Flourished Peony (2025) s01e28 Episode Script

The Chen family has fallen from power. Now, the position of Deputy Transport Officer is vacant.
His Majesty has asked me
to recommend a candidate.
I'd like to ask Your Highness to advise me.
If my marriage is canceled, I'm afraid the rewards will also be gone.
His Majesty and you are very close.
He has been hoping for a good woman to attend to you.
You can't let him down.
I have an idea.
You can marry another good woman.
When His Majesty visited my house, he saw He Weifang.
And His Majesty asked He Weifang to learn dancing.
Today, Consort Shu was present at the Xingqing Palace.
If I change the woman I'm marrying, His Majesty will blame me for deceiving him.
Your daughter wants Zishu's affection.
If I marry He Weifang, it will cut off Zishu's thoughts of her.
It helps your daughter solve a problem.
If something happens to He Weifang, my marriage isn't the only thing to be spoiled.
Your daughter got injured. It's a fact.
I don't want to see her hurt.
Besides, I don't want to disappoint His Majesty.
What do you think, Your Highness?
See you.
What are you going to say to Her Highness?
The injury of Youzhen is irreversible. Even if Lady He is killed, it can't change the fact.
It's alright to do Mr. Jiang a favor
and get some benefits.
The position of Deputy Transport Officer will be her future husband's.
Yes.
Go.
Let's go.
To see my concubine I'm about to take.
Taking her as a concubine is a stopgap measure.
Well…
He Weifang.
Thank you, Mr. Jiang.
Everyone knows Prince Ning dotes on his daughter.
But even so, he favors his own interests.
But Mr. Jiang is different. To save my life, taking me as a concubine.
You're so righteous. I'm very grateful to you.
Moreover, I won't tell anyone about this place.
Marriage is a big matter
concerning a woman's reputation.
Suddenly, you will be my concubine. Do you not mind?
Life is bigger than reputation.
Moreover, I am just getting married again. But it's your first time taking a concubine.
People think you will marry a troublesome merchant, not your beloved.
Anyway, it's not good for you.
If I care about trifles, I'll be such a fool.
You're quite optimistic.
I just heard you gave Prince Ning the position of Deputy Transport Officer.
You have paid a huge cost. I don't know what I can do to repay you.
Don't think about it. No one knows better than me how to receive and give gifts.
I have my reason to give a generous gift.
Rest assured, I won't let myself be at a disadvantage.
Dealing with Prince Ning is mentally
and physically taxing. I'm hungry now.
Understood, then I'll grill some fish for you.
Come on.
I decided to marry you. As for the wedding banquet, I will do my best to prepare.
You will have what a bride should have.
Dowry, wedding attire and jewelry, and wedding feast, all these will be prepared as you wish.
You can use whatever in my storeroom. If you want anything else, feel free to tell me. I will--
Don't hold a huge wedding. Our marriage is just a stopgap measure.
If it's too eye-catching, it might give us away.
I just want to give you a good wedding to make you happy.
It's not the first day you've known me.
If the wedding banquet affects my business, I will be unhappy.
So you tell me what we should do about the wedding banquet.
Let's hold a small banquet. Guests eat at the same table, sharing three pots of osmanthus wine.
That's enough.
As you say. Well, let's hold a low-key wedding.
I object. Come on.
This matter concerns Prince Ning. It's a matter of life and death.
Don't leak any information and involve your friends.
Mr. Jiang, you're pretty lucky to marry Mudan.
If you don't give her a big wedding, I and Fu will object.
It's a joyous thing. The news has already caused a stir.
Tomorrow, people from all over the city will bring gifts to celebrate. I fear they will wait in a long line to come.
I think you have to hold a big wedding.
No, I won't.
As you know, I hate elaborate formalities.
Besides, among the countless guests, how many of them are sincere to celebrate?
They're just spectators, wanting to see how much Mr. Jiang loves me.
When we decided to become sworn sisters, we did all the necessary rites.
