Original subtitles

♫ By the riverside ♫

♫ I sow a seed of karma ♫

♫ Forlorn fates intertwine ♫

♫ Written in the stars ♫

♫ Should your passion smolder out ♫

♫ Will you give up on your ideal world? ♫

♫ Our past can only be entrusted to memories ♫

♫ I'm mooning over you ♫

♫ Amidst loneliness ♫

♫ Berthed in sleepless nights ♫

♫ You're my desire ♫

♫ That teems underneath ♫

♫ I'm drowned in your beautiful eyes ♫

♫ I'm mooning over you ♫

♫ Next to the Three-life Stone ♫

♫ I cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness ♫

♫ Gazing at moonlit nights ♫

♫ The moon appears brighter because of you ♫

♫ Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze ♫

♫ Gazing at moonlit nights ♫

♫ The moon appears brighter because of you ♫

♫ Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze ♫

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

[Episode 21]

[Ziyuan]

Official Ren, this way, please.

Oh, dear me. I got absorbed in reading the letter.

After the New Year's palace banquet,

I'm still recovering and unable to get up.

I hope you can understand.

It's all right.

After all, you saved His Majesty.

That's just as it should be.

Since the incident on New Year's Eve,

His Highness has been coming to Yuanshui Pavilion to see me every day.

Each time, he brings either some supplements or various interesting things.

This room is running out of space to store them.

They are indeed all novel and interesting things.

I have never seen these things in Anle Abode.

Miss Di, you are sure very lucky.

There are these letters too.

His Highness sent them regularly to Dai Mountain.

He had been sending them for ten years.

[Dear Di Ziyuan, from Han Ye]

His Highness has a kind and pure nature.

He's indeed a rare good husband in this world.

Miss Di, you should treat him sincerely.

Aren't you jealous?

When you first arrived in the capital,

weren't you determined to become the Crown Princess?

I no longer have any feelings for His Highness.

We appeared together on Wuliu Street that day merely to apprehend Zhong Hai.

Nothing more.

Official Ren, why make excuses over something that you can't have?

If you truly have no interest in His Highness,

why not return to Jingnan

instead of staying in the capital

and appearing before His Highness every day?

What is so funny?

Perhaps, a lifetime with someone is your lifelong wish.

But for me, there are other things I care about

besides love and affection.

Then, please remember your place

and don't get too close to His Highness.

I would naturally pay attention to this if it doesn't involve court affairs.

But if it involves court affairs,

I'm afraid I can't comply.

You...

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Cheng'en, you're still weak. Why aren't you resting?

Your Highness, Official Ren and I...

Ren Anle, don't disturb Cheng'en's rest.

Come with me.

Your...

Your Highness, there are many people here.

I hope you'll be careful with your words and conduct.

You're indeed cautious.

The people you've trained have excellent acting skills.

You even deceived me.

When have I ever deceived Your Highness?

I meant the assassins and Yuanshu

put on a good act in front of Gu Qishan.

After all, I am the Ren Anle, whom you described as both intelligent and brave.

If you're hiding something from me,

I won't be angry.

But I hope that one day,

you can tell me all the truth yourself.

I'm not hiding anything from you.

Besides, you already know about Marquis Zhongyi.

Ren Anle,

I thought of a place

you might like.

Sir,

you have the leisure to tend to flowers and plants?

It's the Lantern Festival,

so some memories came flooding back.

Back then, I was Ziyuan's personal bodyguard.

I guess it was a good time.

Yes, it was.

Although the capital

was bitterly cold that year,

and I couldn't see the Flower of Longing from Jingnan,

there were still festive occasions after the Lantern Festival.

Because of that,

there was no need to feel nostalgic.

What wish did you make?

It's a secret.

- Is it beautiful? - Yes, it's beautiful.

Lanterns for sale! All kinds of lanterns for sale!

- Come and take a look. - Miss, do you want to buy a lantern?

- The birds look pretty too. - The lanterns are so beautiful.

Come and take a look at these lanterns.

