Flourished Peony (2025) s01e04 Episode Script
Episode 4
The flowers are blooming more brilliantly today.
Indeed. Yesterday, this plant still had several buds.
Our fish all heed your words.
Father.
Greetings, everyone.
It has come again.
It's an obedient fish.
This jade…
How come this jade is on you?
What's so special about this jade?
Envoy Jiang, this jade is the birthday gift I gave to Yu Lu.
When Mother saw it, she said that a servant shouldn't flaunt such items. So, she took it away.
- How is it her again?
- She said when Yu Lu got married, she would give it back to her.
Mu Dan, don't talk nonsense. Go back.
Father, I'm not talking nonsense.
Now Yu Lu has died.
How come my maid's jade pendant is on Envoy Jiang's guard?
I've never stooped to stealing jade, let alone something belonging to a servant.
- Chen Zhang gave this to me.
- I…
Could it be Brother Chen Zhang…
- I Envoy Jiang…
- What's going on?
This item was placed in a gift box and personally delivered to my residence by your steward.
I…
Father, if you're in need of money,
selling the shops from my dowry without my knowledge is one thing.
You even gave away the keepsake of my maid.
This jade pendant… This jade pendant isn't worth much money.
Keepsake? It's truly bad luck.
Mu Dan, this is a misunderstanding.
This clear and convincing evidence is right here. Where exactly is the misunderstanding?
You have to explain clearly, Master Liu.
Despite being penniless, you insisted on hosting daily feasts for show, even taking the daughter-in-law's dowry,
while still boasting of being an uncorrupted scholar-official.
- Such a thing would never happen.
- Stealing something from a servant.
Master, the banquet has been prepared.
All the honored guests may take their seats now.
I asked you to buy some fine jade to send to the Chen residence.
Yet you dared to embezzle the money and steal Mu Dan's item from the storeroom to be sent to them.
How dare you, a treacherous thieving servant!
It was all my fault. Please spare me, Master.
Was it truly all your doing?
If you admit your fault and accept the punishment, I will turn a blind eye.
At least, it will not implicate the men working in the household.
If you utter another half-truth, I will punish you severely without neglect.
Yes, it was all my doing.
It's all my fault. I was momentarily blinded by greed.
It's because I did not manage my household strictly that such errors occurred.
Please, everyone, forgive me.
He acknowledged it so quickly.
You have some tricks up your sleeve disciplining your servants.
Since he has already confessed to the crime, what do you plan to do as punishment?
Stealing behind the master's back, committing insubordination.
Servants!
- Give him 60 strokes and kick him out.
- Yes.
No, please don't, Master.
Please spare me, Master.
Please spare me. No, please!
Please don't drive me away, Master.
A matter within the household has disturbed your refined pleasures. I am truly sorry.
Please go to the hall and enjoy the fine wine.
Let's make sure to have a good time today.
Please.
Brother Jiang.
Please.
Please.
Soon, this matter will spread throughout the official circles of Luoyang.
Master Liu is bound to lose face.
Those who abet the crime have received their punishment.
Yu Lu's vengeance has been exacted. Aren't you happy now?
Nobles treat their subordinates as objects that can be discarded at any time.
Seeing his end like this,
I don't feel any satisfaction.
Instead, I find it pitiable.
I stand alone and powerless.
What I can do for Yu Lu now is merely to inflict damage on the instigator's bit of face and reputation.
How can I say that this vengeance
has been exacted?
Although today you can't do anything to him, you have already done everything you could.
It's already very good.
As for the future, who knows what it will bring?
Thank you, Envoy Jiang.
How's the situation?
Really fun.
- Come on.
- Please.
Brother Jiang, you nearly made it. One more time.
You do it.
Your Highness.
Please.
Minister Chen, you can really hold your liquor.
I hope Your Highness will take more trouble.
- Understood.
- A toast to everyone.
- Master Liu, you're too kind.
- Floral Envoy.
Thank you for your generous hospitality, Master Liu.
- This wine is really good.
- Your Highness.
Your Highness, don't be sad.
Zi Shu did not come to the lake excursion last night.
He was afraid you would be criticized.
The Liu family has only this one son.
At such banquets, it naturally falls to him to socialize.
It was not an intentional neglect.
I certainly know what Zi Shu is thinking.
There's no need for you to remind me.
Before we left, His Highness specifically instructed me to make sure that I cheer Your Highness up.
Of course, I must fulfill the mission.
Just pretend to be confused even though you understand. You must know what my father is thinking.
Regardless of what His Highness thinks, the thoughts of Your Highness and myself are the same.
Brother Chen, I bid you farewell.
It is great to be in agreement with you.
Come on, Master Liu, please.
- Sit down, please.
- All right.
- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
Where are you going? We haven't had enough of this wine yet.
Fine wine intoxicates. I want to go to the Water Jade Pavilion to sober up.
They all say the Liu Residence's Water Jade Pavilion is elegant and tranquil.
- Let's accompany Her Highness to stroll there together.
- Sure.
Why go to the Water Jade Pavilion?
We haven't yet determined the winner in the game of pitch-pot.
If there are no beauties by our side, our contest will lose its charm.
You all must stay and watch me win the match.