A wedding is a major event. How can it be hastily done?
That would be too absurd.
Your friends know the inside story and esteem you.
But strangers only know you were a servant in the military.
You do business and will marry an official.
Suizhi must hold a big wedding to show his love for you.
Only then can you put an end to others' gossip
about your social climbing.
You mortals don't understand Mudan.
This is my wedding with Mudan. Mudan decides
how to hold this wedding.
Mr. Jiang knows me well.
I have never cared about others' gossip. I wish for a simple wedding.
Our good friends come to celebrate with earnest feelings.
That's bigger than betrothal presents and a grand wedding.
Wait, Mudan and Suizhi are about to get married.
Why did Mudan still call you Mr. Jiang?
I've also mentioned this to her. But she's got used to calling me that.
She forgot to change how we address each other.
Mudan seems forthright, but she's bashful.
It's not urgent
to change how we address each other.
I need to talk to Mr. Third. I'll come back to drink with you later.
Okay.
Mudan. This is all too sudden. Do you truly want to be his concubine?
- He isn't forcing you, is he?
- No, he isn't.
Don't worry. We can't control what he did before.
After the marriage, if he makes you sad, I'll beat him up.
Alright.
Come on, let's eat some meat.
- Okay, let's eat.
- It is undercooked.
It's alright. I'm starving.
Even though I won't invite guests, I still need to maintain appearances.
I need help from the Bureau of Etiquette, the Bureau of Attire, and the Bureau of Food.
I need to arrange the wedding ceremony.
The wedding cakes will be sent to the officials
throughout the city.
Do you need help from the Bureau of Beds?
It's just for show. I don't need to sleep with her.
But I've heard that there are specifics about the bridal bed.
It's unlucky to make it wrong. So I need their help.
Have you thought of names for your children?
I told you. It's all fake. Don't be silly.
You're the Vice Minister of Office of Imperial Ceremonies. You've held various feasts.
You look so serious about this fake marriage. Will you make it real?
I'm taking a concubine. If I don't hold my wedding publicly, Prince Ning will become suspicious.
Don't be a blabbermouth in front of Mudan. I don't want her to get me wrong.
You came right after Prince Ning left.
Perfect timing. What are you here for?
I heard County Princess Ji'an fell off a horse and Lingge helped Mudan out of her predicament.
That's why I came.
Consort Hui angered Consort Shu.
You don't know how to please her. So you want Mudan to help you, right?
Your house is small and simple.
However, Lady He, a capable businesswoman, lives here and never leaves.
I have a fancy palace. Yet Lingge frequently moves out. I can't even get her back.
You have a fake marriage with a lady you like.
Meanwhile, my woman is leaving me.
Don't worry. In the past, Consort Shu was lonely in the palace.
From now on, Mudan will keep her company.
Mudan is very clever. She will unloose the knots
that upset Consort Shu.
[Youqi Pavilion]
Youzhen. Youzhen, don't be like this.
Youzhen, calm down.
Youzhen. Stop it.
Three years ago, my marriage
was exchanged for the loyalty from the prominent families.
Now, my suffering
has become a good deal
for you and the Floral Envoy.
Right now,
I can no longer do anything for you.
I'd rather die than live
in humiliation.
Youzhen. Don't think of it. Don't think of it.
I remember what you've suffered.
You will be compensated in the future.
Will I have a future?
Now everyone in Chang'an knows that I've been humiliated by a merchant.
I can't have children.
There is nothing He Weifang can do
to pay for what she did to me.
If I can't give birth to children,
will Zishu still be willing to marry me?
Even if he is,
he will take concubines to have children.
What should I do then?
You--
Your Highness. Liu Shen and his son are here.
Father. I can no longer face Zishu.
If he despises me for this--
He won't dare.
Lie down. Lie down, Youzhen.
Since you two are engaged, you should share weal and woe.
You've suffered a lot.
As your husband,
he should comfort you and be with you.
