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 23]

Han Zhongyuan is vile and cruel.

The whole Di family would've been wiped out completely.

Han Ye did all he could to save you.

For that, he was imprisoned in the palace by Han Zhongyuan. The suffering was unspeakable.

I didn't know Han Ye took such a great risk to keep me alive.

I'm not telling you this so someone can have your gratitude.

I want you to know the truth and make the choice.

Will you take your revenge or put an end to it?

If you want to continue on this path,

you will owe him for his sacrifice. You will forever be in his debt.

It doesn't matter how much anyone sacrificed

because of the massacre of the Di family.

It won't stop me from taking revenge.

You need not worry.

After we got out of the valley today, Han Ye and I agreed to never cross paths again.

Very well.

If you're determined,

my resolve will not waver.

Your Highness, you're still recovering.

You can't drink.

Go inside and get some rest.

Did the injury render me useless?

Who are you to boss me around?

Your Highness is getting married soon.

A groom can't be ill or bedridden.

It'll pain the bride to see you in this state.

Will there be a happy ending after the wedding?

Once the Crown Princess has been decided,

I can keep her safe forever.

Your Highness need not worry.

You are the Crown Prince second only to His Majesty.

With you around, no one will cross Miss Di.

Right? Go inside and get some rest.

♫ Do you feel guilty? I raise a glass to my reflection in the mirror ♫

♫ Tender old times are merely a tint of life ♫

- Sit still. - I am but a girl from a rural area.

I look forward to receiving your care, Your Highness.

♫ Interweaving lines on the palm reveal how absurd fate can be ♫

♫ With my eyes close, a petal caresses my brows ♫

♫ 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? ♫

Your Highness, this is terrible!

♫ Our past can only be entrusted to memories ♫

I once fell for a woman called Ren Anle.

But in my lifetime...

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

I will keep Di Ziyuan safe.

♫ You're my desire that teems underneath, I'm drowned in your beautiful eyes ♫

You must...

never forget that.

♫ 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.

Anle. We can never be the same again.

♫ Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze ♫

Young Lady, Princess Anning is here.

What is she doing here at this late hour?

No idea. But there's something off about her.

Anning. Did you come at this hour to have a drink?

Anle. How are you feeling?

I'm alright.

Did you think I'd be ill too because your pretty brother has been unwell?

See?

Sorry.

For what?

You're not acting like someone who's the ruler of the Northwest.

You're right.

The more I spend in the capital, the more I change.

I've failed our reputation as the conquerer duo.

If you don't like it here, you should return to the Northwest.

What about you?

Me?

You don't like it here either.

Would you go back to Jingnan?

Officials like us don't get to decide what we want.

Anle.

Is there anything you seek?

I am a princess, after all.

If there's anything you want, just let me know. I can get it done.

Can you really give me what I want?

Go.

Ziyuan.

I know it's you.

Sorry.

I should've recognized you sooner.

It doesn't matter.

Whether I am Di Ziyuan or Ren Anle,

the bond between us will never change.

Actually, I am glad to know

that you are Di Ziyuan.

You are still who I'd imagined you to be.

You're unrestrained.

We are still best friends after ten years.

I'm happy with what I have.

Me too.

Ziyuan. I came to tell you...

You're already Ren Anle.

But can you maintain this identity?

If you're always Ren Anle, nothing will change.

- And? - And things are good as it is now.

If you want to be Di Ziyuan,

- we... - Anning.

As I said just now,

whether I am Di Ziyuan or Ren Anle, we are always best friends.

That will never change.

What about Ye?

I know you didn't come back for old times' sake.

You came with a motive.

But ask yourself. If you become Di Ziyuan, what awaits

is some earth-shattering change.

Ten years.

I know.

I know the Han family has wronged the Di family terribly.

Let me be the one to atone for their sins, will you?

Anning, the blame is not with you.

Ziyuan, I am a sinner. You should know that I...

I...

Ziyuan, if there's anything you want, tell me.

I'll get it done for you.

Anning.

The Di family

and 80,000 wronged souls,

it's too heavy a sin for you alone.

There's no going back for us. Right?

