Flourished Peony (2025) s01e25 Episode Script

I've been very busy. I'm too tired to prepare something to eat.
I hope you won't mind.
How did you know I came, not Zhu Fu?
Zhu Fu doesn't have the fragrance of incense.
You're very busy.
Yet you have time to deal with people
from the black market.
How bold you are.
Mr. Jiang, on the day we left the barracks, you said you already considered me a friend.
If so, feel free to speak frankly.
I know that since you arrived in Chang'an, you have been dwelling on revenge for your mother and Yulu,
seeking an opportunity to punish Liu Shen.
But if you're against the powerful
as a merchant, it'll be very dangerous.
If Liu Shen discovers that you are investigating him, he might secretly have men abduct you and throw you into the river
Even I might not be able to find you.
How did you know?
Chuanyu saw the man you hired to follow Liu Shen
in the black market.
I want to expose Liu Shen indeed for my mother and Yulu.
But it's not just for my vengeance.
Liu Shen harms the people for money.
Though I'm as weak as an ant, I'm not dead meat.
Countless ants can give it a try. But you are alone.
I'm not advising you
to stand by and do nothing. I hope that you will play it safe.
I know you're worried. I understand your concerns.
Rest assured, I will be cautious.
I will make my move at the right time.
All the grain shops in the West Market are in cahoots with Liu Shen,
mixing in old millet
that should have been destroyed.
This is not something that he can do alone.
Behind Liu Shen lies a tangled web.
If he collapses, the people behind him will fall too.
What you are facing
is never just one corrupt official.
You are also investigating the millet case?
You don't just want to take down Liu Shen, but also to strike hard at the power brokers
behind him, right?
If this is as dangerous as you say it is, I can no longer stand by.
Since we both want the evil men
to be brought to justice, how about we work together?
You're overconfident.
Can you interfere in political affairs?
No, I can't interfere.
But when it comes to punishing Liu Shen, we need concerted efforts to ensure a sure victory.
In this nation, the common people outnumber officials, right?
You stir things up in the official circles and show your mettle.
But as a commoner, I can also do something.
There is strength in numbers.
So, you mean, the grievances of the common people
are a sharper knife?
It's not something
a few high officials can defeat.
Since they deceive their superiors
and oppress the people,
they shouldn't blame us for faking.
[Jiang Mansion]
[]
Mr. Ren.
Is it tasty?
Sure.
I truly didn't know before that Lady He was on your side.
I mistakenly believed the words
of the troublemakers. So I gave her severe penalties.
Please forgive me, Mr. Jiang.
It's alright. After all, you didn't know. Don't worry.
If I bear a grudge, I won't invite you to watch the flower.
Your tolerance makes me feel even more ashamed.
I rarely see the beauty.
Thanks to you, I have the honor of seeing it. It is a great honor.
Here's to you.
The best part of this flower is
that it blooms at night only for a fleeting moment.
It's a beautiful sight. It'll be dull if I don't watch it with others.
Excuse me for a moment.
Everyone, make yourself at home. Enjoy yourselves.
[]
Although they ate moldy rice, it started a bit too quickly.
They've been eating delicate food.
Their stomachs can't withstand this.
Mr. Ren, are you okay?
I've been waiting for the flower to blossom. That's why I'm holding this banquet.
Yet now, I've missed the blooming scenery.
Bring the kitchen staff to me.
Make sure to find out what went wrong.
Yes.
My lord, I've found out.
The soup at the banquet
was made with inferior millet.
That's why it made everyone feel unwell.
This matter is probably not simple.
Could it be
that someone is attempting to poison me?
Tell me. Who instructed you to do this?
My mother is ill. I need money for her treatment.
To save money, I didn't buy millet
in the East Market, but in the West Market.
I didn't know that the millet
from the West Market was inferior.
My lord, considering my filial piety, please spare me.
Spare me.
Whether someone has tried to poison me, or if the grain shops
in the West Market are behind it,
Mr. Ren, you investigate this matter
for me and our colleagues here.