Continue drinking. Let's continue the contest.
- Master Chen, please.
- Please.
Young Master, assisting the Princess in a secret tryst with a married man,
- isn't that a bit unscrupulous?
- What are you saying?
This is called creating joy for others.
When the Princess is happy, Liu Chang is happy and I am happy.
Everyone is overjoyed.
But the Young Madam Liu will not be happy.
Haven't you realized yet?
She sets her mind entirely on peonies and wealth and has no affection for Liu Chang.
She wouldn't mind at all.
- Brother Jiang, it's unparalleled.
- Indeed.
Your Highness.
Zi Shu, do you still remember this?
When we first met, you were wearing this dress.
Why did you invite me to come?
No rush.
Would you be willing to play a tune for me, just like in the past?
Back then, you gave me a jade bracelet,
saying a chain can break, but people should never be separated.
Even after getting married, this object never left me for a moment.
The past cannot be pursued.
You Zhen, don't mention the past events again.
You treat me so distantly.
Are you still blaming me for betraying our agreement back then?
Back then, my regal father threatened me.
If I did not marry, he would decimate the Liu family.
How could I just watch you die?
At that time, I was too young and was not firm enough in temperament.
Looking at the daughters of the great families, which one isn't married to a well-matched suitor?
I thought, just let it be so.
For you, I am willing to accept my fate.
But after truly getting married, I realized a marriage without love is just like hell.
Every time Wu Ping Zhi touched me, I felt disgusted.
I understand your helplessness. I have never blamed you.
But now we have already missed each other. So let all of this be in the past.
In my heart, this feeling has never passed.
You Zhen, I am already married. I truly cannot reciprocate your sincere heart.
I don't mind your dismissal of He Wei Fang.
How have you become like this now?
A careless word can ruin a woman's entire life.
I did all this for your sake and mine. Shouldn't a person fight for themselves?
Your so-called fight is based on the misfortune of others.
Yet you are oblivious to such harm.
The former You Zhen never would rely on her status to oppress others.
The former me was too naive.
Do you know what I've been through these three years?
The Wu family is noble and distinguished.
My regal father needs their support.
I need to deal with my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law,
and even the noble concubines every day.
Because I have you in my heart, I was unwilling to have intimate physical contact with him.
If I were not a County Princess, I would have long been tortured to death by my husband's family.
Only after experiencing all this did I realize how important power is.
Without it, one can be easily crushed.
Zi Shu, you have talent and ambition.
I am willing to assist you with my power. But Madam He has nothing. She will only hold you back.
Dismiss her and come back to Chang'an with me.
Back then, my parents controlled me and forced me to marry He Wei Fang.
Now you're forcing me to dismiss her.
Each one of you loudly claims it's for my own good.
But do you know what I hate the most in my life is being manipulated by others?
- I haven't.
- You Zhen.
We can't go back. Let it go.
If we continue to entangle, I'm afraid even the original goodness will be completely worn away.
Zi Shu.
Are you hurt?
Did you get hurt anywhere?
Let me help you up first. You…
- Dear guests.
- Come.
The fused peony I have been nurturing for a whole year has bloomed today.
This flower is rare. In Luoyang, only the Liu family has this one plant.
Please follow me to the Water Jade Pavilion for a look.
Liu Chang and the Princess are currently at the Water Jade Pavilion. What does the Young Madam Liu mean?
Such a rare plant is seldom seen by everyone.
- Floral Envoy, please.
- Let's go.
It seems she has more than just one good play prepared.
- This way, please.
- Ladies and gentlemen, please step this way.
- Over here.
- Let's go.
Back then, to make my regal father agree to your and my affair, I fought desperately.
Do you know how painful fasting is?
Whenever I couldn't hold on, I would cut here.
Just remind myself that any pain in the world is nothing compared to losing you.
You Zhen, how could you be so foolish?
Zi Shu, in this world, no one loves you more than I do.
Without you, I am just a walking corpse, better off dead.
Do you really have the heart to treat me like this?
A bracelet can be broken, but people shouldn't be parted.
Don't leave me again.
The bridge is narrow. I will go get the flower first.
Everyone, please wait here for a moment.
All right.
He Wei Fang, how did you get here?
- Well.
- Madam.
- Madame Liu.
- Madam.
- You have led them here. Are you crazy?
- Madam.
You should first concern yourself with the Princess.
In the full view of the public, you two are disheveled and acting intimately.
- How should this be explained?
- You…
Father, Mother.
Mu Dan, didn't you say to come to the pavilion to see the peony?
- What is this?
- Father, Mother, please forgive me.
I didn't know what was happening in the pavilion.
Under the broad daylight,
my husband is so intimate with the Princess.
Yet Yet, I am so foolish.
I am unaware of their affair.
- Servants, send the two in the pavilion away.
- Yes.
Everyone, please move along.
Let's go, stop looking.
Move along.
It seems the Liu family will soon hold a wedding again.
Envoy Jiang, don't say that.
As a married woman, I'm so powerless.
What face do I have left to live in this world?
It's better to just let me die.
Mu Dan.
Mother, don't stop me. Don't stop me!
I know you have been wronged.
There are outsiders present. Don't cry and make a fuss anymore.