- Lanterns for sale. - This color is pretty.

Miss, buy one.

- That lantern does look pretty. - All right, I'll take this one.

All right.

Your Highness, you usually follow the rules.

Why are you out having fun like this today?

I've been around that audacious female pirate for too long.

You can say I've been influenced by her.

In that case, you should thank me.

Thank me for allowing you to live as you please once.

Your Highness, look! That lantern is so beautiful.

Wait here.

- Mister, come and take a look. - Let's go.

Wait for me! Wait up!

Wait for me!

It's yours now.

I didn't expect Your Highness to have such an innocent and brilliant taste.

Back then, Ziyuan hated to live in the palace.

So I secretly took her out once.

During the Lantern Festival in the capital that year,

I splurged 10 copper coins to win two rabbit lanterns and gifted them to her.

But the next day,

I heard people in the palace say

that Ziyuan's birthday was on the sixteenth day of the first month.

However, I was in a hurry to accompany my uncle to inspect the capital region.

So I hastily wrote her a letter informing her

that I was giving her the pair of rabbit lanterns as a birthday gift.

I wonder if she would think I was stingy.

Come to think of it, it's been ten years.

Your Highness has a really good memory. You even remember a trivial matter like this.

It's not a trivial matter.

The Crown Prince of Jing's marriage with the Di family

was to prevent turmoil in the world.

Although Ziyuan and I were engaged since childhood,

she was still young back then.

As her personal bodyguard, Luo Mingxi,

like a tail, was always following her everywhere.

The Lantern Festival in the capital that year

was the only time we were alone together.

♫ I'm mooning over you amidst loneliness, berthed in sleepless nights ♫

♫ Gazing at moonlit nights, the moon appears brighter because of you ♫

♫ Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze ♫

♫ Gazing at moonlit nights, the moon appears brighter because of you ♫

♫ Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze ♫

Young Lady, I received an intel saying that

Marquis Zhongyi wants to kill the New Year's Eve assassins.

They're meeting at Huayuan Mountain tonight.

At this point,

we can't let him turn the tide easily.

Let's go to Huayuan Mountain immediately.

Bring this back home and keep it away. We'll wait for an opportunity to act.

All right.

Di Cheng'en has agreed to our alliance

and is willing to act as a hostage to help us gain the support of the Di Troops.

The Grand Chancellor of the Left sent me to ask for your progress.

I've obtained intelligence on the northwest border.

But I still need some time to gather the list of generals.

- Please expedite your actions, Your Highness. - Just rest assured.

[Residence of the Princess]

No. I must go to Anle.

I must get an explanation about what's going on.

If she's Di Ziyuan, then who's Di Cheng'en?

Anning.

Mo Shuang?

General, you've been in a bad mood lately.

So I asked Mo Shuang to come over.

That's a lot of weapons. Are these yours?

Do you know how to use them?

Of course.

I can make all the Northwestern men obey me because of my abilities.

I also want to be skilled in martial arts like you.

That way, I can protect people around me.

I used to think the same as you.

But I never expected

that I'd been protecting the wrong people.

It's all right.

Don't you have Lengbei to protect you?

As a general, do I need his protection?

Anning, do you read huaben too?

Don't touch it.

I'm sorry, Mo Shuang.

I've been in a bad mood lately.

Why don't you go back first?

General.

I was too sensitive.

She's from Northern Qin, after all.

Many people of Jing were killed by Northern Qin.

I may never be able to let go of this.

Yes,

I understand.

Well,

let me pour you a cup of tea.

[Huayuan Mountain]

Why are you here?

This is bad. We fell into their trap.

I'll go ahead first.

- Don't even think of escaping. - Gu Yunnian, surrender yourself!

Why do you want to arrest me? What have I done wrong?

- You know it in your heart. - You... You...

Gu Yunnian, how dare you!

Your Highness, be careful!

Who's this?

He has helpers.

- Anle! - Han Ye.

They're targeting the Crown Prince and Ren Anle.

Han Ye!

Han Ye!

I can't believe I was the bait.