- That's right. You must find out.
- Yes.
- Again.
- Alright.
[Grain]
Everyone, look at this millet.
The grain shop is selling inferior goods, moldy millet.
Look at my face.
My face has been disfigured
by the incense powder made
from this kind of millet.
As the owner of Huamanzhu, even if I suffer the loss of money and reputation,
I absolutely can't sell bad incense powder to the people.
- Right.
- Exactly.
Please rest assured, I've already sent people
to withdraw the shoddy goods.
However, the main culprit is still at large.
But I must let everyone know the true nature of this unscrupulous shop.
I bought millet from it.
When cooking, I have seen black spots on the millet.
I thought it was just dirty and washing it would be fine. Could it be that I bought moldy grains?
Exactly, the moldy millet is tiny. Without close examination, it's not noticeable.
That's why everyone has been kept in the dark.
Consuming moldy millet harms our health.
Yes, indeed.
Medical books state that the stomach
is the foundation of the viscera.
Eating bad grains for a day or two
won't show much effect.
But if consumed for a long time, I'm afraid it will spoil our health.
It brings endless troubles.
No wonder I've been suffering from stomach pains. Turns out it was caused by bad grains.
What an unscrupulous merchant. Let's go in and demand an explanation.
No, you mustn't do that. Everyone, please calm down.
We're just ordinary folks. If we argue with them, they will get something on us.
The owner of this grain shop has committed a crime. He should be arrested by the authorities.
All we need to do is report him to the officials. I believe the Jingzhao Prefecture will do justice.
Can't we make him do refunds today?
If I keep waiting, my illness will get worse.
- Yeah.
- Yes.
Although Huamanzhu is also a victim, I still feel guilty about selling inferior goods.
Therefore, I've hired a physician
to see patients.
Those who have bought incense powder in my shop will get stomach medicine for free.
What about those who haven't bought it?
What should we do?
Even so, you can see the physician for free.
Huamanzhu would like to do good deeds.
I'll sell the medicine at cost price to those who have stomach problems.
- You're so nice.
- Thank you.
You're welcome. It's what I ought to do.
Please get your medicine
over there. Next, please.
You have a stomach ache?
- Here's your medicine.
- Thank you.
The moldy millet harmed my health.
After hearing your words, they filed complaints in droves. But the Jingzhao Prefecture doesn't take up the case.
Now the people are being blocked
outside the government office's gate.
Good.
- What do you mean?
- I knew officials would cover for each other.
What I want is the flames of the fury
of the common people.
At the right time, the flames will get huge.
This time, I must get guilty officials burned until they collapse.
Great.
Again.
Attention, ladies and gentlemen.
I am He Weifang, the owner of Huamanzhu.
There is a matter concerning everyone's life and health. Please listen to me.
I believe you've heard that a grain shop in the West Market is selling moldy millet extensively.
I thought it was only one shop's mistake.
To continue my incense powder business, I turned to other grain shops for purchases.
To my shock, in the entire West Market, all grain shops are selling moldy millet.
Everyone, please take a look! This is all moldy millet.
It's a huge thing. Yet the Jingzhao Prefecture
actually refused to handle it.
The officials eat good grains from the East Market.
They disregard the lives of us commoners.
Everyone, though each of us alone is weak, there is strength in numbers.
As long as every household gathers evidence and appeals to the officials,
we will surely make the officials investigate the matter and return a safe West Market to us.
If everyone wants to stay healthy, we must fight for ourselves.
Today we are eating moldy millet. Who knows what bad food we will eat?
This matter is not so simple.
I'm afraid before justice is served, we'll put our lives at risk.
How can you be so cowardly? Lady He is more courageous than you.
This is a matter that concerns our own health.
If everyone were like you, waiting for others to take the lead, this matter would come to nothing. That would be fatal.
Bring our millet here. We must be united in this matter. Every one of us should join her.
Lady He, I will go with you. We must make the officials give us all an explanation.
- Excuse me, please make way.
- Thank you, madam.
Lady He. The flower guild will join you.
