♫ The far and long roads, ♫
♫ the man I miss is at a distant place ♫
♫ Seeking the truth in heaven and on earth, opening up the words deep in my heart, ♫
♫ not looking back ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, if one's heart could be fragrant ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, desolate like the moon ♫
♫ I worry, when can I appreciate the grasses and flowers with a beautiful woman ♫
♫ The ancient people didn't have time to leave some Yimoxiang (a type of plant) ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, heart becoming fragrant on its own ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, fragrant dreams ♫
♫ The whole world is drunk, one's whole life just follows the blue water ♫
♫ I'll drive and go away for an adventure, flying as I want to in the nine skies ♫
Song of Phoenix
Episode 16
The darkness of the world is baffling, and who may explain my rights and wrongs? - Li Sao (The Grievances), by Qu Yuan
Your Highness, the Queen has gone back. Let's go back too!
I said I'd kneel for an hour, so I must.
It cannot be a single moment less.
Who are you kneeling for?
You're just torturing yourself!
Today was the first time I saw the Queen,
but I left such a bad impression.
If I don't be careful today, then from now on the path
will be harder to walk.
Your Majesty, it's time for morning court.
In other palaces, they hope that I won't get up.
You always wake me up early in the morning.
I'm leaving.
May Heaven protect Your Majesty.
Qiu Lu.
How long did that Tian Ji kneel for?
One hour, no more, no less.
She didn't do it for you to see?
Concubine Tian didn't see me.
This Tian Ji has some personality.
Your Highness, I believe that this person
won't submit to you easily.
Even if she has an attitude, she needs to receive my generosity.
Isn't her ultimate goal to be with His Majesty?
Since it's like this, we have to guard against her more.
Your Highness came out for the first time and was treated roughly by the Queen.
Usually, Your Highness's skin is as white as snow, so very lovable.
But after you were punished by kneeling for the whole night, your skin's become dull.
Have you finished making the "Jiyu Seven-White Cream" and
the "Yingji Jade-Like Cream" that I requested a few days ago.
The Seven-White Cream, I've prepared it, but
the Yingji Jade-Like Cream...
I don't know how to make it!
You never listen when I tell you to read some more books.
My "Collection of Hundred Herbs" scroll details skin nourishment formulas
used in the royal courts of many countries and those that are passed down through the ages.
As for how to make the Yingji Jade-Like Cream, it's also recorded within that scroll.
Yes, I know. If it really is like that,
if Your Highness uses it properly, in a few days,
your hands will definitely be as supple as calfskin and your skin will be white like cream.
What are you sighing for?
I am sighing for you, Your Highness.
You played the flute in the middle of the night,
wasn't it just to use the chance to seduce the King?
You never imagined that you'd attract not the King, but the Queen instead.
This time, our days will be even tougher.
It's been many days already. We haven't even seen the King.
If His Majesty (of Qi) finds out,
your parents may not live very well either.
Don't worry. I have my plans.
That's good.
Oh right, this Concubine Zheng and the Queen probably aren't allies.
Don't tell me we'll have to do it alone?
Isn't there still Yin Ying?
Yes! I will go there with you!
There's no need. I will meet her alone.
Princess, it's been so many days already.
It's time for you to let go.
Today is a hundred days since Qin'er died.
He was on this world for a short month.
Only I still remember him.
Greetings, Big Sister Yin.
Who are you? You dare to rashly enter River Algae Palace.
Yun Niang.
Greetings, Big Sister Yin. I am the newly-arrived lady from the State of Qi, Tian Ji.
This River Algae Palace has such delicate decorations.
I couldn't help but come in.
I hope you will be understanding, Big Sister.
Older sister, you are commemorating someone privately in the palace.
Are you not afraid you'll break palace rules?
People are alive.
My heart is dead.
Has your heart died before?
Is Concubine Yin willing to help us?
Then what should we do now?
Now that it's come to this, we can only follow Nan Hou.
Unfortunately, we just offended Her Highness the Queen. Would she still help us?
No matter what, we must try.
Go bring my Taiji pellets. (T/N "Absolute Youth")
Taiji pellets?
My Lady, are you going to give it to Nan Hou?
Just go get it!
Yes.
Your Highness, Tian Ji has come to see you.
Oh? Let her come in.
Yes.
Greetings to Your Highness the Queen.
- You may rise. -Thank you, Your Highness.
Why do you spend your free time to come here today?
Your Highness the Queen was magnanimous to me.
I didn't know proper etiquette.