Heaven has forsaken me.

In this troubled time,

although Ren Anle failed to become the Crown Princess,

she has made great achievements in the official circles.

[Court of Judicial Review] After cracking the case of Zhong's familicide

she has control over the Court of Judicial Review

and has been investigating further.

Now, the powerful Marquis Zhongyi

has been punished and imprisoned.

The capital will be peaceful for a while.

- But what about Ren Anle? - Yes, what about her?

Speaking of Official Ren,

perhaps she's bidding her time

and planning for the next big case.

I see.

Was the Grand Chancellor of the Left behind the incident at Huayuan Mountain?

Yes. He lured them to Huayuan Mountain

and sent the assassins there.

Now that the Crown Prince fell off the cliff,

Marquis Zhongyi has no chance to turn the tide anymore.

I see.

His Highness delivered a letter.

He said he has obtained the list of Northwestern generals.

I don't know where this list is now.

Your Highness, don't worry too much.

The Grand Chancellor of the Left will submit a memorial to claim credit for you.

I hope you can grasp the chance to eliminate the hidden danger on Huayuan Mountain.

It's all my fault.

If I hadn't gotten drunk that night

and slept for a whole day,

but made it in time to meet Ren Anle,

all of this wouldn't have happened.

General, His Highness and Official Ren

will be blessed since they're good people. I'm sure they'll be fine.

The depth of Huayuan Mountain is hard to fathom.

The terrain nearby is dangerously steep.

And Ye is seriously injured.

General, excessive worry can cloud judgment.

In my opinion,

the chances of them surviving are still quite high.

General, please take a look.

Although the terrain of Huayuan Mountain is high,

it is densely covered with woods.

Even if they fell from the peak,

they'd encounter resistance from the trees on the way down.

General, take a look again

at the spot where they fell.

There are rivers flowing below.

Now is the season of heavy rainfall and floods.

They are very likely to have fallen into the river.

With their martial arts skills,

it's possible for them to survive by swimming in the river.

Judging from the direction of this river and the terrain on both sides,

they are most likely to be...

here.

I will go to the palace now and request troops from His Majesty.

Yes.

Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance.

I request Your Majesty to issue an edict

for me to lead the Imperial Guards to search for Ye.

Anning, this matter cannot be made public.

I've already ordered people to secretly search for them.

The secret search operation is slow. Their lives are in danger.

He's the Crown Prince of Jing.

Once news of his serious injury and disappearance spreads,

the people will certainly panic.

If this news reaches Northern Qin,

Anning,

have you thought about the consequences?

But that's Ye.

Aren't you worried about your son's life?

Do you think I'm not anxious or distressed?

He is my Crown Prince.

But I am the Emperor of Jing.

Not only am I his father,

but I also have to consider

the safety and stability of the entire Jing.

Your Majesty, you are so heartless.

Is this what they call the relationship between the royal family?

You...

On your knees!

Your Majesty,

Ye has never lived for himself,

even for a day.

He has followed the rules and regulations all these years.

Now, his whereabouts are unknown and his fate is uncertain.

But his father,

the Emperor of Jing, says that this matter must not be made known to the world.

Even if you don't order it,

I'll go and search for him myself.

To you,

he's only a Crown Prince.

But in my heart,

he's my older brother.

He was born

to be the Crown Prince.

This is his destiny.

Hurry up.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, let me go and summon the imperial physician.

No need.

Your Majesty,

the Crown Prince is blessed by Heaven.

He will definitely be all right. Please don't be too anxious.

Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is bedridden

because she's too worried about the Crown Prince.

Your Majesty,

you must take care of yourself.

I'm all right.

Is Marquis Zhongyi

still refusing to say anything?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Official Luo has interrogated him for a long time.

But he has not obtained any useful information.

This is really beyond my expectations.

I didn't expect him to be so stubborn.

[Prison]

Official Luo, you've been torturing me without asking any questions.

If this matter gets out,

what would His Majesty think?

No one is interested in what you have to say.

So why should I question you?

