Flourished Peony (2025) s01e03 Episode Script

Your Highness, this way, please.
Your Highness, this is your chamber.
All the furnishings in the chamber were all crafted by my son.
We only wish you to feel at home.
My favorite glazed cup, vase, and hand warmer.
It's been so long, yet he still remembers.
Zi Shu also chose the curtains in the room for you, Your Highness.
Zi Shu keeps all your preferences all in mind.
To find crystal curtains like this in Luoyang is truly hard.
Zi Shu is really thoughtful.
Did Zi Shu also choose this?
Zi Shu's father saw the items Zi Shu had chosen were elegant yet lacked nobility,
therefore, he added a few items. This gold and jade Ruyi…
Take it away.
Yes.
Servants, remove it. Hurry.
Yes.
Madame Liu. The jade pillow on this bed is precious, it's too cold and hard.
The Princess uses a medicinal pillow.
The silk quilt on the bed is too thin as well.
The Princess's fragile body requires an exceptionally soft bed to sleep on.
Your Highness, Zi Shu doesn't understand the items used in a lady's room,
so I took the liberty of deciding for myself. But I've never thought to make such mistakes.
Please spare me. I'll have them replaced immediately.
Your Highness, are you feeling cold?
It's late spring in Luoyang, but it's still a bit chilly.
The window screens of this room are thick, blocking out all the sunlight.
The Princess is already weary from the journey and shaken by the floral banquet.
How can she stay in such a cold and gloomy room?
I beg your forgiveness. It's my oversight.
My son has specially prepared a jasmine pearl soup for you to relieve fatigue and warm the body.
Your Highness, please go to the side hall to have a sip.
Just wait a moment. I'll immediately help you arrange a better room.
No need.
I'm fully aware of what a residence of a Deputy Fifth-Rank official is like.
I presume this is the best wing room here.
We brought our daily essentials, just replace them.
Don't make Zi Shu's kindness be in vain.
Yes, I'll go do it right away.
Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.
This wing room is right next to Zi Shu's courtyard.
It's very convenient for getting around.
If you need anything, please let him know.
The banquet has already ended.
Has Zi Shu not finished seeing the guests out yet?
A'Rou.
The Princess's wing room has been tidied up already. What are you doing?
Young Master, the Princess was dissatisfied with the furnishings in the room
and has sent someone to fetch her own belongings to replace them.
Today, there was an issue due to negligence.
If Zi Shu didn't kneel and beg for mercy for the Liu family,
this matter certainly couldn't be easily glossed over.
If such negligence had occurred in Chang'an,
everyone in the Liu Mansion would all face the death penalty.
For such a mistake to occur, is due to Madam He's ineptitude.
What a disaster for the Liu family to have such a daughter-in-law.
Everyone knows that since marrying into the Liu family, she has never gained Zi Shu's favor.
The responsibility of managing the family would never be entrusted to a merchant's daughter.
The place where she lives is remote. So, she'll certainly not bother you.
You protecting her like this, makes it seem like I lack tactfulness.
Your Highness, you've misunderstood.
I'm afraid that woman will bother you.
Master Liu was demoted and transferred to Luoyang,
willingly degrades himself to make a marriage alliance with a merchant family.
His career has had ups and downs for a full three years.
And even now, he's still a minor magistrate.
Causing Zi Shu to be unable to obtain an inherited position.
He can only study hard for the exam with great effort.
A man of such talent and value has fallen to such a state.
Do you truly believe the He family's assets could swiftly elevate his rank?
Your Highness. You're right.
We have held Zi Shu back.
For Zi Shu's sake, I won't tell my father about the assassination attempt.
However, the servants are so incompetent, they must be punished.
All the servants at today's floral banquet must receive 80 cane strokes as punishment.
Madam He failed to notice it, she'll receive 40 strokes as punishment.
Your Highness, please spare us!
Madam He overlooked it and will surely face family discipline.
We also won't let off servants who deserve punishment.
However, such a caning could result in serious injury.
Zi Shu can't bear to see all this.
H-He'll surely blame me.
If Zi Shu's feelings matter so much, why force him into a marriage without love?
If the punishment isn't severe, then it's hard to establish family discipline.
I'm doing this for Zi Shu.
He's set to rise step by step.
He'll receive guests more often in the future.
