
Tongzhou? Jilang? Zhanshui? Shan Island?
Meizhou? Feiyu Island?
Or Zhou Island?
So it's in Zhou Island.
Song Mo, you tricked me!
You won't get your way!
General, it's all thanks
to your brilliance.
Because of that darn rations
officer's delay, we nearly starve!
-If you hadn't baited the pirates
-Lu Ming, shut up.
-we'd still be starving.
-Stop! Get on your knees!
General, my brother is new here.
He doesn't know the rations officer
is your father, Duke of Ying.
-Please forgive him.
-His anger is understandable.
I'm angry too.
If you want to complain, go ahead.
I won't hear a thing.
At least we didn't ruin
Grand General's plan.
Taking down five pirate ships
should count as a decent result.
Five ships aren't enough.
-Duke of Ding's Army, hear my command!
-Yes, General!
Everyone, eat quickly.
In half an hour, change into pirates'
clothes and head for Zhou Island.
To secure ten years of peace
for the people of Futing,
we must make history with this battle!
For the homeland!
For a place in history!
For the homeland!
For a place in history!
(Blossom)
(Episode 3)
(Futing)
Attack! Attack!
Duke of Ding's Army will win!
Duke of Ding's Army will win!
It's Duke of Ding's Army!
They're back!
Duke of Ding's Army is back!
-Did you win?
-We did.
A great victory at Zhou Island.
With the sea now pacified,
the goods will become valuable again.
Zheng, aren't we impressive?
Don't be dramatic. This is nothing.
There's more glory to come.
Long live Duke of Ding's Army!
All thanks to Duke of Ding's Army!
Lu Zheng, have the Ministry of War send
the captured women
and children back to Dongyu.
Any soldier found abusing children
or assaulting women will be executed.
Yes, General!
Congratulations, General.
News of your attack
on Zhou Island
has reached the camp.
The Duke has also arrived.
My father is here?
Jiang Mei Sun!
(Song Yi Chun)
The delay in the delivery
was because our troops
encountered bandits along the way.
We were eliminating threats to
the people. How is that a crime?
Release me!
-Release me!
-Grand General.
He's Duke of Ying
and your brother-in-law.
Listen up, everyone!
Song Yi Chun has delayed
military operations
and spoken outrageously.
As per military law,
30 lashes.
-Carry out the punishment.
-Yes, sir!
How dare you! I am
a duke of the highest rank,
with generations of merit behind me.
Without an imperial decree,
who dares to touch me?
Grand General!
Yan Tang.
Grand General, I have
completed the mission successfully.
Please get up.
Despite the shortage of rations,
we managed to dismantle
the Dongyu forces,
thanks to you using yourself as bait.
Well done! This is a great achievement.
Grand General,
not only did General
destroy ten enemy ships,
he also used their fleet
to seize Zhou Island.
The last pirate stronghold
has been wiped out.
The decades-long mission to
secure the borders and seas
has finally succeeded.
Bravo! Bravo!
Oh, you,
you were short on supplies
and outnumbered.
Were you trying to get yourself killed?
It's thanks to the delay of the rations
that my son had the drive
to fight against the odds.
Yan Tang,
reason with your uncle for me.
I'm tired of arguing with him.
How absurd!
Discipline comes first in the army.
There's no room for family sentiment!
You lost sight of the bigger picture,
chasing credit for taking out bandits
and delaying the delivery
by ten days!
If Yan Tang hadn't taken the initiative,
we would have lost this battle!
And you still dare to justify yourself?
Bring me the whip!
I'll punish him personally!
-You wouldn't dare!
-Watch me!
Grand General,
it's true Duke of Ying
is guilty of delay,
but doing nothing and watching
my aging father suffer punishment
makes me an unfilial son.
30 lashes would cripple him,
if not kill him.
I did nothing wrong!
I beg you, Grand General!
In light of the victory at Zhou Island,
allow me to take his punishment.
It upholds military law
and preserves loyalty and filial piety.
Please show mercy, Grand General!
Please show mercy, Grand General!
Please show mercy, Grand General!
Loyalty and filial piety, huh?
Fine.
As you wish then.
