Flourished Peony (2025) s01e14 Episode Script

You dare to curse the County Magistrate to justify your divorce.
You're truly a heroine.
I think that Liu Chang is different from his parents.
He knows to apologize and reflect himself, wealth doesn't blind him.
He's much better than Wang Qing.
His sincerity towards you is genuine.
To have such a gentleman think about you, it makes me envious.
Silly Sheng Yi, truly caring for someone isn't like this.
He doesn't care what I think and pesters me.
This is not sincerity, but selfishness.
You don't need to envy me.
Right, have you sent the invitation to the flower guild?
I went to send it, but the servant didn't accept it, and said that only the shopkeeper's personal visit would show sincerity.
I just don't understand. Our business is going well,
why go join the flower guild to be looked down upon?
Each industry has its own rules.
Whether it is stabilizing prices or collecting taxes, it's all the responsibility of the guild.
And all the flower business in Chang'an is controlled by the flower guild.
If we want our business to go smoothly, we must join the guild.
Before, we were running a small business and couldn't catch their attention.
But now it's different, we have to interact with them.
The guild head has great prestige and can't be offended.
Previously, Wang Qing had a dispute with the head of the wine guild.
A single word from him nearly caused us to shut down.
Later on, we pleaded multiple times at their door, only then did we receive his forgiveness.
That's bullying behavior.
Nothing we can do, the guild head is the head of the market.
Right. We should try to keep a low profile and be generous.
If we can successfully join the guild, our future business could run more smoothly.
Da Fu, remember to mind your manners.
Understood.
[Flower Guild]
Why are you here again? I told you to ask your shopkeeper to come in person.
- I am…
- I'm here to see the guild head, please lead the way.
Shopkeeper Bai, please.
We were here first. Why did you let them go in first?
They're the shopkeepers themselves. And you three are young ladies.
Such negligence, don't you know the rules?
- We're…
- I'm the shop owner of Flower Haven.
The two of them opened the shop with me. All of us run the business.
The three of us are here with sincerity. Please lead the way, young master..
[Floral Haven, Jiang Xiao Hua]
- Follow me, please.
- Thank you.
Let's go.
Master, the lady shop owner of Floral Haven has been waiting for long, her companions are getting impatient.
Guild Master, Master, would you like to meet them?
They're thinking of joining the guild only after the shop was opened.
We must curb her arrogance.
Keep refilling with water after they finished the tea. We'll go see them when it's time.
Don't come anymore.
Yes.
Yu Ying, let's go once we finish this cup.
Brother Lu, you're too kind.
She's just a young lady. Leave her hanging longer and she'll panic.
Then it'll be easier for us to talk about serious matters.
Okay, then we'll do as you say.
I heard your third daughter is betrothed. Congratulations!
Likewise! I have to thank the deputy guild master for being the matchmaker.
Yu Ying, you aren't acting fairly.
My Chun'er's marriage is still not settled. Any gentleman to recommend?
Brother Lu, don't joke. Your Chun'er is raised so well, elegant, gentle and refined.
- I think she deserves to marry a top scholar.
- Indeed.
Our daughters all learn needlework at the guild master's house.
This handkerchief was embroidered by my third daughter the other day.
Look at this bamboo, so vivid.
Wait, Guild Master, this was embroidered by my youngest daughter.
See if it's better than what his third daughter did.
I've heard that the embroidery skills of your daughter Chun'er are the best.
Guild head, may we see it?
Right. Recently I've been busy with a business deal in Jiangnan,
it's been three days since I went home. It still hasn't been delivered.
Father, you're still coughing, yet still not resting properly. You're making me worry.
Chun'er, why are you here?
Greetings, Uncles.
I'm worried about you, so I specially cooked a nourishing ginseng soup.
See?
Father, drink it while it's hot.
Okay.
Young Chun'er really is filial.
Chun'er, we were talking about you just now, how excellent your embroidery skills are.
Did you bring the newly embroidered handkerchief?
Your father just saw that we all have one, he was really envious.
Indeed.
I'm flattered, Uncles. All others' embroidery skills are excellent.
- She brought it.
- Take a look.
- Th-This is…
- A balloon flower and green onion.
You've been coughing recently, so I've added them to the ginseng soup to nourish you.
Don't you like it?
Yes, I do. It's so vivid.
- Good.
- Take a look.
Okay.
The shopkeepers who entered before us, finished and left in less than a quarter of an hour.
We've waited from one until five in the afternoon, still no one's here.