If such incidents happen again and offend other nobles, who will shield him?
Madam, rest assured. This matter has nothing to do with you.
I will make the decision.
Zi Shu.
As you say, my father, my mother, and I are all guilty of negligence,
- we should all be punished together.
- What does this have to do with you?
It was you who protected me when I was in danger. I took it all to heart.
Whether to kill or to punish, you would never be involved. Get up.
Even if they are at fault, they're still our Liu Family's people.
Whether to lightly punish or severely deal with,
whether to beat them or execute them, are all matters of the Liu family.
How could we trouble guests with this?
Zi Shu, you never used to talk to me like this.
I'm doing all this for you.
But the You Zhen from before would never have taken the lives of half my people with one word.
Or force my mother, past 50, to kneel.
Your Highness is doing it for you.
H-How can you fail her kindness?
Think it over.
If you don't like me meddling in your family affairs, then I won't, okay?
Get up. Help your mother to rise as well.
Your Highness, you are generous.
Zi Shu, don't be willful anymore.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
Zi Shu is so into studying, he's long forgotten how to speak with women.
Your Highness, please forgive his blunt words.
Your Highness pardons you all. Hurry and kowtow, then leave.
Your Highness, thank you so much.
I'll take my leave.
I can't bear to see you frown.
You Zhen.
In a few years, once I pass the imperial exam and secure a position,
I'll definitely propose to your regal father and marry you.
many guests are coming to seek my father's support.
Should I ask my father for an official position for you?
This way, you won't need to study for years and can still rise in rank.
I know you mean well.
But I study to understand principles and improve myself.
I wish to serve the imperial court with my talent and knowledge,
instead of climbing ranks by relying on others.
I see. You have lofty ambitions and are knowledgeable,
surpassing those privilege-seekers who rely on their family background.
One day, you'll surely top the imperial exam and be appointed to the highest official rank.
Let me tie it for you.
All right.
I have a gift for you too.
I hope to be with my beloved, never apart in life or death.
The Princess is my beloved daughter, regarded as a second-rank official, honored and noble.
She has lived in wealth since childhood, never facing any grievance or neglect.
With your Liu family's rank and status, how could you possibly be a match for her?
And how could you take good care of her?
Please go back.
Regal Father, as long as I'm with Brother Zi Shu, I don't care about rank and status.
Your Highness. I hereby swear I will never let You Zhen suffer the slightest.
I will cherish and value her as a treasure.
Please permit this.
Regal Father, please permit this.
- Take County Princess back to her room.
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
- Brother Zi Shu!
- Zi Shu! Zi Shu!
- Your Highness!
- Zi Shu!
- You Zhen!
Zi Shu!
Before you were my You Zhen,
not the same as those high-handed noble ladies.
But just now,
you became Princess Ji'an.
Your demeanor and words all made me feel so strange.
I'm always You Zhen before you.
I just did that because I care too much about you.
I'm afraid someone will hold you back.
We've finally reunited.
Don't let this little thing upset you, okay?
You've lost weight.
So, the rumors are true that you aren't living well.
Zi Shu, times have changed.
Have you thought about moving back to Chang'an?
My father holds a minor official position, how could we go to Chang'an?
I'm living well. Don't trust the rumors. Don't worry about me.
In this world, apart from you, who else is there for me to worry about?
You don't need to hide it.
I know you've always kept my portrait in your room.
Even after getting married, you've never spent the night in Madam He's room.
You've been alone for three years and never betrayed our vows.
I know well your sincerity.
You Zhen, all this you mentioned is all private to my residence.
You're in Chang'an, how would you know so clearly?
I've kept you in mind and miss you, so I got to know everything about you.
So, whether it's to punish my servants, or inquire about my privacy, it's just takes one word from you.
Princess Ji'an, have you ever asked for my opinion or cared about my feelings?
It's because I care that I did all that.
I'm worried… I'm worried that you would forget about me.
I'm afraid that you would be bullied and not live well.
Zi Shu, if you don't like it,
from now on, just tell me all about it yourself. I won't do it anymore.
Don't blame me, okay?
No one in the Liu residence would dare blame you.
It's getting late.
I'll go help my mother prepare dinner, in case any mistake happens again.
Nice!
Not bad!
Brother Jiang, I'll be heading to Chang'an next month.