Later on, I will have Zi Shu apologize to you.
Mother, I have been married to the Liu family for a whole year.
No matter how my husband treats me, I have never complained.
I've yielded step by step and what I've gotten in return is today's extreme humiliation.
Now Now I'm not allowed to cry?
That's not what I mean.
I know as a merchant, my status is low and my words carry little weight.
So, I request the nobles here to stand up for me.
- Stand up for me.
- Today's events at the Liu Residence have truly been eye-opening.
- Get up.
- How noble Princess Ji'an is.
Liu Chang already has a wife. Yet he dares to ingratiate himself.
The one who should be given an explanation is not Madam He, but Prince Ning.
Brother Chen Zhang, you speak too harshly.
The Princess and Zi Shu have been separated for many years.
Seeing each other again is simply a matter of uncontrollable emotions.
People so deeply affectionate like this are truly rare.
- Why not bring the two together?
- How can we bring them together?
- Madam He is after all the legitimate wife.
- Indeed.
- The Princess would never be a concubine.
- But this way,
I'm afraid Madam He has been wronged.
The Princess and my husband are mutually in love.
Why should I stay in the residence and be an eyesore?
Mu Dan, what do you mean by this?
I ask everyone to be witnesses for me.
I hope the elders will grant me a divorce.
♫ The Luo River cleanses the ridges of the moonlight ♫
♫ Flowing into a scorching, endless river ♫
Your Highness, Madam He requests an audience.
♫ Youthful splendor charts its own wandering course ♫
Come in.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Madam He, what a tactician you are.
You deceived Zi Shu so that he would not go on a lake tour with me.
Now you've come to boast?
I'm not aware of the lake tour.
Well? Zi Shu refused me.
Was it not because he had an arrangement with you?
I've never made any arrangement with Liu Chang.
Nor have I ever thought of going out with him.
Then why are you here to see me?
Aren't you afraid that in my eyes, I won't tolerate any irritant and will deal with you?
Liu Chang has cherished the pure and unworldly affection with you.
If Your Highness were to punish me without cause,
it would only make Liu Chang feel you've become harsh and overbearing.
Your Highness are so intelligent. You surely wouldn't push Liu Chang further away.
You need not be on guard against me.
My thoughts have never been on Liu Chang.
I have decided to divorce him.
Thank you, Your Highness.
With your background, the Liu family is the best one you could marry into.
How could you be willing to give up the position of an official's wife?
He Wei Fang, I am not a three-year-old child.
Your former husband's family is much more distinguished than the Liu family.
But did you live as you please?
Continue.
Prince Ning favors the Floral Envoy as a son-in-law. But Your Highness still comes to Luoyang.
You must not want your own marriage to be manipulated by others.
Your Highness is highly esteemed, but you still cannot live as you please.
To say something presumptuous, Your Highness and I both sufferer from the same affliction.
My coming here this time is just to fight for myself and escape this sea of suffering.
If you really want a divorce, you should go to Zi Shu.
Why do you come to me?
The Liu family has never been ruled by Liu Chang's say.
If I want to get a divorce, the head of the family must give consent first.
That you have come to see me must mean you already have a plan.
If I want to solve this plight, I must first break what a shaman has said.
- Shaman?
- The head of the Liu family firmly believes in divination and fortune-telling.
Previously because the shaman said my horoscope could prosper the Liu family, he forced Liu Chang to marry me.
In the Liu family, I am more of a Feng Shui ornament than a daughter-in-law.
That shaman's surname is Yuan. He appears to be otherworldly and virtuous.
But in reality, he is skilled at attaching himself to the powerful and making sly speech.
With your status, you just need to make him tell Master Liu
the Liu family's lucky star is no longer Madam He, but a noble lady from the regal family.
Then the position of Liu Chang's legitimate wife can be vacated.
He Wei Fang
you really are not as simple as you seem to be.
Who gave you the courage to dare to use me?
With the same goal, how can it be called using?
Your Highness, I have never been your enemy.
This is a win-win solution.
It can make the Liu family send me, the fake lucky star, away quickly
and also enable you and Liu Chang to ultimately become a couple.
Truly born a merchant.
Calculating human hearts, taking care of every aspect.
I am just a woman who wants to hold her fate in her own hands.
Isn't Your Highness the same?
If we want to take this action, we must make a quick move,
not giving anyone the chance to refuse.
Your Highness, think thrice.
If it is done as you say, I'm afraid it would damage your reputation.
I can think of another way that satisfies both sides.
Only this way will leave no room for turning things around.
Your Highness.
- To do this is too
- Too crazy.
For Zi Shu, I can disregard everything.
Once this is over, as long as the news spreads about my engagement to Zi Shu,
no one will say anything anymore.
My reputation
will not be damaged in any way.
All right. Your Highness will surely have your wishes fulfilled.
I wish Your Highness and Liu Chang a loving relationship until old age.
If Madam He leaves, will the Liu family's fortune disappear with that?
But the Princess is even more of an offense one cannot afford. Master, you must save our Liu family.
[Luck Brings Wealth]
Indeed, fate is determined by heaven.
Master, what do you mean?
Madam He has only been in the household for a year and has changed the fortune of the Liu family.
