Blossom (2024) s01e16 Episode Script

1
Wang Ying Xue thinks she's so clever,
so I have to stay one step ahead of her.
The divination results don't matter.
What matters
is planting doubt
in Wei Ting Zhen's mind.
Wei Ting Zhen already
has her suspicions.
With you suddenly being so friendly,
she's bound to investigate it.
So, if she investigates,
what exactly will she find out?
That's where you two come in.
I'll need you to
put on a convincing show.
What?
-Infertile?
-That's right.
I went to ask Dou Zhao's
personal maids as you instructed.
After a few drinks,
she spilled everything.
Your mistress looked terribly unwell
the last time we saw her.
So, Her Grace asked me
to prepare some tonics for her.
She's had more tonics than I can count,
but none of them seem to help.
No wonder.
There's such a strong smell
of medicine on her.
I brew so much medicine for her
that I'm practically soaked in it.
The medicine smells so strong.
What illness does your mistress have?
Well, she's
Nanny, don't mind her.
My sister is drunk.
She's rambling nonsense.
Young Lady Zhao isn't seriously ill.
That medicine was for me.
It was obviously a lie.
Who would believe that?
After much effort,
I followed them until dawn
and saw them burying something
wrapped in white cloth under a tree.
I dug it up and asked someone
familiar with herbs about it.
They said the heavy medicine
was for women with severe deficiencies,
the kind who can't conceive.
Madam, you should've seen it,
the tree was scorched and nearly bare!
No wonder one was acting sneaky, and the
other's suddenly changed her attitude.
She's known all along
that Dou Zhao is infertile!
They're worried she won't find a match
and are trying to push her onto us!
Oh, Wang Ying Xue
She has no respect for even the gods.
Have the study send a letter
to the Dou family
to pause the wedding
arrangements for now.
Since Dou Zhao is unwell,
the wedding will have to be postponed.
Let's see
which of us runs out of patience first.
-Madam, please calm down.
-What on earth is
Wei Ting Zhen playing at now?
Hold out your hands.
What on earth did Dou Zhao say to you?
Don't blame her.
It was my own fault for
having thoughts I shouldn't have.
Useless fool!
The Marquis of Jining's household
has borrowed
against their income
for the next ten years.
Nine out of ten of their properties
are losing money.
With Wei Ting Yu's abilities,
he couldn't pay that back
in a hundred lifetimes!
I'm marrying Dou Zhao into that family
so Wei Ting Zhen can bleed her dry
and make her life difficult!
Do you think the rumors about
maids being beaten half to death
and thrown out of the Duke of Jing's
Residence are just gossip?
Wei Ting Yu that lecherous man
must've seduced her.
Ming has been sheltered her whole life
and doesn't know how to judge people.
That's why she fell for his sweet talk.
Young Lady, say you're sorry.
I'm sorry.
Do you really realize your mistake,
or are you just saying that
because my punishment hurt?
Mother, actually, His Lordship and I
Let me give you four words,
over my dead body!
Mother!
Master Shi Ying has always
cared about you,
it all comes down to Master Shi Shu.
It takes two to tango.
Right now, it's the Wei family
who's backing out.
Uncle Shi Shu will probably
just play dumb as usual.
But I feel bad for Dou Ming.
Wang Ying Xue has found out
about her and Wei Ting Yu.
She's bound to punish her harshly.
Serve me some ice cream,
and I'll gladly help you
out of this mess.
Ji Jian Ming,
knock it off.
What are you doing in the capital?
The moment the horse market opened,
all those sycophantic fools
flocked to it like flies to garbage.
And I refused to play along.
So, Prince Qing sent me back to
the capital to report on my duties.
Tuber fleeceflower
and rehmannia glutinosa?
These are specifically used
to treat infertility in women.
Are you pretending to be infertile?
A proper show requires the full act.
By dumping these medicine dregs outside,
it'll help Wei Ting Zhen
make up her mind.
No wonder Uncle Shi Ying mentioned
that the wedding is delayed again.
But why go through all this trouble?
If you want to call off the engagement,
just say the word.
I have plenty of quick
and effective ideas.
I specialize in cutting off
rotten romances.
