[English subtitles are available.]
Winter Begonia
Episode 36
[For Shang Xiao Lai in heaven] [From husband: Shang Xirui]
Mr. Shang,
what are you doing?
Zhouzi.
Master said
that he’ll marry Xiao Lai.
He’ll
have a ghost wedding.
Can you stop being insane?
I am sane.
Xiao Lai was an orphan bought by my dad.
We were growing up together.
She was my family.
For me, she didn’t marry.
Now she left me,
and became a ghost.
I’m afraid that she would be bullied.
I’ve made up my mind.
I marry her now.
After I die,
I’ll be buried with her.
I won’t be lonely then.
OK.
Though you want to marry her.
Does she agree?
Yes, she does.
I asked her.
OK.
As long as you feel better.
I’ve thought it well.
I want Jiulang to be my marriage witness.
My dad passed away.
Jiulang is my respected senior.
Xiao Lai
was timid.
So we can’t bury her in the suburb.
Foreigners’ church looks good.
Music and flowers are inside.
And people marry in there.
A festive place.
And it’s also near here.
You are thoughtful.
I believe you’re doing this not driven by impulse.
I’ll accompany you to find Mr. Ning.
Is Duke Qi leaving Peking?
I don’t get any information about it.
At this time,
he leaves Peking where is chaotic.
Duke Qi is a smart man.
Smart men are a lot,
but others can’t go though they want to.
Look at the two jerks.
I’ll teach them a lesson.
Don’t make troubles for Ning Jiulang.
Oh.
What’s our next move?
Just wait.
Duke.
Why did you pull the vegetables out of the soil?
What a waste.
The harvest day hasn’t come.
No one takes care of the vegetables.
It’s meaningless to plant them.
Duke,
do you mean
that you’ll leave Peking?
I’ll go to the Northeast
to be the Minister of Industrial Ministry.
I heard that the emperor invited you many times,
but you refused.
So you must have difficulties now.
Duke,
how about Jiulang?
Will he go with you?
I tried to persuade him.
But he didn’t agree.
I asked about his plan.
He didn’t say even a word.
And now, he locks himself in the room
without going outside.
All he does is chanting.
I’m really worried about him.
I’m afraid that something wrong happens.
Jiulang.
Jiulang?
Jiulang, I come to visit you.
Jiulang!
Duke, please don’t come in.
I want to talk with Xirui alone.
Close the door.
Jiulang.
What did you do?
I was a lay Buddhist.
And now, I’ve sheaved and become a monk.
I’m not seized by a whim.
But I didn’t think
that this is easier
than what I imagined.
Jiulang!
Jiulang! Why are you so stupid?
If I knew your way is being a monk,
I won’t agree even if I would
risk my life to fight against the Japanese.
Jiulang!
Open the door.
We need to talk.
Jiulang!
Open the door, Jiulang!
You are so cruel to leave me alone.
I still want you to teach me operas.
You promised to be my master.
Good boy.
When I first saw you,
you played Missing Secularism.
At that time,
I thought you were different from other kids.
I can’t be your master,
because in my heart,
you are always my friend.
I care you,
which means I care
the hope of operas.
We
are like fruits on the same tree.
So there’s nothing cruel.
Don’t go, Jiulang.
Don’t go.
You have a good figure
and good voice.
Also, you are talented at operas.
After I go,
you are more lonely in this circle.
When facing difficulties,
there’s even no one giving your ideas.
People around popular performers like you
are either those
who hate you
or those who ask for help from you.
Friends are a few.
Kid.
It’s hard for you.
So
now,
please say more to me.
I’ll remember your words.
When I have difficulties,
I’ll recite them
to support me.
As performers,
on the stage,
we are kings and lords
who are respected by others,
but off the stage,
we are ragtags
who are looked down on.
Life can’t be predicted.
Just take everything as illusive.
For your life or your performances,
you need to
catch something real
from this illusive world.
Don’t let it go once you seize.
This is what you’ll rely on.
But what’s the real thing?
It’s various from people to people.
It depends on your fate.
You need to find it yourself.
I’ve adopted
this bird for many years.
I don’t trust other people,
so I’ll give it to you.
Duke,
Jiulang doesn’t want to see anyone.
You can say your words
at here.
Jiulang,
you said a lot to Mr. Shang,
but why don’t you want to talk to me?
We’ve been together for a decade.
We’ve finished
our words with each other.
Duke, time’s up.
Duke,
farewell.
I’ll pray for you at here.
Farewell.
Jiulang!
Farewell.
Dad.
What brings
Niu Baiwen by?
Niu Baiwen said
that Ning Jiulang...
He’s a monk now.
What did you say?
When did it happen?
Today.
Didn’t Duke Qi stop him?
Duke Qi
went to the Northeast.
Once he left,
Ning Jiulang left Qi Mansion.
Now, Qi Mansion
has been occupied by Japanese army.
Ning Jiulang is more sagacious
than me.
Years before,
Shang Juzhen,
Ning Jiulang, Jiang Rongshou and I
[In autumn of the year of Guang Xu. At Opera Ministry] [Four stars in Peking]
were the brightest stars in opera circle.
