The exam result will be announced soon. Come on.
Let's grab a husband...
There are so many people.
come on. Let's join the crowd.
Excuse me.
Excuse me...There are so many people.
You two listen up.
When Wang Pang and the tutor come out,
drag them away immediately.
Don't let anyone get close to them.
I don't need to worry. Brother Qin won't entertain them.
Besides, I know kung fu. I'll charge in and drag them out.
I'm counting on you then.
I'll hit whoever gets in my way. You hear that?
They've stood there staring at each other for so long.
Just now they at least fought a bit. But now. ..
Experts strike in a flash. Just watch.
Good. Handsome Lad is really amazing. OK. I'll appoint you the...
Wait. Qin Shaoyou showed his naked body in the presence of the princess.
That's so disrespectful. He should be disqualified.
Taking off one's clothes is a tactic in wrestling to defeat the adversary.
It's quite common.
Besides, Handsome Lad is still wearing his pants. How can you say he's naked?
I agree with Prime Minister Wang.
Qin Shaoyou showed his naked body
in front of Your Majesty and the princess. He's so disrespectful.
He won, Your Majesty!
That's right. I won't take back what I said.
I appoint Qin Shaoyou as the newly qualified top scholar.
Much obliged, Your Majesty.
Listen to the Imperial Decree.
The newly qualified top scholar is Qin Shaoyou from Gao You.
The runner-up scholar is Wang Pang from Linshun.
Great. He did it.
Congrats, Xiaomei.
Thank you, Sis Damei Your fiance is amazing too.
They're coming out.
That's all.
Intercept them.
There's money.
Sis Damei, go.
Are you OK?
The princess is holding a banquet at Peach Cabin. She has invited you.
The princess has invited me?
Your Royal Highness!
You're really on the same level as me.
I dare not.
In terms of status, Of course you're below me.
But in terms of your build, you're much taller.
You really have a sense of humor.
Your performance today was eye-opening. I hope you'll do even better in the future.
Thank you, Your Royal Highness.
I’m holding this banquet tonight to entertain the newly qualified top scholar.
You must enjoy to the fullest extent, OK?
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Xiaomei, perhaps His Majesty
is holding a banquet to entertain the newly qualified top scholar.
Don't wait anymore. Look. There's no one to compete with you.
No, I want to wait for Brother Qin.
I want to be the first person he sees when he comes out.
You guys don't need to wait with me. Go home and comfort Sis Damei.
Right. Let's see how she's doing. Just now she looked heartbroken.
OK. Chun Hua, you stay here with Miss Xiaomei.
OK.
Wine is relaxing. Poems are entertaining.
Good poem, Princess. Cheers.
Wang Anshi insisted on abolishing poems and songs in the Imperial Exam this time.
I didn't have a chance to see you compose an impromptu poem.
Can you do that now?
Please set a topic.
I want you to describe the circumstances and mood here.
I'll do my best then.
The sky is so beautiful. Dreaming on a moonlit night.
The girl is so lovely. But too bad...
Don't say it's too bad. Say you're so lucky to fall in love with me.
I dare not harbor any improper thoughts.
I'm just kidding. Sit down.
Yes, Princess.
Taste the wine.
Yes, Princess.
Cheers.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Prime Minister Wang, I just heard that
your son has agreed to marry the daughter of Li
who's the number one magnate in town. Congrats.
It's good that my son could marry such a nice girl.
Prime Minister Wang, your son hasn't married my sister Damei yet.
He's taking a concubine already?
I'm afraid my son has to cancel his engagement with your sister.
You want to cancel it just like that.
So you're breaking the engagement. You don't keep your promises.
Me? How?
Right. How?
When we agreed to the engagement,
Su Dongpo agreed that he would deliver the dowry when the Imperial Exam was over.
Where's the dowry now?
It's almost ready.
Brother Dongpo, grabbing a husband when the exam result is announced
is a tradition of Song.
The qualified candidate has the right to change his mind even though he's engaged.
Right. There are precedent cases.
You have yourself to blame for failing to grab the husband.
There was an engagement already. Was there a need to scramble for a husband?