Don't worry.
I'm here for you.
- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
Your Highness. This is good medicine. His Highness got this from His Majesty.
Please take it.
Liu Chang is not worthy of Your Highness. And he's unfaithful and ungrateful.
You got hurt for him, damaging your health. I feel so sad about this.
Your Highness, why must you marry him?
I'm from a royal family.
My father's love for me
cannot outweigh his interests
and power.
I'm clear about this.
So, I cherish Zishu.
At least I don't have to calculate the gains and losses
of my love for him.
I'm afraid
this is the only pure thing
in my life.
Well…
Are you going to let me live with your family after marriage?
Your Highness. Zishu is my only son. My family is not lowly.
How can you let my son be childless? Zishu will be ridiculed.
Youzhen was hurt because of your ex-wife.
I fear she can't give birth to children.
Zishu feels sorry for what your daughter has suffered.
He will love her and care for her more. If he has a concubine-born child in the future,
- the child will be adopted by your daughter.
- Adoption?
That is a good solution. If you wish to continue the family line
your son can adopt a child from a distant relative.
Isn't that quite good?
Youzhen is suffering because of Zishu's unfaithfulness.
If he has concubines and illegitimate children,
I fear the same thing will happen again, causing big trouble.
Your Highness.
If Youzhen feels worried, I will explain to her to reassure her.
You know Youzhen very well.
This is the only way to reassure her.
It's settled.
I promise I will help you become a chief minister.
I understand your deep love for your daughter.
You care about Youzhen very much.
However, it's not a small thing. I must consult with the elders in the family.
I beseech Your Highness to give me some time to consider it.
My father and I shall take our leave.
Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, please don't be mad. Your Highness, please don't be mad.
Considering that Youzhen loves you, I've mercifully compromised.
I have said it. This is the only way.
Sign the contract to marry into my family. Then you can make any request.
How absurd her love is.
Her suffering is immense. So you make me suffer more?
She is unable to bear children. So you force me to marry into your family and end my family line?
Zishu.
I'm from an old and well-known family. I don't have to rely on marriage and sell myself to survive.
I can marry Youzhen. But I can't marry into her family.
Fine.
Then the Liu family can be childless today.
- Your Highness, I'll sign.
- Father.
I agree on behalf of Zishu.
Father. Father. I do not agree.
Step aside.
[Marriage Contract]
Father.
All marriages are arranged. As your father,
I have the right to arrange your marriage. It's a joyous thing.
Youzhen is faithful to you. You should do the same.
Your Highness.
Your Highness. Don't be mad.
Well, very clever of you.
Send him out.
Yes.
Your Highness, Zishu…
Zishu is stubborn by nature.
I will try to persuade him again.
I know you're powerful.
But even if you trap me in the bridal chamber, will you tie me to Youzhen for a lifetime?
Zishu,
you think it's unfair for you to marry into my family
Fine.
Then I will do you a favor.
In this way, to marry Youzhen and live in harmony.
Someone.
Prepare a pair of good walking sticks for Zishu.
Yes.
You just think too highly of yourself.
Arrogance and determination are meant to be tempered.
Figure it out sooner.
Don't keep Youzhen waiting too long.
Chun. Fu.
As Mudan's good friends, you want to test me for Mudan.
I understand. I have said it.
I have no wife or kept woman. I never like any dancing girls.
Those women are merely in an employer-employee relationship with me.
Crap!
Fu.
Nonsense.
You said before that you and Mudan were
in an employer-employee relationship.
Did I ever say that?
I fell in love with Mudan at first sight.
I do business with her to express my love for her.
Sure.
That's true.
Gradually, we started to love each other.
Anyway, Mr. Jiang is not a lecher.
And Chun has already taken his pulse?
He is in good health.
Very good.
However…
Go on.
You say it.
- You frequented dance houses.
- With women around you.
Could it be just drinking and chatting?
Your thoughts are so sordid.