You will take ten extra lashes.
Do you accept it?
Yes, sir!
I'm sorry.
Let's go!
An outstanding son
with a useless father.
How foolish!
This may hurt.
Look at you,
you dared to attack Zhou Island
with only a few ships and troops.
You were practically courting death.
Reckless!
The Art of War says,
"Throw them into death ground,
and they will fight to survive;
place them in peril,
and they will thrive.
Desperate troops always win."
You taught me that.
Don't throw war strategies at me.
I might not have been there,
but I know exactly
what you were thinking.
Your attack on Zhou Island
was just to plead
for your father's pardon.
And you saw how he repaid you.
Was it worth it?
Why did you have to whip him for real?
I told him to.
There's no jesting in the military.
Forty lashes are nothing.
I said I'd take the punishment
for my father,
I had to bear it seriously,
no pretense allowed.
-Leave us.
-Yes, sir!
Uncle,
worth it or not, he's my father.
My mother and Han
are waiting for him to come home.
This is my fault.
I should never have agreed
to let Hui Sun marry him.
That's not fair.
If they hadn't married,
I wouldn't exist.
And without me, who would keep
you company securing the borders?
You'd be so bored.
Honestly,
I feel refreshed right now, like
after a good cupping treatment.
You feel refreshed, huh?
Duke of Ying has packed up and left.
Lighting every lamp,
burning every incense.
Grain God,
(Zhao Zhang Ru)
bless us with a bountiful harvest,
and may Shou Gu and An Su
earn baskets full of money.
Farmers pray for favorable conditions
because they depend on
the weather to survive.
But businesses rely on human effort.
Instead of asking the gods,
maybe you should reward me generously.
Don't speak carelessly.
Even launching ships for trade
depends on the heavens.
Oh, Grain God,
don't hold it against Shou Gu.
If you have time, please bless us
with more wealth and fortune.
I predict the pirates will be
completely eradicated this year,
and spring and summer trade
will bring great wealth.
I'll make sure to add to your fortune.
If you really are a clairvoyant,
did you see this coming then?
Zhang Ru!
Oh, I got another premonition.
You won't find a husband
this year either.
How dare you say that!
Zhang Ru!
Good news!
I've got great news!
Su Su.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Stop it!
Stop!
Oh, no.
What are those?
Money.
You didn't guess it would be money.
One thousand taels each,
and so many of them!
There aren't many
this wealthy in all of North Zhili.
The tea, silk, and porcelain
we stocked last year
all sold at a premium.
Thanks to Zhao seizing
the opportunity early,
my father says
this month's shipping orders
have increased tenfold.
The profits will only grow from here.
An Su, go back and tell
Mister and Madam Miao
to sell the ships after
selling off our current stocks.
We'll look for
a new business opportunity.
Shou Gu, are you serious?
Why?
We've established our business
in Futing early on
and became the shipping tycoon here.
When all the sea routes open up,
won't we make even more money then?
This is the 24th year
of the Chengping reign.
The Duke of Ding's Army's coastal
campaigns are nearly finished.
With the pirates eradicated,
maritime trade will
become hugely profitable.
From local officials in Futing
to the Ministry of Revenue,
they're bound to tighten
regulations and increase taxes.
This business might not
be as easy as it seems.
Even if local officials
want to take a cut,
it's not like the business
would become unviable.
Isn't pulling out now too early?
Or did you hear something from Mr. Chen?
No, nothing like that.
It's just that when you buy
during a slump,
even if prices rise, it's still cheap;
and when you sell during a boom,
even if prices fall, it's still high.
If everyone knows
it's easy money,
then there's no real profit left.
Trust me on this.
I don't understand all that,
but I know one thing,
If you become the richest person
in Zhending,
your stepmother and
your fiance, Marquis of Jining,
will be drooling
when counting your money.
Young Lady Zhao,
Nanny Zhou from the capital is here.
Great, speak of the devil,
and here comes trouble.
I've clearly turned down
the family banquet for the festival,
and now they're inviting me again.
I have distant relatives visiting,
no time to play the role of
the doting mother in a happy family.
Oh, Old Madam, how can
you say such a thing?
