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

Eponymous Theme/Opening OST: Winter Begonia; Lyricist: Yu Zheng; Composer/Singer: Lu Hu

Shang Xirui: “Do you know what a confidant is?”

Cheng Fengtai: “I know, I have been listening all along.”

Winter Begonia

Episode 1

Beiping in the 30's of the 20th Century,

had all the traditional folk arts culminated here.

This is the most glorious stage for Thousand-Year Liyuan (world of opera).

Also the most difficult time for modern China.

There's a famous Peking opera performer with a masterful voice.

There's also an affluent magnate squandering his wealth.

There's turmoil inside and out.

The big curtain gently pulls open

for every audience member to see this well.

It is this play "Winter Begonia".

Chairman Jiang.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Chairman Jiang.

Father.

The disciples offer their congratulations to Master.

May you live as long as the South Mountains! May you enjoy longevity like the pines and the cranes!

Troupe Leader. Troupe Leader.

It's time to leave. It's Jiang Rongshou's birthday celebration later today.

You should attend.

Troupe Leader.

Troupe Leader.

You should leave now.

Father, it's almost time.

Let's start first.

Wait for a bit more.

What's wrong, Old Master? Who's not here yet?

Shang Xirui.

The famous actor from Shandong who now has rooted in our Beiping.

This Shang Xirui just relies on the fact that he has good box office takings,

and so considers everyone to be beneath him. He doesn't follow the rules at all.

What! I just put up Mei Fei and he puts up Yang Guifei.

Isn't this obvious he's picking a fight?

He's just too arrogant.

I dare not say this in front of Old Master.

This Shang Xirui, is from a prominent old family.

That's right.

His father, Shang Juzhen, strictly speaking,

is a fellow apprentice of the same school with Jiang Old Master.

Later, they are both in the operatic court.

He has the proper technical pedigree.

This young lad Shang is my master's nephew, after all.

So there's actually such a history,

Chairman, please forgive my lack of knowledge.

This nephew of my master,

the elders in his family departed early, so no one taught him any formalities.

He's reckless in his ways.

Doesn't avoid putting on similar shows like yours, even your signature ones.

When he's here later,

I'll criticize him on your behalf.

Master Bao.

This won't do.

What won't do?

This lady's hand is not a hand.

It's a claw.

There's no flirtatious expression.

Proprietor Shang, are you deliberately poking fun at people?

She is one of the top brothel girls of the Great Eight Lanes.

The number of men who want to sleep with her can form a line from here all the way to Yongding Gate.

You said she doesn't have flirtatious expression?

That's right.

If others want to sleep with her,

that is called flirtatious behavior.

If others want to love,

this is known as flirtatious expression.

Fine, fine, fine! Tell us, then.

What is the flirtatious expression of letting one be loved?

For example,

like this.

Or also, for example,

this too.

Little Beauty, you have been hiding here?

I have been looking for you for a long time.

Let me hug you.

For example, this too.

You!

Proprietor Shang?

Old Xian'er!

You struggle to make money during the day at the overline bridge and spend everything here in the night.

You really are unrestrained.

Proprietor Shang.

We are... rootless people.

I don't have any sons or daughters.

I'm merely looking for some amusement when I have some money.

I would like to ask you,

what are you doing here?

It's the grand birthday celebration for Chairman Jiang today.

Shouldn't you be there to express your filial piety?

Ladies, please leave first.

Let's go! Everyone, let's leave.

Move, move, move!

Tao'er, don't leave.

You...

The birthday gift has already been delivered.

As for me, I'm not going to join in the festivity.

In any case, I can't offer any congratulatory message when I see him.

Standing there like an idiot.

Finally get a day off, next month I have to sing a full version of the Story of Su San.

Can't seem to figure out Su San's character.

I'm fretting.

Story of San Su, that's such an old opera.

Just do what the predecessors did.

- Why do you need to ponder it? - I don't want to be the same as the predecessors.

When the predecessors sang Su San,

she was either a well-bred young lady,

or she was just purely a harlot.

I think both are not right.

I'm came here to learn from the ladies today.

At parting, this Shang Xirui didn't show his face.

He's too ruthless. He thinks everyone is beneath him.

Enough, don't say anymore.

Let's find the opportunity to teach him a lesson.

He even dared to disrespect Old Master.

Enough! Sorry about this.

If we don't discipline him in the future, he will think he's great.

That's right! We should discipline him well.

Take care!

This bastard Shang Xirui,

he didn't show up,

and gives me this stinky old cane. What is his meaning?

I'm too old to walk?

Dengbao, send men to check

what the important matter that held him up is.

Father, I already sent men to check.

I was too embarrassed to tell you.

When you were celebrating your birthday, he went to a brothel to visit a prostitute.

Scoundrel!

I was celebrating my birthday here and he went to visit a prostitute?

Morning, Madam.

What are we having today?

Buns.

Why buns again? Didn't I tell you that I want bread?

You distinctly said buns.

Would I not even remember what I said?

Just do it according to what Madam said. You are becoming more unruly.

Go now.

Yes.

Whatever I say she has to retort.

Seriously!

Older Sister, have a bun. It's pretty good, too.

You... I'm not lecturing you,

But since you got married, your mind is all on my younger brother and the child.

You need to manage the servants, too.

The people who come visit us in the future will all be high in status and power.

Don't let people say that we don't have standards.

What is it? You seem preoccupied.

Didn't sleep well?

Second Master said he will be back early in the morning.

Why is he till not back yet?

He already arrived at the city limits. What is the rush?

Didn't Old Ge go to meet him?

You are worrying about the wrong things.

Speaking of my younger brother, he is not the old Cheng Fengtai.

Look at the business dealings in this city, who can beat him?

Once Commander is back in the city, our family will have money and power.

You should learn the ways of new madams.

Go out and play mahjong or dance in your spare time,

or else you won't be able to keep up with my younger brother steps.

When he is not home, my mind just can't relax.

Eat.

- Old Ge. - Second Master.

Did you prepare clean clothes?

They are ready. Secretly got them from the servant girl.

I didn't let Second Madam find out.

- How is the family? - All is well at home.

Just that the Chamber of Commerce knows you are back today.

They have gathered together early in the morning.

They said they wanted to get an explanation from you.

Didn't I already tell Fan Lian to handle the Chamber of Commerce matter?

How did he handle it?

Brother-in-law?

He hasn't shown up since last night.

That is the great younger brother of Second Madam.

Let's not wait for them to come find us.

Let's vanquish them when it's least expected.

Second Master, you are going there dressed like that?

This outfit is the most suitable.

This roadway on the east side, only Cheng Fengtai can go through there.

Why can't we use it as well?

This is just outrageous.

At the Chamber of Commerce, our connections,

and resources have always been shared.

Now... what is this situation?

Everyone is here today!

What is it? Does everyone stop speaking when I appear?

All right, if you don't want to speak, I will speak.

Excuse me!

Bandits run rampant on this east side roadway.

I used my very life to snatch it back.

Now that everyone wants a piece of it,

are there such nice free things in life?