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♫ Along the banks of the West River, I'm planting the seeds of destiny ♫

♫ Along the banks of the West River, I'm planting the seeds of destiny ♫

♫ The world's sense of powerlessness and the entwining of fate ♫

♫ The world's sense of powerlessness and the entwining of fate ♫

♫ If the fire in my heart were to burn out, what would be the meaning of life? ♫

♫ If the fire in my heart were to burn out, what would be the meaning of life? ♫

♫ Our past can only be entrusted to memories ♫

♫ I'm longing for you amidst my loneliness and restless in sleepless nights ♫

♫ I'm longing for you amidst my loneliness and restless in sleepless nights ♫

♫ I'm longing for you amidst my loneliness and restless in sleepless nights ♫

♫ In this worldly chaos, even the Milky Way is memorized by your gaze ♫

♫ In this worldly chaos, even the Milky Way is memorized by your gaze ♫

♫ In this worldly chaos, even the Milky Way is memorized by your gaze ♫

♫ I'm longing for you at the Three-Life Stone as I cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness ♫

♫ I'm longing for you at the Three-Life Stone as I cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness ♫

♫ I'm longing for you at the Three-Life Stone as I cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness ♫

♫ The moon shines brighter because of you as I see you gaze at me from the tower afar ♫

♫ The moon shines brighter because of you as I see you gaze at me from the tower afar ♫

♫ The moon shines brighter because of you as I see you gaze at me from the tower afar ♫

♫ The moon shines brighter because of you as I see you gaze at me from the tower afar ♫

♫ The moon shines brighter because of you as I see you gaze at me from the tower afar ♫

♫ The moon shines brighter because of you as I see you gaze at me from the tower afar ♫

[The Legend of Anle] [Adapted from a novel by Xing Ling]

[Episode 17]

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

I don't know what I did to incur Official Ren's wrath

I don't know what I did to incur Official Ren's wrath

and make her point her sword at me.

♫ The endless night awaits the break of day ♫

♫ Blurring myriad obsessions along the way ♫

♫ Love and hate, in a frantic rush, can't escape ♫

You misunderstood her, Cheng'en.

♫ A heart falls into the abyss ♫

I know what Ren Anle is like.

She would never injure anyone for no reason.

♫ You can't discern ♫

♫ Shattering illusions of desolation and dismay ♫

Miss Di, your frantic demeanor doesn't look like that of a Crown Princess.

Miss Di, your frantic demeanor doesn't look like that of a Crown Princess.

Since you can't handle it, you should just go home.

Since you can't handle it, you should just go home.

Ren Anle.

Di Cheng'en is my Crown Princess whom I've waited for ten years.

♫ Across the distance, years go by in peace ♫

♫ Across the galaxies, my love will never cease ♫

No one can change my mind.

No one can ever

belittle you. ♫ How can I forget? Promises within my heart stray ♫

♫ How can I forget? Promises within my heart stray ♫

♫ Journeying under the moon, three thousand li I tread ♫

Jili. The hairpin.

Jili. The hairpin.

Yes, Your Highness.

♫ Brushing shoulders as we go our separate ways ♫

♫ Witnessing the trials and tribulations of life's tempestuous play ♫

♫ Making a pact with you, our destinies aligned ♫

♫ Across the starlit skies, our anticipation spreads ♫

♫ Countless thoughts and yearnings, in cycles they reside ♫

♫ I'll stand by your side, wishing for a world serene ♫

This used to be your mother's hairpin.

If there's someone you fancy, help her put this on.

If there's someone you fancy, help her put this on.

♫ Journeying under the moon, three thousand li I tread ♫

♫ Brushing shoulders as we go our separate ways ♫

You are the Crown Prince of Jing?

So, since I saved you, that makes me the Crown Princess.

So, since I saved you, that makes me the Crown Princess.

I am betrothed to someone else.

You will marry no one else but her?

I will marry no one else but her.

You're different from all the ladies I've met.

You're just like Ziyuan.

You'd never go against your will.