From now on, I hope you can support me more.
The Chen family has His Highness's backing and a successful career. Why would you need support from a minor official like me?
Brother Jiang, His Highness is so powerful.
The families backed by him aren't just my Chen family.
So many names are presented before His Majesty,
if anyone is fortunate enough to be mentioned by you,
then he would secure an official position.
I get countless requests every day.
And I'm not wise as His Majesty, I can't remember everyone.
Brother Jiang, it was my oversight.
I can't let you help me for nothing.
A small token of appreciation.
Please accept it.
Brother Jiang, you don't like the items in this box?
The only thing I don't like is that the gift isn't great enough.
Are you kidding me?
Such a cheap item is usually only fit for my guard.
Thank you, Envoy.
Brother Jiang, what a huge misunderstanding!
Knowing you're liberal with money, this is just for you to give away.
The real token
is right here.
Eight shops in Chang'an's eastern market and a hundred mu of fertile farmland on the city's outskirts.
(measure of land, 1 mu = 0.16 acres)
Your father taught his son well. His Majesty will soon know it.
Thank you, Brother Jiang.
Pour the wine.
Brother Jiang, a small token. Please accept it.
Brother Jiang, please accept it.
Stop! Stop!
Hurry, stop!
- What happened?
- Young Madam has suddenly left the residence.
She said it was to go check the two shops that came with her dowry.
Mu Dan has always been obedient. Even if she knew we sold her shops, she wouldn't say anything.
A husband's family has no right to sell the wife's dowry. How could you—
If not, then how could we get the money to receive noble guests?
And how could we support your future official career?
Her being like this must be because she saw our attitude towards the Princess and felt resentful.
Has she recently had any quarrels with you?
Not at all.
That's fine then, you go ahead. I'll take some people to check it out.
- We must not let today's business be disturbed.
- Take it slow.
The breakfast the Liu residence sent was so plain.
I'm afraid we'll be busy, Miss, have a piece of cake to fill you up.
After the divorce, we still need to rely on these two shops.
Without resolving this matter properly, how can I have appetite to eat?
After you get divorced, the He family will take care of you.
No need to operate the shops. Be careful.
After mother passed away, my stepmother managed the family.
I don't want to be disdained by her and my younger brother. Or put my father in a difficult position.
I plan to sell one of two shops that came as my dowry and procure some property.
I'll personally operate the other shop.
At the very least, mother has a garden in Chang'an.
We could go there and live, be self-sufficient and live at ease.
No matter what you wish to do, I'll always be with you.
You've always loved rose steamed cakes.
Eat some, then we'll have strength to mess up the Liu family's business together.
After we're done, let's eat together.
- Be careful.
- Mu Dan!
Mu Dan!
Come on.
Father, why are you here?
I wanted to ask you. Why aren't you at home cultivating yourself, but out here?
Mother asked me to help my husband settle matters in the officialdom.
I have two shops in my dowry.
Today I thought I'd come and check if I could arrange some funds.
I've already dealt with it. So, you don't have to worry about it. Go home.
If the family needs money in the future, we'll always need these two shops. Father, don't be courteous.
I told you no!
If you don't want to go back, then I'll have someone take you back.
Miss wants to check her own dowry. Why are you refusing?
Such a bold servant! You have no right to speak here!
Since you're stopping me like this, is there something you're hiding?
A woman should be gentle and compliant.
Just listen to whatever your husband's family says. Don't ask questions.
I don't want to defy you.
But it's about my dowry, I have to go.
- Stop her!
- Miss, just go. I'll hold them off here.
- Miss, go.
- Move!
Hurry, Miss!
- Hurry, stop Young Madam!
- Go stop Young Madam! Stop Young Madam!
Move! Move!
Miss!
Someone has fallen into the water!
- Someone has fallen into the water!
- Come save her!
- Yu Lu!
- Can anyone swim?
- Hurry, save her!
- Somebody, save her!
I can't swim, Master.
I can't either.
Yu Lu!
- Are you crazy?
- Let go of me! Let go!
Liu Chang, I'm begging you! Please save Yu Lu!
I'm begging you, please save Yu Lu!
- Save her.
- Yes, Young Master.
Yu Lu!
Yu Lu!
She's been saved.
You aren't keeping the Princess company. What are you doing here?
Madam He is my wife in name, after all.
