Original subtitles

♪Roaming freely through the cycles of time♪

♪In an ardent and liberated soul♪

♪Over thorny roads, across treacherous heights♪

♪With whom do I travel along?♪

♪I'm willing to brave life's twists and turns♪

♪For the well-being of people♪

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Promises made, heard and fulfilled♪

♪And it reaches far and wide♪

♪I will shine like stars in the dark night♪

♪And stride through fate's ups and downs, leaning toward the sun♪

♪Moments turn into eternity, fleeting years become forever♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead, the light within never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

♪And they will shape the dream to completion♪

=The Legend of Zhuohua=

(Adapted from "She Was Once a Playful Soul" by Sui Yu Er An)

=Episode 30=

(This is a work of fiction.)

(The Southern Sun from Northern Zhou.)

A century-old dynasty

and a millennium-old noble family.

What about the imperial family of the Southern Chen?

For them,

a dying dynasty

is just the rise of another dynasty.

They don't care

about loyalty to the Emperor or patriotism.

And they care less about the people of the nation.

Everything they do

is for the continuation of their family.

That's right.

They've been wanting

to send their women into your imperial harem, right?

In truth,

they just want to build

a huge network that will benefit them

through marriage alliances.

Those scoundrels.

Do they think that I'm just a bargaining chip?

But a marriage alliance

is just a harmless trick compared to the other deceits

from the noble families.

Do you know

what their true devastation

Southern Chen?

Tell me.

Firstly,

monopolize access to education.

It's easy for the members of the noble families

to gain access to education.

But for commoners,

it's almost impossible.

They can't get protection under the Protected Appointments System.

They can never get out of this vicious cycle

and their future generations will face the same fate.

What about the second one?

Secondly,

monopolize the lands.

The noble families own many of the fertile lands,

and they rent them out to the farmers.

And the rent is at least 50% of their total profit.

Even after working hard for a year,

the farmers can barely keep themselves fed.

If there's a natural disaster,

they'll be forced to sell their children

and become beggars.

Thirdly,

take control of the government.

I'm sure I don't need to explain that to you.

But how many high-ranking officials in the Six Ministries

are from noble families?

I'm sure you know that better than me.

You can think that I'm just raising a false alarm.

If this continues,

even the foundation of Southern Chen may be shaken

by the noble families.

If I don't eliminate the noble families,

there'll be future trouble.

When we first met at Xiaoqin Pleasure House,

you were such a reserved person.

You even scolded me when I asked you

to take off your clothes.

It's different now.

Now, you can take off my clothes however you want it.

I'll do as you say.

Get into the water now.

Be careful not to catch a cold.

Looks like

you've risked your life more than once.

It's in the past now.

This place has a great view.

I've already made up my mind.

When I retire and can return to my homeland,

I'll plant some vegetables here.

Then, I'll raise some poultry.

You want to raise some poultry?

It'll smell so bad.

If it smells bad,

you'll have to clean it.

We better let Zhijian and Zhimo do it then.

Zhimo?

We can't let Zhimo do it.

Why?

Juli is so clean-conscious.

If the odor sticks to Zhimo,

Juli will be unhappy.

We can't let him do that.

Then, we'll have to depend on Zhijian.

That's right.

I forgot.

I've left the porridge cooking in the kitchen.

I need to check on it.

My Lord, the porridge is burnt.

Let's eat out.

Here.

Have another one of these.

I have so much food.

I don't want you to go hungry.

This is delicious.

Here. Eat more.

The lotus root is tasty.

Both of you are so deeply in love.

I'm sure

both of you are newlyweds, right?

Madam.

My husband is in delicate health.

Please give him another bowl of wonton.

Okay.

Thank you.

What is it? Did I say something wrong?

I'm just happy

that I've upgraded from a lover into a husband.

It's a lovely surprise.

Eat more.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's continue with our previous story.

The only one who's qualified to be the God of War of Southern Chen

is Lord Ding.

Back then,

he volunteered

to take down Northern Liang.

He managed to stir up a storm

and defeat 100,000 cavalries.