If not for my tender loving care,

Your Highness, you wouldn't have forgotten Di Ziyuan, whom you've waited for ten years,

and fallen in love with me.

Your Highness. You're blushing.

Your Highness. You're blushing.

Even if I can't be the Crown Princess,

I'll be somewhere close to you and see whom your heart is beating for.

I'll be somewhere close to you and see whom your heart is beating for.

Ziyuan. The Founding Emperor had appointed you as the Crown Princess.

Ziyuan. The Founding Emperor had appointed you as the Crown Princess.

Ziyuan. The Founding Emperor had appointed you as the Crown Princess.

The position of Crown Princess belongs to only you.

Ren Anle.

Han Ye will marry Di Ziyuan.

He'd never hand the position of Crown Princess

to any other lady in the world

even if he had fallen in love with someone else.

Crown Prince, do you even remember what I've told you?

Crown Prince, do you even remember what I've told you?

Your Majesty.

- Grandmother. - Empress Dowager.

I remember that you've always taught me

that whatever is spoken must be honored with actions.

that whatever is spoken must be honored with actions.

As the Crown Prince of Jing, I have to lead by example.

As the Crown Prince of Jing, I have to lead by example.

I once said that only Di Cheng'en will be the Crown Princess,

I once said that only Di Cheng'en will be the Crown Princess,

and this is the time for me to honor this promise.

You do remember that you are the Crown Prince of Jing.

Then, do you remember that she is the daughter of a traitor?

The Di family's crimes have nothing to do with Cheng'en.

The Di family's crimes have nothing to do with Cheng'en.

Moreover, she has been imprisoned in Dai Mountain for ten years.

Now, she's heeded the Emperor's orders and changed her name to Cheng'en.

Grandmother, no matter what, you shouldn't blame her for what happened ten years ago.

Grandmother, no matter what, you shouldn't blame her for what happened ten years ago.

You pretend to be subservient to me

while you play out your schemes here and bewitch the Crown Prince.

while you play out your schemes here and bewitch the Crown Prince.

You're from the Di family all right.

Emperor.

Give the order and throw this vixen out of the Crown Prince's Residence!

Give the order and throw this vixen out of the Crown Prince's Residence!

It was my wish to make Cheng'en the Crown Princess,

It was my wish to make Cheng'en the Crown Princess,

and it's stated in the Founding Emperor's will.

I do not understand why you keep objecting to this decision.

How dare you mention the Founding Emperor and break my heart

just to protect the daughter of a traitor.

Emperor.

This is the Crown Prince you've raised.

Mother.

Calm down.

I heard that when Di Cheng'en was in Dai Mountain,

she transcribed Buddhist sutras every day to pray for both of us.

she transcribed Buddhist sutras every day to pray for both of us.

Since she returned to the capital, she has been obedient and respectful.

Perhaps she is not as you thought...

Emperor.

Have you also forgotten the past as well?

Have you been bewitched by this Di woman's lies too?

Have you been bewitched by this Di woman's lies too?

My opinion is that the Crown Prince has grown up,

and he knows who he wants to be his Crown Princess.

and he knows who he wants to be his Crown Princess.

As his elders, we should not interfere too much.

You...

All of you.

You may continue this folly,

but as long as I am the Empress Dowager of Jing,

this Di woman will never enter the Crown Prince's Residence.

this Di woman will never enter the Crown Prince's Residence.

Regardless of tonight's outcome or lack thereof,

this banquet is for you.

The position of Crown Princess

will always be yours.

♫ It was meant to be a moment's pleasure ♫

♫ I turn around, hiding my loving gaze ♫

♫ Despite having regrets, sadness overwhelms them all ♫

♫ Frowning on the moon on a desolate fall night ♫

♫ Alas, my yearning has come to naught ♫

♫ Love has died as raging waves did us part ♫

♫ The ocean is embracing the sky, but it was merely a dream ♫

♫ The broken strings reverberate ♫

♫ Unable to feel each other in our hearts ♫

♫ Lamenting how hasty love and hate is ♫

It's snowing heavily. You should hurry up.