Domestic matters aren't
like court politics.
Acting too hastily could
harm others in the process.
Besides, the Wei family is already
looking for an excuse to back out.
Don't go doing anything rash.
I don't need your help.
Too bad. I'm helping anyway.
(Blossom)
(Episode 16)
Bravo!
Bravo!
Truly worthy of being the finest
performer in the capital!
Well done!
Are you enjoying it, Your Highness?
To bring joy to Your Highness
and Your Lordship
is undoubtedly
the greatest honor of his life.
Who would have thought
the once-dashing young general
now spends his days
indulging in opera houses?
Your Highness, you may not know this,
but ever since His Lordship
purchased Guanghe Restaurant,
performances here
have been on every night.
If there's something you'd like to see,
please don't hesitate to let me know.
This is disgraceful!
Your Highness,
my performers are delicately nurtured.
Please don't frighten them.
Bravo! Bravo!
You're still in mourning, and
you're being criticized on court.
You're just putting on
a show, aren't you?
His Majesty exempted me from mourning,
I simply follow orders.
Besides, loyalty to His Majesty
is the ultimate form of filial piety.
Amazing!
I know you're lying low,
pretending to be indulgent
and debaucherous,
just to make people forget
your resentment and your hatred.
If you want to investigate
the Duke of Ding's case,
I might be able to help.
My uncle was killed by pirates.
His Majesty has made his ruling.
Or do you have doubts
about that, Your Highness?
And what about
your father setting you up?
Are you going to let that go too?
Family is family.
What's there to set up or not?
At the end of the day,
he's my father, and I'm his son.
What can I possibly do to him?
The only things I can control
are the spoiled brats and
troublemakers in the training grounds.
Well,
and this little haven of mine.
Bravo!
What a waste of your capabilities.
My capabilities, of course,
are at Your Highness's service.
Life in the palace can be restrictive.
I'll pick a few performers for you
to keep in a private spot and enjoy.
What do you take me for?
Count of Yunyang and
Princess Jingyu think so highly of you.
They're so wrong!
Do come again, Your Highness!
Bravo!
My Lord, this is brilliant idea.
Nearly every official in
the capital loves the opera.
Disguising ourselves as an opera troupe
makes it easier to move unnoticed
and gather intelligence.
It also allows us to meet and
plan without drawing suspicion.
I'm just sorry that all of you
have had to set aside your skills
and hide your identities.
It's a sacrifice I don't take lightly.
You honor us too much, My Lord.
About the Crown Prince's
visit in disguise
and his deliberate mention of the case,
it can't be just
an attempt to win your favor.
My Lord,
during today's private opera performance
for the courier station officer,
we stumbled upon a new lead.
While drunk, he swore that before
Grand General entered the capital,
he sent a personal letter
to your mother.
Since it wasn't sent through the
military courier, it went unnoticed.
After the upheaval at home, I searched
through all the letters in the house.
There was no letter from Uncle.
That letter vanished as soon
as it reached the capital.
Even the courier who delivered it
is nowhere to be found.
Incidentally, the courier
station officer
is a cousin of the Crown Princess.
Send word to Chen Jia,
ask him to investigate.
Keep a close eye on everyone
in the Eastern Palace.
Find every opportunity to connect
with the Crown Prince's close aides,
including their family members.
Yes, My Lord.
(Su Yan)
This is 30-year-old Jinyin wine.
So, the one on top really believes
the Duke of Ding's letter
poses no threat?
The Duke of Ding and
his forces are long gone.
It's just a letter.
What kind of trouble
could it possibly cause?
I just don't know what madness
my rebellious son will stir up next.
Could my mother's death
be connected to my uncle?
Conviction, assassination,
sudden illness, family upheaval,
all these events
came crashing down at once.
Unraveling the truth requires
not just meticulous investigation
but also patience.
As Young Lady Zhao said,
we must plan carefully
and think things through.
My Lord, we got a situation outside.
Where?
Pei Jin, your painting
is truly exquisite,
such precise brushwork
and masterful use of ink.
What talent!
Jian Ming, meeting you
feels like destiny delayed.
Your words resonate deeply with me.
Here's to you.