Thank you, Mr. Lv.
Look, if you no longer want to live in fear,
then join me. Go to the government office
to seek justice for ourselves.
Demand justice!
Demand justice!
Demand justice!
The moldy millet sold in the West Market is right on the cart. We're going to the government office to file a case.
Demand justice!
Everyone, let's get united as one.
Gather all the moldy millet together. We're going to the government office to file a case.
Demand justice!
Moldy millet. Who else has moldy millet?
Demand justice!
Mind your own business.
What are you doing here? Who's leading this?
I gathered everyone here. But I'm not making trouble.
If we don't do this, will you do justice for the common people?
After all, the people who wanted to file a case were turned away by the Jingzhao Prefecture.
Really?
You are growing more and more negligent.
This matter concerns the people's livelihood.
How dare you not report it.
I thought it was not a serious matter. Please forgive me.
I'll get back to you later.
Lady He, you and I are acquainted.
I didn't know before that you were Mr. Jiang's friend. It's a misunderstanding today.
Since you are the complainant, come with me to the government office.
This matter is unrelated to Mr. Jiang. You needn't bring him into this.
Now, all the grain shops
in the West Market make a mistake.
Countless people have fallen ill from eating bad millet. Like everyone else, I am also a victim.
This case is no trivial matter. It should be jointly judged
by the three ministries.
- There's no need for the Jingzhao Prefecture to handle it.
- How dare you!
It's just a small matter of moldy millet. Why make such a fuss over it?
Officials have so many things
to deal with every day.
If every single case is reported to the three ministries, it will mess up the proceedings.
Get out of here!
If you continue, I'll punish you.
- It's so unfair. He's actually threatening us.
- Yeah.
- It's not our fault.
- Get the millet.
- Get the millet.
- Yes.
Stop! This millet is our evidence.
If they take it away, I'm afraid the millet case will be obscured without explanation.
What a bold commoner. How dare you obstruct official business.
- Quick, get the millet.
- Go!
- Stop it. Stop it.
- Don't move.
Stop it. Give it back to us.
- Stop it.
- Don't hurt us.
- Let go.
- Put it down.
Stop it! Stop it!
- Back off.
- Attention.
Please hear me out. What do we toil every day for?
- To provide a better life for our families.
- Yes, exactly.
The taxes we pay increase every year. But what do we get in return?
- Moldy millet and weakened bodies.
- That's true.
What we're holding in our hands is the millet we bought with our own money.
We're on the streets
where the common people can pass.
We didn't smash the shops that sell moldy millet. Nor did we beat up the merchants who sell moldy millet.
We didn't break laws. All we do is to seek justice for ourselves.
On what grounds do you arrest people? Why destroy our evidence?
Lady He is right. Even officials cannot arrest people without cause.
You can't arrest people without reason.
Stop it. Be quiet.
Food is a must for the people. And the people are the foundation of a nation.
The millet case is huge. It should be judged by His Majesty.
Let His Majesty judge.
- Let His Majesty judge.
- Let His Majesty judge.
Let His Majesty judge.
♫ Do not fail the varied fragrance ♫
The flowers in your mansion are blooming well. They're not inferior to those in the palace.
Hundreds of flowers bloom for Your Majesty.
If they can make Your Majesty happy, it's a great honor for those flowers and me.
On my way here, I heard of something.
The grain shops in the West Market are selling moldy millet, causing public resentment.
[Bloom into Fullness]
What happened?
Your Majesty, that's utterly groundless.
I have not heard of it.
So, it's misinformation?
Many officials had diarrhea at Mr. Jiang's banquet. Didn't you hear about it?
Diarrhea? What happened?
Your Majesty, my subordinate
attended Mr. Jiang's banquet.
After eating the millet soup, he had diarrhea. The next day, he asked for leave.
I heard Mr. Jiang's servant bought bad millet
from the West Market.
The health of many officials got hurt.
The Jingzhao Prefecture
clarified it the next day.
A grain shop accidentally sold old millet.