What does this mean? Doing it on purpose, right?
Da Fu, calm down, have some water.
Mu Dan, the guild master might not come.
There's no one to pour water. Anyone to pour water?
- This child is…
- Here he comes.
- She's really filial.
- Here he comes.
Guild Master, Deputy Guild Master.
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
The flower guild has lots of affairs. We're all grateful for the two of you taking the time to be here.
Floral Haven's business is flourishing.
It's rare for the busy shopkeeper to come here yourself.
I've just arrived. Previously, we just ran a small business, and we weren't familiar with the rules.
I've come today to apologize.
Da Fu.
The flower guild prospers, all thanks to both of you.
I would like to join the flower guild today.
I hope to contribute my part to the guild. I hope the two of you will agree.
Please take a seat.
Thank you, Guild Master.
The women usually do business by setting up stalls in the market.
Those who can open shops in the West Market rely on their husbands.
Once you're married, the shop will have to be sold off.
Why not hand over the shop to the guild to manage today?
We'll give you a fair price.
You can work as a floriculturist in the guild's shop, so your talent won't be wasted.
I have no intention of getting married.
You seem to be about the same age as my daughter.
I would guess you might not mean it.
You'll have to support your husband, raise children, and respect your in-laws.
It's hard to manage the family affairs well. We're doing this for your own good.
Once you're married and have children, you'll have no time to take care of the business.
We carefully select shops qualified to be in the guild.
If you work for few years and then suddenly quit, it's the guild's reputation that's lost.
After a man gets married and has children, it doesn't hinder the operation of the shop.
Even if I do get married one day, it won't affect the business.
- If a man can…
- Why are you so stubborn?
Can you be the same as a man?
Doing business isn't as simple as you think.
Guild Master, closing the shop would impact many.
We still owe others money right now.
To tell you the truth, we rely on Floral Haven to make a living.
We hope the two of you will show us some leniency.
Floral Haven is willing to purchase from the flower farmers and florists that the flower guild designates
and will definitely abide by the rules.
Since you say so, the flower guild isn't a place without negotiation.
If you want to quiet the controversy,
you have to accept more shares than that of the shops opened by men.
Do you accept?
How much of a share do you want?
Fifty-fifty.
Fifty-fifty?
We already have a greedy creditor.
If we split fifty-fifty with you, what can we earn?
You guys are outrageous.
Da Fu!
Why do women have to pay more than men? How are we any worse than them?
- All of you were born and raised by a woman.
- Da Fu, stop it.
See, I told you.
Only women and mean people are hard to reason with.
Guild Master, you wanted to give them a chance. Look, how crude and rude!
If such people were to join the guild, that's beyond imagination.
Who are you calling crude and rude? It was you who interrupted Mu Dan first!
Moreover, why do you care about when we marry and have children?
- Stop it.
- Who do you think you are? You're not my father.
Da Fu.
- Go back.
- Da Fu.
- Don't act impulsively.
- Guild Master, a fifty-fifty share is truly hard for us to accept.
Floral Haven's business is thriving now. You surely know this.
Such disdain. Is it just because we're women?
Before, there was no precedent for a lady shopkeeper to join.
If you join and sit on an equal footing with all the men,
it may be difficult to stop the gossip.
If you really find it difficult, a forty-sixty share works as well.
I hope you can consider it carefully.
Forty-sixty is already showing you respect.
When asking for favors, don't be ungrateful.
I came here with sincerity, wishing to share honor and disgrace with the guild.
I didn't expect that the guild would have such unreasonable rules, disdaining us women.
Since that's the case, there's nothing more to discuss.
I take my leave.
- Let's go.
- Don't act on your emotions.
We can't afford to offend the flower guild. Maybe we should talk to them again.
Although Da Fu has a bad temper, her words are reasonable.
Since we already have a non-negotiable profit-sharing contract,
if the guild oppresses us like this, then what's the point of running this shop?
Let's go.
Miss, I'm not only doing business with you alone.
The flower guild has said you disrespected the guild master and defied industry rules.
If I keep supplying Floral Haven with fertilizer,
then I can't do business with other shops in the guild.
We'll buy from you in secret, the guild will never find out.
This has happened before. But the guild has eyes and ears everywhere.
And the amount of fertilizer you want is really too much.
You can't hide it from them.
I'm really sorry.
Please leave.
We can transport it at night. The price is negotiable.
Forget it, Da Fu, let's go.
The guild is so ruthless, cutting off all our channels for getting fertilizer.