His Lordship

is a peerless and valiant warrior.

Nice!

Nice.

Nice one!

My Lord.

Everyone said

that you took down Northern Liang

all by yourself.

Tell me

how you did it.

Actually, it was nothing.

Back then, I managed to capture Hu Er'ta.

I treated him like an important guest

to create the illusion that he had defected.

The king of Northern Liang was wary of him due to his achievements.

So, I purposely sent Hu Er'ta back to Northern Liang.

You made it seem like he had defected

and gave the King of Northern Liang

an excuse to eliminate the thorn in his side.

That's right.

In the end, the King of Northern Liang killed Hu Er'ta.

But his action enraged Hu Er'ta's subordinates.

So, you took the opportunity

to attack Northern Liang while they were divided

and conquered Northern Liang.

You are a smart student.

You are

indeed the God of War of Southern Chen who's an expert in the art of war.

By the way,

will you use your knowledge

against me?

I'm frail and can't take care of myself.

I wouldn't do that to you.

Eat more.

Then, you won't be frail anymore.

Zhimo.

Why did you ask me to come here?

Juli.

What is it?

He's useless.

He's too useless.

Don't tell others that you are my brother.

Here you go.

Is this made from papaya?

They say that you should always repay someone

who has done you a favor.

This is quite sweet.

What's wrong with Guo Juli?

She's such a glutton.

I've never seen

someone as unromantic as her.

They are dead because of you.

I received your military deployment map.

I thought that I couldn't send it out.

But God was on my side.

Xue Xiaotang managed to capture a spy from Northern Liang

and Northern Liang had your military deployment map.

Don't you think

this is meant to be?

Why are you sweating so much?

Are you okay?

I had a dream about that uprising again.

What's wrong?

I'm fine.

Don't worry about me.

But on the day of the uprising,

I was both sorrowful and furious.

I couldn't think.

When I thought about it just now,

I realized that something was wrong.

What was wrong?

The Grand Dowager Empress said

that after she received the military deployment map,

she couldn't send it out.

But then,

Xue Xiaotang managed to capture a spy from Northern Liang.

But Xue Xiaotang was always in the military camp.

How did he find out about the spy?

He must have someone

helping him in the dark.

So,

the Grand Dowager Empress is not the only culprit

behind your defeat at Juma River.

This is not just about my defeat at Juma River.

Someone must have switched out

the testamentary edict in secret too.

But

someone who can get their hands on the testamentary edict

must be a trusted person of Emperor Emeritus.

If we take that into consideration,

there aren't many of them.

The Chief Eunuch who had accompanied my brother

for more than 20 years

killed himself after my brother's death.

What do you mean?

At first, I thought that he was just being loyal.

But now, looks like

everything is not as simple as it seems.

I have to find someone to investigate this matter.

If I could,

I really wanted to live in seclusion together with you here

until we were old and gray.

Sounds like you are ready

to go back to the capital.

Don't be a fool.

How could I let you

accompany me here forever?

Moreover,

someone is stirring up trouble in the imperial court right now.

I can't just sit back and do nothing.

Okay.

Let's go back together then.

I believe that one day,

we'll return again together.

Your Majesty.

This is a report from Minister Sun of the Minister of Works.

(Allowed.)

This is not written by you.

I really have a group of great ministers working for me.

They are eager to share my burdens with me

and even want to govern the nation on my behalf.

Your Majesty.

The Protected Appointments System comes from the grace of the imperial court.

But as time passes by,

they will think that this grace

is their due.

Just like a fox accustomed to authority,

it forgets who exactly it relies on for its power.

These vermin

have taken over half of the imperial court's nation.

If I don't do anything,

I'm afraid that Southern Chen

will just become an empty husk.

(Xuanzheng Hall)

I've asked someone to list out all the officials

under the Protected Appointments System who have no official duties.

I'll send that list to the Ministry of Personnel.

We'll then start laying them off officially

in the next few days.

Your Majesty.

The Protected Appointments System is an honor

bestowed by the founding Emperor.

It's against the rules of etiquette

and the teachings of all the previous Emperors.