It's rare for Fifth Master and
Seventh Master to both be here.
A family reunion during the festival
is a wonderful thing!
To be honest,
Seventh Master caught
a cold a few days ago.
He's been missing his daughter terribly.
Using my father as an excuse?
If I don't go, I'll be accused
of being unfilial, won't I?
Young Lady Zhao,
how can you think that way?
Madam went out of her way
to prepare a whole table
of dishes just for you.
Is her food even edible?
Yes, what if she's up to no good
and poisons the food?
I refuse to believe
she would be nice.
How can you say such things?
Fine.
Shou Gu, are you really going?
Grandmother,
since Father still remembers
he has another daughter,
I want to go.
We're going with Zhao then.
Surely you won't mind
receiving a few more guests.
Alright then.
The capital is only half a day's
journey from Zhending.
Nanny Zhou,
take good care of my granddaughters.
Of course!
I'd like one, please.
(Duke of Ying's Residence)
(Song Han)
Han, your spear skills
have improved a lot.
I imagine your mother has had
to work hard to train you.
Nonsense.
It's been ages since
I practiced with a spear.
A little exercise is good for me anyway.
Brother? You're back!
Yan Tang?
Yan Tang!
Mother.
This is a dagger
seized from the pirates.
It's yours now.
Thanks, Mo!
I heard you were badly injured
in the battle at Zhou Island.
Where are you hurt? Let me take a look.
I'm fine.
After such a bumpy journey,
how could your body handle it?
Showing off your big victory
the moment you walk in, huh?
His uncle takes good care of him.
He doesn't need us.
Will you stop picking
fights with my brother?
The children are watching.
Ignore him.
It's been a while since
you've tasted my cooking.
Get some rest.
I'll cook for us today.
Let's have a family reunion dinner.
Great! I'll help you in the kitchen.
Alright.
Leave us.
Your uncle sure knows
how to play his cards.
He submitted
an expedited military report,
accusing me of negligence and delay,
and only your merits
spared me from the lashes.
Now the entire court knows!
As a father,
I had to rely on my excellent son
and beg for Jiang Mei Sun's mercy.
It's a victory report,
not an impeachment letter.
Amid the joy of a great victory,
a few sentences mentioning this matter
ensures His Majesty doesn't
dig deeply into your mistakes.
Did I do wrong to eliminate
bandits for the people?
If you hadn't
volunteered for the lashes,
I'd still have a case
to argue before His Majesty.
Now this is great.
His Majesty has demoted me to
overseeing the South City garrison.
The son earns merit
while the father gets demoted.
You still think Jiang Mei Sun
did this out of kindness?
Father
So you do know I'm your father.
For years,
you've barely come home.
His Majesty praises you
for embodying Jiang Mei Sun's integrity.
Now I'm confused.
Whose son are you?
Do you like it?
Whose son are you?
His Grace has been strict
with you since you were little.
Rules and expectations
are naturally stricter
in noble families.
I've only just realized
that during the years I've been away,
my parents and brother
have grown close, like a true family.
My return
has only disrupted their harmony.
I'd like to take a walk alone.
Don't follow me.
Today,
the shadow puppet show
we'll be performing
is called the Record of Truths.
Yes! Yes!
Would it be better for everyone
if I weren't the heir to Duke of Ying?
Awesome!
Yes! Bravo!
It's been so long
since I've been to the capital.
The festival here is so lively!
Look at all these Nuo opera masks!
We're going to be late.
Ladies, why did you
get off the carriage here?
Fifth Master and
Seventh Master are waiting.
Come on, get back in! Quickly!
Ladies, I'll go inform
Fifth Master and Seventh Master.
Young Lady Zhao.
Chen Shi Yuan, Liu Xue Zhen,
Pang Kun Bai
All the guests are sons of
newly prominent court officials.
Know your enemy
and prepare accordingly.
So many young men are here.
If I'd known,
I would've dressed up properly!
They're all Uncle Shi Shu's students,
from prestigious families.
They're celebrating
their promotion.
Our attire does seem inappropriate.
Zhao.
Zhao, what are you doing here?
Ming, you look stunning.
I simply did as Mother asked.