Without my testimony,

how can you convict me of my crime?

Is this how the Ministry of Justice

has been handling cases all this while?

That's funny.

Don't you know how the Ministry of Justice handles cases?

Take a look at this.

These are the accusations from Gu Qishan against you.

Wait... How did he fall into Ren Anle...

I really planned everything carefully.

Gu Qishan, this unfilial son.

He's disloyal, unrighteous,

vicious, and unfilial.

Luo Mingxi, how can you trust the words

of a rebellious son?

Disloyal, unfilial, vicious, and unrighteous.

Like father, like son.

He's indeed your son.

It's only natural that he sent his father to his death.

My lifelong reputation is ruined by my own son.

This is all retribution.

What exactly do you want?

I want you to tell me

who pushed Ren Anle down the cliff.

I know nothing about that incident.

Didn't you arrange the plot at Huayuan Mountain?

I'm already a prisoner under your control.

Why would I still hide anything from you?

Isn't the Western Outpost under your control?

The Western Outpost?

When you're determined to find fault with me,

you can always come up with reasons.

I can admit all the crimes I've committed.

But I won't admit anything

related to the Western Outpost.

Luo Mingxi, you can't blame me for anything

that's done by the Western Outpost.

I am innocent.

I was framed.

[Prison]

It seems that there is more to the Western Outpost.

Who is the mastermind behind it all?

Anle,

where are you now?

Please be safe.

Han Ye.

Han Ye?

Han Ye. Open your eyes, Han Ye.

Han Ye.

You can't sleep. Wake up now.

Ren Anle...

Yes, I'm right here.

Hang in there. You can't sleep.

- I... - Hang in there.

I'm only... I'm only a little tired.

I caught a bird to use as a marker.

Hold on a little longer. They will come to rescue us soon.

Don't fall asleep.

As the Crown Prince of Jing, are you going to let yourself die here?

You must not fall asleep.

It's pretty nice to die here.

Stop talking nonsense.

If you die here, I'll never forgive you.

Look at my current state,

I don't think I need your forgiveness.

If you die here, what about the navy I gave you?

I accompanied you to Jiangnan and we went through thick and thin together.

I didn't do all these things to die with you.

Please don't fall asleep. If you die, how am I supposed to pay back what I owe you?

Wake up now. You can't die.

Ren Anle...

Wen Shuo...

Don't talk about Wen Shuo.

What does a kid like him know?

Don't sleep. You must not close your eyes.

I haven't repaid you for saving me at Wuliu Street.

I don't need you to repay me.

I...

Han Ye... Han Ye.

Han Ye, open your eyes.

Han Ye, wake up. Anyone...

Is there anyone here?

Cave... A cave. I saw a cave.

Han Ye, we won't freeze to death now.

Open your eyes. Wake up now.

I... I won't let you die.

♫ You and I are distant like the clouds and the oceans ♫

♫ Contemplating and remembering, but where do we belong? ♫

♫ Wondering about the past, scrutinizing the feelings of resentment ♫

We're almost there. Han Ye, hang in there.

♫ Time whispers impermanence in our ears ♫

♫ 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 ♫

♫ 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 ♫

♫ You and I are distant like the clouds and the oceans ♫

♫ Contemplating and remembering, but where do we belong? ♫

♫ Wondering about the past, scrutinizing the feelings of resentment ♫

♫ Time whispers impermanence in our ears ♫

♫ 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 ♫

I've been taking care of you tirelessly.

Why are you still unconscious?

I must have owed you in my past life to encounter you in this life.

Why did you take a stab on my behalf for no reason?

Do you think being a Crown Prince means you are invincible?

You're about to get married

and Di Ziyuan has been waiting for you for ten years.

Do you want all her effort to go to waste?

I just

don't want you to die.

You're awake.

Han Ye.

Seeing you

safe and sound

puts my heart at ease.

Are you a fool?

I am the chief of Anle Abode. I don't need you to save me.

Since young,

I've never been this willful before.

But I'm really happy

that my willfulness

protected you.

You may be happy about it. But not me.