Mu Dan, if we buy fertilizer from farther away, can we apply the fertilizer later?
No, once we miss the optimal fertilizing period, no matter how we make up for it later,
this batch of flowers won't bloom well.
Then shall we go to the guild and give in to them?
How could we do that?
Sometimes, when a woman shows weakness, she can gain a man's pity.
Let's just bear with it and get through this difficulty first.
No, if we give in now, it'll only make them look down on us even more.
Do you really want to go for a forty-sixty share?
The guild is belittling us as women in business.
Since we've chosen this path, we're going to face more difficulties in the future.
Are we to yield and give in every time?
There's a saying, "A moment of patience can prevent a great disaster".
If a moment of patience can bring future stability, then it's worth it.
The guild treats us this way, wanting to us to bow down.
If we tolerate them this time, they'll act even more outrageous.
And others will follow suit, then anyone can bully us.
If we want to earn others' respect, we must respect ourselves first.
Then the flower fertilizer…
If we can't buy it, let's make it ourselves.
The spent dregs from the pharmacy, the discarded feathers and manure from the butcher,
and the leftover bones and fish bones from the restaurant. They are all good materials for making fertilizer.
Let's collect them at a low price, find a piece of uncultivated wasteland and work hard for a bit,
then we'll surely make our own fertilizer.
There are always ways out! Let's eat first!
- Let's eat!
- Okay!
Dishes are here.
Come on.
♫ The Luo River cleanses the ridges of the moonlight ♫
Careful, careful.
Don't drop it.
Da Fu. Da Fu!
Come on.
♫ Do not let the mundane world bind you,
nor shallow, presumptive gazes question you ♫
Take it slow.
Take it slow.
How is it?
- Done?
- Done!
- Great!
- Done.
Come on.
♫ And never withering ♫
Come on.
Young Master.
Stop.
What are you carrying?
Socks and shoes for the children, from Miss He.
Why do you smell so bad?
It's all thanks to her as well.
Neither you nor the things are allowed in.
Young Master aren't you curious about what happened to Miss He?
I don't need to ask you, you'll tell me yourself.
You really know me well.
Miss He refuses to bow to the flower guild,
so she offended the guild master and got banned from buying fertilizer.
Pitiful, a pretty young lady
has to deal with rotten meat and feces all day.
She used to smell of money, but now it's turned into a foul smell.
So sad.
Go take a bath.
Take these shoes and socks out to air them.
Send them to the children after they've been scented.
Yes, Sir.
Come in.
I won't come in.
Wait a moment.
Young Master Jiang, I pay my rent monthly in full without exception.
Your coming here at night seems somewhat improper.
I knocked on the courtyard door, but you didn't hear me from inside.
So I had to knock on the house door. You invited me in yourself, yet I didn't even enter.
I thought it was Sheng Yi.
Young Master Jiang, what brings you here so late at night?
I've received the shoes and socks you gave for the children.
I'm here to thank you on their behalf.
Additionally, here's a return gift.
No need.
Chuan Yu has to take a bath each time he comes to pick something up. It's really troublesome.
You got banned from buying fertilizer. It isn't a big deal.
Tomorrow, go to the guild and say my name. They won't dare cause you any trouble.
Thank you, Young Master Jiang. But I can't owe you any more favors.
Young Master Jiang, your status is special.
If standing up for an anonymous merchant girl like me brings you rumors, I can't bear it.
Besides, I don't want to make your already notorious reputation even worse.
No matter what situation you encounter, you remain resolute and decisive.
It seems I judged you right.
I'm leaving.
Next month, remember to use this bath beans I gave you to take a bath
before coming to the Jiang Residence to give me the bonus.
Yes, of course, take care, Young Master Jiang.
- Madam, here's yours. Take it.
- Thank you.
- Come again next time.
- Give it a try.
- Take care.
- Smell it.
Look. We've also added vine flowers to it.
The deposit for the four pots of herbaceous peonies.
Relying on ourselves without giving in to anyone is truly satisfying.
The homemade fertilizer has solved the urgent need, but it isn't a long-term solution.
If this continues, I'm afraid the shop will be here, but we'll be worn out.
We must find an opportunity to completely resolve the issue of the fertilizer.
Go get busy.
- Check out, please.
- Okay.
Someone came to us the other day and ordered a Fragrant Dreams.
but the delivery location left wasn't a mansion or a shop, but a bridge.
We found it weird. But the visitor was dressed properly,
looking like a maid from a wealthy family, so we didn't pay much attention.