It's snowing heavily. You should hurry up.

Luo Mingxi.

You didn't see my sword dance in the banquet.

You didn't see my sword dance in the banquet.

Even Han Ye was mesmerized.

Where's your confidence as the minister of the Court of Judicial Review now?

You're right.

Earlier, when I tried to intimidate Di Cheng'en,

my imposing aura shocked everyone there.

my imposing aura shocked everyone there.

I know I never have to worry about anything you do.

I know I never have to worry about anything you do.

Still, I feel guilty.

Is it because of Han Ye or Di Cheng'en?

It's because of my late father.

When Han Ye held the hairpin in his hand,

I was actually hoping that he would put it on my head.

What was I thinking?

That hairpin belongs to the Han family.

Ziyuan.

I believe the late Marquis would understand the dilemma you're facing.

I believe the late Marquis would understand the dilemma you're facing.

I'd like to take a stroll in the former Marquis's residence.

I'll come with you.

No need.

There are some things that I want to tell my father alone.

There are some things that I want to tell my father alone.

Very well.

♫ I've concealed my yearning for you ♫

♫ And guarded your smile ♫

♫ Please don't leave me in oblivion when we part ways ♫

♫ I'd go the distance for you, may the light stay with you ♫

♫ Romance aside, I fight for my destiny alongside you ♫

♫ You're my dream from the bygone youth, arriving at the end of my life ♫

♫ I bear no regrets. But when we reunite in our next life, will you still remember me? ♫

Lengbei, look.

It's snowing heavily.

When we wake up tomorrow,

the capital will be covered in white,

leaving not even the slightest trace.

If the snow were any heavier,

do you think it can cover the bloodstains in the Residence of Marquis Jing'an?

I only know that if the snow keeps falling, you're going to fall sick.

I only know that if the snow keeps falling, you're going to fall sick.

Go back to your room.

That Di woman is scheming her way to become the Crown Princess.

She must be plotting to restore her family's power.

Di Cheng'en is joining the Crown Princess selection

firstly because the Crown Prince insists on following the Founding Emperor's will,

firstly because the Crown Prince insists on following the Founding Emperor's will,

and secondly, as his father, I tried my best

but still couldn't persuade him to abandon her and select someone else.

but still couldn't persuade him to abandon her and select someone else.

I had no choice but to let her return.

Still, Mother, do not worry.

If she's plotting something,

I'll take this opportunity to eradicate the Di family once and for all.

I'll take this opportunity to eradicate the Di family once and for all.

However, if she's truly loyal to us,

she would prove much use to us.

she would prove much use to us.

Years ago, Di Yongning killed himself without admitting his family's treacherous ambitions to everyone in the nation.

Years ago, Di Yongning killed himself without admitting his family's treacherous ambitions to everyone in the nation.

Years ago, Di Yongning killed himself without admitting his family's treacherous ambitions to everyone in the nation.

Even now, there are still people who doubt the crimes of the Di family.

Even now, there are still people who doubt the crimes of the Di family.

Even now, there are still people who doubt the crimes of the Di family.

That's why I exiled the Di orphan to Dai Mountain

so that she would swear her loyalty and her family's to me.

so that she would swear her loyalty and her family's to me.

so that she would swear her loyalty and her family's to me.

If Di Cheng'en becomes the Crown Princess,

to the Crown Prince, he is merely honoring the Founding Emperor's will.

to the Crown Prince, he is merely honoring the Founding Emperor's will.

However, to me,

However, to me,

she is the key to taming the Di family

and will be my secret weapon.

[Marquis Zhongyi's Residence]

- My Lord. - Stand right there.

My Lord.

Father.

Do you know how much trouble I've gone through

to transfer you from the Northwest to Jiangnan?

Why have you run away and come back?

Speak.

Did you get yourself into trouble again?

No. I didn't.

It's just that I missed you...

Cut that out!

If you don't tell me now, no one will help you when someone else discovers it.

If you don't tell me now, no one will help you when someone else discovers it.

Father.

I was wrong.