It is because she has been the family's protector that she attracted the Princess,
the great star of wealth, officialdom, and the seal.
You mean my son and the Princess truly have a marriage destiny?
Not just predestined, but fated across three lifetimes.
In this lifetime, they are destined to be husband and wife.
Not only that, your son has a strong birth chart.
Only someone like the Princess with a superior destiny can help him rise swiftly to success.
What about Madam He?
Madam He can attract the star of fortune but cannot coexist with it.
Now her birth chart has begun to clash with the Liu family.
She should be sent away quickly.
No wonder after the Princess arrived, her temperament changed drastically.
It turns out to be so.
There is one more thing. Master Liu, please remember.
When Madam He entered the family, I told you to consider her as merely a Feng Shui ornament and just leave her be.
There's no need to attend to her too well.
It is because she is rich but not noble.
She cannot accept the generous hospitality of official families.
When your son marries the Princess, you must not do that.
The Princess's life is precious and beyond reach. She must be provided for properly.
Only when she is content and pleased can she lead the Liu family to soaring success.
Certainly. Many thanks, Master.
Your Highness, the carriage is ready. You may leave at any time.
Where is Zi Shu?
Your Highness, Young Master Zi Shu is still pacifying today's banquet guests.
After all, it concerns Your Highness's reputation.
The nobles of Luoyang all witnessed today's event.
Within three days, it will surely spread throughout the streets.
Zi Shu has always been soft-hearted. I will make this decision for him.
If so, my royal father will not marry me to someone I dislike.
- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
- Come in.
- Yes.
Have you come to blame me?
We wouldn't dare.
Today's event was due to the inadequate hospitality of our family, which startled Your Highness.
I have come to apologize.
About the matter of the assassins at the floral banquet, Her Highness has been magnanimous and has not pursued it.
But this time, it concerns the regal family's dignity.
If it reaches His Highness's ears, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Given His Highness's temper, he would accuse the Young Master of seduction.
I certainly cannot bear to see Zi Shu suffer.
It just requires a justifiable explanation to let this matter pass.
I will then plead with my father to spare Zi Shu.
Zi Shu has been infatuated with Your Highness for many years.
Now heaven has not failed the loving heart.
It should be a joyous affair for both parties.
We must not let those ignorant onlookers wantonly gossip.
As long as Your Highness is willing, our Liu family will immediately make up the betrothal procedures.
At that time, our home will be filled with joyful celebrations. These rumors will then collapse on their own.
The betrothal procedures are a must for an engagement.
They are indeed indispensable.
It's just Madam He…
She's merely a merchant's daughter. I will surely handle it properly.
- Rise.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Zi Shu, come in.
I am about to leave. Why did you only just arrive?
Your Highness, the journey back is long.
I have ordered someone to add more cushions in the carriage,
hoping on the way, Your Highness will suffer less from the jolts.
Zi Shu, you've arrived just in time.
You have admired Her Highness for many years. Now your wish is about to be fulfilled.
You want me to marry someone else to cover up the scandal?
What are you talking about? Isn't this what you have always wished for?
Don't worry. Your father and I will support you in this matter.
Let's send off Her Highness first. The rest of the matters can be discussed later.
Your Highness, please.
Please.
I see Zi Shu seems reluctant about this marriage.
- What if he…
- Zi Shu has always been obedient.
He will understand.
The thorniest issue now is Madam He is determined to seek a divorce.
She wants a divorce. Isn't this exactly as the master said?
She is someone who needs to be sent away.
But her dowry
Bribes in the officialdom, and managing the marriage affairs all require expenses.
I think we should find a way to kick her out.
Zi Shu, are you unwilling to marry me?
Earlier in the pavilion, I have made it clear.
The affection of the past is true.
But the experiences of these years have long since changed us both.
It's hard to turn back now.
But things have come to this.
Only if you and I marry can we salvage our reputations.
This may be an opportunity given by heaven to you and me to unite.
When we reunite in the old place, I will make you remember those past times.
That was the happiest time in our lives, wasn't it?
I'll wait for you in Chang'an.
Time to rest.
Time to rest.
Young Madam.
Come in.
Young Madam, the tea is ready.
I heard the Princess has been sent away.
What are Master and Madam Liu doing now?
As a servant, I dare not inquire about the master's whereabouts.
You don't have to fool me. The matter has already spread.
Now, the Liu family can only marry the Princess to cover it up.
If I'm not mistaken,
Master and Madam are taking inventory of the family assets and are preparing the betrothal gifts.
Young Madam, don't overthink it.
They'll have to wait for Young Master to make a decision.
He will surely give you an explanation.
An explanation?
The affair has been exposed. How can he have the final say in this explanation?
However, since Master and Madam are taking inventory,
right now is the right time to settle accounts and part ways.
Go get busy.
Young Master, the Young Madam has packed up her clothes and valuables.
I dare not stop her.
You may leave first.
From what she means, it seems she must leave no matter what.
Young Master, today's incident is just a misunderstanding.
After all, there is a bond of marriage. The Young Madam must be heart-broken and depressed.
Young Master, why don't you try to explain it?
Indeed.
No matter how fierce a baring rabbit is, it is still a rabbit.