Upon discovery, they immediately
withdrew the moldy millet.
The related merchant has been punished.
Exactly, I've instructed the market official to thoroughly investigate this case.
This must not happen again.
Your Majesty, as you know, I often go to the West Market
to watch the Huxuan dance.
The shops there are well-organized. Furthermore, there are countless exotic items.
The common people have much to enjoy there. It's very peaceful.
Your Majesty.
You need to know more of this case to find out the truth.
The commoners in the West Market are shocked
and enraged by the moldy millet incident.
Unafraid of official suppression,
they demand justice.
So, you heard the voices of accusation.
If this case is not investigated, the boiling public resentment may one day lead to a fierce fight.
Your Majesty, the bad millet has damaged not only the livelihood of the people but also the health of numerous officials
I implore Your Majesty to investigate.
Water can carry a boat; it can also capsize it.
I can't let the people down.
Besides, if you officials lose their health, you won't work for me well.
It's a livelihood case
that should be handled by the three ministries.
The Censor acts as the chief judge.
You must find out the truth
for me, the common people, and the officials.
Your Majesty is wise. As you command.
Your Majesty, the Censorate doesn't know
about the East Market and West Market well.
Well, Liu Shen has been working hard.
The market officials who oversee both markets
are his subordinates.
Master Liu should investigate this case, with the Censor helping him.
Only then can Your Majesty be less worried.
Okay, I'll take your advice.
Investigate this case
to calm the people's anger.
Yes.
Master Liu, this case is huge.
Please come with me to inspect the West Market.
Master Liu has important things to do.
You visit the West Market tomorrow morning.
Mr. Jiang, this case is urgent. Can you put your thing aside?
What if it concerns His Majesty?
His Majesty has grown tired
of watching flowers.
Upon hearing of the prosperity
of the West Market, he's commanded me to find some dancers
to perform in the palace.
He also asked me to find some exotic trinkets.
Master Liu must go with me.
If His Majesty can't see the Huxuan dance
tonight, he will be displeased.
You and I can't afford it.
Let's go, Master Liu.
I heard that He Weifang was the one
who stirred up things in the West Market.
She has tarnished my reputation.
After faking death to escape, she gained favor from you
and became your servant.
It's clear that she is quite scheming.
Mr. Jiang, do not be used by her again.
In front of me, she's only to be used.
She is nothing but a lowly merchant.
Yet she could stir up things and even get the news to His Majesty's ears.
Mr. Jiang, you must be cautious.
She loves money. If she loses money, she will fight.
Moreover, she is a woman.
She's been disfigured by moldy millet.
How could she not be angry?
Making a scene on the street is no big deal. Anyway, she makes money for me.
Nothing else matters.
You're very tolerant.
She stirred up things, which could make me lose my position.
Haven't I bought you more time?
That's enough for you to handle this case.
I am grateful for your help.
I hope you can properly control Lady He and let her behave
and not cause any more trouble.
I help you for the sake of His Highness.
How dare you make decisions for me.
Because of your incompetence, the moldy millet matter
has become known to everyone.
Even I suffered from the bad millet. I ran to the toilet seven times in one night.
Now I'm feeling weak. How shall you compensate me?
I'm sorry. Please don't be mad.
Once I get through this matter, I will offer a generous gift to you.
I'll endure it on behalf of His Highness.
I hope you will quickly fix it.
Do not disappoint His Highness again
because of your incompetence.
Yes.
Hurry up.
Master, the market official
has readied the granary. Good millet will be delivered later.
- Alright, as soon as possible.
-Okay.
There's more.
Hurry up.
Even if His Majesty learns
about the boiling public resentment and orders an investigation of the matter,
Liu Shen just needs to replace the moldy millet
with the good one. Then he will get away with it.
I need him to replace the moldy millet
with the good one.
The call of action in the West Market
is just to draw him out.
The real purpose is to make Liu Shen mess up.
Before the investigation from above, he will transfer away the evidence of guilt.
Sure, so you need to give Liu Shen this opportunity.