I'm afraid that people will judge you

for going against your ancestors and forgetting your roots.

Don't go to extremes, Official Zhou.

His Majesty just wants to lay off

those without official duties.

But why do you want to lay off

all the officials under the Protected Appointments System?

You have no right to talk here.

If Shen Jinghong has no right to talk here,

what about me?

You must be joking, Your Majesty.

Let me be frank, then.

The imperial court has no extra money

to pay those who haven't done a stroke of work.

We'll follow your edict

and replace those useless officials

with some useful ones

so that we don't affect

the normal operation of each department.

Are you saying

that without those people,

Southern Chen will be ruined?

Why did you say that?

That was not what I meant.

Your Majesty.

I'm doing this for the nation.

Not for myself.

I've already made up my mind.

This is the end of the discussion.

Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

Are you asking His Majesty to reconsider

for his own sake,

for Southern Chen's sake,

or your own sake?

Uncle, you are back.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Be at ease, Uncle.

Uncle, how have you been?

Thank you for asking.

I'm doing well.

What about you?

Not that great.

What's wrong?

Someone wants to take control

over me.

And it leaves me with a bad appetite

and insomnia.

How can I be well like that?

Who is so bold to do that?

Are they trying to commit treason?

Please don't be mad, Your Majesty.

Forget it.

Your Majesty.

When I was standing outside,

I heard

something about laying off the officials under the Protected Appointments System.

Yes. I want to lay off those under the system

who have no official duties.

Your Majesty. Taking action against the system is a serious issue.

You can't be reckless about it.

So please reconsider,

Your Majesty.

Official Sun.

If you like to flaunt your seniority,

you can just kill yourself in this hall

so that your blood will spray everywhere.

I'll ask the historian to come here at once and record it

so that your name will go down in history.

What do you think?

Official Zhou, you are not young anymore.

If I remember correctly,

you are going to retire in two years.

However, you are not doing as well as Official Sun.

At least Official Sun

has a son who got Bangyan in the imperial examination.

But what about you?

You don't have

any capable descendants at all.

You know that you'll lose your privilege once you retire.

That's why you can't let

His Majesty abolish the Protected Appointments System.

Am I right?

Since the two of you

are so against laying off those with no official duties,

now that the national treasury doesn't have sufficient funds

to pay them,

the two of you can pay your salaries instead.

Or we can lay off everyone

who's in your families

and those who work for your families.

Then, we can use the money that we saved

to pay those without official duties.

These are your two options. Make your choice.

Lord Ding.

You...

You are so...

What are you trying to say about me?

Am I shameless, or am I a rascal?

You said that yourself.

Your Majesty, after much consideration,

keeping those with no official duties will do more harm than good.

Your Majesty.

I agree with your decision.

You sound so righteous,

but in the end, you are just worried about yourself.

You are indeed my good official.

Those without official duties are not the only problem we have.

The real culprit behind the depletion of our national treasury

is the Protected Appointments System.

Forget this.

The Protected Appointments System is a grave matter.

We can't be reckless about it.

That's it for today.

We'll discuss this issue next time.

Yes, Your Majesty.

If there's nothing else, you are dismissed.

Why did you stop me just now?

We finally managed to subdue them.

Why didn't you let me strike while the iron is hot

and subjugate them once and for all?

Even if I couldn't take them down,

I could still

make an example out of some of them.

Your Majesty.

You have just ascended to the throne.

You need to secure your place at the imperial court first.

You can't be impatient when it comes to weakening

the power of the noble families.

After all, they have a great influence which is deeply rooted in this nation.

If we take action against them

without holding back,

they'll fight back even more.

It'll be bad for both the imperial court and society.

Although that's true,

we have to eliminate the noble families.

Shen Jinghong is right.

The noble families are like maggots.

I can't completely control the imperial court

as long as they remain.

Did

Shen Jinghong say that to you?

That's right.

I think Shen Jinghong is really talented.

And he knows

the noble families well.

By the way,

Mu Zhuohua came to me before this

and told me that you owed her something.

What was it?