Here.
Jian Ming, I'm feeling so troubled.
A drink can chase away any sorrow.
A good night's sleep will
make everything better.
Come, this way.
-Come on.
-Jian Ming.
Since when did those two
become so close?
My Lord, Young Lady Ming has just
entered Guanghe Restaurant.
Dou Ming?
He's in that room.
Thank you.
Amazing!
Yes! Bravo!
Somebody!
Get me some water.
Ming?
Am I dreaming?
Ming, what
What are you doing here?
What are you trying to do?
Ji Jian Ming said you had
something urgent to discuss.
So, I changed into a maid's
uniform and rushed over.
But you were drunk and unconscious!
I wanted to ask for some sobering soup,
only to find the door
locked from the outside.
You're despicable!
I
Hang on, Ji Yong was the
one who invited me for drinks.
I might have told her about you,
but I never asked him to bring you here.
This won't do.
I'll get Ji Yong here
and clear this up.
Ji Yong!
Open the door!
I've tried.
It's locked from the outside.
You can't open it.
Well
Ming, I
I didn't mean for this to happen.
I may have a reputation
for being a flirt,
but I would never force a woman.
Especially not you,
the woman I love.
I
But spending a whole night like this,
there'll be no way to explain it.
Who knows who'll open the door tomorrow,
and what kind of rumors
will spread after that?
I'll be drowned
in gossip and condemnation!
I'll bring shame to my sister,
my parents and my grandfather.
I might as well just die now!
No, Ming!
You risked everything
to come here for me.
If preserving your honor means dying,
I'll swallow gold and die with you.
No, no!
You're of noble birth. Why would
you throw your life away for me?
Ming, I've made a vow before.
I would marry no one but you.
Even if our families tear us apart,
and we are never meant
to be husband and wife,
in life or in death,
I'll never abandon you.
Our bodies and hair
are gifts from our parents.
This is their will for us,
their blessing.
With this lock of hair,
I swear never to betray you.
Since we are unafraid of death,
how can we fear facing
our true feelings?
Mission accomplished.
You again, you meddling mantis!
What did I ever do to you?
Have you even considered
Dou Zhao's feelings
and what this could
do to her situation?
Ordinary people only see what is,
not what will be.
I'm helping Dou Zhao.
You
This is all my fault.
Take it out on me. Leave her alone.
-My Lord?
-I'm fine.
-Lu Ming, lock the door.
-Yes, My Lord.
-Make sure no one comes in or out.
-Got it.
Pei Jin, did they beat you up?
Song Mo, Pei Jin has already resigned
from his post at the Imperial Guard.
What gives you the right
to lay a hand on him?
Ting Zhen, it's my fault.
Keep your mouth shut and
make sure your residence does the same.
The Marquis lost his way late at night
and accidentally took a fall.
I kindly escorted him back.
That's the only version
anyone is to hear.
If a single word about tonight gets out,
I'll come and cut your tongue.
Understood.
What the hell is going on?
-What are you
-Ting Zhen.
I can't marry Dou Zhao.
Please allow me to marry
Dou Ming instead.
You
Wang Ying Xue,
you wicked woman!
Knowing that your elder daughter
couldn't marry in,
you schemed to have
the younger one take her place.
You're determined to latch
onto our family, aren't you?
My Lord,
he's nothing but a fickle, greedy,
and lecherous scoundrel.
Why not use this opportunity to
It's true Wei Ting Yu is a scoundrel,
but he's still engaged to Dou Zhao.
If what happened tonight gets out,
the scandal and ridicule
will follow her
for the rest of her life.
The Wu family's downfall
is a clear warning.
But if you just let Wei Ting Yu go,
doesn't that mean Young Lady Zhao
will still have to marry him?
He wouldn't dare!
I'm escorting His Majesty to
the Western Hills in a few days.
I'll come up with a plan then.
Mother,
I don't want to go
to the temple, please.
Go.
I don't want to go.
-Move.
-That's enough.
You'll stay at the temple
for a few days.
If anyone asks, we'll say
you're there for spiritual practice.
And what happened at Guanghe Restaurant
never happened.