If she has made a mistake, it should be me to discipline her. I wouldn't dare trouble you, Father.
Wake up.
Yu Lu.
Wake up, Yu Lu. Wake up, Yu Lu.
- Yu Lu.
- Young Madam.
- Yu Lu.
- Yu Lu has stopped breathing.
Call the physician now.
- It's too late now.
- It's not too late!
Medical books said putting two dan of stove ash onto the body from head to toe,
then water will come out of all seven orifices, and the person who has drowned can be saved.
It'll definitely work. Go.
- Go!
- Young Madam, it really is too late.
Yu Lu has already gone.
Father, please save Yu Lu.
I'm begging you. Please. I'm begging you.
Please save Yu Lu. I'll do whatever you want me to do.
I'm begging you, Father. I'm begging you, Father.
Liu Chang. Liu Chang, I beg you, save Yu Lu.
I'll do whatever you say from now on. I'm begging you. Please save Yu Lu.
- I'm begging you. Please. Please save Yu Lu.
- Get up.
- Please save Yu Lu. I'm begging you.
- She has already stopped breathing.
She hasn't! She's not dead!
Yu Lu. Yu Lu, don't scare me. Yu Lu.
Yu Lu. Don't scare me.
Please don't scare me. Don't scare me.
Please don't scare me. I'm begging you. Please.
Please wake up, okay?
We agreed… We had agreed to go eat steamed cakes together.
We agreed to live carefree.
Please wake up, okay?
Say something, Yu Lu.
Mu Dan, I didn't mean for this to happen.
How about this? I'll deduct three months' wages from the steward as a warning to others.
Don't act rashly anymore. If you hurt Young Madam, can you afford to compensate?
Furthermore, Yu Lu was resisting, then the accident happened.
If you didn't defy your husband's family, how could Yu Lu have died?
Don't be willful anymore. Be well-behaved from now on.
I'll find you a better maid then.
Mu Dan, why feel like this over a servant?
Hurry back to freshen up. Don't catch a cold.
She isn't my servant.
She is my sister.
Yu Lu.
Let's go home.
Let's go home.
[Tomb of Yu Lu]
Whenever I made mistakes out of playfulness, grandmother would punish me by withholding meals.
But you would always steal some snacks for me.
Each time, you were so clumsy, you would always get caught,
then had your palm smacked.
Yu Lu.
I still remember after the Jade Terrace Peony was first cultivated,
when you learned my mother and I named it after you,
you were delighted for a long time.
But you never got to see the Jade Terrace Peony bloom.
[Tomb of Yu Lu]
Since childhood,
you've always worried about me,
fearing that I wouldn't live well.
When the Liu family bullied me,
you were angrier than I was.
Yu Lu.
From now on
you don't have to worry about me anymore.
Yu Lu, rest assured.
I won't force myself anymore.
I once thought to conceal my edge would allow me to live at ease.
[Women's Precepts]
In the end, I couldn't even protect my closest loved ones.
No matter how difficult, from now on, I'll live as I please.
I'll become the carefree He Wei Fang again.
This way.
Mu Dan, what are you doing?
We're all family. Why make it seem like we're dividing assets?
In just one year, I've been deceived and cheated. My dowry has been reduced by more than half.
Is this what you call a family?
Mu Dan, have you misunderstood something?
The Princess and Floral Envoy have come.
The gold and jade ornaments, along with antique calligraphy and paintings in your dowry, are temporarily stored in their room.
Sooner or later, they'll be put back into storage.
Everything should prioritize the Liu family. Why be so calculating?
Yes, Young Madam. You can't go take it from them, right?
Why can't I be calculating? They're mine to begin with.
Let me ask you, why can't I be calculating?
The two nobles are just staying at the Liu residence temporarily.
No matter how noble they are, they shouldn't take what I cherish.
If you wish to flatter others, I don't care.
But I won't let others manipulate me.
Liu Chang, you pride yourself on being a scholar.
In the past, you deemed yourself as the most lofty.
Are you also willing to use a woman's dowry to pave your way to success?
Mu Dan! You
I did not know before that it was your dowry.
Had I known, I would never have touched it.
Go get the furnishings from the guest room.
Zi Shu, I'm afraid the Princess will be displeased.
Mother, Mu Dan is right.