She just thought

that my illness was rare

and wanted to help me with my treatment.

I couldn't stop her.

(Ciming Hall)

You are back, Uncle.

How are you lately?

I've been worried about you.

I'm feeling way better now.

You don't have to worry about me.

Your health is the most important thing.

Grandmother is not feeling that well now.

I'm sure Father would want you and her

to take care of yourselves.

You must be tired from taking care of the Grand Dowager Empress.

Rest well.

Don't exhaust yourself.

Yes.

I won't delay you further

from visiting her.

Grand Dowager Empress.

I know that you are not the only culprit

behind the war of Juma River.

But who's the other culprit?

Please tell me about it.

Please give me an answer.

You

can't talk anymore?

If you can't talk,

please write it down for me.

Have you lost your mind too?

Your Highness, Lord Ding is leaving.

Since he's leaving,

it's time for me

to take good care of Grandmother.

My Lord.

Based on your description,

the Grand Dowager Empress is showing the symptoms of a stroke.

She can't talk,

and she can't move.

She's always a proud person.

I never thought

that she would end up like that.

This is karma.

Life is always tit for tat.

It's just that

you can't get any other clues

from her anymore.

Let's not talk about that first.

My Lord, let me read your pulse for you.

Who bit you?

I was bitten by the Grand Dowager Empress.

She was of unsound mind.

Look. Although I'm a princess,

I have been bullied too.

This bite mark is from the time I was bitten by a child

when I was three.

My Lord.

The Grand Dowager Empress was trying to tell you

who the culprit was.

Are you saying that...

Princess Roujia has a bite mark

on her forearm too.

Are you sure?

Yes. I saw it myself.

The only one who could cause

the demise of the Cangwu Army

was Xue Xiaotang.

But who was the one who could tell him

about the spy from Northern Liang?

Xue Xiaotang took that secret to his grave.

He had been protecting that person.

Yes.

He was protecting her.

The only person whom Xue Xiaotang will protect with his life

is nobody

but Roujia.

Xue Xiaotang can only be killed

by Princess Roujia.

I always thought

that she was sincere towards Xue Xiaotang.

I never thought that...

Come in.

My Lord, Official Mu.

He Xin.

What have you found from your investigation?

The name of the Chief Eunuch was Li Ruisheng.

His parents passed away when he was young.

He became an eunuch and entered the palace when he was just a young man

and was sent to the Eastern Palace.

After that, he served Emperor Emeritus until his death.

He was single most of his life.

But there was an exception.

He was with a palace maid named Xing.

They were from the same homeland,

and they both worked in the Eastern Palace.

They supported each other,

and they were very close.

So, Princess Roujia and Xing...

Xing is Princess Roujia's biological mother.

I never thought that Princess Roujia

would be related to the Chief Eunuch like that.

No wonder she could even switch out the testamentary edict.

Other members of the Falcon Squad

are spying on

those around Princess Roujia.

They found out that her personal maid, Man,

went to worship a deceased teacher.

The person who engraved the tombstone of Yuan Chengming.

Okay.

I know everything now.

You've worked hard, He Xin.

You can rest now.

Looks like

she was the one behind the empty tomb of Yuan Chengming

and the death of Yun Xiangyue.

And her goal was to start the fight

between me and the Grand Dowager Empress.

I suddenly remember

that Shen Jinghong loves her a lot too.

Will he be used by her as well?

How would you know

if Shen Jinghong is a willing participant or not?

There was nothing wrong

with him pointing out the evil of the noble families

to His Majesty.

But his words in the imperial court were too aggressive.

I suspect that he was trying to be provocative.

For a new Emperor

who has not secured his throne yet,

being so reckless

will not do him any good.

I hope that he won't end up like Xue Xiaotang.

(Shen's Residence)

"The moon is so bright

but not brighter than her beauty."

What do I owe the pleasure of this sudden visit, Your Highness?

Looks like I've disturbed you.

It's fine.

I'm just doing this to pass the time.

I can just throw it away.

It'll be such a pity to throw it away.

Continue with your poem.

Let me fix this.