I'll go and stroke its fur 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 ♫
Indeed. Yesterday, this plant still had several buds.
Our fish all heed your words.
Father.
Greetings, everyone.
It has come again.
It's an obedient fish.
This jade…
How come this jade is on you?
What's so special about this jade?
Envoy Jiang, this jade is the birthday gift I gave to Yu Lu.
When Mother saw it, she said that a servant shouldn't flaunt such items. So, she took it away.
- How is it her again?
- She said when Yu Lu got married, she would give it back to her.
Mu Dan, don't talk nonsense. Go back.
Father, I'm not talking nonsense.
Now Yu Lu has died.
How come my maid's jade pendant is on Envoy Jiang's guard?
I've never stooped to stealing jade, let alone something belonging to a servant.
- Chen Zhang gave this to me.
- I…
Could it be Brother Chen Zhang…
- I Envoy Jiang…
- What's going on?
This item was placed in a gift box and personally delivered to my residence by your steward.
I…
Father, if you're in need of money,
selling the shops from my dowry without my knowledge is one thing.
You even gave away the keepsake of my maid.
This jade pendant… This jade pendant isn't worth much money.
Keepsake? It's truly bad luck.
Mu Dan, this is a misunderstanding.
This clear and convincing evidence is right here. Where exactly is the misunderstanding?
You have to explain clearly, Master Liu.
Despite being penniless, you insisted on hosting daily feasts for show, even taking the daughter-in-law's dowry,
while still boasting of being an uncorrupted scholar-official.
- Such a thing would never happen.
- Stealing something from a servant.
Master, the banquet has been prepared.
All the honored guests may take their seats now.
I asked you to buy some fine jade to send to the Chen residence.
Yet you dared to embezzle the money and steal Mu Dan's item from the storeroom to be sent to them.
How dare you, a treacherous thieving servant!
It was all my fault. Please spare me, Master.
Was it truly all your doing?
If you admit your fault and accept the punishment, I will turn a blind eye.
At least, it will not implicate the men working in the household.
If you utter another half-truth, I will punish you severely without neglect.
Yes, it was all my doing.
It's all my fault. I was momentarily blinded by greed.
It's because I did not manage my household strictly that such errors occurred.
Please, everyone, forgive me.
He acknowledged it so quickly.
You have some tricks up your sleeve disciplining your servants.
Since he has already confessed to the crime, what do you plan to do as punishment?
Stealing behind the master's back, committing insubordination.
Servants!
- Give him 60 strokes and kick him out.
- Yes.
No, please don't, Master.
Please spare me, Master.
Please spare me. No, please!
Please don't drive me away, Master.
A matter within the household has disturbed your refined pleasures. I am truly sorry.
Please go to the hall and enjoy the fine wine.
Let's make sure to have a good time today.
Please.
Brother Jiang.
Please.
Please.
Soon, this matter will spread throughout the official circles of Luoyang.
Master Liu is bound to lose face.
Those who abet the crime have received their punishment.
Yu Lu's vengeance has been exacted. Aren't you happy now?
Nobles treat their subordinates as objects that can be discarded at any time.
Seeing his end like this,
I don't feel any satisfaction.
Instead, I find it pitiable.
I stand alone and powerless.
What I can do for Yu Lu now is merely to inflict damage on the instigator's bit of face and reputation.
How can I say that this vengeance
has been exacted?
Although today you can't do anything to him, you have already done everything you could.
It's already very good.
As for the future, who knows what it will bring?
Thank you, Envoy Jiang.
How's the situation?
Really fun.
- Come on.
- Please.
Brother Jiang, you nearly made it. One more time.
You do it.
Your Highness.
Please.
Minister Chen, you can really hold your liquor.
I hope Your Highness will take more trouble.
- Understood.
- A toast to everyone.
- Master Liu, you're too kind.
- Floral Envoy.
Thank you for your generous hospitality, Master Liu.
- This wine is really good.
- Your Highness.
Your Highness, don't be sad.
Zi Shu did not come to the lake excursion last night.
He was afraid you would be criticized.
The Liu family has only this one son.
At such banquets, it naturally falls to him to socialize.
It was not an intentional neglect.
I certainly know what Zi Shu is thinking.
There's no need for you to remind me.
Before we left, His Highness specifically instructed me to make sure that I cheer Your Highness up.
Of course, I must fulfill the mission.
Just pretend to be confused even though you understand. You must know what my father is thinking.
Regardless of what His Highness thinks, the thoughts of Your Highness and myself are the same.
Brother Chen, I bid you farewell.
It is great to be in agreement with you.
Come on, Master Liu, please.
- Sit down, please.
- All right.
- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
Where are you going? We haven't had enough of this wine yet.
Fine wine intoxicates. I want to go to the Water Jade Pavilion to sober up.
They all say the Liu Residence's Water Jade Pavilion is elegant and tranquil.
- Let's accompany Her Highness to stroll there together.
- Sure.
Why go to the Water Jade Pavilion?
We haven't yet determined the winner in the game of pitch-pot.
If there are no beauties by our side, our contest will lose its charm.
You all must stay and watch me win the match.
Continue drinking. Let's continue the contest.
- Master Chen, please.
