[English subtitles are available.]
Winter Begonia
Episode 25
My father told me about Peking, the Forbidden City
and the like when I was young.
So, I expected to perform in Peking
when I grew up.
People move up the ladder.
I was very happy when I left Pingyang.
You are no ordinary man as well.
Wait a second here.
I’m going to make tea. Please.
Cheng.
Qi’s Mansion
is quite interesting.
No flowers, no trees.
A vegetable garden is here.
Look at the radish.
Do you recognize radish?
I thought it is artemisia.
It’s radish.
Impressive, Mr. Shang.
Awesome.
I’m not.
You were born with a silver spoon
in your mouth.
Let me tell you.
If you end up in the wild one day
and know which plant is editable
and which isn’t,
it’s much important than treasures and antiques
you know.
What are you thinking about?
How can I end up in the wild?
That’s possible.
Considering the current situation,
a war could be started.
If a war is truly started,
even the aristocratic families of generations
will come to naught.
The nobles
from influential family may die beside the road.
Growing crops to feed myself is better.
Sir. You’re a gardener
and you know a war is coming.
The rich people
could have hidden away.
It’s not miserable as you said.
This war is different from the previous ones.
Maybe the whole world is going to get involved.
Where
can you run away?
You can’t run to the moon, can you?
The whole world?
Isn’t it crazy?
Crazy people are full of the world.
The weapons nowadays
are much better than before.
In the ancient times,
cavalrymen and bows are powerful the most.
But now
there are airplanes and cannons.
The triggers of guns pulled,
people
will fall like mowing wheat.
If the world is at war,
where should I perform?
The whole world is at war
and you still think about performing?
You’re crazy too.
Alright.
Not that miserable.
Dynasties changed many times,
but the song and dance were performed as ever.
Amusement is the nature of humankind
like the war.
It’s inseparable.
That’s why a celebration banquet is always held
after a war.
Anyway,
businessmen like me are unlucky.
Once the war is started,
all my business will be ruined.
The wealth will also be coveted by the military.
All the money we earn
will be used for military purposes.
At that time,
you’ll have to live on the money of Shuiyun.
Yes, right.
By that time,
Mr. Shang, please offer me alms.
I’ve never seen anyone
relies on a performer like you.
Sir.
You can also rely on us.
We have many young performers in Shuiyun.
You can support one of them now
and let them feed you at that time.
Don’t be fooled by him.
He always teases people like this.
He feels happy
when guests are surprised.
Jiulang.
This is...
Xirui, it's been a while.
Lord Qi!
Xirui.
Was the Tale of Dragon
performed by you?
Yes.
It’s not good. Please give me advices.
Not good indeed.
First of all,
the etiquette, wording, and costumes
are wrong.
Not to mention Empress Dowager
didn’t like osmanthus wine at all.
Your line:
Drink osmanthus wine together when free.
Isn’t it nonsense?
You’re right, lord.
But no one
told me this.
You can look it up
or ask others.
Not all old men from the palace are dead.
You made this up
as you please.
What if people
believe it?
You're right.
I’ll change it once I get back.
You’re bullying Xirui.
Ignore him.
Who was the guy
crying
when he watched the show that day?
Why do you help an outsider?
Xirui.
It’s been many years since we met.
Your performance
made a big progress.
Niulang, did you go to my show as well?
He did
and also gave you many presents.
You come to me today.
You are not here
to have tea with me,
are you?
Well... Well...
Mr. Shang is still like a child.
He’s too nervous to speak when he sees you.
Well,
let me tell you.
We want to
invite Mr. Ning to perform with Mr. Shang.
[Invitation]
[Invite Mr. Ning Jiulang to the farewell banquet for Commissioner Liu Hanyun]
[Invitation]
I know
Liu Hanyun.
I never thought he’d be a high-ranking official
in the new government.
Jiulang, you know him?
It’s been decades.
I can’t believe
he changed his name back.
How so?
He was unlucky when he went into the palace.
Empress Dowager didn’t get along well with Li Hongzhang,
unwilling to recruit people of Han nationality as officials.
So, the character Han in his name
was marked,
and he’d be driven out of the palace.
Before we performed,
I told Empress Dowager
his name was Liu Jinyun.
I also bribed the eunuch to lie for us.
Finally,
he got it over.
There’s such a story between you.
Liu Hanyun.
I don’t like him.
His Majesty was kind to him.
The feudal dynasty collapsed
and he surrendered to Kuomintang immediately.
That’s apostasy.
How could you take him as your godfather?
I’m a better choice than him.
Jiulang.
Don’t perform for him.
That’s a shame.
Besides,
Jiulang and you are not related.