Mother,
even though His Lordship
and I didn't cross the line, we
Shut up! You may not
have shame, but I do!
I've sent someone
to urge the Wei family to set a date.
For the sake of all three families,
Dou Zhao's wedding
must happen.
Mother!
My whole life,
I've lived cautiously,
always holding back and
enduring what I could.
But this time,
His Lordship and I have
made a vow to each other.
I just want to be brave for once,
like you were when you fearlessly
married Father.
You foolish child.
A man only cherishes
what he has had to fight hard to earn.
I rushed into my marriage
in a moment of passion,
and all I've gotten in return
is his indifference.
Years of distance and
loneliness in this marriage,
haven't you seen enough to understand?
Why would you follow in my footsteps?
Mother,
all my life
you've made me practice calligraphy,
study painting, and perfect my manners.
Is it really supposed
to make me happier?
Or is it just so I can marry
into a prestigious family
and bring you honor?
What did you just say?
You made me embroider
so many landscape tapestries,
gifting them all over the capital,
but all you ever did was criticize
every mistake I made.
Nothing I did was ever good enough!
But Wei Ting Yu is different.
He saw the scars on my hands,
and told me I was enough.
With him, I don't have to
struggle so hard anymore.
I spent over ten years raising you
with everything I had,
And now, some sweet words from a man
have made you lose your senses?
Let me tell you this one last time,
love is fleeting,
it fades.
The only things
that can really protect you
are a man's future
and his wealth!
Mother!
Please, I'm begging you!
I don't want to go, Mother!
Mother!
Once your sister marries him,
you'll wake from this dream.
Take her inside!
-Mother
-Come on, Ming.
Mother, don't send me away!
-Move, Ming.
-Mother!
-Come on.
-Mother, don't send me away!
Mother!
No, Mother!
Mother!
Mother!
Madam.
Oh, you're here. Have a seat.
Your Grace,
I've come today
to talk about the wedding.
This tea
smells delightful.
But when you drink it,
it's bland and flavorless.
Could it be that someone's swapped it
for an inferior brew?
Please, Your Grace, you must believe us,
it wasn't swapped by us.
It must have been an outsider.
Your Grace,
I came here specifically
to clear up this misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding?
Don't think I don't know
about your schemes.
Your family seems intent on
clinging to our family.
When one plan fails, you push another.
Let me tell you,
we aren't so easily fooled.
Your Grace,
please calm down.
I'm here to tell you
that Dou Zhao is not only virtuous
but also possesses
a considerable fortune.
With her assets, you'll enjoy
a life of endless luxury.
Think about it,
when she's married into your family,
all of that wealth
will be at your disposal.
As for her health,
with proper care,
she'll recover in time.
Please try it again.
I've chosen the perfect date,
ten days from now would be
a perfect day for the wedding.
Ruining someone's reputation
and benefiting at their expense!
You think you're the smartest person
in the world, don't you?
For someone who's read the classics,
you sure act like
you're above everyone else.
You are reckless and thoughtless.
Good thing things didn't
blow up this time.
If they had,
do you think
Dou Ming would still be alive?
If you keep worrying
about this and that,
then you deserve to suffer.
If you were willing
to marry Wei Ting Yu,
I wouldn't have had to resort
to these ridiculous schemes.
I don't want to marry him,
but I had a foolproof plan.
It was all under control
until you interfered.
Your so-called plans were
either faking illness or death.
You call that foolproof?
At least I've never hurt others
for my own selfish desires.
How is what you've done
any different from what
Wang Ying Xue did back then?
You're comparing me to Wang Ying Xue?
My way is quick and effective.
You got your wish to
break off the engagement,
so what if Dou Ming and Wei Ting Yu
have to endure a little of gossip?
If it weren't for Song Mo,
that meddling mantis,
they'd be thanking me
and inviting me to their wedding feast.
Everything I've done has been for you.
If Song Mo hadn't interfered,
you would've ruined our entire family.
You keep saying
you're doing this for me,
but have you ever stopped
to think about what I actually want?
Whatever you think doesn't matter.
If you and Wei Ting Yu
really end up married,
do you honestly believe
they won't cheat on you?
Don't worry.