No problem.
Chuanyu will go with you to catch him red-handed and protect you.
Make way!
Move! Don't block the way!
- Should we start?
-Make way!
Wait a moment until the passers-by walk away.
Be careful not to hurt the innocent.
Quick!
Make way! Move!
Master, are you alright?
Millet.
Moldy millet, this is moldy millet.
It's really moldy millet.
Be quick.
Look, moldy millet.
Stop it.
- Master.
- Stop it!
-Stop it!
-Take Master away.
-Keep Master safe.
-Stop it!
Take Master away.
Stop it!
-Stop it!
-Stop it!
Help!
Forget the tribute medicine.
We must not let Lady He discover what we gave back then was fake.
- Help!
-Master.
- Move.
- Move. Quick.
Master, give me your hand.
Master, are you alright?
Make way!
Stand back!
Liu Shen.
Do you admit your guilt?
- Take him away!
-Yes.
Mother, Yulu, have you seen it?
- Take them away together!
-Yes.
[Liu Mansion]
Liu Shen is a spineless worm. Once imprisoned, he utterly collapsed.
The Chen family bore the brunt.
Since Prince Ning stood by, to save his own life, he had no choice but to report others
The officials of the Ministry of Personnel
and the Vice Minister of Revenue,
are guilty of corruption, bribery, land grabbing, and deals of official positions. Their crimes have been made public.
Prince Ning kept himself safe.
The influential families close to him will complain about it.
Now, there are many vacant positions.
I guess Prince Ning can't help meddling in official appointments.
Many of his people have been implicated
in this case.
He just recommended some men. Yet, his recommendation was rejected
by the upright senior officials.
Prince Ning didn't want to provoke trouble
and had to give up.
Our people have taken the key positions.
After things are over,
even if Prince Ning tries
to appoint his own people again, it's all within our control.
A grain of millet is tiny, but it affects the will of the people.
Prince Ning's financial source
has been cut off. And bad officials have been eradicated.
The Military Governor is sly, swaying with the wind.
It's even harder for Prince Ning to get his support if he can't give him money.
Now, the governor of Eastern Capital is…
Your favorite student, Cheng Lang.
He will return the land to the people.
Don't worry.
It's been years since we met in Chang'an.
I hope to have tea with him again.
No matter how entrenched
Prince Ning's power is, it will be uprooted entirely one day.
Don't be sad, sir.
I feel sorry for Cheng Lang.
You care about Cheng Lang.
Cheng Lang cares about Your Majesty.
But no one cares about me.
Mr. Third cares about you. And Mudan.
She's just a florist.
Yet, she aided you in such a dangerous affair.
She did it all not for me
but for herself and the merchants and commoners.
Mudan knows there is strength in numbers.
What a pity. If she were a man, she would certainly achieve great things.
So what if she is a woman?
She has done what she wanted to do.
Liu Shen is in big trouble this time.
[Liu Mansion]
Sure.
The County Princess likes you very much.
As long as you get engaged with her again, she promises to save your father.
Son, don't hesitate anymore.
Your father is in prison now. We don't know if he's alright.
You've been asking for help, but is there anyone willing to help you?
Now, only the County Princess
can save our family.
Will you actually watch your father be exiled and die alone far from home?
Zishu, I'm begging you.
Please save your father.
Zishu.
Zishu.
Youzhen, let's get married.
Okay.
He canceled the engagement. It's too late to regret it.
My reputation has been ruined.
I can't marry into a noble family. Father, please allow me to marry him.
Who dares to find fault with my daughter?
- Any man you like--
-I'd rather die if I can't marry Liu Chang.
Back off!
The Chen family has already lost power.
You did not rescue them. Others will feel disappointed.
The Chen family has committed too many crimes.
If I step in to save them, in any case, I will get myself into trouble.
You should not interfere.
I'll explain to the noble families.
Actions are more persuasive than any words.
The only crime of Liu Shen is embezzlement. It is not difficult to save him.
Other families will understand if you do so.