If you want the dowry so desperately,
I'll have it delivered to you in a couple of days.
That won't be necessary.
My son's engagement with your sister is no longer valid.
You're being unreasonable.
Enough. Knock it off.
Today's banquet is to celebrate the newly qualified top scholar.
I want to press charges against Wang Pang for the offence of bigamy.
Prime Minister Wang's son is engaged to my sister.
But now he has also promised to marry Li's daughter.
The allegation sounds justified.
Your Majesty, Su Dongpo failed to keep his promise first.
He agreed to give us the dowry. But he failed to do that.
The Lis immediately gave us a substantial dowry,
and also agreed to donate to the government three years of military pay.
Really? That's absolutely beneficial to the nation.
They just said that. It's easy to brag. Have you gotten the military pay yet?
Well...today is a happy day. There's no point arguing like this.
Let's talk about this later.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I recently learned some new magic. Why don't I perform it for all of you?
You see my two fingers?
When I apply some force, they'll become two fingers.
Wonderful.
Amazing, eh?
It's really amazing.
But I think someone's magic is better than yours.
Whose is better than mine?
This person can move the sealed exam questions
from the palace to the public in a blink
so students could copy them before sitting for the Imperial Exam.
Isn't he really amazing?
You said before that the leak was a minor issue.
Now you want to reopen the case?
Is it because your son failed to become the top scholar
and you can't accept it?
Back then I didn't want to alert the offender.
Now that the Imperial Exam is over. We should conduct a thorough investigation.
It's good that Prime Minister Wang wants to conduct an investigation.
I suggest that all the officials in the Ministry of Rites
that were involved in the Imperial Exam be suspended for the time being.
I'm willing to stay at home to review my mistakes.
Officer Su, what do you think?
We should share His Majesty's worries.
You're doing this to solve the problem for His Majesty. Why would I object?
OK. It's decided then. Let's carry on drinking.
Much obliged, Your Majesty.
Why hasn't the newly qualified top scholar shown up yet?
Your Majesty, Princess Shouan
invited him to a banquet in her mansion. She told me to inform you.
She's that aggressive?
Princess, it's late. I need to go.
You don't need to leave. There are lots of rooms in Peach Cabin.
You can stay here tonight
Stay here tonight?
Mrs. Su, Master Su is home.
Honey.
Brother Dongpo, Honey.
Brother Dongpo, Brother Zhe.
Damei, we know what happened to you and Wang Pang. Forget this man.
What happened to your hand?
I tripped. It got scratched.
Does it hurt?
No, it doesn't.
What about your heart?
It doesn't hurt either. Don't worry. I'll be fine.
Good. We're relieved to hear you say that.
I'll go get some rest in my bedroom. Call me when dinner's ready. I'm starving.
I can tell... So many things have happened.
Did something bad happen?
His Majesty ordered a thorough investigation of the exam question leak.
Brother Zhe is suspended from duty for the time being.
Now what, Honey?
Don't worry. My conscience is clean. I'll just take a break.
Where's Xiaomei? I don't see her.
It's bad...
Just now I was with Miss Xiaomei waiting for the top scholar to come out.
But he didn't.
Then we heard that the princess had dragged him to a banquet.
Miss Xiaomei thought something was wrong. She left immediately.
This is bad.
I remember Li Bai's poem.
Getting drunk in a banquet. Sleeping behind a beautiful curtain.
You're really well educated, Princess. I'm no match for you.
I'm drunk. Why don't you carry me to bed?
I dare not.
You think I'm not your match?
I have a fiancee already.
That means she's not your wife yet.
No...
Brother Qin said I'm his wife, so I'm his wife.
Who are you?
I'm Su Xiaomei. I came to get my husband back.
Why do you Sus always want to compete with me for what I want?
You're so shameless.
You're shameless.
You are.
You are...
You're shameless. You...
You are.
Xiaomei, go home. You can't fight the princess.
You hear that? I can even make him my husband.
You're abusing your authority. Give him back to me.
Look, she's such a shrew. She's not as gentle as me.
How can she be your match?
Actually, I'm not your match in terms of status and position.
Why don't you let me take her home. We won't hold you up, OK?
