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 29]

In the eyes of the heavens,

I, Han Ye, hereby swear

that from now on,

the Jing State

will be a nation of justice where law and order are upheld.

No torch bearer of the country

will ever have their hands burned.

No wood gatherer of the country

will ever freeze to death in winter.

No loyal and honest citizen will ever be falsely accused.

As long as I live, I will let my people

live in prosperity and harmony.

Gentlemen, rest in peace

as you watch over the state of Jing.

[Di]

Kowtow.

The first kowtow.

Gentlemen, rest in peace as you watch over the state of Jing.

The second kowtow.

Gentlemen, rest in peace as you watch over the state of Jing.

The third kowtow.

Gentlemen, rest in peace as you watch over the state of Jing.

Gentlemen,

rest in peace and watch over us from up above.

Rise.

Look at our beautiful kingdom.

[Loyal Souls of the Di Family, Steadfast Noble Characters]

There are more stars in the sky here compared to the capital.

I guess they're the manifestation of the Di Troops.

Those who have departed have not disappeared.

They're just looking at us from up above.

That's right.

A burning soul would never disappear.

It would only continue to burn, illuminating the lives of other lost souls.

Yuanshu. Am I right?

Yuanshu. Get me some food.

Coming.

Anle seems to be colder than before.

This is what she had been like in Jingnan for the past ten years.

It was only when she returned to the capital

met the Crown Prince again and assumed the role of Ren Anle

that she started becoming cheerful.

Actually, the Crown Prince is not exactly a gentle and friendly man.

He is the Crown Prince of Jing who was born noble and dignified.

Over the past year,

he's been trying to please everyone simply because he loves Young Lady.

His Highness and Anle are such kindhearted people.

They fancy each other,

yet they're behaving as if they're enemies.

What have they done wrong?

It's simply because His Highness is the Crown Prince,

and Young Lady is Di Ziyuan.

They have no choice in this.

Even if they could go back in time

and face everything again,

they'd be just as powerless.

- Young Lady. - Young Lady.

Anle. Where are you going?

Hunting. The food was horrible.

Let me accompany you.

Yuanshu, why aren't you tagging along?

She didn't ask me to.

Not bad. You managed to capture two wild chickens in the wild.

It's a pity that we're not in the capital now.

If we were, I could make you a Gourd Chicken and chicken soup.

How very talented.

I'm glad you're with me, kid. I'm feeling happier than before.

Anle.

Your family and the 80,000 heroic souls of the Di Troops

died a wrongful death, and it's been weighing

on your shoulders for the past ten years.

I've never experienced such an emotional burden,

and I may not understand.

But I lost my family when I was young.

I know how it feels to be lonely.

You're a sensible kid, just like Jinyan.

Anle. Think of me as your family.

Can you tell me more about your brother?

Jinyan?

When he first learned to talk, he would follow me everywhere I went.

Whenever he did something wrong,

he would tug at my sleeve and beg for forgiveness.

I remember there was once...

Who's there?

Retreat!

- Halt! - Halt!

Young Lady! Young Lady, are you okay?

Are you alright, Ziyuan?

[Plum]

The Plum Blossom Agents.

What a kind and benevolent Emperor we have.

Something's odd here. Let's not jump to conclusions.

What's odd about this?

Everyone knows that the Emperor hates Ziyuan.

Sending his men to assassinate her is perfectly predictable.

Your Highness, the men you sent really know how to get a job done.

When Di Ziyuan sees the token,

she will only hate Han Zhongyuan even more,

which would drive a deeper wedge between her and the Crown Prince.

When she returns from Qingnan Mountain,

who knows, she might start a bloodbath in the state of Jing.

I have already acquired a list of the former Di servants at the Northwest borders.

Inform them immediately about Di Ziyuan's assassination.

These people have been holding a grudge against Han Zhongyuan for many years.

We need to take this opportunity to instigate them.

Your Highness, wise choice.

However, we still lack someone who can unite all of them.

Your Highness.