Now that he has retired,
he won’t perform anymore.
Why should he break the rule for you?
You’re right, Lord.
We’re leaving.
They have connections.
Mr. Shang
is Niu Jiulang’s favorite apprentice.
What are you talking about?
If master and apprentice perform together,
the show would be a hit.
Who said that?
Who told you I was his apprentice?
At the moment.
Jiulang.
You always say your life is perfect.
The only regret
is that you don’t have a good apprentice
to take up your mantle.
Xirui is waiting.
Why not agree?
Go ahead.
Kneel and call master.
On your knees.
Wait.
I've said this before.
I only taught you operas,
but wouldn’t take you as apprentice.
You...
After all,
you’re my old friend.
I won't
refuse
your invitation.
-What are you doing? -You can’t get in!
-Make way for me! -You can’t get in!
It's the backstage.
Mind your manners!
Ma’am.
You can’t get in.
I’m wondering why my husband
frequently
comes to the Opera Association.
So, a vixen is seducing him
here.
Come out!
You feel ashamed now?
Why did you
seduce my husband then?
No wonder your parents drove you out of family
and didn’t allow you to use family surname.
Make way. Make way.
-Mr. Shang. It’s time for the show. -I’m busy.
Get away.
-What are you doing? -Get up.
What? Don’t you know it?
-You can’t get in. -You can’t.
Make way.
Let me go.
-Get away. -You can’t get in.
Don’t touch her! Don’t touch her!
Call Yuan Xiaodi here! Call Yuan Xiaodi here!
Got it.
-What are you doing? Let go. -Let me go.
Go tell Mr. Cheng.
Let me go.
Alright.
Mr. Yuan is coming!
-Mr. Yuan. Look. -Let me go.
Silent! Mr. Yuan comes!
Let me go.
Go home.
Let me go.
What?
You want to drive me away
and then marry her, right?
What nonsense is that?
It’s disgracing.
Disgracing?
What did I say?
How did I disgrace you?
I’m pregnant,
while you frequently go to the theater
and give her gifts.
Hold her hand.
Draw eyebrows face to face.
Do you know what people say about you?
You don’t behave like a master.
She doesn't behave like an apprentice.
I disgraced you?
How did I disgrace you?
I knew Yu Qing before you.
We’d be together long ago if we could.
Don’t you wish that at all?
I’m her master, nothing more.
And we dare not do anything more.
You’re lying.
Mr. Cheng. Mr. Cheng.
Cheng.
-What are you waiting for? -Look.
Look.
Get ready for the show.
Mr. Cheng.
Mr. Yuan.
Go home.
I can walk.
Everyone knows
I learned opera for Yuan Xiaodi.
In my mind,
Yuan Xiaodi is the opera.
The opera
is Yuan Xiaodi.
He came first
before opera.
I was a lady from a noble family.
He said he was too humble
to be with me.
Later,
I became a performer.
He said he was my master
and still reluctant to be with me.
So be it.
I’ll go
wherever he is.
I sing
and he listens.
That’s the same.
But he said those words today.
My performance turns to laughing stocks now.
How can I perform again?
I can’t perform today,
nor tomorrow.
I can’t perform anymore.
Mr. Shang.
Your show was ruined.
I’m sorry.
Yuan Xiaodi broke your heart.
In your heart,
he is dead.
Since he is dead,
your opera is also dead.
If so,
how can you perform?
We met at the Opera Association.
I felt that you were
like a tough scholar,
half like Empress Chen in my opera.
Today you quit performance for him.
You’re affectionate,
and also resolute.
Empress Chen in my opera is perfect now.
Fine. Quit it then.
Mr. Shang.
The Tale of Dragon
is good indeed.
I really love performing with you.
We’ve been waiting long.
Mr. Mo. Don’t worry.
Have some tea.
Sir. Wait a mom ent.
Have some tea. Let me fill up for you.
Look. Mr. Shang goes to stage.
-Mr. Shang. -Yes.
Everyone.
Attention, please.
The show is canceled today.
My Shuiyun Theater takes all the blame.
Money will be refunded.
Refund?
You can get one yuan additionally.
I know.
-Some reporters are present. -Refund?
I
really appreciate your kindness.
But from today on,
the Tale of Dragon won’t be performed anymore.
Not anymore?
-Why not, Mr. Shang? -Don’t.
Please keep performing it.
Why don’t you perform it?
Don’t. Mr. Shang.
Why do you cancel it suddenly?
It’s a good opera.
That’s a good opera.
What’s wrong with Mr. Shang?
He didn’t discuss with us.
He won’t perform the opera anymore.
We will lose a lot.
Cheng.