That day after being lectured by Your Highness, I've been thinking.
I think that I really don't know much.
I disturbed Big Sister and His Majesty's peaceful night.
If I didn't come personally to apologize,
I would feel very guilty.
As such, you seem to understand reason.
Come, sit.
This is a little something from me.
What is this?
This is the "Absolute Youth" pellet.
I made it just for you.
I hope you will like it.
I have heard about Taiji Cream, the Yin and Yang of Taiji.
This is the first time I've heard of the Absolute Youth pellet.
These pellets are essences of nature and could only be made at midnight or noon. (T/N time of day affects yin/yang)
It takes much effort to make it.
I never imagined that you'd know so much.
When I was little, I often stayed by my father's side.
I learned a bit.
What is this?
This is "Seven-White" cream.
This is derived from the long-lost, classic skin nourishment formula,
"New Seven-White" cream.
In this world, besides me,
I'm afraid no one else can make this.
I remember
that you've been in the palace for a while now.
Your Highness has a good memory.
I've come to Chu palace with a wish.
Do you want to see the King?
I have poor luck.
It's not easy to see the King.
So...
I hope that Your Highness will give me some pointers.
Pointers? What do you want me to do?
Do you wish that I will put in good words for you in front of the King?
Or, do you want me to send you directly to the King's side?
Big Sister, that's not what I mean!
Would I not know what you mean?
I came here at your age too.
I once had all the thoughts you have now.
Okay, your intentions today I understand.
Go back first.
Then thank you, Big Sister. I will take my leave first.
"O green dress, green dress. Green dress with yellow lining.
To be laden with grief, when shall this cease?
O green dress, green dress. Green dress with yellow skirt.
To be laden with grief, when will it be forgotten?"
Brother Yun.
Are you familiar with Qu Yuan's poems?
In this world, who doesn't know about Ling Jun's poems?
Since Qu Yuan is the main judge tomorrow,
why not read more of his poems?
Qu Yuan's poems can touch people's hearts.
One time, all the officials of the Court gave gifts. (for His Majesty's birthday)
Jing Po gave the world's most delicious food.
My father gave the world's greatest treasure, He Shi Bi.
And Qu Yuan won over everyone with one poem, Ju Song (Ode to Orange.)
Precisely.
Brother Yun, why not look and see if within Qu Yuan's poems
there perhaps are good ideas.
Someone's already written it. If I copied that, wouldn't I be laughed at by everyone?
He wrote Ode to Orange, but you can write an Ode to Bamboo or Ode to Plum Blossom.
Not bad, that could work.
I've got it. Qu Yuan's poems frequently include orchids.
He also likes orchids himself.
If I use orchids as my topic, I will definitely pass!
Education Bureau
The scholar selection will begin now.
Sir, there were no poems that you liked in the past two years.
You still can't be like that this year.
Why not?
Literary attendants affect the rise and fall of the nation's poetic culture.
It's better to not have one than to have a poor one.
If you evaluate poems like that, who can pass?
You may rise.
Is Your Majesty implying I should haphazardly choose one?
Everything is up to you.
Ling Jun, this is the last poem.
So what?
Ling Jun, you now reside in Quan County and I need an Royal Scholar.
Faint fragrance of orchids, in the mountain gorge.
Though bathed in spring's sunlight, lives with wild weeds.
Where no traces of people of are found, to whom can fragrance be sent?
Dazzlingly white orchids, growing in the marketplace.
While unblemished as snow, are with the filth and foul.
Not an abode of immortals, competing on beauty, but for whom?
The clear bright orchid grew in quiet woods.
Leaves how luxuriant, flowers how overladen.
A good poem. It's a good poem!
Your Majesty thinks this is a good poem?
Since it's the poet's aspiration to not to live in quiet mountain valleys,
and he is not willing to be sullied by the filth of the common marketplace,
only wishing to display his talents within peaceful woods.
He has both poetic talent and aspirations.
-Mu Yi.-Here.
Go bring the poet who wrote "Ode to the Orchid" to me.
Yes.
How is it? Is the result out?
Who wrote "Ode to an Orchid"?
I did! I did!
Come with me.
Why would they just call for him?
-Greetings, Your Majesty.-Rise.
What is your name?
Cang Yun.
I just read your poem.
From your poem, I can tell that you are from an ordinary family.
That is correct. My family consists only of my mother.
These few years I've had to study poetry and also take care of my elderly mother,
in hopes that one day I can be selected as the Royal Scholar,
and allow my mother to live well.