How the Liu residence deals with belonging's isn't something outsiders can criticize.
Go now.
Apart from the items in storage, there are also the two shops that were previously sold.
I hope you can return them all together.
Without my permission, anyone in the Liu residence can't touch my belongings again.
Mu Dan, why are you like this today?
Being so calculating and seeking money. Nothing like an official's wife!
I've always been like this. But you're just finding out today.
Envoy Jiang.
Wait.
Why is this jade with you?
Brother Chen Zhang gave it to me.
I found its quality to be decent, so I gave it to Chuan Yu.
As for where Brother Chen Zhang got it from, I'm afraid you'll have to ask Master Liu.
Envoy Jiang, this was mine.
Could you sell it back to me?
You're a stingy person, yet willing to spend money to buy back what was yours?
Someone from the Liu family gave it to someone else without letting me know.
It has nothing to do with you. I have no reason to make you bear this loss.
You're quite reasonable.
However, I have already given this jade to Chuan Yu.
Whether it's to be sold or kept, you should ask him.
I…
This was a birthday gift from me to Yu Lu.
Now, somehow, it has ended up in your hands.
To me, Yu Lu was like my younger sister.
Now that she's gone, I just want to
take this item to remember her by.
Here, the quality of my jade is even better.
I'm willing to exchange this jade to get back yours, how about it?
This was yours to begin with, I should return it. No need for this.
That's not appropriate. Take this first.
Young Master.
Young Master always gets bribed and rewards me many things. This one item won't make a difference.
Our Young Master treats me very well.
I know how close you and Yu Lu were.
I can feel what you feel. If I were to accept your jade, the Young Master would surely look down on me.
Regarding Yu Lu,
please accept my condolences.
Thank you.
Envoy Jiang.
Could you keep this jade and return it to me tomorrow?
Yes.
Thank you, Envoy Jiang.
What does she mean? What's she going to do tomorrow?
Just wait and watch the play.
Why is the little rabbit so fierce? It bites.
What are you afraid of? No matter how fierce it is, it's still a rabbit.
Just soothe it by stroking its fur.
Greetings, Princess.
I've told Zi Shu before that I like fluffy things.
I didn't expect after such a long time, he still remembers.
Please thank Zi Shu. Bring the rabbit over.
It's for Young Madam?
Y-Yes.
Young Master, I'm incompetent. The rabbit bit me and it ran away.
It ran away?
Then what's with the blood on you?
Young Master, please forgive me.
Qiu Shi, I'm asking you a question. Answer me.
It was the Princess. She saw the rabbit, realizing it wasn't for her,
so she asked me to kill it.
The Princess asked you to kill the rabbit?
Tell the Princess she's still in her mourning period. I fear others will gossip about her.
I won't go boating on the lake tonight.
- You may leave.
- Yes.
Three years have passed
people have changed.
You're saying, Zi Shu isn't going boating with me.
Is it for me, or for that Madam He?
Madam He is nothing. Young Master Liu has never cared about her.
Your Highness, please don't overthink it.
If he never cared about her, why would he give her a rabbit then?
'Fragrance Recital' - Zhang Zining
♫ On the endless road to Chang'an,
the zither and lute's melody echoes from afar ♫
♫ Plum and willow trees greet the Spring,
as splendor returns this year ♫
♫ Copper battlements shine atop the palace
as songs and dances fill the air and glasses are raised ♫
♫ Idle clouds and drifting duckweed, with a thousand flowers blooming ♫
♫ Time flows gracefully, with moments gathering in the fading mist ♫
♫ Let the years pass, carried by the wind toward long-held desires ♫
♫ If the heart remains as still as water, youth becomes eternal ♫
♫ Still cherishing the moon of my hometown, yearning to meet again ♫
♫ The distant night sky, scattered with stars, reflects the gentle moon ♫
♫ The peony's exquisite beauty fills the fragrant garden ♫
♫ With my heart as a lantern, I fear not the journey through distant mountain paths ♫
♫ The jade flute's music fills a fleeting life with meaning ♫
♫ Time flows gracefully, with moments gathering in the fading mist ♫
♫ Let the years pass, carried by the wind toward long-held desires ♫
♫ If the heart remains as still as water, youth becomes eternal ♫
♫ Still cherishing the moon of my hometown, yearning to meet again ♫