But today when I passed by, the flower pot was still there.
I thought the buyer had forgotten to take it.
But upon closer inspection, the flowers were broken off and discarded, and the roots were gone.
Look, the cut is neat, it must've been done with a sharp instrument.
What a pity for these flowers. Since they bought flowers,
why discard the most expensive parts and take away the roots instead?
We worry that it's the guild up to something.
Impossible. They know the value of flowers well, why would they give up the essence?
Could it be this person has some sort of eccentricity?
Today that maid came to buy flowers again and the delivery location is unchanged.
Do we sell the flowers to them?
Again?
It depends on who they are.
It's nice that you love it. There's another one ahead.
Don't keep looking over there, Da Fu.
Buy one Youshi Hall facial cream, get one hand cream!
Come take a look.
It's a lady. Could she be the buyer?
Let's wait.
Hold on!
Da Fu.
In broad daylight, are you trying to rob me?
Did you buy this flower?
Yes, I bought it at Floral Haven.
This is the proof.
[Floral Haven, one pot of Fragrant Dreams]
Who are you?
I'm Floral Haven's shopkeeper. I saw that you already destroyed a pot of herbaceous peonies before.
I really can't bear to see this one damaged by you again, so I came to stop you.
If I startled you just now, I'm sorry about that.
So you're that lady shopkeeper.
Do you know how much care it takes to cultivate an herbaceous peony until it blooms?
Since you've already bought it, why not take good care of it and break it?
I have my reasons.
I've heard that Guild Master Lu has a daughter, named Lu Geng Chun.
Her age and appearance seem to match hers.
[Lu]
You're Guild Master Lu's daugther?
Alright, you ban us from buying the fertilizer. And now you want to ruin our flowers as well?
Tell me, what does your father want you to do here?
My father is totally unaware of everything I've done. Please don't misunderstand.
How about this? I'll never cut your flowers again.
Even if you came to buy them, we won't sell to you anymore.
The guild is forcing us step by step. We might use this matter.
If the people of the flower guild find out that Guild Master Lvu's daughter is privately ruining herbaceous peonies,
his reputation will certainly be damaged.
If he doesn't want to make a big fuss out of this and is willing to reconcile with us,
then perhaps the issue of the fertilizer can be resolved.
Trying to run away? Come back. Stand here.
This really has nothing to do with my father. You can hit me or scold me.
But please don't tell the guild. I'm begging you.
Da Fu, let her go.
Well…
Let her go.
Sheng Yi, give her the money back.
We're not selling it anymore. Let her go.
Mu Dan.
No matter how hostile our relationship with the guild may be, these are all matters of business.
Family members shouldn't be involved.
Besides, she has paid. She has right to dispose of the Fragrant Dreams.
We're only here to stop her just because we cherish the flowers.
The world is often harsh on women.
If we make this a big deal, I'm afraid it'll become a fuss,
causing her reputation to be ruined.
You may go.
Thank you.
Mu Dan, you're too kind-hearted. Do we really just let her go?
Aren't you afraid of future trouble?
I saw her speaking frankly, with a sincere expression.
She didn't seem like a person with sinister motives.
Perhaps she wasn't lying. This matter really has nothing to do with the guild.
Then, she simply enjoys destroying herbaceous peonies?
They grow flowers on their own. Why doesn't she cut the flowers from her own garden?
What flower is this? I've never seen it before.
This isn't a flower to appreciation, but the medicinal herb gentian.
Miss He.
I'm here to pay Young Master Jiang last month's bonus.
Right now, he…
If he's busy, I can wait outside. There's no rush.
Come in!
Please, Miss He.
Young Master Jiang.
This is your interest money.
You were always bargaining in the past, why pay this interest money so punctually today?
I really appreciate your kindness towards me. I wouldn't dare owe you money.
Rest assured. I've burned incense and wiped every coin in here.
There isn't the slightest foul smell. This clearly shows my sincerity to you.
The shop has already opened, but this interest money isn't enough.
It's inevitable to invest more money at the start of a new shop.
But the interest money next month will definitely be much more.
I surely won't fail you.
If you don't trust me, you can check the ledger.
Where every coin you gave me has been spent is clearly recorded here.
I don't have time to check this. Just go and reconcile it with Jiang Residence's accountant.
As long as you don't fabricate or conceal anything and the interest money each month is more than the last,
then you can run this shop smoothly.
I understand.
It's fine, if there's nothing else, you may leave.
I shall take my leave.
