Winter Begonia (Bin Bian Bu Shi Hai Tang Hong / 鬓边不是海棠红)

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.

[Invite Mr. Ning Jiulang to the farewell banquet for Commissioner Liu Hanyun]

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?