As long as they're loyal and useful,
they won't be abandoned.
In this way, you'll reassure them and get their support.
Did Liu Chang teach you to say that?
Yes.
It seems he's not as useless as I thought.
Alright.
Put down the knife.
Put it down.
You can marry him.
Thank you, father.
Get up.
Youzhen, remember, anyone can become your pawn
even if they are not loyal to you.
The Chen family is too greedy.
They even deceived me for personal gain.
But I still need to use them.
So I didn't deal with them.
You've long wanted to discard them.
You need to learn how to tolerate
and use people.
As long as the benefits are big enough, there will always be people who can be of use to you.
Go back and tell Liu Zishu.
To be my son-in-law,
loyalty is the most important thing.
I can tolerate him
for canceling the engagement once.
But I will never tolerate it again.
Great!
- You have no conscience. He deserves it.
- Look.
Look at him.
Great.
Hit hard.
♫ They say I'm overestimating myself ♫
Now the West Market is orderly.
The goods are nice and cheap.
You have got your revenge.
Mudan, aren't you happy?
The common people pay taxes according to the law. The government should return a fair West Market to us.
That's their job.
Without Jiang Changyang's message,
I'm afraid we would be as happy as everyone else about the punishment for Liu Shen.
In fact, Liu Chang has re-engaged
with Prince Ning's daughter.
Just one word from Prince Ning can spare Liu Shen.
And Liu Shen was hit in public just to silence the gossip.
As long as Liu Chang
is Prince Ning's son-in-law,
no matter what crime his father commits, his father will be treated with leniency.
What the authorities truly restrict and punish are just merchants and commoners.
Liu Shen cares most about his reputation and official career. He will never be an official again.
It will make him suffer more.
Your mother and Yulu will be happy about Liu Shen being beaten.
And Liu Chang canceled his engagement before. But now, to save his father, he has to marry the County Princess.
The County Princess has a bad temper. She will fight with Liu Chang's mother.
If so, she…
Fu, thank you.
You're right.
We should look on the bright side of things.
Liu Chang is inherently conceited. If he marries the County Princess, his family will be restless.
And Liu Shen's career is completely destroyed. It's inevitable that Liu Chang and his father will become estranged.
I believe the evil will pay for what they do.
- Alright, let me treat you to a meal.
- Alright.
- Let's go.
- Let's go.
♫ Looking back,
I've traveled a thousand miles ♫
I knew you would definitely want to come here.
Be careful not to break it.
You two, mind your step.
Previously, you asked the house broker to keep you updated about the sale of Fragrance Garden.
Look.
Fragrance Garden is for sale?
-Why didn't you tell me earlier?
-I heard of it yesterday.
I wanted to surprise you. Another good news now.
- Are you happy?
- Sure, I am. It's the best surprise for me.
- Let's go and ask how much that house is for sale.
- Let's go.
'Fragrance Recital' - Zhang Zining
♫ In endless Chang'an,
the zither's melody distant ♫
♫ Plum and willow trees bask in the sunshine,
as splendor returns with the year ♫
♫ Copper palace battlements,
songs and dances, glass goblets ♫
♫ Idle clouds and duckweed,
a thousand flowers burst forth ♫
♫ Time passes gracefully,
affairs settle like fading smoke ♫
♫ Let the years go by,
carried by the wind to early desires ♫
♫ If the heart is like water,
the bloom is ever-present ♫
♫ Still cherish the moon of my hometown,
to meet for long ♫
♫ The distant night sky strewn with stars,
reflecting the lovely moon ♫
♫ The peony's magnificent beauty
fills the Fragrance Garden ♫
♫ With a heart as my lantern,
I don't mind the distant mountain paths ♫
♫ The flute's sound,
a fleeting life's wishes fulfilled ♫
♫ Time passes gracefully,
affairs settle like fading smoke ♫
♫ Let the years go by,
carried by the wind to early desires ♫
♫ If the heart is like water,
the bloom is ever-present ♫
♫ Still cherish the moon of my hometown,
to meet for long ♫