- Please.
Young Master, assisting the Princess in a secret tryst with a married man,
- isn't that a bit unscrupulous?
- What are you saying?
This is called creating joy for others.
When the Princess is happy, Liu Chang is happy and I am happy.
Everyone is overjoyed.
But the Young Madam Liu will not be happy.
Haven't you realized yet?
She sets her mind entirely on peonies and wealth and has no affection for Liu Chang.
She wouldn't mind at all.
- Brother Jiang, it's unparalleled.
- Indeed.
Your Highness.
Zi Shu, do you still remember this?
When we first met, you were wearing this dress.
Why did you invite me to come?
No rush.
Would you be willing to play a tune for me, just like in the past?
Back then, you gave me a jade bracelet,
saying a chain can break, but people should never be separated.
Even after getting married, this object never left me for a moment.
The past cannot be pursued.
You Zhen, don't mention the past events again.
You treat me so distantly.
Are you still blaming me for betraying our agreement back then?
Back then, my regal father threatened me.
If I did not marry, he would decimate the Liu family.
How could I just watch you die?
At that time, I was too young and was not firm enough in temperament.
Looking at the daughters of the great families, which one isn't married to a well-matched suitor?
I thought, just let it be so.
For you, I am willing to accept my fate.
But after truly getting married, I realized a marriage without love is just like hell.
Every time Wu Ping Zhi touched me, I felt disgusted.
I understand your helplessness. I have never blamed you.
But now we have already missed each other. So let all of this be in the past.
In my heart, this feeling has never passed.
You Zhen, I am already married. I truly cannot reciprocate your sincere heart.
I don't mind your dismissal of He Wei Fang.
How have you become like this now?
A careless word can ruin a woman's entire life.
I did all this for your sake and mine. Shouldn't a person fight for themselves?
Your so-called fight is based on the misfortune of others.
Yet you are oblivious to such harm.
The former You Zhen never would rely on her status to oppress others.
The former me was too naive.
Do you know what I've been through these three years?
The Wu family is noble and distinguished.
My regal father needs their support.
I need to deal with my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law,
and even the noble concubines every day.
Because I have you in my heart, I was unwilling to have intimate physical contact with him.
If I were not a County Princess, I would have long been tortured to death by my husband's family.
Only after experiencing all this did I realize how important power is.
Without it, one can be easily crushed.
Zi Shu, you have talent and ambition.
I am willing to assist you with my power. But Madam He has nothing. She will only hold you back.
Dismiss her and come back to Chang'an with me.
Back then, my parents controlled me and forced me to marry He Wei Fang.
Now you're forcing me to dismiss her.
Each one of you loudly claims it's for my own good.
But do you know what I hate the most in my life is being manipulated by others?
- I haven't.
- You Zhen.
We can't go back. Let it go.
If we continue to entangle, I'm afraid even the original goodness will be completely worn away.
Zi Shu.
Are you hurt?
Did you get hurt anywhere?
Let me help you up first. You…
- Dear guests.
- Come.
The fused peony I have been nurturing for a whole year has bloomed today.
This flower is rare. In Luoyang, only the Liu family has this one plant.
Please follow me to the Water Jade Pavilion for a look.
Liu Chang and the Princess are currently at the Water Jade Pavilion. What does the Young Madam Liu mean?
Such a rare plant is seldom seen by everyone.
- Floral Envoy, please.
- Let's go.
It seems she has more than just one good play prepared.
- This way, please.
- Ladies and gentlemen, please step this way.
- Over here.
- Let's go.
Back then, to make my regal father agree to your and my affair, I fought desperately.
Do you know how painful fasting is?
Whenever I couldn't hold on, I would cut here.
Just remind myself that any pain in the world is nothing compared to losing you.
You Zhen, how could you be so foolish?
Zi Shu, in this world, no one loves you more than I do.
Without you, I am just a walking corpse, better off dead.
Do you really have the heart to treat me like this?
A bracelet can be broken, but people shouldn't be parted.
Don't leave me again.
The bridge is narrow. I will go get the flower first.
Everyone, please wait here for a moment.
All right.
He Wei Fang, how did you get here?
- Well.
- Madam.
- Madame Liu.
- Madam.
- You have led them here. Are you crazy?
- Madam.
You should first concern yourself with the Princess.
In the full view of the public, you two are disheveled and acting intimately.
- How should this be explained?
- You…
Father, Mother.
Mu Dan, didn't you say to come to the pavilion to see the peony?
- What is this?
- Father, Mother, please forgive me.
I didn't know what was happening in the pavilion.
Under the broad daylight,
my husband is so intimate with the Princess.
Yet Yet, I am so foolish.
I am unaware of their affair.
- Servants, send the two in the pavilion away.
- Yes.
Everyone, please move along.
Let's go, stop looking.
Move along.
It seems the Liu family will soon hold a wedding again.
Envoy Jiang, don't say that.
As a married woman, I'm so powerless.
What face do I have left to live in this world?
It's better to just let me die.
Mu Dan.
Mother, don't stop me. Don't stop me!
I know you have been wronged.
There are outsiders present. Don't cry and make a fuss anymore.
Later on, I will have Zi Shu apologize to you.