Hey, Cheng.
Aren’t you worried?
It’s not about losing money.
He will lose the competition
to be the leader of the Opera Association.
Not necessarily.
What do you mean?
Fine. Let him do what he wants.
When the business is screwed,
you’ll regret.
It won't.
With Mr. Shang, we won’t lose anything.
I trust him.
But...
Fine. Fine.
You are all out of mind.
I can’t stand it.
I resign as the manager.
I’m leaving. I’m leaving.
Leader.
I’m leaving.
Don’t you eat? I’ll buy pork joint for you.
Don’t bother. He won’t eat.
Mr. Shang, you’re tolerant
to Yu Qing.
Am I?
If it were someone else,
you would beat them
and force them to perform whatever happens.
It’s Yu Qing,
so you forgive her.
She tends to think too much.
If I forced her,
she’d really kill herself.
Fujin has died.
If Yu Qing also dies,
gosh,
one will be killed
once the Tale of Dragon is performed.
I’m a performer,
not a killer.
Yu Qing
is Empress Cheng’s incarnation.
Without her,
the Tale of Dragon is dull.
Sometimes,
you’re open-minded.
I plan to rest for some time,
and prepare the performance with Jiulang.
I’m going to Jiulang tomorrow.
♫ Ah, cold-hearted ♫
♫ Your Highness ♫
♫ I can’t help crying ♫
-Mr. Liu. -Mr. Liu.
-Hi, Mr. Liu.
-Mr. Liu. -Hi. Mr. Liu.
Cao Guixiu!
-Mr. Liu. -Mr. Liu.
Fengtai.
Thank Mrs. Cheng.
The doctor she recommended was good.
Your wife is pregnant?
That’s great.
We’re happy today.
Let’s drink.
OK.
Take a seat.
-Here. -Please.
Sit.
You're welcome.
Come on. Help yourself.
You first.
Only you eat first,
can we eat.
Mr. Cheng is quite capable.
Your brother-in-law has you.
All the things, good or bad,
are all arranged well.
I’m flattered, Mr. Liu.
I only wish
I wouldn’t
bring any troubles to him.
Mr. Liu, you’re lucky indeed.
All your sons are one of a kind.
They’re your right-hand men.
Cao Wanjun holds the banquet for me,
but he doesn’t come.
It’s ostentatious of him.
Wait a moment.
He’s coming.
We
got a big surprise for you.
Leader, you’ve made up.
Koulaifu doesn’t open today.
I went to many stores to buy it.
Wait a second.
I’ll slice it up
and feed you.
Don’t. Don’t.
I won’t eat.
No?
Jiulang is here.
It’s more pleasing
than eating pork shoulder.
This comparison
is interesting.
I... It...
You misunderstand me.
I’m not comparing you with pig shoulder.
Back then,
Lord Qi and I talked about you.
He said
you used to
eat a lot.
I’m wondering if you still
eat a lot now.
It seems
you eat more than before.
Jiulang.
Did you talk about me a lot?
Sometimes. If nothing happens to you,
I don’t talk about you much.
I feel sorry to you.
You’ve retired a long time.
I invited you to perform
in a small banquet.
I’m sorry.
I don’t do
thankless things.
Performing with you
can get applause effortlessly.
I also expected to perform with you.
I’ll repay you in the future.
Gentlemen. Time to go to stage.
♫ Alas, so miserable ♫
-Bravo! -Bravo!
♫ Alas, so miserable ♫
-Bravo! -Bravo!
♫ Instantly ♫
♫ Your Highness ♫
♫ Ah, mandarin ducks dies accidently ♫
♫ Oh, look carefully ♫
♫ I was born unlucky ♫
I’ve long heard Ning Jiulang performs well.
Empress Dowager treasures him
[Youth Liu Hanyun]
and even conferred him as the Minister of Opera.
He’s a royal performer.
It’s rare to listen to his opera.
Today we can enjoy it.
He’s just a performer
favored by Empress Dowager.
If all officials are addicted to opera,
how can they work?
I’m joking.
Jinyun, don't take it seriously.
It makes people decadent.
[Youth Ning Jiulang]
Your Highness. Your Majesty.
I have a report.
Her Highness has the order.
Today is Chongyang Festival.
No political business.
You have guts.
How dare you disobey the order?
I have a report.
Please abolish old rules and implement new laws.
Learn from western countries and produce firearms.
Ridiculous.
Beat him to death.
Liu Jinyun is a talent.
For sake of his talent,
please spare his life.
Your Majesty. What do you think?
He is
a talent indeed,
but he spoiled the show.
He deserves to die.
I... I need to...
I need to think it over.