The doctor said she doesn't
have much time left.
Once she's gone and
the mourning period is over,
I'll marry you.
All I did was speed up the inevitable.
If you don't cut ties
with Wei Ting Yu that jerk,
you'll be the one suffering later.
I just don't want to see you
heartbroken and in tears.
You're right.
You're right about everything,
but I don't want to hear it.
My world is too small
for someone like you.
I don't want to associate
with someone who would
ruin others' reputations
just to achieve their goals.
From this moment on,
you go your way, and I'll go mine.
Fine, Dou Zhao.
But if trouble comes your way,
don't come running to me.
We just brought Young Lady Ming back.
And when we weren't looking, she just
Ming
Ming!
You will keep this to yourself.
Thank heavens.
Quickly, bring Young Lady a cup of tea.
Yes, Madam.
Are you alright, Ming?
Mother,
I'm sorry.
Just let me die.
No.
No.
Silly girl.
No man in the world
is worth sacrificing your life for,
especially not Wei Ting Yu.
Maybe he isn't good enough,
but what's poison to one
is honey to another.
When we pledged ourselves to each other,
we swore that
if we couldn't stay together in life,
we'll be together in death.
No
No!
(Western Hills Palace)
Song Mo, there are five
or six routes here,
yet you deliberately took a detour
so I would see the barren lands and
the people stripping bark from trees
on the Marquis of Jining's territories.
Your actions are clearly aimed at him.
How dare you abuse
your position like this!
It's true that I had personal motives
in choosing this route,
but what Your Majesty witnessed today
is the result of the Duchess of Jing
forcibly requisitioning that land
to fund the Marquis of Jining's wedding.
The tenant farmers
don't even have seeds left
for spring planting.
This is the truth,
not something I fabricated.
When the nobility exploit
the common people
to celebrate their joyous occasions,
it sets a dangerous precedent.
Other aristocrats will follow suit,
and the public's resentment
will grow harder to quell.
Your Majesty, you are wise.
Wei Ting Yu has lived off
his hereditary stipend for years
without contributing to the nation.
He's repeatedly acted
in disgraceful ways.
He is unworthy of
marrying the top-ranked lady
from the etiquette competition.
You're well aware
that I intend to marry
Princess Jingyu to you.
Are you implying
you wish to marry Dou Zhao?
Their families have completed
the betrothal rituals.
Do you think you can
disrupt this as you please?
Kneel as long as you like,
but it won't change anything.
Dou Zhao has been forced by her elders
to comply with this engagement,
despite several attempts
to break it off.
I've lost nearly everyone
I've ever wished to protect or save.
This is the one wish I have left.
It neither undermines imperial authority
nor harms anyone else.
I only ask that the person
I care for most
be granted one chance at true happiness.
When the bridal sedan
crosses the bridge,
I'll set it on fire with this.
You'll push the burning sedan
into the water,
and I'll escape by pretending to drown.
This is covered in flint dust,
and you'll have to jump into the water.
This is a dangerously risky plan.
Why won't you ask Old Madam Cui
for help, Young Lady?
Grandmother is getting older,
and she has been unwell for years.
I don't want to burden her
with any more worries.
Young Lady,
Wang Ying Xue has sent some maids
to purchase wedding attire and jewelry.
The wedding isn't happening anyway.
If she wants to play the role of
the mistress of the house, let her.
Our sources told us that
Wang Ying Xue hired the finest tailor
to make an extra wedding dress,
but it's not in your size.
Since the founding of our dynasty,
women
have only been allowed to wear
this phoenix coronet
on their wedding day.
I've never had the chance to wear it.
I hope that when you wear it tomorrow,
it will bring you a lifetime
of peace and happiness.
Mother,
do you really want me to take her place?
Ming,
you are my flesh and blood,
my very life.
How could I bear to see you die?
Mother
Dou Ming's voice is hoarse.
She must have harmed herself
in resistance.
Wang Ying Xue had no choice
but to give in
because she's her own daughter.
That works out then.
You don't have to put yourself
in danger now, Young Lady.
But you don't look particularly happy
about it either.
I've done everything I can
to break off this engagement,
while she's done everything
she can to marry the man she loves.