I didn't know you'd be coming today.
We have many guests today.
Let's go to my room first and
get you all changed. Come on.
-Zhao!
-It's fine
You're finally here.
Master and Shi Shu are waiting for you.
Ming, why didn't you
announce your sister's arrival?
Come with me.
This way.
Master, Zhao and the girls are here.
Not bad. They are
all talented young men.
Shou Gu.
Our guests today
are all prominent figures.
It's rude enough that you're late,
and on top of that,
look at how you're dressed.
Standing next to Ming,
you look like a servant.
Shou Gu dressed like her grandmother.
Simple and elegant is perfectly fine.
This is my fault.
I should have reminded the girls.
(Pang Kun Bai)
I'll take them to get changed now.
Come.
Please forgive us, Uncle Shi Shu.
My sisters and I wore plain clothes
not out of disrespect,
but because dressing extravagantly
felt inappropriate.
How so?
Disasters have struck
across the land since last year,
and wars have been frequent.
His and Her Majesties have cut back
on their use of jewels and silks,
urging officials not
to indulge in extravagance.
I hear you are set
to be promoted
in the Ministry of Rites.
With the promotion decree
not yet issued,
such a grand display might invite
criticism from your political rivals.
Well
You're right.
I hadn't considered that.
This is a festive occasion!
Even common folk dress brightly
for good fortune.
Zhao, must you always tie
everything back to national affairs?
It's rare to hear
such practical and grounded insights
from a noble lady.
Who is he?
As expected of you, Young Lady Zhao.
Young Master Wu, it's been a while.
How is Lord Wu?
My grandfather is in good health.
(Wu Shan)
On his behalf, I extend
early congratulations to you,
-Fifth Master and Seventh Master.
-Thank you.
-Young Master Wu, this way, please.
-Remove the lanterns.
Ying Xue,
take Ming to change into
something more suitable.
Wu Shan, the only grandson
of Grand Secretary Wu.
I didn't know you had a connection
with the Wu family.
My stepmother is
an expert at networking.
Besides, Wang Xing Yi
is Wu Shan's mentor.
At this banquet, he's likely the arrow,
and either Dou Ming or I
will be the target.
They're actually changing the lanterns?
Mr. Chen, your prediction became true.
(Su Xin, Su Lan)
You even knew they would change
the lanterns during the banquet.
Since they're changing the lanterns,
it means Young Lady Zhao
and the girls are not only safe
but may have even gained an advantage.
Let's go, Mother.
Ming, let me ask you,
what were you and Dou Zhao
talking about at the door earlier?
I was just catching up with my sister.
She's never treated you as a sister,
yet you're eager to call her one.
Everything I'm doing
is for your own good.
Why do you think I went to all that
trouble inviting Young Master Wu here?
But I don't have feelings
for Young Master Wu
Enough!
When it comes to choosing a husband,
your feelings are the least important.
Young Master Wu comes
from an esteemed family.
He's kind and ambitious.
There's no better match.
You've just come of age,
at the height of your beauty.
Tonight,
you must make me proud,
understand?
-Yes, Mother.
-Let's go.
Shou Gu.
The discussion about politics earlier
was just a cover.
I'm dressing plainly
because Mother's death anniversary
is approaching.
Do you remember that?
Of course I do.
Look at this magnolia tree.
I tend to it personally.
It's blooming especially well this year.
Flowers bloom again,
but the dead cannot return.
The celebration is
just an excuse, isn't it?
You and Uncle Shi Shu are using
this opportunity to parade
our family's daughters
in front of Young Master Wu
and the other guests, aren't you?
Your uncle is just concerned
about your marriage prospects.
Am I supposed to lower myself
to be scrutinized
and compete with Ming, like a
peacock spreading its tail for display?
The elders mean well.
Don't look at it so negatively.
Back then, Uncle Shi Shu
insisted you marry Wang Ying Xue
to gain the Wang family's support.
Now that he's risen from a clerk
at the Office of Transmission
to a senior post in
the Ministry of Rites,
does he really need to use our marriages
to curry favor with the Wu family?
Dou Zhao,
you shouldn't slander your elders.
Marriage has always been
decided by the parents.