- Young Master Jiang, the blooming period for the Jade Terrace has ended.
- Your Highness, Minister Liu…
What's so urgent? My young master is still taking his afternoon nap.
Why don't I go and announce it for you?
Sui Zhi is so close to me. Zi Shu isn't an outsider either.
Why bother with such formalities?
Your Highness.
Today, the imperial court was in complete turmoil.
Sui Zhi, you're really having a good time, hiding at home, toying with flowers and plants.
Your Highness has the court affairs handled.
Nowadays, all departments are endlessly arguing over the imperial examination reforms.
Why would I offer myself as a target?
Isn't this Zi Shu?
After our parting in Luoyang, you've now entered the Ministry of Revenue.
Your wedding is coming soon, yet I haven't offered my congratulations.
Zi Shu.
Sui Zhi had praised the magnificent peonies in your old Luoyang residence before.
It seems that you two are old acquaintances.
Whether it's serving as an official or appreciating flowers,
you should all work together and consult with one another.
Yes.
However, spring is already over.
Sui Zhi, why would you place a pot of withered peony in the room?
The servants are just lazy and forgot to move it out.
Your late wife, Lady He, was the best at caring for peonies.
Zi Shu, does it remind you of someone when you see the flowers?
This dog, Jiang! Why did he bring that up?
Brother Sui Zhi, you're joking. That's all in the past.
My former wife wasn't fond of zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting and only liked to care for flowers.
She never quite fit in with the Liu family.
Previously, I had little leisure to appreciate such things.
It's unfortunate she died,
but she's also freed from constraints, which can be considered a good thing.
Zi Shu, what a noble statement.
It is rare for Your Highness and Zi Shu to visit my residence.
I hired a new floriculturist, who has redecorated the garden.
Why not take a look together?
When it comes to these things, Sui Zhi is really the master. I really look forward to it.
Come.
Zishu, please.
With the old man dead, the scholars from the Imperial Academy are petitioning one after another,
re-proposing Master Xu's reforms for the examination system and the selection process for officials.
For the sake of their master-disciple relationship, His Majesty has softened and graciously approved it.
However, rest assured, Your Highness.
These scholars of humble backgrounds are like rootless duckweed.
Even if they enter the imperial court, they can't stir up any trouble.
These scholars keep clamoring,
wanting to change the recruitment ratio between public and private school graduates to six to four,
but completely forgetting that the gentry and nobility are the foundation of our country.
Now they want to support those from humble backgrounds,
while oppressing noble family's sons who attained office through the selection process.
What a reversal of rank and status.
If any trouble occurs, how can the late Master Xu rest in peace.
In my opinion, if it's to express condolences,
a ratio of seven to three is already more than enough.
I understand.
As for His Majesty, please rest assured.
There's one more thing.
If there is a suitable deputy fourth-rank official position, please keep an eye out for Zi Shu.
Zi Shu is of virtue and talent.
If you wish to promote him, there's no need for my help.
Master Xu has just passed away, these scholars and censors are constantly making a fuss.
He's my son-in-law, after all.
Why give people cause for gossip?
Zi Shu's talent will surely be appreciated by His Majesty.
In the future, his promotion will be justifiable and aboveboard.
No one will dare to object.
Zi Shu,
if you were half as smart and sensitive as Sui Zhi, then You Zhen wouldn't…
I'll take my leave first.
[Jiang Residence]
What did you see?
Nothing, I saw nothing.
I didn't see anything.
That's not what you said after you passed out.
You said, "Injustice has its source and debts have their debtors.
To seek revenge, look for that dog Jiang."
What I said was,
"To seek money, look for Young Master Jiang."
No need to pretend anymore.
The night I killed Master Xu,
you were there.
I didn't hurt you because I thought you're tight-lipped.
But today, you can control your mouth when awake, yet you not your sleep-talking.
Seems I can't keep you.
Young Master Jiang.
I must've been possessed by a ghost just now, so I spoke without thinking.
Rest assured. If others are by my side, I definitely won't fall asleep.
I'll never reveal this matter to another person.
I'm not that ruthless.
I'll leave your body intact.
If there's any last wishes, speak them now.
Sheng Yi and the others know nothing of this.
I hope you can let them go.
Okay.
I established Floral Haven on my own.
And the employees in the shop all rely on it for their livelihood. I hope you…
I'll have Miss Yun take over it. Rest assured.
You'd better keep your word.
Otherwise, I will not let you off,
even as a ghost.
'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 ♫