I flattered those dancers and musicians
against my will for Mudan's business to get better.
Otherwise, could you get many orders?
Yes, indeed. Lady He wants a simple wedding.
But Mr. Jiang risked being impeached and invited female officials to help.
It's all done according to the rituals of marrying a wife.
I swear I'm sincere to Mudan.
However, Mudan doesn't change her mind.
Yeah. Previously, I dared not believe in your sincerity.
Now that Chun has taken your pulse, I am clear about it now.
I'm lucky to marry you.
But look at you two.
You don't look intimate at all.
Mudan put her mind on business before.
And I never loved any woman. Now this is my first relationship.
I'm unfamiliar with it.
However, the two of you
have never been in love, right?
It's normal that you can't tell the affection between me and Mudan.
Well…
Look, Mudan can't help smiling for marrying a man like me.
In front of your friends, no need to hold back.
Just laugh if you want to.
Yes, look, you're showing the affection between lovers as the book says.
- Affection.
- Yes, affection.
So, tell us.
Before, how did you two fall in love and flirt right under our noses?
He brought back the Hu cakes my father made from Luoyang.
They were delicious.
Tasty?
What about you?
I had feelings for Mudan when I saw her in Liu Mansion in Luoyang.
Back then, she was still married.
So I had to hide my feelings.
I'm surprised to hear that. It does make sense.
What about after you met again in Chang'an?
- She went up the mountain--
- He was--
He was forced by the powerful to get married. I helped him out.
She went up the mountain to pick flowers
and encountered a fierce tiger. Fortunately, I saved her.
So, you helped him, or he helped you?
We helped each other.
A bad official and a bad merchant are a perfect match.
I lent her money to do business.
It happened that we became neighbors.
As time went by, we fell in love.
♫ If love is like frost ♫
We drank and chatted every night.
Gradually, we were in love.
So, finally, we're together. Do you have any more questions?
No more questions.
Lady He. My master has received your introduction. I'm here to escort you.
Coming right away.
Look, it's the same as the book says.
Let me help.
You do your things. I'll be waiting for you to have dinner at home.
I'll go see Mudan out. Make yourselves comfortable.
Alright. Mudan has Mr. Jiang.
I'll go back to have dinner with my mother.
Mudan just packed up so many things. Where is she going?
The one who saved Mudan at the horse field is not in good health and can't take strong medicine.
We have studied the prescriptions
she normally uses.
The cause of the illness
is postpartum depression and lack of sleep.
So we developed some nourishing bath beans and aromatic incense,
hoping to make her feel better.
Alright, you treat the patient. I'm going back home.
Go inform Mr. Third to immediately rush to Xingqing Palace.
If Mudan makes his woman happy, he should thank me.
Yes. My lord, you want
to send a betrothal gift to Lady He, but you fear she won't accept it, right?
I got a message from Fu. It's about something she must accept.
How would you like to thank me?
What Lady He longs for is definitely not gold, silver, or jewels
but the garden her mother liked, Fragrance Garden.
A few days ago, Fragrance Garden was for sale. Lady He borrowed money from the pawnshop, wanting to buy it.
Unexpectedly, Lv Wanrong bought it first.
She earns money through business. Yet she never spends on herself.
Turns out she saves money to buy the garden.
You can afford that garden.
Let's pay a visit to Lv Wanrong. I suppose he won't refuse to sell it to you.
Mudan has her pride. She must want
to buy the Fragrance Garden on her own.
If I buy it for her, it will hurt her pride.
She will think her efforts are all in vain.
Moreover, Lv Wanrong is her friend's father. He bought it legitimately.
If I force him to sell it to me, I'll be blamed by Mudan.
A man and woman in love should help and think of each other.
Since when have you become a love expert?
I've never seen you with a woman.
I'm going to see Mr. Third.
I like riding and shooting.
Yet I'm not interested in delicate things.
Unexpectedly, your incense smells so good.
Smelling good is not the point.
The point is, it's specially made for you.