You are very filial.
But your poem, it also speaks of wanting to contribute to my kingdom.
Precisely. I read books every day
in the hopes to work for the country.
To work for Your Majesty.
Good! Good!
This topic of the poem focuses on the orchid. Let me ask you.
What is beautiful about the orchid?
In my poem I have already stated it.
It's beauty is in it's tranquil serenity, it's snow-like brightness, it's charm.
It does not wish to be with other fragrant flowers, nor does it wish to be sullied by filth.
Ling Jun, his "Ode to the Orchid" is rather like what you
portray in your poems. Do you not often say,
"Lament, the filth of common blooms. Dismay, at the parting of a beauty?"
That's right, I too do like the filth of common blooms,
but though my orchid laments for the common blooms,
it is willing to bloom all by itself.
The orchid in Cang Yun's poem, is only willing to bloom within peaceful, woodland parks.
How could he not know that it's the orchid's nature to be in mountain valleys?
Where there are lonely valleys, then would also there be serene orchids.
If it were placed in peaceful, woodland gardens for long,
how would it be different from those common and ordinary flowers?
If these orchids all grow in lonely valleys,
then wouldn't there only be ordinary flowers within my woodland garden?
Your Majesty, all common flowers could enter the garden but only the orchid cannot.
Cang Yun, "Ode to the Orchid" is indeed better than other poems.
It's construction is four lines per verse, capturing very well the delight of poems in "Three Hundred Poems".
It was indeed carefully and neatly done but lacks elegance.
You indeed showed great poetry talent, but you don't have the proper heart of a poet.
The poem focuses on the orchid.
On the surface it's about an orchid, but in reality it's about yourself.
The orchid in this poem is only willing to become illustrious by the King's side
and not willing to hold fast to it's sentiment.
I'm afraid that the "you" outside the poem is like this as well?
Ling Jun, you're being too serious.
I think that this Ode to Orchid is still...
If Your Majesty thinks I'm wrong,
you can make him the Royal Scholar.
I've said that I'll let you decide everything.
I'm sorry, you didn't pass.
Why my Chu state can't even select a scholar?
Perhaps there is one here, but I haven't seen one yet.
Ling Jun, we can open our doors wider sometimes, you know.
Your Majesty, can you also make the doors of your kingdom wider?
Okay, fine, well, I can't beat your argument.
Ling Jun, you are leaving tomorrow. I will throw a feast tonight to send you off.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Brother Yun.
You didn't pass?
Qu Yuan! It's all that Qu Yuan's fault!
He...what did he do?
The King clearly loved my poem.
But that Qu Yuan had to make things hard on me!
He said something about me having great poetic talent but not enough in terms of having a poetic heart.
And he even said that I only ask to be illustrious by the King's side,
but not wanting to hold fast to my sentiments.
The King clearly really liked it! He liked it!
My life has been ruined by Qu Yuan!
RUINED BY QU YUAN!
Your Highness.
Is there a feast in the palace tonight?
Your Highness, the King is holding a feast with the officials tonight. We are all preparing right now.
Can the inner palace concubines participate?
The King invited all the other concubines to attend.
What nonsense! Why isn't Her Highness invited?
I don't know either, I am just following orders.
-You lowlife servant!-Enough.
He's just a servant. It's useless to yell at him.
You can go.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness, the King invited all the other concubines but didn't tell you to come.
Why is that?
Don't worry, this will be the only and the last time.
Good!
They danced very well.
It was good.
Concubine Zheng's dancing is as it was before.
Minster Jing, when did you start liking dancing and music?
I only know a little bit.
You know a little? Then let me ask you, Lord Jing.
What kind of dance did Concubine Zheng dance?
I really d-d-don't know much.
I really don't know...
It looks like you really only know a little.
Noble Lady Zheng loves to dance Zheng songs.
She is known for being light, graceful, and nimble.
There are a lot of tune changes within this kind of music.
Although it is quite beautiful, compared to Chu music,
it is a bit sloppy and lacks a bit of soul.
It really isn't worthy of Noble Lady Zheng's good dancing skills.
I never imagined that you'd know dance so well, Beloved Lord Zhao.
Your Majesty, you don't know. Lord Zhao's daughter, Zhao Bixia,
is the best zither player in the State of Chu.
Is that so?
Can she play a song for me one day?
Of course, that would be her honor.
But, my daughter is eighteen years old this year, and does not have a fiance yet.