I was wrong.

Please help me. Only you can help me now, Father.

What happened?

I...

Tell me!

My Lord.

After the Young Marquis arrived in Jiangnan,

he drank, raped, and killed the eldest daughter of the Zhong family, Zhong Jing.

Then, he tried to burn down the crime scene,

but he accidentally

set fire to the entire residence and killed everyone inside.

Father!

Please help me!

I was drunk and made a terrible mistake.

Help you?

This is going to implicate our entire family!

My Lord. Spare the Young Marquis's life.

My Lord.

It's impossible to conceal the crime now, so why don't we get a scapegoat instead?

It's impossible to conceal the crime now, so why don't we get a scapegoat instead?

Investigate the Zhong family

so we can act accordingly.

Yes, My Lord.

Father.

I created a new identity for myself and became a pirate in Jingnan for ten years.

I created a new identity for myself and became a pirate in Jingnan for ten years.

Now, I can finally come back to offer my respects openly.

I'm back.

But in this huge residence,

I'm all alone here.

The 80,000 men who died at the foot of Qingnan Mountain

remain disgraced since ten years ago till now

because of false accusations,

and their bodies could not be sent home.

Back then, you killed yourself to prove your innocence,

but no one did you justice.

Now, the person who incriminated us is sitting on the throne,

Now, the person who incriminated us is sitting on the throne,

enjoying the power he wields over the people and the nation.

enjoying the power he wields over the people and the nation.

Father.

I will do our family justice.

I will make the Han family admit their crimes in front of the people

so that our 80,000 men can rest in peace.

My will is determined.

It will not sway because of anyone.

Anle?

What are you doing here?

I heard the Crown Princess selection banquet was held on the day Marquis Jing'an died.

It gave me much to think about.

Marquis Jing'an was a legend among the people.

I had never seen his heroic deeds while he was alive,

but paying my respects here today

is a way to express my admiration.

A legend?

Yes.

The Di troops were known for their bravery,

yet they were exterminated overnight.

As their general, Marquis Jing'an

didn't expect that after he killed himself,

his whole family would be eradicated as well.

There are many theories

as to what happened that night.

I'm interested in such legends.

A hero was forced to die to prove his innocence.

80,000 men from the Di troops died in the wild.

How tragic

and cruel it was.

Yet, their sacrifice is summarized by a mere word, "legend",

becoming nothing more than an after-dinner story.

Anning.

I'm not very sure

about the details of what happened,

but since you still remember Marquis Jing'an,

that means he's not truly dead.

I shall not disturb you from remembering the dead.

I take my leave.

Let's drink someday.

[Yuanshui Pavilion]

Mu Qing.

Did you see how the Crown Prince

protected me that night?

Even when the Empress Dowager was angry,

he stood in front of me to defend me.

Since you are now protected by the Crown Prince,

you don't have to be as cautious as you were.

It's also time for you

to visit the Residence of Marquis Jing'an.

I'm not going.

Even though I won the Crown Prince's heart during the banquet,

I made a lot of enemies as well.

If I pay my respects at the Residence of Marquis Jing'an,

people would use this to thwart my position.

But don't forget

that the Crown Prince is just in love

with your current identity as Di Ziyuan.

But the Empress Dowager and the Emperor

despise me as Di Ziyuan too.

If I pay my respects there now,

I would incur their wrath.

Mu Qing.

You didn't see

how scary the Empress Dowager's eyes were last night.

Had the Crown Prince not stood before me,

she would have...

She would have killed me right there.

But the Crown Prince said

that he would wait for you at the Marquis's residence.

If you don't go, you'd risk exposing yourself.

I'm not going.

The Crown Prince would see it

as my way of protecting myself,

and he would be even more protective of me.

Since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages,

why should I go?

I'm just worried that the Crown Prince would get suspicious.

Mu Qing.

I know

you want the best for me.

But you didn't see

how the Crown Prince looked at me

when he stood in front of me.

He was so determined.

I believe

he wouldn't abandon me.

Ye.