Do you know you almost died?

I'll be fine.

Don't worry.

Han Ye.

Han Ye!

It's a cold.

Han Ye. Han Ye!

I won't let you die.

You're awake.

That was close. You won't die for now.

Did you stay by my side all this time?

What else can I do?

You don't get better and I can't leave.

Have you been staying awake

because you've been watching me?

Anle.

Anle.

Anle.

Why are you so weak?

Ziyuan.

Ziyuan, are you all right?

When Official Ren was fighting the pirates at Anle Abode,

she was unfortunately stabbed by a long saber.

I can't believe he used such an excuse to cover for you.

How can I not recognize this scar on your shoulder?

Ziyuan,

it's really you.

From our first meeting in Jingnan,

it felt like we had met before.

Is this Heaven's mercy or is fate playing tricks?

No matter what happens,

Ziyuan,

I vowed to protect you ten years ago.

A promise is as firm as a mountain and will never change.

[Residence of the Princess]

Anning, have you received any news of His Highness?

I'm going to find them myself.

Let's go back.

Now there is no news from the Crown Prince,

and I may never become the Crown Princess.

Are you satisfied now?

Do you care about Highness's safety

or your own prosperity?

I care about our future.

♫ I wish I could live a normal life ♫

♫ This never-ending journey ♫

♫ Let's overthrow the world and protect each other in the next life ♫

♫ As promised, I will love only you ♫

♫ The fireworks light up the night sky ♫

Ziyuan,

I've been waiting for you for ten years.

♫ My hair has turned as white as snow, still waiting for you to look at me ♫

Finally, you are here.

Please get better soon.

♫ If I don't survive this life, I hope fate smiles upon you ♫

♫ No matter how long this life lasts, my yearning for you lasts longer ♫

Your Highness!

- Official Ren! - Your Highness!

Official Ren!

Your Highness!

- Official Ren! - Your Highness!

- Official Ren! - Anle!

- Your Highness! - Official Ren!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

Did you find them?

Report. Within the radius of twenty li to the northwest,

- they're nowhere to be seen. - Report!

Your Highness!

Within twenty li to the southeast, they're nowhere to be seen too.

- Keep searching. - Yes.

- Your Highness! - You haven't slept for days.

Why don't you get some rest? I'll keep watch.

How can I rest when I haven't found them?

Official Ren!

Your Highness!

Official Ren!

Your Highness!

Wen Shuo.

Your Highness. Have you found them?

No. What about you?

Same here.

This area is full of thorns, and there's no trace of any living person.

They might have been trapped somewhere.

Or maybe...

No, they won't die. They won't.

I don't want to believe that either.

But even if they're still alive now, there are dangers everywhere

in these mountains and forests.

The longer it takes to find them,

the less hope we have.

That won't happen. No! I'll go and find them now!

- Young Master! - Your Highness!

Your Highness!

- Your Highness! - Anle!

Your Highness!

You're up.

You're alive and well too.

I guess my hard work paid off.

Your health...

I'm fine.

Besides,

didn't I get to be in your embrace? It's considered a windfall for me.

Why did you take off your clothes and give them to me?

You are delicate and tender.

If you catch a cold, I will have to nurse you for a few more days.

I have almost recovered now.

Of course, you are the Crown Prince of the imperial family.

Even the King of Hell wouldn't dare to take you away.

What's there to be afraid of?

I have you to support me.

I'm not your only support.

You also have the Jing State and my thirty thousand navy forces.

Who would dare to take you away?

Ren Anle,

your life is precious too.

How could a mere pirate like me be worth anything?

It's worth this Crown Prince's protection for a lifetime.

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

♫ 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 ♫

All right. Get some more rest.

I'll go and find you something to eat.

♫ Countless thoughts and yearnings, in cycles they reside ♫

Ren Anle, (your life is precious too.

It's worth this Crown Prince's protection for a lifetime.

Now in this wilderness, I don't need to think too much.

As long as we are happy at this moment, it's all that matters.

♫ 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? ♫