My wife and I are currently worrying about her marriage.
This is the great devotion of being parents.
Lord Qu.
Is your son Qu Yuan married yet?
-Uh, I--My son
is not married yet.
Then as I see it,
your son and Lord Zhao's daughter are a match made in heaven.
One can write poems, and the other can play the zither.
If they can become a pair, in the future,
wouldn't that cause others to be jealous?
Your Majesty, what do you think?
Your words make sense.
Your Majesty! I am not talented. I am not worthy of the Zhao family's daughter.
- I..- Your Majesty!
Your Majesty is so kind to us. My son enjoys playing.
If he can marry the Zhao family's daughter,
then, then it will be his honor.
Beloved Official Zhao, do you think that too?
It is all up Your Majesty.
Ah...aren't we only going to drink wine and be merry and not talk about country and family matters?
Everyone, let's all drink to His Majesty.
Drink to His Majesty!
Who are you looking for?
I'm looking for Master Qu.
Which Master Qu?
Qu Yuan!
The Second Young Master has gone to the palace.
Oh. When will he return?
I don't know.
Your Majesty, I will drink a cup to you.
Okay!
Since Little Sister Zheng's dancing is so amazing,
then why not dance a few more pieces?
I can do that.
It's just...I'm afraid His Majesty's heart will ache because I'll be tired.
It'll be Queen Mother's fiftieth birthday party soon.
I wonder what variations your dance can have?
Your Majesty, what types of different dances there are, wouldn't you know?
Oh, right. I heard that Qi people are very good in dancing too.
I know that the girl from the State of Qi
has been in the palace for a while.
Why didn't Your Majesty summon her?
I believe that
Your Majesty shouldn't see this girl.
-Why?-I heard it from the servants myself.
I haven't seen her myself. They say that this girl from Qi
won't let anyone get close to her.
Why is that?
According to the servants,
even the maid who came with her from the State of Qi
has to cover her nose.
Cover her nose?
I heard she smells.
Enough, enough. Let's not talk about that.
Drink wine!
My lady, where are you going?
I'm going to look for Qu Yuan!
You must not!
If you still treat me as your mistress, then pretend you don't know anything!
Do you know why I kept you alone here?
Your Majesty wants to talk to me about the marriage union?
You know everything I'm thinking about.
Then what I don't understand is, why are you rejecting the marriage?
I already said so earlier. I am not worthy of her.
The arrogant scholar, there are times you bow your head down too?
You are still too young.
All the lords in the court know
that the Zhao and Jing families are currently struggling over the role of district magistrate.
Uniting with the Zhao family is an unfathomable accomplishment.
Since others are willing, then others can go unite in marriage.
Do you still remember what I told you?
The people in this world are turbid, I alone am clear.
If so, how can you identify yourself with these senior ministers?
Clear shall be clear, turbid shall be turbid. (T/N meaning: muddy, full of confusion)
When the two flow as one, wouldn't they share the filth?
That's what you say. But if you do not merge with those officials,
the future will be very unstable.
I won't force it.
I am already satisfied if Your Majesty understands me.
You are too stubborn.
I'm afraid you'll be at a disadvantage.
I really haven't before.
It's not a bad idea to try it.
Forget it.
What I admire about you is your personality.
Qu Yuan!
- Miss Zhao Bi Xia?- Come with me.
-To where?-You'll know when you get there.
What did you bring me here for?
Do you know what this place is?
How would I know?
This is where Cang Yun is living.
What does that have to do with me?
If there is nothing else, I'll leave first.
Do you know?
Cang Yun left without saying anything to me because of you!
He left?
You promised me that you'd help him. What did you do?
Cang Yun doesn't have the talent. How do you want me to help?
Even the King liked his poem! You're clearly making things hard on him!
If you didn't want to help him then fine. Why did you have to ruin him?
Did you know how important this chance was to him?
Cang Yun is the type to want only wealth, he isn't worthy of being a Royal Scholar.
- Are you the only one who is worthy in this world?- I..!
I'm telling you!
Even if Cang Yun isn't here, I won't marry you!
I..!
Lady Bi Xia!
Lady Bi Xia, listen to me! Bi-!
Mo Chou?
Mo Chou!
You're already talking marriage with someone else. What else do you need to say?
You're talking about Lady Bi Xia?
Mo Chou! You've misunderstood! It's not like that!