We're both fighting for what we want.
But the Marquis of Jining's household
is rotten to the core,
and Wei Ting Yu is an unreliable man.
Dou Ming has never
wronged me in this life.
I can't just stand by
and watch her walk into hell.
(Dou's Residence)
Congratulations!
The Marquis is here!
How grand!
Congratulations, My Lord!
Congratulations, My Lord!
Congratulations!
Zhao.
The ceremony will take all day.
You might get hungry,
so I prepared some food for you.
Su Lan,
leave us.
Yes, Young Lady.
This is lotus seed and lily soup.
It symbolizes a long
and harmonious marriage
filled with happiness and peace.
I wish the same for you,
happiness and peace,
and that you'll find a man you love.
Congratulations!
It's a shame Ming is still unwell
and couldn't see her sister get married.
But don't worry, Shi Ying,
I'll find a good match for Ming as well.
I thought she had some brilliant plan,
but in the end,
she still has to marry him.
Wait!
You have to
take good care of yourself there.
Go on.
So, she used a substitute.
As expected, Young Master Ji,
you're the clever one.
The question is, is certain someone
clever enough to realize it?
Wait!
My Lord,
this is my wedding.
What are you trying to do?
You fool, don't do anything stupid.
-Do you know
-I know.
That's not Dou Zhao.
Why did you stop them then?
I only just found out.
I knew it,
she'd never actually marry Wei Ting Yu.
It's someone else's wedding.
I've heard there's some bad blood
between their families.
Really?
What are they doing in there?
What's up with them?
Those who join in matrimony,
how many of them really love each other?
Most are just resentful matches
made out of obligation.
Lovers lament the long night,
tormented by thoughts of one another.
Too fragile to give as a gift,
yet I dream of a perfect reunion.
Ming!
It's really you!
This is wonderful!
How did heaven send you to me?
That's an important soup.
I'm sure there's more.
Go and get another bowl.
Zhao, I'm too ashamed to face you.
I didn't want to do this to you.
Dou Ming,
marriage is a lifelong matter that
determines your happiness or suffering.
You must think it through.
The Marquis of Jining's household
is a pit of vipers.
Wei Ting Yu is not a good man.
If you marry him,
you may end up spending your life
managing the household.
You'll likely come to see his cowardice
and weakness for what they are.
You may suffer greatly,
and your relationship
might even fall apart.
Have you thought about all of that?
If you change your mind now,
I can still fix things.
All my life,
I've done what Mother wanted.
I've tried to be the daughter
she's proud of.
But no one has ever cared
about what I think
or what I want.
Young Master Wei is the first person
who really appreciates me for who I am.
I love him.
He's not as terrible as you think.
He's just been suppressed by his sister.
He even stood up to her for my sake.
He cares for me.
And he's trying hard for me.
I believe people can change.
I'm changing,
and so is he.
He has dismissed his concubines for me.
Isn't it possible
that people grow better
through their experiences?
Change
This time,
instead of following
anyone else's expectations,
I'm going with
what my heart wants.
Since you're determined to marry him,
I'll step aside for you.
-No, I can't.
-Just do it before someone comes.
-Come on, do it.
-I'm scared.
-Now.
-No.
Zhao!
Are you alright? Did I hit you too hard?
I can't believe you really went all out.
I'm so sorry, Zhao.
Slowly.
I owe you a debt of gratitude
I can never repay, Zhao.
If blessings are really finite,
I'd gladly give mine to you.
I knocked out my sister
and married you in her place.
Tomorrow, the world will mock me
for being shameless
and betraying my family.
My love,
you committed such a bold act for me.
I will never forget
such sacrifice.
No matter how many hardships
come our away after this,
I will protect you.
I'll never let anyone wrong you.
We should convince the Wei family
to formally accept this marriage.
Shou Gu was supposed
to marry into their family anyway.
Adding her dowry to Ming's
is only fair, isn't it?
Now that this has happened,
you're demanding me, the victim,
to be the bigger person?
Do you not care about our reputation?
Shut up!
Has any of you bothered to think about
if this is fair for Shou Gu?
Dou Zhao, I'll marry you.