You’re indecisive.
Let me make decision for you.
♫ Get into Song Jiang’s barracks ♫
♫ Hateful bandits ♫
♫ You can’t get away from my place ♫
♫ He is sadly crying ♫
♫ I capture the culprit ♫
♫ Like a bird without wings ♫
♫ He is unable to escape from my halberd ♫
♫ He is cornered, horse’s hoof soaked in blood ♫
♫ Enemies are defeated and killed ♫
Bear it and then run away.
♫ Tear him into pieces ♫
Ning Jiulang
is so bold.
Forgive me, Your Highness.
I thought he was capable.
He’s just a coward.
He dared to spoil the show.
You see?
A talent
was frightened by a performer.
Don’t pretend to be a hero.
Reflect on your misdeeds for three months.
No salary half a year.
Jiulang.
Ning Jiulang.
I insulted you.
Why did you save me?
-Bravo! -Bravo!
-Good.
-Bravo! -Bravo!
I’d like to announce
Ning Jiulang comes back out of retirement.
-Bravo! -Bravo!
Mr. Liu.
Times change.
Why did we meet by this way?
Jiulang.
I’m still confused by this question.
Why did you save me back then?
Performers
don’t know politics,
but operas are all about justice.
Decades have passed.
Liu Hanyun is still Liu Hanyun.
I didn’t misjudge you.
Thank you.
I’ve been watching operas for decades,
but I never have a chance to watch yours.
Today
you watched.
Yes, I did.
Finally.
Rest assured, Jiulang.
As long as I’m alive,
you can perform in Peking as you please.
Help yourself.
Here.
Shang. Here.
Sit beside me.
Today
you fulfilled one of my wishes.
Father. I don’t know politics.
Don’t laugh at me if I ask wrong questions.
Just ask.
You inspect in five provinces.
You are like the imperial envoy
in operas, right?
You can say so.
Would you interfere
if someone is wronged?
Who? You?
Not me.
Zhou Xiangyun in Yunxi Theater,
who played the maid in the Tale of Dragon.
I
invited him to perform in Shuiyun Theater,
and offended the leader of Yunxi Theater.
He had Zhou Xiangyun’s title deed
and nearly beat him to death.
I know this boy.
He’s good.
He doesn't deserve this.
I can help you with this.
But I can’t get him back with bare hands. Right?
As long as Yunxi can let him go,
I will pay all the money.
Commander Cao comes.
-Commander Cao comes. -Commander Cao comes.
Commander Cao, you’re here.
-Commander Cao. -Commander.
Wanjun.
Feng’er.
You call me Feng’er in public again.
That’s a girl’s name.
Some men are no better than girls.
You’re not a girl.
Come. This is Mr. Liu,
Liu Hanyun, the commissioner.
This is my brother-in-law.
Mr. Liu.
I know you have come to Peking long ago.
I should have received you,
but my health is too poor. Doctor didn’t let me out.
I have to rest.
So, I come late.
Please forgive me.
Commander Cao.
Hundreds of thousands of troops in North China
are under your command.
Who dares to offend you?
You’re flattering me.
Please.
Shang.
Shang. Sit.
Shang.
Commander.
What show will you perform today?
Broken Bridge.
Broken Bridge?
That’s Kun opera.
It’s too nagging.
That’s for girls.
Change it. Perform Qin opera.
That’s mind-blowing.
Sit.
Wanjun. Wanjun.
Let’s drink.
Sit here.
Take my seat. Take my seat.
-OK. -Sit.
I don’t think
you should order Qin opera.
Let me order for you.
Capture and Release Cao.
Why?
Cao Cao
has the same surname as you.
Here. Let’s drink.
Reasonably speaking,
this banquet is for you.
I should listen to you.
But
we should
watch Bao Zheng.
Bao Zheng is righteous.
You want to be as righteous as Bao Zheng.
Whether you can or not,
let’s watch it first.
The opera doesn’t matter.
The point is that it should be pleasing
and
how he will perform.
You have a point.
Let me introduce a new friend.
Chang Zhixin,
the prosecutor.
Drink a toast
to Commander Cao in my stead.
Handsome.
Shang.
Return a toast for me.
I should
toast to you.
You don’t know.
Mr. Chang is my wife’s cousin.
Is it true?
Commander Cao.
Mr. Chang
is in charge of Laozi Ridge’s case.
He looks like a scholar,
but he is fearless
when he interrogates bandits.
Good.
Insightful and courageous.
He should be promoted.
Since commander has given the order,
congratulations, cousin.
OK. You guys drink.
Commander Cao, Mr. Cao.
Would I borrow you for a moment?
OK. OK.
Drink.