Lotus Lantern (Bao Lian Deng / 宝莲灯)

Episode 1

A long time ago, when the world wasn't yet created

and the sky and earth hadn't been separated

the world was drifting in a cold and vast nothingness.

Goddess Nu Wuo stole a heavenly fire to

lighten up the universe and part the sky and earth.

The fire that livened up the world created

the sun and moon, and turned into a lotus lantern.

A hundred thousand years later

Emperor Jade's niece, Goddess San Sheng Mu

became the lantern's new owner. With it

she drove the diseases away and repelled disasters.

Failed scholar, Liu Yan Chang, passing through Mount Hua

fell from the cliff and was saved by San Sheng Mu.

He fell deeply in love with San Sheng Mu.

San Sheng Mu ignored the heaven's rule

that man and god couldn't intermarry.

She determinedly married Liu Yan Chang.

A year later, they had a son named Chen Xiang.

That's bad. Bring Chen Xiang into the house.

Chen Xiang...

San Sheng Mu...

You married a mortal without permission.

You've violated the Heavenly Law.

Return to Heaven with me to be punished.

Second brother...

Don't call me brother.

I don't have a sister like you.

All soldiers, listen up.

Arrest her.

The Lotus Lantern...

They have a child?

Kill this evildoer.

Don't!

San Sheng Mu...

Watch out!

Yan Cheng, take the Lotus Lantern quickly.

No!

Stop him.

San Sheng Mu...

San Sheng Mu...

San Sheng Mu...

- Hurry up, get him! - All right. Yes, sir.

Master...

Master, the Lotus Lantern is so powerful.

We cannot resist it.

The earth and mountains are breaking apart.

And thus, San Sheng Mu was trapped under Mount Hua.

The fish hawks are singing to seek a partner.

Pretty girls are sought by young gentlemen.

The water sunflowers are floating gracefully.

Pretty girls are dreamt of.

The unreachable lover makes you sleepless.

Sleepless in the long, long night.

Have you memorized it?

I...

If you can memorize it

I will not punish you.

If you cannot...

You will suffer 20 spanks.

I... I memorized it.

Good. Recite it.

The fish hawks are singing to get a partner.

Sleep... sleep... sleep...

Come on, recite it.

Why did you pinch yourself?

Sir, you have no idea.

When I am memorizing it up to this stanza

I always fall asleep.

If I fall asleep, I cannot memorize it.

So whenever I get here

I pinch myself.

You are so industrious.

I did not realize that.

Sir...

I work hard outside the classroom.

That is possible.

- Your father is a scholar. - Right.

- You should go on. - What?

All right.

Accomplice... Pinch yourself?

You are such an accomplice. You, industrious?

The fish hawks are singing to get a partner.

The pretty girls...

Why can I not open this?

Who baked such a big bun?

Get out of the way. Get out of the way!

Sting his head. Sting his head.

Help!

Good stings!

That's great.

Don't sting me!

Don't sting me! Don't sting me!

You two...

Don't sting me. Go sting the teacher.

Don't sting me... Go sting the teacher.

Do me a favor. Please...

So obedient...

Father, I'm going to do my homework.

Liu Yan Chang.

Look what wicked things your son has done.

Why didn't the hornets sting his face?

How do you discipline your kid? Get him out!

You do very well in school.

Thanks to the teacher's good job.

You liar.

- Liar... Liar... - Father, stop hitting!

Stop hitting and listen to me, will you?

All right, say it. Kneel down and talk.

The hornets' hive

keeps disturbing us from our studying

so we decided to destroy it.

To our surprise, Mr. Cui bumped into them.

He's unlucky. It's not our fault.

Chen Xiang... Chen Xiang...

You are the worst student in school.

And you...

Even lied for your own misbehavior.

You really disappoint me.

You are well-educated

but you just sell lanterns, don't you.

What did you say?

I said we sell lanterns.

What is the use of studying?

I just need to be fairly educated...

Fairly...

Chen Xiang, listen to me.

Whether you sell lanterns or become a high official in the future

you cannot do things with such a 'fairly done' attitude.

You must take everything seriously.

From today onward

I will not let you fool around anymore.

I have to re-discipline you. Get up.

What... What do you want?

Go... Make 100 lanterns.

Ten different styles with ten for each style.

100 in total? Father...

I... I would rather kneel down here.

I like to kneel down.

No meals if you cannot finish it.

How can I make 100 lanterns?

Two pennies for one lantern.

You cannot trade ten lanterns for a chicken.

You have only made these few.

- Did you make this one? - Yes.

Look, it is not carefully made.

Father, I can only make seven to eight lanterns in two hours.

That's fairly good already.

Here you go again.

Did you know if there is a small crack the candle will be blown out.

Father... Don't!

I tell you what.

I will destroy all the lanterns with defects.

Re-do it.

100. 100...

How can I possibly finish them?

Father! I did not fall asleep. I am just taking a rest.

I am going to work. I...

Chen Xiang.

Sometimes, people can help you with something.

And there are things people cannot help you with.

Father... I will accept your kindness this time.

I will do it well next time, for sure.

Who is helping you?

Go on and make another 100.

Go on? Father...

I will lock you up this time.

Let's see who will help you now.

Why did you help me make them?

I made several of them. Are you trying to jeopardize me?

Ghost! Ghost! Father...

Father, open up. There's a ghost! Help!

What are you shouting about?

Father, there's a ghost. The lantern is... gone.

Aren't the lanterns right there?

These lanterns were not made my me.

- Who made them? - The ghost made them.

I think you are making up some stories.

Get in.

It's true. I did not make it up. The ghost...

I am not going in! I am not going in!

Come back.

I would not go in there even if you killed me.

Come back. Come back.

A fairy should bring benefits to the world.

A pure mind with no desire makes a good fairy.

If you always have desires in mind

not only can you not be a good fairy

you cannot clearly see the fundamentals of life.

The incident of the seventh fairy and Dong Yong

really broke my heart.

If the worldly thoughts are not suppressed

the door to desires will be opened in the heaven.

Your Highness, you are right.

All fairies should learn from this.

From now on, if any love affairs happen

they are subject to punishment.

Anyone covering up for them will also be punished.

Your Highness...

The Peach Ceremony is coming soon.