You breathe its fragrance into your lungs to cure your illness.
The incense used during the day contains dried chrysanthemums purple sandalwood,
and peony bark, which can soothe the liver
and relieve depression.
And the incense used at night contains clove,
which can soothe the nerves
and get better sleep.
What a clever thought.
They're much better than the herbal medicine.
You've lost sleep for a while.
Your stomach has a problem.
So, you can't take any herbal medicine.
The nourished food medicinal incense, and the things used in daily life can help.
Gradually, through the mild conditioning,
Your--
Get out of here.
Mudan is smart.
You ask her to develop more suitable stuff for Lingge.
Send it to me. I will personally give it to Lingge.
If Lingge gets happy,
As long as Your Majesty pays well, no matter how many you want, Mudan will make them for you.
No offense, but I have something to say.
You have mental knots.
I tried to give birth to my child.
I wish I could be with him day and night.
But I must follow the rules and let the maids take care of him.
I rarely see him. And I'm always judged harshly.
You may inform His Majesty of this.
Perhaps His Majesty will allow you to live with your child and personally raise your child.
Though I'm Consort Shu, I am also his subject.
His Majesty has other women.
I don't think he cares for me.
He won't disregard the rules for me.
Life's short.
What matters to you is your health and living happily.
Since His Majesty has another woman, you should love yourself even more.
Do not pin hopes on the heartless man. Perhaps you'll feel happy.
What is she talking about?
She is stirring things up.
You often go to Consort Hui's palace. It is indeed a fact.
Jiang Changyang. Prince Ning placed Consort Hui in the palace. Can I not go?
I hoped she could
untangle Lingge's mental knots.
But what did she do? She persuaded Lingge
to give up on me.
It's a mental knot. She must find the source.
You're already so protective of her.
What about me?
Since I became a Consort, no one has ever said something like this to me.
They only care about whether I've managed the harem well
and whether my son is smart and sensible.
No one has ever asked what Huangfu Lingge truly wants.
So, what do you want?
Since I entered this palace,
I can't hope for what I want.
Perhaps, it's the safest to love myself.
That's right.
Let go of your knots, and your illness will be cured sooner or later.
In Xingqing Palace, you might as well live more freely.
Just curse when you're angry. Cry when you're sad.
Seek joy when you're bored. Feel free to chat with me.
But I eventually have to go back.
I have to face those
listen to those hypocritical words,
and force a smile to show my dignity and virtue.
Mr. Third. Don't get the wrong idea.
No need to tell Lingge that I've come.
Let Mudan keep Lingge company.
Mr. Liu, time to eat.
I don't want to eat.
I'll starve myself to death, to repay the County Princess.
I would trouble you to convey a message to my parents.
I'm incapable of revitalizing the family. And I am not a good son.
I hope they will not be sad.
Guess what? Your parents are overjoyed today.
They've gratefully accepted the betrothal gifts from His Highness.
They said you must stay, alive or dead.
Your broken leg has been exchanged for a huge fortune.
They are happy about that.
Get out!
If you wish to die,
well, how about you eat a wedding pastry first?
Get out of here.
I won't marry Prince Ning's daughter.
Leave these wedding pastries to His Highness.
You got the wrong idea.
These pastries are
from your ex-wife, He Weifang. She's marrying the Floral Envoy.
His Highness said you would have an appetite upon seeing these pastries.
Impossible.
Impossible.
Impossible. Those of high and low status
must not intermarry.
Just a word from the Floral Envoy can change her household registration.
The County Princess was injured
because of your ex. Your ex should have been cut into pieces.
Unexpectedly, she gains the favor of Mr. Jiang.
So His Highness spared her life
for the time being.
You haven't forgotten your ex, have you?
But look at your current state.
You're no match for Jiang Changyang.
Life matters. So what if your ex becomes a concubine?
So what if you marry into a new wife's family?
Anyway, we're living in a world where only the strong survive.
'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 ♫