♫ In this mortal world, looking back and flashing a graceful and unrestrained smile ♫
♫ Wishing that in this lifetime, I can go through it with you with innocence ♫
♫ Water flows eastward; birds can be caught by a net at the door ♫
♫ Beauty that overruns cities and destroys countries, only willing to tilt during troubled times ♫
The king clearly really liked my poem!
But that Qu Yuan had to make things hard on me!
He said I only care about the wealth, and that my love for poetry isn't enough.
He even said that I only wish to be illustrious by the King's side
but am unwilling to hold fast to my sentiments.
Cang Yun is the type to only want wealth, he isn't worthy of the Royal Scholar position.
The king clearly really liked it! He liked it!
Cang Yun doesn't have the talent, how do you want me to help?
My life has been ruined by Qu Yuan!
RUINED BY QU YUAN!
♫ How come we are only left with separating? ♫
♫ My love went and didn’t return for so many years ♫
♫ Don’t worry since this spilled water would be hard to rob ♫
♫ The pen tip stopped to rest from the love and hate ♫
This is the situation. If Cang Yun was selected to be the winner,
Zhao Bixia would marry him. Then we wouldn't have to be engaged.
What? You're even engaged to her?
It's Lord Zhao and my father who hope for that! I won't agree to it.
Why? She's the young lady of the Zhao family.
Because I have someone I've liked since long ago.
Who is it?
She's very far away,
but also right in front of my eyes.
Then how are you going to tell your father?
Do you want me to listen to my parents that much?
Decide on your own matters yourself.
Okay. Then I'll go back right now and tell my parents
that I'm going to marry Zhao Bixia.
What is it? You can't bear to let me do that?
When did I do that?
I mean, you didn't let Cang Yun become the Royal Scholar.
If you marry Miss Bixia, she'll get you killed.
Don't worry, besides you, no one can have my life.
I don't want it.
-Let's go.-Where are we going?
To Quan County, the place that belongs to us.
I didn't know that Your Highness was coming. I deserve to die!
Very good. I never imagined that you'd be such a good dancer.
Come. Hurry and get up.
I came to give you some good news.
Queen Mother's birthday is in half a month.
When that day comes, the concubines and the officials will come attend the birthday feast.
I want you to show your thanks.
I will listen to Your Highness's orders.
Since you are such a good dancer,
why don't you perform a dance?
It's just, there are too many dancers in the palace.
How to dance in a new way to make people appreciate it,
That will depend on you.
I will not disappoint you.
It's not a problem if you disappoint me.
It's just, don't disappoint yourself.
I will do as ordered.
♫ Day and night, summer and winter, nonstop changes ♫
♫ Herbs and trees, prosperity and decline, would still depend on a beautiful woman ♫
♫ Rumors brought by wind from all over; ♫
♫ inciting ministers with different dreams ♫
♫ Asking Heaven if it can bear witness to one's loyalty ♫
♫ Muddy and clear, beautiful and ugly, overturning all living creatures ♫
♫ Angelica and magnolia, orchids and quan, have a hard time emitting their fragrance ♫
♫ Why must you proceed against the current? ♫
♫ Why must a lonely flower admire herself? ♫
♫ No one knew that one's birthplace has become someone else's territory ♫
♫ Outstanding in a chaotic world, ♫
♫ who can understand one's desire? ♫
♫ Going far to travel, ♫
♫ yet one's heart is tied with one's home ♫
♫ Drinking one 'Li Sao', the pain of separation ♫
♫ Getting drunk for a lifetime of dedicating oneself for one's country ♫
♫ Coping with the long, long road; ♫
♫ hard to beg the heaven and the earth ♫
♫ I lamented the numerous sorrows in the life of the citizens ♫
♫ Singing one 'Li Sao', pain of separation ♫
♫ Sighing how hard it is to keep a bosom friend ♫
♫ For the ideal that I hold dear to my heart, I’d not regret a thousand times to die. ♫
♫ In the end, turning into ashes. ♫
♫ If this dream is difficult, ♫
♫ let's just leave it to the next generations to ponder ♫
♫ Outstanding in a chaotic world, ♫
♫ who can understand one's desire? ♫
♫ Going far to travel ♫
♫ yet one's heart is tied with one's home ♫
♫ Drinking one 'Li Sao', the pain of separation ♫
♫ Sighing how hard it is to keep a bosom friend ♫
♫ For the ideal that I hold dear to my heart, I’d not regret a thousand times to die. ♫
♫ In the end, turning into ashes. ♫
♫ If this dream is difficult, ♫
♫ let's just leave it to the next generations to ponder ♫