There was never another way for me.

For the past ten years,

aside from my family, the 80,000 souls have been waiting for justice.

I won't stop for anyone.

Not for you,

not for Han Ye.

I've never forced you to make a choice.

So please don't do that to me.

[Yuanshui Pavilion]

You're the only one I have left.

I'd like to take a nap. Go out for now.

I will never accept this fate.

I will never bend to your will.

[Ministry of Justice]

To what do I owe this visit, Your Highness?

What is the next step of Ren Anle's plan?

This is the hall of the Ministry of Justice. You asked the wrong person.

I am asking you now.

Pardon my ignorance.

Could Your Highness enlighten me?

Luo Mingxi.

Spare me your fancy words and formality.

I came knocking on your door,

hoping that you'd be honest with me.

Very well.

I'll be completely honest with you.

You are the Crown Prince of Jing.

I can tell you anything I know about whatever you wish to know.

But even I will not accept self-punishment.

I'm concerned about her safety.

I don't want the same tragedy to come to pass.

How is an incident from ten years ago related to Ren Anle?

Besides, was your concern born out of guilt?

From what I see,

it'd truly be a tragedy

if people forgot the past.

Luo Mingxi.

Whatever you're planning,

don't get yourself hurt.

You should spend your time and effort on the conferring ceremony.

[Lingxiang Pleasure House]

Sir.

Linlang.

Keep an eye on Zhong Hai. We can't afford any mistakes.

- Do not let anyone go near to him. - Understood.

We might have to bring forward the plan.

Han Ye has learned of Anle's true identity.

Will His Highness...

Han Ye is still attached to Di Ziyuan.

However, we need a precaution.

If we are forced to announce the plan even sooner,

we must make sure all goes smoothly.

Yes.

Sir, we just received news. Something happened last night.

Di Cheng'en is...

Looks like

it's time to send her a reminder.

Yuanqin, I don't need...

Your Highness is getting married soon.

You should keep your distance from me.

Ren Anle.

When will you start cherishing your life?

It's cold out here. You're standing in the cold in thin clothes.

I don't need others to cherish my life.

Your Highness.

You're still healing. Please take better care of yourself.

I grew up in the wild. This cold is nothing.

But you, on the other hand,

should have stayed inside to recover from the sword wound.

It seems my care was in vain.

Ren Anle.

Stop putting your life at risk.

You can barely maintain your health and your martial art prowess.

I don't understand what you mean by that.

What did I do to put my life at risk?

I don't care why you came back to be an official.

I hope that everything you plan to do ends with me and no further.

You and your sister are very much alike.

Both came to talk me into giving up.

I've never planned to end it

since I came to the capital.

The Di family has had enough bloodshed.

Do you still think the Di family deserved to be wiped out?

That tragedy aside, I'm talking about the present.

Our past brought us to where we are now.

Had the family not been wiped out, Ren Anle would have never come to life.

But you're already Ren Anle.

Why not stay that way for good? I will keep you safe.

Wishful thinking.

Ziyuan. The Founding Emperor decreed to have you conferred the Crown Princess.

Only you can be the Crown Princess.

Wishful thinking.

I only hope

that you stop putting yourself in danger.

All that the Han family owes the Di family must be paid.

It's not for you to decide.

It's not up to me either.

♫ 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 ♫

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

♫ I turn around, hiding my loving gaze ♫

Young Lady, His Highness has left. But he left his clothes.

♫ 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 ♫

[Crown Prince Han Ye]

♫ Unable to feel each other in our hearts ♫

♫ Lamenting how hasty love and hate is ♫

Send this to His Majesty.

I fixed the date for the conferring ceremony.

The Ministry of Rites and the Astronomical Bureau will see to it.

Yes.

Anle. I can't let you risk your life again.

Chancellor. You came on time.

You're punctual yourself.

Official Luo. What brought you here?

I heard you were meeting the Left Chancellor. I fear for your safety.

I came to be your bodyguard.

Mingxi. Stop making fun of me.

I wasn't meeting the Left Chancellor.

Seeing the weather is nice today, I fancy a trip outside.

It's been ten years.