You hear that? Brother Qin wants me. He doesn't want you.
You still won't let him leave?
Fine.
Take off your shoes and walk over here. Then I'll let him leave with you.
Don't do it.
Drag her away. I can't believe you would really walk on that.
Can you do that?
You want Brother Qin, right? You walk on that too.
I'm not that stupid.
Qin Shaoyou is mine. You can't compete with me.
That's not true.
Brother Dongpo.
Mrs. Su...Mrs. Su...
Let go of me.
How can you come into the palace at night? You even want to go into the Imperial Study.
If the queen sees you,
she may think you're having an affair with His Majesty.
She’ll punish me.
I couldn't care less. My husband and Xiaomei are in trouble.
Go away. Only His Majesty can save them. Go away.
Don't go in..
Go away...Your Majesty... What's the matter with him?
He's drunk. He drank too much just now.
Are you serious?
I need his help. But he's drunk. Even God won't help me? Your Majesty...
Stay away from him.
I like doing this. Come over if you can't stand it.
Princess, everyone knows you like making handsome guys your toy boys.
It's OK to have fun.
Why are you suddenly so aggressive to target the top scholar too?
You even want to be his wife?
She thinks my husband is handsome.
He's handsome?
I find Qin Shaoyou just so-so in comparison with the princess' toy boys.
Could it be that
the princess wants to make Qin Shaoyou a high-ranking official too?
If he were my husband,
he'd have to at least be a minister to match my status.
I'm not finished yet.
Actually you want him to be powerful so you can usurp the throne.
Oh...
Don't talk nonsense. I won't marry him then.
I just want him to be my toy boy, OK?
No. Back in Qin State,
Lady Zhao's toy boy Lao Ai was really high-ranking and powerful.
In the end they started a rebellion.
Now you want to recruit Qin Shaoyou as your toy boy.
Your intention is so obvious. You think His Majesty won't notice?
No, I.“
Since you won't let Qin Shaoyou go. I know what's on your mind.
Fine. As the princess, I order
that Qin Shaoyou must stay in Peach Cabin.
You two barged into my residence at night without my permission. Seize them.
Brother Qin, let's live and die together.
Xiaomei, I will die with you.
You're crazy, Xiaomei.
His Majesty wants to see the princess,
Officer Su, the top scholar and Su Xiaomei in the palace now.
Please wait here. I'll inform His Majesty.
Your Majesty...
Has he woken up yet?
Your Majesty...
I gave him two bowls of sobering soup already.
He's still drunk. Now what?
I'm doomed this time.
I falsified the imperial order and summoned them to the palace.
That's a serious offence.
I didn't know my sobering soup wouldn't work.
Xiaomei, stand properly. You're drooling.
His Majesty summoned us to the palace. Why isn't he seeing us then?
Don't ask so many questions. His Majesty has his own plans.
It's getting cold. Shaoyou, come over and keep me warm.
Princess, there mustn't be physical contact between a man and a woman.
Please ask your maid to help you keep warm.
You hear that?
Your Majesty, it's so cold outside. When will you summon us to go in?
Please don't be mad, Princess.
His Majesty must prepare tomorrow's memorials. Please wait.
His Majesty is so hard working. We don't mind waiting here.
There's no rush. Take your time, Your Majesty.
Why didn't His Majesty say anything? Your Majesty.
His Majesty ate too much spicy food. He can't talk.
OK. His Majesty must get back to work now.
Now what, Mrs. Su? We can't stall forever.
Didn't you find His Majesty a bit funny?
So you noticed too.
You go inside and see what's going on.
Princess, where are you going? Hold her.
OK.
Get out of the way. Why are you blocking me?
Your Majesty...Why is he asleep? Just now he was waving to us from the window
I get it You guys falsified the order and summoned us to the palace.
Don't make an allegation like that.
The one who wrongfully accuses someone of falsifying an imperial order
will be beheaded.
What's that nonsense? Guards...
This is the palace.
How can you ask people to come in so casually?
Your Majesty.
Why are you talking all of a sudden? You were asleep just now.
I wasn't asleep. I was meditating.
What were you meditating on?