Now, Shang Juzhen died,
and Jiang Rongshou
was defeated by Shang Xirui.
After Ning Jiulang left,
I have to deal with the issues
of Japanese.
He left without any concern.
But he didn’t think whether I can make it.
Son.
I’m afraid
that I won’t live longer.
Dad,
don’t frighten yourself.
It’s too exaggerating.
Are you Mr. Hou Yukui?
Important guests are here.
Serve some tea.
Mr. Cheng.
I want to have a rest
these days
to pray for Xiao Lai.
Japanese makes troubles in here,
and the serious thing happened in Shuiyun Theater.
You really need a break.
Mr. Shang, you are here.
I went to Shuiyun Theater,
but you were not there.
Mr. Qiu.
Do you have something with Mr. Shang?
I...
I’m sorry, Mr. Cheng.
Mr. Shang,
can we talk alone?
Mr. Cheng, you can go first.
I’ll come to you once we finish.
I’ll wait for you in front.
What’s your thing?
Here’s the point.
It may be related to your reputation.
Do you remember
once you went to a Japanese restaurant
with Mr. Du?
Excuse me?
Are you performing Kabuki?
Yes.
He’s the best Chinese performer.
Now, he’s playing Kabuki
with moves of Peking operas.
My friend
took photos for a Japanese party.
He also took a lot of your photos.
If you want these photos,
you need to pay him
four gold bars.
Is he still in his dream?
The photos of Luocheng and me worth four bars?
He really thinks highly of me.
It’s OK if only you and Mr. Du
are in the photos.
But
a Japanese was also there.
You are extremely famous now.
Many people are waiting for a chance
to spread your rumors.
Mr. Shang, don’t be stubborn.
It’s better to save troubles.
Don’t make this a root of rumors about you.
Obviously, your friend is blackmailing me.
How about
I give you a calling card?
When you think it well, call me.
What happened?
So mysterious.
Nothing special.
Mr. Qiu told me that
his friend took some life photos of me
and asked me to buy with four gold bars.
Four gold bars?
What are the photos?
You are completely naked in the photos?
Buy them immediately.
It will put you in dilemma
if others see the photos.
Screw you.
How can I have those photos?
I was taken photos when I went to a restaurant.
He’s too exaggerated.
That’s all?
Alright. Alright.
Hurry to go.
[Closed]
I’m so sorry.
Sorry.
From today on,
we don’t play for some days.
So sorry.
-Our apology, everyone. -Sorry.
Don’t worry.
I’ll give you a refund
for the tickets.
We promise.
How come?
I booked today’s ticket several days ago.
How can you
stand us up?
-Right! -Right!
This is cheating.
It doesn’t make sense.
Mr. Fan.
Please tell Mr. Shang
to ignore the gossips.
We all know
that this is nothing to do with Mr. Shang.
Please forgive us.
Sorry.
Please forgive us.
Several troupes are resting,
but
many of them are still performing.
Yes.
We just have a rest for several days.
Mr. Shang let me tell you
that after a while,
he’ll play
these operas again.
Yes.
We still have a long time.
So don’t be hurried.
Please go back.
-Please go back. -Please go back.
This is all in a sudden.
What’s wrong?
We were not informed in advance.
Dad,
when will we perform again?
We won’t perform until the Japanese leave here?
Then our Spring Theater
has to live on air.
We have no choice.
Which famous troupe
dares to perform now?
We must be patient.
Don’t bear the brunt of attack.
Mr. Jiang. Mr. Jiang.
What’s the rush?
Don’t you see that I’m talking with him?
What for?
Hou Yukui will perform.
Hou Yukui will perform?
He’s stayed home with opium for many years.
How dare he perform at this time?
I heard that Japanese
arrested his son
and forced him to do so.
Mr. Hou’s body has been weakened
by opium.
Can he bear it?
This is his only choice.
Otherwise, on one in his family can get away with it.
My old partner.
I didn’t think
he would be in trouble because of his son.
[In autumn of the year of Guang Xu. At Opera Ministry] [Four stars in Peking]
Alright.
Go to support him with me
when he performs.
Give me one.
Dad, we’ve arrived.
Give me one.
Mr. Shang.
Long time no see.
I heard there was a funeral in Shuiyun Theater.
I...
It’s a box office hit.
Give me one.
Why did you provoke him?
I...
Embarrassing.
I...
Dad,
I just cared for him.
Give me one, please.
[A star comes back] [Hou Yukui: Xue Pinggui]
OK.
-Mr. Jiang. -Mr. Jiang.
Mr. Jiang.
Please have a seat.
Dad.
Mr. Hou is really a super star.
The famous performers in Peking are all here.
Look,
those are enemies at other time.
But now, they’re sitting together.
This show is different.
The audiences are all from our circle.
If others see
that Hou Yukui is threatened by Japanese,
it’s humiliation for him.
Though these guys don’t like each other,
they still know
that they are
on a same boat.
Dad, you are right.
You are more thoughtful than me.
It’s lucky
for me
to lose to Shang Xirui.