Do you recognize this?

From now on, you are Di Ziyuan.

This is the last time we meet.

From now on, I won't contact you unless it's absolutely necessary.

In case time calls for it, this shall prove who I am.

That was you.

Ten years ago,

it was you who sent me to Dai Mountain.

Correct.

It's been a deal all along.

But you've been too reckless as of late.

Did you forget who you really are?

You asked me to impersonate her.

I only did so to save my neck.

- I fought to be the Crown Princess. - I don't care why you did it.

Everything you've done so far has tested my patience far enough.

But you are a smart person.

You should know the consequences of standing against me.

What do you want from me?

As long as you behave yourself,

you can be the Crown Princess without any worries.

No one will ever learn of your real identity.

After all, the last resort isn't going to benefit either of us.

Can I trust you?

Why would I lie to you?

Very well. I understand.

I bet you already know his real identity.

Yes.

From now on, he works for you.

What's wrong? You don't want him?

If that's the case,

I can take his life right now.

No!

No.

I want him.

Miss Linlang.

This song is too melancholic. I'm tearing up because of it.

It's not my intention for you to feel that way.

It's you who feel sadness

to have seen the sadness in it.

I used the best man in the world for my bidding.

But I don't regret it.

He is innocent

because he knows nothing about the past.

He is not innocent

because he bears the surname of Han.

He will become the Emperor of Jing.

The throne he will succeed...

It was built upon the 80,000 lost souls of the Di family.

Therefore, I don't regret it.

I don't regret it.

I don't regret it.

Official Ren.

There's another person

who's kept you safe for so many years.

Have you ever intoxicated yourself because of him?

Who were you meeting just now?

It was Official Luo. You saw everything.

Even now, you still lie to me.

You keep plenty of secrets and thoughts to yourself too.

You rarely laughed as a kid.

To cheer you up,

I practiced calligraphy and weiqi day and night.

I thought you were cold to me so I'd become better.

But what was on your mind then?

You wholeheartedly thought

I was someone else.

It was for your own good.

Had I not done it,

you would've died.

But you were never honest with me.

Ever since we were children, I've seen you as my only family.

I told you my secrets and woes.

But what did you do afterward?

You turned everything I've said and done into secret letters.

You used my love for you to display your loyalty to your master!

I was born a suicide warrior for the Luo family.

I don't have a choice.

I was born an orphaned beggar.

But I got this far.

Mu Qing.

Stop making excuses for your hypocritical affection.

Whether you believe it or not,

I do care about you and worry about you.

I mean it when I say I'll forever be your guardian.

The date of the wedding is fixed.

It's certain that you'll be the Crown Princess.

There's no need to risk your life again.

You got what you wanted.

You don't need me anymore.

Stop!

I saved you from Luo Mingxi's hand.

I won't so easily let go

of what I have in my grasp.

When I weaved this tassel,

I meant it.

There are others in this city who knows my real identity,

that I am not Di Ziyuan.

There are still uncertainties.

No. I must speak with His Majesty.

Cheng'en.

You were a daughter of a sinned official.

And now, I confer you the title of the Crown Princess of Jing.

Do not leave me disappointed.

I am humbled.

I'm grateful for Your Majesty's kindness.

I will announce the sins of my family

in the conferring ceremony.

I will fulfill the ceremony afterward.

Is that what you have in mind?

Everything I have was gifted by Your Majesty.

To announce your mercy and kindness to the world

will be a great honor to me.

Very well.

Seeing how sincere you are,

I shall grant you permission.

Much obliged.

[Lingxiang Pleasure House]

Greetings, Official Luo.

Who is this?

It's you, Official Ren.

Thank you, Official Ren.

I would've died that day on Wuliu Street had you not saved me from the fire.

I saved you for a reason.

Whatever you need.

You were born in Jingnan.

You were a former servant of the Di family. Is that right?

There must be a misunderstanding. How could I be a former servant of the Di family?

Take a look at this silver pendant. Do you recognize it?

Official Ren.

This silver pendant belongs to me.

But what does it prove?

This lotus silver pendant belonged to the Di family.