I was meditating on why someone has pressed charges against you.
Me?
Mrs. Su, come out.
Honey, are you OK?
Honey...Your Majesty.
Mrs. Su, tell them the case again.
Why don't I do that?
The princess imprisoned Qin Shaoyou. She even wanted to break up the couple
The empress dowager and Your Majesty want me to find a husband.
I like Qin Shaoyou. What's the problem?
Well...
Your Majesty, I'm engaged to Su Xiaomei already.
If I must break up with her, I'd rather die.
I won't live if Brother Qin dies.
Princess, they're so deeply in love. Why break them up?
I'll introduce a celebrity to you later.
You're siding with Su Dongpo, Your Majesty.
We made up my mind already. Don't argue anymore.
I need to carry on meditating on national affairs.
Much obliged, Your Majesty.
How are you? Does it hurt badly?
No. You were so clever to ask His Majesty to help us. Smart.
Smart? It was so close.
We're lucky that His Majesty didn't hold us liable.
Otherwise we'd be doomed.
It was dangerous.
But His Majesty gave his blessing to my marriage with Xiaomei.
It's a blessing in disguise.
I guess there won't be a problem for me to propose to Xiaomei now, right?
If you hadn't gone to that stupid banquet held by the princess,
Xiaomei wouldn't have hurt her feet.
This isn't Brother Qin's fault. The princess was mean.
Enough. We'll be family soon. Why quarrel over such a trivial matter?
Not yet. We're not family yet.
According to our family practice,
shouldn't you give us a cash gift before Xiaomei marries you?
Sure. I will prepare it.
From tonight, you will move back in.
Really? Why?
I don't want the princess to keep harassing you.
Now we can see each other all the time.
Whatever you say, Brother Dongpo.
Give us the cash gift first before we discuss this further.
Chun Hua, help Miss Xiaomei to her bedroom.
Don't leave until she's asleep...
Honey, don't say anything. Go to the bedroom with me...
Go to sleep early.
Go to your bedroom...Be careful.
This Qin Shaoyou is ﬂirting with everyone in the parade. He's such a playboy.
Let me tell Su Xiaomei about it so they'll quarrel.
I don't think they'll quarrel. Su Xiaomei is really devoted to him.
But Su Damei is different. Her Master Wang was stolen from her.
Now her younger sister will marry first.
Right. She's lost her love. She must be really down.
What if she asks my husband to comfort her?
Honey, eat some vegetables.
I don't have an appetite.
Why?
Are you OK? Kid, don't run around. You'll get hurt easily.
If you get hurt, your parents will be really worried about you, OK?
Be good. Go back to your table and sit down, OK?
OK.
Good. Easy. What a good boy.
Honey, do you really like kids?
Of course I do. They're so lovely.
Why don't we have a son too? What do you think?
Really? But you said before that you didn't want to have a baby yet.
You want to do that later.
You really remember what I say?
Of course I do.
You do love me so much.
I do. I love you so much. Let me get you a mushroom.
Oh, no. I can't believe this. The mushroom has a stem.
They did a sloppy job.
Stem? I want it. I don't have a son yet. A stem is symbolic of getting a son.
You're so funny today.
In the past, you would insist on having the dish replaced
if there was a stem on the mushroom.
Don't waste it.
You're so clumsy. Come on...
Why are you so nice to come out with me today?
You're saying that about your good friend? I came to the market to be with you.
You came to be with me?
It appears you've bought more food than me.
If you need help, feel free to ask me.
If you want me to teach you how to cook, I can give some exclusive recipes.
I have an exclusive recipe.
But I need to get the ingredients from a herbal drugstore.
What kind of secret recipe is that?
Follow me...Kid, you're so cute...99.
What do you mean 99?
Nothing. It's just up ahead. Come on... Boss, please get ten doses of this for me.
One and a half maces of angelica root, one mace of honey-fried licorice root,
two maces of rhizoma anemarrhanae. Hey, this is a pregnancy recipe.
Yes. It will get me a son.
You two have been married for so long. You want a baby now?
My husband really likes kids. I want to get him one.
It's good you're thinking like this.
Kids are really lovely. I want one with my husband too.