The Residence of Marquis Jing'an has been left in ruins for years.

It's impossible for me to clear up everything overnight.

Didn't Ziyuan come with you?

She's probably still feeling ill,

so she's not here now.

Why deceive yourself?

You and I know

that she's trying to protect herself

so that she can become the Crown Princess safely.

Anning.

Don't blame her.

Grandmother did mistreat her before this,

so it's only normal

that she's not coming.

I'm not blaming her.

I'm just resenting myself

while feeling sorry

for the Marquis and the Di troops.

A hero who founded the nation couldn't even

have his own daughter come to pay her respects.

Both Marquis Jing'an and the Di troops

fought for the nation.

They are all heroes.

However, the tragedy ten years ago happened

because the Di family committed treason.

Anning.

You were still young back then,

and you were innocent.

You shouldn't be bearing the blame.

I am not innocent at all.

The most innocent one is Ziyuan.

If it weren't for the tragedy ten years ago,

Ziyuan wouldn't have turned into Cheng'en today,

unable and scared of paying respects

to her own father.

Ye.

The Han family ruined Ziyuan.

After being imprisoned in Dai Mountain for ten years,

she has become a completely different person.

I also miss

the Ziyuan from the past.

Yes.

I also miss

the old Ziyuan.

Even though Ziyuan isn't coming,

I met someone else earlier.

Was Luo Mingxi here?

It's Anle.

You know

what was on my mind when I saw her?

I was thinking

that if Ziyuan wasn't sent to Dai Mountain,

she might have grown into a free-spirited woman

who can travel all over the world.

Ren Anle.

[Ren's Residence]

Now that you've paid your respects,

do you feel calmer?

The Di family is in an abject state now.

Only I can restore justice to my family.

That means I have to get rid of unnecessary thoughts

to take my revenge.

By "unnecessary thoughts",

you mean Han Ye, don't you?

Yes.

I cannot lie to myself

that everything I said last night

was just the wine talking.

I have indeed

fallen for Han Ye.

But I also know that compared to my emotions,

the 80,000 lives of the Di troops matter more.

That's why

I won't let myself indulge in these emotions anymore.

Whether it's sincere or fake,

I'm going to be myself again.

Ziyuan.

You can always show your truest self in front of me.

Throughout all these years of acting as Ren Anle,

I can only feel relaxed and free in front of you.

When I went to pay my respects,

Anning was there too.

Anning?

You didn't expose yourself, did you?

Anning used to be naive and straightforward.

However, for some reason, I feel that she's now

becoming sensitive.

I'll look into this.

But just seeing you paying your respects

shouldn't make her suspect your identity.

Another thing.

The Zhong's familicide is related to Gu Yunnian.

Gu Yunnian has been keeping a low profile lately,

but he's been searching for a man called Zhong Hai.

Zhong Hai?

Him?

Yes.

He's one of the surviving members

of the Di troops that we're looking for.

Qianyue Pavilion has found out

that he once fled to Jiangnan,

but the floods ruined his life.

The Zhongs then took him in,

and since then, he's been loyal to the Zhongs.

He may also be

the only witness to the Zhong's familicide.

This is probably why Gu Yunnian

wanted to kill them all.

Zhong Hai

will become our key to bringing down Gu Yunnian.

Then, we have to find him before Gu Yunnian does.

But if he's still in Jiangnan,

we might not make it in time.

I have an idea.

Your Highness, this way.

Your Highness.

You look well.

I see you have recovered.

It's just a minor cold.

Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.

I've been feeling better since this morning.

You're practicing writing?

I wrote some poetry while I had nothing to do.

Here you go, Your Highness.

Her handwriting

is still the same as in the past.

I remember

you caused an uproar when you wrote

a plaque for your residence.

Because of that,

His Majesty lectured me.

Do you still remember?

Back then,

I was just eight years old.

There are many things

that I don't remember clearly.

It's getting late.

I should go now.

Your Highness, since you came all the way here,

won't you stay a while more?

You've just recovered, so you need to rest.

Your Highness. Your Highness!

Are you all right?