Otherwise
I may be the chairman
of the Opera Society.
Yes.
So
I need to thank him.
Continue. Don’t stop.
If you still make noises
after Mr. Hou steps on the stage,
I’ll take off my gloves.
What will you do?
I’ll cover your mouth with my hands.
Today, Mr. Hou will perform his best opera,
the complete Red Horse.
I need to watch carefully.
So please don’t bother me.
He’ll play the complete opera?
Can he bear it?
His son.
He suffered a lot.
I heard that
Mr. Hou was shocked
when he visited him in prison.
Look.
Mr. Hou is a tough guy,
but when he went out of the prison,
he cried hysterically on the street.
What a sad story.
Dad,
these Japanese are taking guns.
Have they had a plan in advance?
Take it easy.
Let’s wait and see.
Mr. Hou.
Time to perform.
Let me help you to dress.
Mr. Niu.
You also served Ning Jiulang
when he performed, right?
It’s been a long time.
And you also sheaved
for him?
You are a wise man who knows everything.
Mr. Niu.
Where do you think he is?
Maybe he’s in a peaceful place,
laughing at us who are struggling
in this secular world.
No.
Mr. Ning will pray for us.
♫ I left Xi Liang only with a horse ♫
Mr. Shang.
Since you are here,
don’t show a long face.
♫ It made me sadly cry ♫
Cheer up and clap for Mr. Hou.
Mr. Hou is the best performer
who plays old males.
♫ The scenery is good in this world ♫
Others
don’t have his feeling.
Look at him.
Seems that he’s easy to play.
But in fact, he’s almost out of strength.
He nearly loses his voice.
I fear that he can’t play the second half.
♫ Xue Pinggui is like a lonely wild goose ♫
No.
I think he’s voice is good.
♫ Wang Yun is the Prime Minister ♫
In terms of operas,
Shang Xirui is much better
than you and your peers.
Look at him.
He’s noticed the abnormality.
♫ How come he cares poor people like me ♫
♫ Wei Hu from the royal family framed me ♫
It’s not normal
for him today.
♫ I came here because of him ♫
I think it’s strange.
The voice from his throat is too heavy.
It’s too harsh.
Master, you mean
Mr. Hou’s pronunciation was too heavy
on the line about his hate to Wei Hu?
♫ At Wu Ridge ♫
Yes.
He uses his throat a lot.
The hate is way too much.
Smart boy.
You haven’t been in Shuiyun Theater for long,
but you’ve understood what leader says.
Why don’t you work harder?
In some days,
Zhou Xiangyun will surpass all of you.
♫ I saw that lady ♫
♫ We had a talk ♫
Why hasn’t Lieutenant Kujyo arrived?
Won’t he host
the ceremony in person?
The general came back today.
Seems that our lieutenant
will suffer physically.
Please calm down.
-What will they do? -Please calm down.
-I want to pee. -I have some words here.
It must be bad news.
After we recaptured Peking,
the business and finance develop steadily.
Of course, culture should be boosted as well.
Peking operas
are the main entertainment of citizens in Peking,
so it’s a key area that we need to promote.
Due to various reasons,
many troupes stopped performing.
How can we allow this?
Entertainment and culture shouldn’t be behindhand.
[The letter of intent for the development of Japanese-Chinese culture]
Today is Hou Yukui’s show.
Stars in opera circle are all here.
So please sign
your names on this letter of intent.
Every theater should reserve a box
for the casual inspection
before they have performances.
Leaders of troupes
will decide whether to perform or not.
How come Japanese
force them to do it?
Lower your voice.
Please calm down, Mr. Hou.
He
takes my performance
as a bait.
Reserve a box for Japanese?
Do Japanese understand operas?
Mr. Hou,
please ignore his words for the moment.
Young master is in their custody.
I, Hou Yukui,
never do dishonest things.
From now on,
other performers will think
Japanese and I set this trap together.
What will I be in their words?
Have some water.
Mr. Hou, don’t think too much.
No fool is in our circle.
Everyone knows your difficulty.
They won’t blame you.
I have good reputation for my life.
But I end up losing terribly.
Ning Jiulang has no desire,
and at last, he loses nothing on morality.
What a fate.
We can only let it slide.
At least, we should finish today’s opera.
How about
having a sip
to cheer you up?
I had opium for almost half of my life.
But today,
I don’t need it.
Mr. Niu.
Change the play.
Now?
Yes.
Scold Cao Cao.
-Come on. -Hurry.
Mr. Shang.
[The letter of intent for the development of Japanese-Chinese culture]
They asked Shuiyun Theater to play tomorrow,
especially Mr. Shang.
You must play three times a week at least.
Leader, don’t agree.
People won’t discuss why you had a rest.
They will discuss why you perform again.
It’s disgusting.
I need to think about it.
Please go back.
Mr. Shang.
Please sign your name.
I can’t know words!
Dad,
guys of Shuiyun Theater must be crazy.
How dare they argue with Japanese?
Mr. Jiang.
[The letter of intent for the development of Japanese-Chinese culture]
Stop!