Mother, I have been married to the Liu family for a whole year.
No matter how my husband treats me, I have never complained.
I've yielded step by step and what I've gotten in return is today's extreme humiliation.
Now Now I'm not allowed to cry?
That's not what I mean.
I know as a merchant, my status is low and my words carry little weight.
So, I request the nobles here to stand up for me.
- Stand up for me.
- Today's events at the Liu Residence have truly been eye-opening.
- Get up.
- How noble Princess Ji'an is.
Liu Chang already has a wife. Yet he dares to ingratiate himself.
The one who should be given an explanation is not Madam He, but Prince Ning.
Brother Chen Zhang, you speak too harshly.
The Princess and Zi Shu have been separated for many years.
Seeing each other again is simply a matter of uncontrollable emotions.
People so deeply affectionate like this are truly rare.
- Why not bring the two together?
- How can we bring them together?
- Madam He is after all the legitimate wife.
- Indeed.
- The Princess would never be a concubine.
- But this way,
I'm afraid Madam He has been wronged.
The Princess and my husband are mutually in love.
Why should I stay in the residence and be an eyesore?
Mu Dan, what do you mean by this?
I ask everyone to be witnesses for me.
I hope the elders will grant me a divorce.
♫ The Luo River cleanses the ridges of the moonlight ♫
♫ Flowing into a scorching, endless river ♫
Your Highness, Madam He requests an audience.
♫ Youthful splendor charts its own wandering course ♫
Come in.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Madam He, what a tactician you are.
You deceived Zi Shu so that he would not go on a lake tour with me.
Now you've come to boast?
I'm not aware of the lake tour.
Well? Zi Shu refused me.
Was it not because he had an arrangement with you?
I've never made any arrangement with Liu Chang.
Nor have I ever thought of going out with him.
Then why are you here to see me?
Aren't you afraid that in my eyes, I won't tolerate any irritant and will deal with you?
Liu Chang has cherished the pure and unworldly affection with you.
If Your Highness were to punish me without cause,
it would only make Liu Chang feel you've become harsh and overbearing.
Your Highness are so intelligent. You surely wouldn't push Liu Chang further away.
You need not be on guard against me.
My thoughts have never been on Liu Chang.
I have decided to divorce him.
Thank you, Your Highness.
With your background, the Liu family is the best one you could marry into.
How could you be willing to give up the position of an official's wife?
He Wei Fang, I am not a three-year-old child.
Your former husband's family is much more distinguished than the Liu family.
But did you live as you please?
Continue.
Prince Ning favors the Floral Envoy as a son-in-law. But Your Highness still comes to Luoyang.
You must not want your own marriage to be manipulated by others.
Your Highness is highly esteemed, but you still cannot live as you please.
To say something presumptuous, Your Highness and I both sufferer from the same affliction.
My coming here this time is just to fight for myself and escape this sea of suffering.
If you really want a divorce, you should go to Zi Shu.
Why do you come to me?
The Liu family has never been ruled by Liu Chang's say.
If I want to get a divorce, the head of the family must give consent first.
That you have come to see me must mean you already have a plan.
If I want to solve this plight, I must first break what a shaman has said.
- Shaman?
- The head of the Liu family firmly believes in divination and fortune-telling.
Previously because the shaman said my horoscope could prosper the Liu family, he forced Liu Chang to marry me.
In the Liu family, I am more of a Feng Shui ornament than a daughter-in-law.
That shaman's surname is Yuan. He appears to be otherworldly and virtuous.
But in reality, he is skilled at attaching himself to the powerful and making sly speech.
With your status, you just need to make him tell Master Liu
the Liu family's lucky star is no longer Madam He, but a noble lady from the regal family.
Then the position of Liu Chang's legitimate wife can be vacated.
He Wei Fang
you really are not as simple as you seem to be.
Who gave you the courage to dare to use me?
With the same goal, how can it be called using?
Your Highness, I have never been your enemy.
This is a win-win solution.
It can make the Liu family send me, the fake lucky star, away quickly
and also enable you and Liu Chang to ultimately become a couple.
Truly born a merchant.
Calculating human hearts, taking care of every aspect.
I am just a woman who wants to hold her fate in her own hands.
Isn't Your Highness the same?
If we want to take this action, we must make a quick move,
not giving anyone the chance to refuse.
Your Highness, think thrice.
If it is done as you say, I'm afraid it would damage your reputation.
I can think of another way that satisfies both sides.
Only this way will leave no room for turning things around.
Your Highness.
- To do this is too
- Too crazy.
For Zi Shu, I can disregard everything.
Once this is over, as long as the news spreads about my engagement to Zi Shu,
no one will say anything anymore.
My reputation
will not be damaged in any way.
All right. Your Highness will surely have your wishes fulfilled.
I wish Your Highness and Liu Chang a loving relationship until old age.
If Madam He leaves, will the Liu family's fortune disappear with that?
But the Princess is even more of an offense one cannot afford. Master, you must save our Liu family.
[Luck Brings Wealth]
Indeed, fate is determined by heaven.
Master, what do you mean?
Madam He has only been in the household for a year and has changed the fortune of the Liu family.