Have I ever forced you into anything?
You may not have forced me,
but you've never raised me either.
Keeping things simple and staying out
of each other's way suit us just fine.
-You
-As for your high hopes,
place them on Ming instead.
When she marries,
I'll contribute to her dowry.
Young Lady Ming seems delicate.
It makes me want to protect her.
But she doesn't look like
she's built for childbearing.
Young Lady Ming is reserved
for Young Master Wu.
So, don't bother trying.
If you want to rely on the Dou family,
aim lower, someone they've written off,
like that girl from the Zhao family.
I might as well marry
Young Lady Zhao then.
At least she's filthy rich.
Young Lady Zhao is mine.
You can have Young Lady Miao instead.
Her family may not be as wealthy,
but at least she's easy to control.
A gentleman knows to exercise
restraint in his words and actions.
Yet here you are, under their roof,
engaging in such vile discussions.
Have all the moral lessons
you've studied been for nothing?
Trust me, pick Young Lady Miao.
Just trust me.
What is this?
It stinks!
This is a rain gauge
from the Ministry of Works,
used by various provinces to
measure rainfall and prevent disasters.
It must not be tampered with.
Ming is here.
The star of the show is here.
Should we just play supporting roles?
Yes, keep quiet and stay out of sight.
Just focus on eating and drinking.
I agree with that!
Everyone, it's a pleasure
to have you here.
Please make yourselves at home.
Zhao.
Gentlemen, you are
all well-learned scholars.
I have a suggestion.
How about you compose couplets
and challenge the young ladies
to match them?
If anyone succeeds,
-they'll drink a toast.
-Sounds great!
That's a great idea!
Since you've proposed it,
it would indeed be
a privilege to witness
the young ladies' literary talents.
Excellent. Young Master Wu,
why don't you start us off?
Beside the wall lies Willow Alley,
water floods the long dike,
narrow paths make the cattle
doubt there's room to tread.
Excellent!
Your talent rivals that of the scholars
from Imperial Academy!
Ming.
You can write
Dou Ming has written one.
Beyond the heart
lies Peach Blossom Land,
clouds obscure the narrow path,
in a forest where animals roam,
a new world unfolds.
Brilliant!
What a perfect match!
Thank you for the inspiration,
Young Master Wu.
Shi Shu, look at this couplet.
Here.
Young Lady Ming completely
stole the spotlight.
Wang Ying Xue must be overjoyed.
Why is she still dragging this on?
Yes, why, Shou Gu?
That's just how she is.
Young Lady Zhao, you're very talented.
Why haven't you written anything?
I grew up in the countryside.
I'm not skilled in literature.
You must be joking.
The young ladies are
the stars of this banquet.
Why don't you compose a couplet?
Shou Gu, do you not want to write one?
Let me write one for you then.
A young boy herds sheep
and cattle in the northern plains,
watching the sheep, the cattle,
and the stars.
I have one to match that.
A bandit in black sneaks in at midnight,
grabbing, embracing,
and stealing kisses.
Shameless scoundrel.
Outrageous!
Judging by the handwriting,
this must be from Young Lady Zhang Ru.
Zhao Si is a two-time
imperial exam laureate,
yet his only daughter comes up
with something so vulgar and absurd.
And you, Young Master Pang,
matched it so well.
Shall I arrange a marriage for you
to become the Zhao family's
live-in son-in-law?
Who would want him as a husband?
It was thoughtless
of me to speak like that.
He thought it was written by Zhao.
He was just trying to help her.
It was just a joke.
Young Lady Zhao's couplet
lacked refinement,
so naturally, the reply was vulgar too.
With her parents
far away in Diannan,
she's had no one to guide her.
Spending years mingling with merchants
and common folk in the countryside,
it's no surprise
she's neglected her studies.
You're full of crap!
Alright, alright.
By your reasoning,
I too grew up
without parents' guidance,
doing lowly work and
mingling with country folk
Dou Zhao!
You know what,
I've thought of a couplet.
Shou Gu!
What is she doing here?
Dou Zhao, this is the men's table.
What are you doing?
Have you no shame?