♪Unveiling the affections hidden in the eyes♪

♪Moonlight illuminates the path once traveled♪

♪Two souls of different echelons unite♪

♪Deeply in love, yet distanced♪

Don't just stand there.

♪Throughout life, we shall not part♪

Finish the poem.

♪In the embrace of fleeting time♪

Okay.

♪Earthly romance is but transient♪

♪Time slips away♪

♪That heartbreaking moment♪

♪I wonder what your answer will be♪

♪Again, someone weeps over farewells♪

♪At the edge of fate♪

♪A poignant heart cries in the gnawing loneliness♪

♪Earthly romance is but transient♪

♪Time slips away♪

♪I long for you dearly♪

♪How do you accept it?♪

♪The sound of the wind is like the desperate cries from the jackdaw♪

♪This regret comes from deep sorrow♪

♪A reticent heart withers in loneliness♪

"Her graceful body

has me longing for her desperately."

Looks like you've been greatly disturbed,

Mr. Shen.

I used to feel like that.

But I no longer feel that way.

I heard about what happened in the court this morning.

It's a great start for you to convince His Majesty

to lay off those with no official duties.

But if Lord Ding hadn't stopped him,

we would've been able to abolish

the Protected Appointments System sooner.

He has returned so suddenly.

I'm sure

he harbors ill intentions.

(Yan.)

I'll entrust Southern Chen

and my children to you.

Forgive our mother.

You have to stay alive and live well.

My brother entrusted

his children to me before he died.

But not long after he passed away,

Chen and Yu almost became enemies.

And the culprit behind it

was his only daughter.

Looks like I'm destined

to disappoint him.

Everything is just a guess right now.

His Majesty is new to the throne.

And Princess Roujia is loved

by the people of this nation.

If we act recklessly,

it'll rip apart the imperial court.

And it'll be hard to appease the people of this nation.

We can't

let Chen find out about this.

He is reckless.

If he finds out

that his own sister caused the death of 30,000 soldiers

and harmed so many people,

he'll confront Roujia about it.

We don't know

if she's doing this for revenge

or if she has another ulterior motive.

Everything is just a speculation right now.

We don't have any hard evidence against her.

The only thing we can do now

is to play it by ear.

Let's see what Roujia will do next.

(Jishan Hall)

Let's go.

Let them go.

I'm too useless for having failed to capture them.

It's fine.

Someone can't sit still anymore.

It's good for us.

Official Mu!

Official Mu, help!

Official Mu!

Coming.

Hurry up!

Hurry up.

Zhimo.

Zhimo.

Official Mu!

- What's wrong? - Official Mu!

What's going on?

This is just a minor wound.

- Zhimo. - I'm fine.

Come. Hurry up.

Take him to the room. Slowly.

Official Mu, you have to save him!

My Lord.

I was too reckless.

Zhimo got hurt because of me.

Please punish me.

Hang on.

I've stopped the bleeding.

Juli.

Take good care of him.

Come to me if something happens.

Yes, Young Lady.

Zhimo.

Don't worry. I'll deal with this.

Get up.

You acted so recklessly.

Didn't you think about the consequences?

Maybe you think

that the worst thing that can happen is your death.

But have you never thought

that by doing so,

Zhimo may lose his only family member?

♪Unceasing love stalks my mind♪

♪Couldn't get over it♪

♪Memories touch the edges of our souls♪

♪Nowhere to anchor, lost in the expanse♪

♪We gaze at each other in the drizzling rain♪

♪But you have gone without a trace♪

♪Leaving me all alone in the world♪

♪Like waves without a shore♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know, clearly I understand♪

♪We swear to stay together in every lifetime♪

♪For this heartbeat, I can suffer for aye♪

♪Never part ways, we made this promise long ago♪

♪Love and hate entwined, unforgettable♪

♪Even if we are far apart♪

♪Two souls embrace in chaos♪

♪Impossible to erase, destiny's light♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Our minds occupied with each other♪

♪For this heartbeat♪

♪I can suffer for aye♪

♪Want to have one more glimpse of you, even just for a second more♪