It is because she has been the family's protector that she attracted the Princess,
the great star of wealth, officialdom, and the seal.
You mean my son and the Princess truly have a marriage destiny?
Not just predestined, but fated across three lifetimes.
In this lifetime, they are destined to be husband and wife.
Not only that, your son has a strong birth chart.
Only someone like the Princess with a superior destiny can help him rise swiftly to success.
What about Madam He?
Madam He can attract the star of fortune but cannot coexist with it.
Now her birth chart has begun to clash with the Liu family.
She should be sent away quickly.
No wonder after the Princess arrived, her temperament changed drastically.
It turns out to be so.
There is one more thing. Master Liu, please remember.
When Madam He entered the family, I told you to consider her as merely a Feng Shui ornament and just leave her be.
There's no need to attend to her too well.
It is because she is rich but not noble.
She cannot accept the generous hospitality of official families.
When your son marries the Princess, you must not do that.
The Princess's life is precious and beyond reach. She must be provided for properly.
Only when she is content and pleased can she lead the Liu family to soaring success.
Certainly. Many thanks, Master.
Your Highness, the carriage is ready. You may leave at any time.
Where is Zi Shu?
Your Highness, Young Master Zi Shu is still pacifying today's banquet guests.
After all, it concerns Your Highness's reputation.
The nobles of Luoyang all witnessed today's event.
Within three days, it will surely spread throughout the streets.
Zi Shu has always been soft-hearted. I will make this decision for him.
If so, my royal father will not marry me to someone I dislike.
- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
- Come in.
- Yes.
Have you come to blame me?
We wouldn't dare.
Today's event was due to the inadequate hospitality of our family, which startled Your Highness.
I have come to apologize.
About the matter of the assassins at the floral banquet, Her Highness has been magnanimous and has not pursued it.
But this time, it concerns the regal family's dignity.
If it reaches His Highness's ears, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Given His Highness's temper, he would accuse the Young Master of seduction.
I certainly cannot bear to see Zi Shu suffer.
It just requires a justifiable explanation to let this matter pass.
I will then plead with my father to spare Zi Shu.
Zi Shu has been infatuated with Your Highness for many years.
Now heaven has not failed the loving heart.
It should be a joyous affair for both parties.
We must not let those ignorant onlookers wantonly gossip.
As long as Your Highness is willing, our Liu family will immediately make up the betrothal procedures.
At that time, our home will be filled with joyful celebrations. These rumors will then collapse on their own.
The betrothal procedures are a must for an engagement.
They are indeed indispensable.
It's just Madam He…
She's merely a merchant's daughter. I will surely handle it properly.
- Rise.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Zi Shu, come in.
I am about to leave. Why did you only just arrive?
Your Highness, the journey back is long.
I have ordered someone to add more cushions in the carriage,
hoping on the way, Your Highness will suffer less from the jolts.
Zi Shu, you've arrived just in time.
You have admired Her Highness for many years. Now your wish is about to be fulfilled.
You want me to marry someone else to cover up the scandal?
What are you talking about? Isn't this what you have always wished for?
Don't worry. Your father and I will support you in this matter.
Let's send off Her Highness first. The rest of the matters can be discussed later.
Your Highness, please.
Please.
I see Zi Shu seems reluctant about this marriage.
- What if he…
- Zi Shu has always been obedient.
He will understand.
The thorniest issue now is Madam He is determined to seek a divorce.
She wants a divorce. Isn't this exactly as the master said?
She is someone who needs to be sent away.
But her dowry
Bribes in the officialdom, and managing the marriage affairs all require expenses.
I think we should find a way to kick her out.
Zi Shu, are you unwilling to marry me?
Earlier in the pavilion, I have made it clear.
The affection of the past is true.
But the experiences of these years have long since changed us both.
It's hard to turn back now.
But things have come to this.
Only if you and I marry can we salvage our reputations.
This may be an opportunity given by heaven to you and me to unite.
When we reunite in the old place, I will make you remember those past times.
That was the happiest time in our lives, wasn't it?
I'll wait for you in Chang'an.
Time to rest.
Time to rest.
Young Madam.
Come in.
Young Madam, the tea is ready.
I heard the Princess has been sent away.
What are Master and Madam Liu doing now?
As a servant, I dare not inquire about the master's whereabouts.
You don't have to fool me. The matter has already spread.
Now, the Liu family can only marry the Princess to cover it up.
If I'm not mistaken,
Master and Madam are taking inventory of the family assets and are preparing the betrothal gifts.
Young Madam, don't overthink it.
They'll have to wait for Young Master to make a decision.
He will surely give you an explanation.
An explanation?
The affair has been exposed. How can he have the final say in this explanation?
However, since Master and Madam are taking inventory,
right now is the right time to settle accounts and part ways.
Go get busy.
Young Master, the Young Madam has packed up her clothes and valuables.
I dare not stop her.
You may leave first.
From what she means, it seems she must leave no matter what.
Young Master, today's incident is just a misunderstanding.
After all, there is a bond of marriage. The Young Madam must be heart-broken and depressed.
Young Master, why don't you try to explain it?
Indeed.
No matter how fierce a baring rabbit is, it is still a rabbit.
I'll go and stroke its fur 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 ♫