Kid, don't run so fast... Hey, the hundredth one...
Why is that about?
People say if you touch the heads of a hundred kids, you'll get a son.
Do you like the food I cooked tonight?
Perfect. There's so much food tonight. Leeks aren't really vegetarian.
But I still finished them because you prepared them for me.
I didn't mean to make you break the rules. I just want to get a son sooner.
I'm so well fed. Getting a son won't be a problem.
Honey, you're really so good to me.
I'm always good to you.
You're so beautiful tonight.
Just tonight?
Somehow you're especially beautiful tonight.
Honey, close your eyes.
You're naughty. OK...I've shut my eyes.
What are you doing? Why did you tie my hands?
Karmapa said we must pick a lucky day to get a son.
Who's Karmapa? What Karmapa? Hey, I know yin-yang occult practices too.
I think today is an extremely lucky day. Come on. Untie me. Come on.
Karmapa is much better than you in practice.
You're not his match.
He's picked a clay for me already. It's the 15th of this month.
There will be a full moon on the 15th. We'll get a son then. Be patient.
What? Be patient?
I just had much replenishing food. How can I wait?
Why didn't you wait until the 15th day to give me the food?
You need to be prepared.
I've tied you up because I'm afraid you won't be able to control yourself.
Well...?
I'm going to sleep.
You're going to sleep? What about me?
Brother Jichang, thanks for your help.
Otherwise I really wouldn't be able to handle so many people.
You're welcome. We were classmates. I should help you.
Your wife is really virtuous. She's made so much food for you.
Ginseng is invigorating. It's good for the kidneys.
Walnuts are good for the waist. Black beans for the spleen.
Kelp for potency. It's all so replenishing.
Have you been having problems lately?
No. It's the opposite. I'm really potent now.
But it seems you don't want to eat them.
I've been eating this for days. I really don't have the appetite.
Why don't I eat them then?
Sure...
No, Mrs. Chen prepared them especially for Master Chen.
She told me to make sure Master Chen finishes them.
You go ahead. Enjoy.
Why do I keep sweating? I'm so hot. Sorry...
Sorry, sir.
Sorry...The food is too replenishing.
Sorry.
Sorry...
Master Chen, are you OK?
I...I'm fine.
Master Chen, you're bleeding... Hey, Master Chen.
Honey, why you smell so nice today?
I dare not dream of being your wife.
Master Chen, are you OK?
Just how you suddenly passed out on the street. So I brought you here to rest.
Thank you.
Since you like my handkerchief so much. Why don't you smell it again?
It's really so fragrant.
Honey, you're home?
Yes.
Why are you sweating?
I'm not... Oh, right. Why is there so much sweat?
The replenishing food I prepared for you must be really effective.
It must be that.
OK. Get changed. Take a bath. Then we'll eat.
OK. Let's eat.
What's that?
Honey, what are you doing?
Why are you wiping your sweat with a chair cover?
Right. But it feels so nice.
You're so funny. What's the matter?
Mrs. Chen, the replenishing food is ready.
Leave it there.
OK.
Wait. Wash this cover too.
OK.
Honey, eat the replenishing food now. It's good for your waist.
Again? I already ate that this morning.
Of course you have to eat this again. Come on.
Honey, I already feel so uncomfortable.
It will be the 15th day soon. You need to keep boosting it.
Today is the great day of betrothal.
Please count the gifts.. See if anything's missing.
Thank you, Shaoyou.
It's what I should do.
Thank you. Sis Mi, please count them for me.
OK. But a pair of geese is missing.
Hong Si is buying them now. They'll be delivered later.
It's just a little delay.
We must follow the practice strictly.
Right.
Hey, Sis Mi, this is a pair of hair-bonding scissors.
It's for setting the bride's hair.
Right. I almost forgot that. Sorry.
Sis Runzhi, why are you staring at the scissors?
I suddenly remember that
1 didn't perform the hair-bonding ritual when I married my husband.
Oh, you're a second wife. Sis Runzhi, the ritual doesn't matter.
What matters is that you're husband and wife.
Right. But Xiaomei is a virgin. She must follow the practice strictly.