Dou Zhao
If you gentlemen can openly
discuss women's marriages
without shame,
why should I feel embarrassed?
That folding fan is traditionally used
only by courtesans or talented scholars.
Young Master Liu Xue Zhen,
I heard you've failed
the imperial exam six times.
You're using a folding fan too,
but where's the talent to match it?
Young Lady Zhao, as a lady,
talking like that
is highly inappropriate.
Young Master Chen Shi Yuan,
I hear your family's business failed,
and you even had
to sell your ancestral home.
You're looking for a dowry to
make up for the losses, aren't you?
Shou Gu has been away
from the capital for years.
How does she know all that?
Easy it is to find a fickle lover,
but priceless treasures
are hard to seek.
Why waste false affection
on embroidered words?
I can't stand men like you,
talentless, unprincipled sycophants.
Just because you're educated,
you think you're above everyone,
criticizing and belittling women.
You treat marriage like items
on a marketplace shelf,
weighing and scheming over them.
If we're the bottom-of-the-barrel
oranges and rotten sugarcane,
what does that make you?
Flies and vermin?
Insolent!
You're behaving improperly
and speaking nonsense
in front of our guests.
Zhao is as impressive as usual.
Young Master Wu, my apologies
for the spectacle.
Young Lady Zhao's couplet
is sincere and sharp-witted,
with a touch of satirical humor.
I don't find anything
improper about them.
Though I must admit, her couplet
is quite difficult to match.
My behavior is crude
and unworthy of your company.
I'll excuse myself to reflect.
We'll go with you!
Let them go.
Will Young Lady Zhao be bullied?
In noble households, one must
act with careful timing.
Being too sharp and outspoken
isn't always wise.
The question is
whether she can hold back.
If she can,
we'll need to wait for about
half an incense stick's time.
Mr. Chen, you always speak in riddles.
And what if she can't conceal it?
Zhao, please wait!
They're out.
Zhao, don't be mad.
I'm not mad.
It's not worth getting
angry over those people.
Young Lady, are you really not mad?
Fine, maybe I am a little mad.
Mr. Chen, I understand
that you wanted me to come,
hoping I'd learn to be patient.
But this isn't entirely a bad thing.
In official families,
when choosing a wife,
they care most about virtue
and obedience.
If I earn myself a reputation
as a shrew or troublemaker,
it'll give Marquis of Jining a perfect
excuse to break off the engagement.
That'll save me from
their constant pressure to marry.
Zhao, do you really not care
about your reputation or marriage?
Women can live perfectly well
without relying on men.
Becoming someone's wife means
taking care of his parents,
worrying about his career,
managing the household,
and even looking after concubines
and their children.
And if you really love him,
you might end up like my mother.
I still want to meet someone I love,
get married, and have children.
My parents weren't around
when I was growing up.
I've always wanted a home.
What about you, Zhang Ru?
I'm going to beat those
uncultured brats right now!
How dare they call me old,
crude, and unwanted!
I'll show them what crudeness
really looks like!
Zhang Ru, sit down. Sit.
Oh, Zhang Ru.
They are blind and ignorant.
They can't see how amazing you are.
That's right! If my father hadn't
insisted on a live-in son-in-law,
I'd have been married long ago, right?
Alright, she's had too much to drink.
I'll take her back.
Come on.
I'm feeling stifled.
I'm going to take a walk.
Alright. Don't stay out too late.
Come on.
-Su Su, drink with me.
-Alright, alright.
Young Lady, we're being followed.
Young Lady, have a look.
Go back to Dou's Residence
and get some money.
Yes, Young Lady.
Goodbye.
Good sir, we have a new performance,
The Tale of the Silken Robe.
A lost mother, an abandoned child,
and a courtroom trial of the father.
A life adrift, tangled with
love and resentment,
and an unbreakable bond
between a father and a son.
There are still seats available
in the private boxes.
Please step inside.
We have tea, snacks,
everything you need.
Please come in.
When I invited Ji Jian Ming
to our estate,
it was to see if he and Shou Gu
might be a good match.
Ji Jian Ming and Shou Gu
have been meeting in private.
They're clearly in love.
Zhao, how far have things
gone between you two?
Watch out!