You accused me of being the family's former servant because of a mere pendant?

That's a hasty assumption.

Zhong Hai.

You were the former herald of the Di Troops.

After the battle at Qingnan City ten years ago,

you fled to Jiangnan and hid your name.

You couldn't prove your identity,

so no one would take you in.

Only the Zhong family took pity on you and showed you kindness.

You've served them for ten years.

That is why you'd risk exposing your real identity

to prove the Zhong family's innocence.

We've been keeping an eye on you.

Yes. I did serve the Di family.

If the two of you want to arrest me,

I shall have no complaints.

Zhong Hai, tell me. Were the Di Troops traitors?

Certainly not!

The Di Troops were loyal to their bones. They were never traitors.

If they weren't traitors, raise your head.

Official Ren.

Even if I know we aren't traitors, what does it matter?

Will you keep living in hiding for the rest of your life?

I won't!

But the evidence was compelling.

His Majesty ordered to make the 80,000 soldiers of the Di Troops to be traitors.

The entire Di family was executed, leaving an orphaned girl behind.

Even the daughter has changed her name to "Di Cheng'en".

What can a mere soldier like me do?

This matter was buried along with the dead.

No one will bring it up again.

Loyal and righteous officers were framed.

All 80,000 soldiers were killed.

That is not the justice of this world.

The truth will prevail.

I thank you on behalf of my brothers.

I didn't think anyone would still remember us.

However,

no one would dare investigate this case ten years ago.

That hasn't changed now.

We are already dead to the world.

We died ten years ago at the foot of Qingnan Mountain.

You've had a smooth career in the imperial court.

You need not stick your head out for us.

If I were only Ren Anle, I could keep doing my job and wait for my promotion.

But I am Marquis Jing'an's daughter.

Ten years ago, my name was Di Ziyuan.

Di Ziyuan? But...

- But it can't be! - Zhong Hai.

The woman standing before you is the last survivor of the Di family.

She is Di Ziyuan, the daughter of Marquis Jing'an.

The Luo family served the Di family.

There is only one person worthy

of Official Luo's unwavering loyalty.

Young Lady.

Zhong Hai.

I found you to overturn the case from ten years ago.

You seek to overturn the case for your family?

Yes.

I want the world to know the truth of what happened to my family ten years ago.

Will you help me?

Your wish is my command, Young Lady. My life is yours to command.

Earlier during the morning court, Qian Guangjin proposed

that we insert the conferring ceremony into Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.

What do you think?

Your Majesty.

I think it's double the delight.

That is a sound plan.

Very well. Let them proceed with this plan.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

The Crown Prince will confer the title of Crown Princess on your birthday banquet.

Her conferring ceremony on my birthday banquet?

The Emperor wants me

to watch as she is married into the Han family!

Calm down, Your Majesty.

Di Cheng'en will announce the sins of the Di family during the ceremony.

Great.

Wonderful.

It means she's reflected for ten years.

I shall gauge her sincerity

in acknowledging her sins!

Bring her to me.

Yes.

Chancellor.

The conferring ceremony is on the same day as the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.

Interesting.

But I think

something is amiss, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

My Lord, should we...

Wait and observe. Back to the residence.

Sir. The deed is done.

Good.

Greetings, Young Lady.

It's been ten years. How have you been?

Thank you.

Over the years, I've followed your orders.

Our forces cover every ground. We await your summon.

Are we making a move, Young Lady?

We've found all the former servants of the Di family

and gathered most of the evidence we need.

Now, we await the right moment.

Young Lady.

There is a special occasion this month that suits your plan.

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet?

If the ceremony happens before her birthday, the Di family will still be framed.

Let's get it done before that.

I have an idea.

Tomorrow,

I shall propose this idea as a double delight and celebrate both occasions.

Perfect.

During the conferring ceremony and the birthday banquet,

all the officials and the imperial family will be there.

That is a perfect day to clear your name.

I will turn the list with all 80,000 soldiers' names

into a lavish gift for Her Majesty.

I bet this banquet will be spectacular and utterly lively.

Is something amiss?

Yes.

We're one step away from succeeding.

♫ 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? ♫