I do envy you since you're Brother Zhe's first legitimate wife.
What book are you reading?
Biographies of Exemplary Women.
Don't you think I'm particularly gentle and nice today?
Right. Particularly gentle and nice.
Gentle and nice.
Xiaomei, do you know Shaoyou is... going to Lumin Club with me tomorrow?
Enjoy yourself there.
Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him. The girls won't be able to get close to him.
You better keep an eye on yourself. You're always going to those places.
You should consider Sis Runzhi's feelings.
She won't have any feelings,
because we made an agreement before we got married.
I can go anywhere and do anything I like.
You can't.
Didn't you say you're much more gentle and nice
after reading the Biographies of Exemplary Women?
She's gentle and nice intermittently.
Yes. I'm still really gentle and nice... Who did that?
Mr Top Scholar.
Yes?
Why don't you write a poem on my hand?
We can't write poems anywhere, especially on someones hands.
Come on. Write it there. Come on.
Hey, he's a newly qualified top scholar.
How can he write poems anywhere? You're even asking him to write on your hand?
How about writing the words "loyal to the country"
on your back with a needle? Come on.
Officer Su, you're so mean. I just...
Brother Dongpo, you've fooled around a lot.
Your future brother-in-law hasn't.
You think you can keep an eye on him for your younger sister?
How long can you watch him?
I have to stop him from fooling around. How can I let Shaoyou go astray?
If he does anything wrong, Xiaomei would kill me.
You're still patronizing prostitutes after you remarried.
That's different. I'm experienced. I have self-restraint.
Look at Shaoyou. He's young and energetic.
If he does something wrong, now can I answer to Xiaomei?
Then Miss Yanhong won't have a chance tonight, right?
Right. Speaking of Yanhong. I almost forgot her. Where is she?
I'm sorry. She's been requested tonight.
Requested? Didn't she have an appointment with me?
You know that patron too.
I know him? Who is it?
I'm not at liberty to tell you.
You can't... You can't tell me who he is.
But you can tell me where he is, right?
In the VIP room.
VIP Room. Want to have some fun?
Sure.
Come on. Let's have fun.
Yummy...Yanhong, this is yours.
Master Chen, I don't want your gifts.
You don't? What do you want then?
I want you.
Yanhong, take this.
Thank you, Master Chen.
Oh...
Yanhong, get out.
OK.
How dare you, Chen Jichang. You came to a nightclub?
If your lioness finds out about this, she'll castrate you.
Give me a break please, Brother Dongpo.
Don't tell my wife about this. Please give me a break.
I know I shouldn't steal your girlfriend. But I couldn't control myself.
Are you kidding? You're a grown-up. You can't control yourself?
That's just an excuse.
It's a long story.
So your wife forced you to eat replenishing food.
But she won't let you touch her. In the end, she's turned you into a...
Lecher.
Please don't tease me. I really regret it.
Why should you regret it? Liu Yue'e should regret it.
She forced you to eat so much replenishing food.
She's so fierce with you. You didn't have a way to vent it.
That's how Chen Jichang was tortured by Liu Yue'e.
So he went to Lumin Club to talk to the girls there.
He was really pathetic.
That guy was so miserable. That woman is a real bully, isn't she?
Right. Su Dongpo called Liu Yue'e a lioness. That description is so apt.
When Chen Jichang was hugging the girls, blood was trickling from his heart.
His wife is like a lioness. He'll become a zombie sooner or later.
You must all remember this: Stay away from a lioness.
Good...
Thank you...Thank you to the friends on the second ﬂoor.
I heard Liu Yue'e tell Chen Jichang that he must remain celibate for a month.
That's why he had to go to Lumin Club.
Waiter.
Sir, over here. There's a table.
Did you hear the story of Liu Yue'e force feeding Chen Jichang replenishing food
to boost his potency?
But then he was allowed to release it. Where else could he go but to Lumin Club?
Sir, this way please.
That Liu Yue'e refused to sleep with Chen Jichang.
Where else could he go but to Lumin Club?
That's right. It's that Liu Yue'e's fault...Ah...
Chen Jichang.
Honey.
On your knees.