[Guiyuan Pavilion]

Look what I wrote.

Hold this.

Ziyuan!

Show me.

Your Highness?

Your Highness?

What's wrong?

Your Highness?

I'm fine.

I just remembered I had some work to do.

I'll visit you some other day.

Your Highness, are you in love with Official Ren?

If you think

that you're disappointing Official Ren,

you may still

marry her

in the future.

You're overthinking.

Ren Anle is a palace official

and a pillar of the nation.

I will not marry her.

Your Highness?

Would you believe

that ten years can change someone's temperament

and even eliminate a scar completely?

I only know

that both life and people

are unpredictable.

Get someone to investigate

what happened over the past ten years

in Dai Mountain.

Yes, Your Highness.

The Crown Prince has already left.

Mu Qing.

Did I accidentally expose something?

The way the Crown Prince looked at me

definitely looked different.

Is he suspecting me because I can't remember

what happened in the past?

Who would remember every single detail

from ten years ago?

The Crown Prince would understand.

Han Ye.

The person who has returned to honor her promise

can only be me.

[Residence of the Princess]

Marquis Jing'an fought for the nation his entire life.

But in just ten years,

everyone has forgotten him.

I'm worried that I'd end up like them

if I'm away from the Northwest for too long,

slowly forgotten by the people.

But even after heroes die, they remain heroes.

Just like you, General,

I will always remember them.

As long as we don't forget,

they will never truly die.

You said the same thing as Anle did.

Do you believe that the Di family did not commit treason

and that they're innocent?

If they were not loyal to the nation,

why would you still remember them

even after ten years?

Lengbei.

It's been ten years.

My heart feels like it's being crushed by a huge stone.

I had no one to confide in.

To think

you could understand me.

You can always tell me what is bothering you.

You should get some rest.

Please leave the documents to me.

We just met this morning,

and you called me here again.

You're already missing me?

I called you over to tell you something important.

I know.

It's about Di Cheng'en.

What did Mu Qing tell you?

The Crown Prince is suspecting Di Cheng'en.

Do you remember what happened when you wrote

the plaque for Guiyuan Pavilion?

When I was seven,

I wrote the plaque for Guiyuan Pavilion,

but I accidentally fell from a high spot.

My shoulder had a severe gash.

They got the best imperial physicians to treat me,

but it still left a scar as long as half a cun.

Han Zhongyuan reprimanded Han Ye because of this,

and Han Ye even stayed in my residence

to look after me for ten days.

It seems that Han Ye discovered that Di Cheng'en

does not have the scar.

It's been ten years.

Even the deepest scars would fade.

Even I can't remember much of it.

To think he still remembers everything.

It's fine even if he remembers.

Since you've decided to keep your distance from him,

just don't get too close,

then he'd never find out.

That's right.

There's no need to create the same scar on Di Cheng'en's shoulder too.

Creating the scar now

would only prove her disguise

and attract unwanted attention.

♫ If I bet my all on it desperately ♫

♫ I know my heart will be uneasy ♫

♫ I give up on my light and hide it under a bushel ♫

♫ You're the moon in my heart ♫

♫ I can't dream to own you ♫

♫ But I'm willing to forsake my life for you ♫

♫ I'd go the distance for you ♫

♫ May the light stay with you ♫

♫ Romance aside ♫

♫ I fight for your destiny alongside you ♫

♫ You're my dream from the bygone youth ♫

♫ Arriving at the end of my life ♫

♫ I bear no regrets. But when we reunite in our next life ♫

♫ Will you still remember me? ♫

♫ I've concealed my yearning for you ♫

♫ And guarded your smile ♫

♫ Please don't leave me in oblivion when we part ways ♫

♫ I'd go the distance for you ♫

♫ May the light stay with you ♫

♫ Romance aside ♫

♫ I fight for your destiny alongside you ♫

♫ You're my dream from the bygone youth ♫

♫ Arriving at the end of my life ♫

♫ I bear no regrets. But when we reunite in our next life ♫

♫ Will you still remember me? ♫