After much searching and scouting,

I have finally found someone who can replace the Di woman.

You'd never guess who this person is.

Tell me. Don't keep me guessing.

It's odd because everyone knows about that.

Now that her family has been proven innocent,

the imperial family's reputation among the public has been impacted.

If the Emperor did send these assassins to kill Ziyuan,

what's the meaning of everything he had done earlier?

Instead of staying at the capital

and sentencing Ziyuan to death for deceiving the Emperor,

why did he issue a repentance decree and welcome the loyal souls back to the capital?

Ziyuan. Trust me.

His Majesty would never do something like this.

I only believe in evidence.

What's that you're holding?

[Plum]

When I sparred with the assassins,

those skills were atypical for the Plum Blossom Agents.

Judging from their stature and moves,

I'd say they were the people who tried to kill His Majesty at the palace's banquet that day.

But we've already discovered the assassins' identity, right?

They worked for Marquis Zhongyi,

who is dead now.

You mean to say that it wasn't His Majesty

or Gu Yunnian,

but there's another force in the capital who wants me dead?

That's a possibility.

Perhaps they weren't aiming at you

but the entire state of Jing.

Jing may look stable, but in the capital,

there are several groups of people vying with each other.

Looks like they've been trying to usurp state power.

You mean Northern Qin?

If that's the case, Marquis Zhongyi did die a pitiful death.

After exhausting all his wits and means,

he only realized in the end

that he was just a pawn in someone else's hands

and a scapegoat.

He deserved it.

It's a chilly fall night.

Drinking liquor isn't good for your health.

Ziyuan.

What are your plans for the future?

If you want to return to the Court of Judicial Review,

- I can... - I'll resign

and go back to Jingnan.

You're going back to Jingnan?

You're right.

Good decision.

Once this case ends, you should return to Jingnan.

That's where your home is, after all.

What are you trying to say?

I thought

you'd return to the Court of Judicial Review and continue solving cases with Huang Pu

or join the Ministry of Justice to assist Luo Mingxi.

If you don't want to...

Do you think I'd stay in the capital?

I hope you will.

But I know it's impossible.

After all, nothing in the capital would compel you to stay.

Ziyuan.

I will request His Majesty

to exempt the regional taxes in Jingnan for the next three years.

When you return there,

you can work with the people of Jingnan and restore the place's former glory.

Then, on behalf of the people of Jingnan,

I extend my gratitude to you, Your Highness.

However, rather than an act of kindness,

it's actually a form of compensation.

Despite that,

it will never make up for the pain of losing their loved ones.

This has nothing to do with you. Don't take it to heart.

I just hope that history won't repeat itself.

Remember the oath you made at the foot of Qingnan Mountain.

You said you would be a Crown Prince who would uphold law and order for the people.

Only then would you not disappoint the 80,000 heroic souls of the Di Troops.

I will never forget.

Then, I can finally return to Jingnan in peace.

Ziyuan.

What I said back on Cang Mountain still holds true.

Anle.

I can foresee you

forging a peaceful and prosperous nation with me.

Therefore, as the Crown Prince, I beg you

to stay by my side.

- If you would... - I wouldn't.

As they returned to the capital from Qingnan Mountain,

not a single word was exchanged between Ren Anle and the Crown Prince.

Vibrant and energetic, she once courted the Crown Prince,

offering 30,000 navy sailors as her dowry.

Wise and righteous, she had solved numerous cases,

bringing criminals to justice.

Who wouldn't want her to stay by Han Ye's side as the Crown Princess or his right hand?

Epic tales will live on forever.

The Di family's reputation has been restored,

but Ren Anle...

No. We should call her Di Ziyuan now.

What will be her next move?

[Ren's Residence]

The Emperor has decreed that the Di Troops

were his loyal subjects who fought alongside him

valiantly and victoriously

as they annihilated our enemies and brought peace to the Northwest.

Their merit deserves praise.

Official Di. His Majesty has a message for you.

"Yongning and I were as close as brothers.

Unfortunately,

fate has played a cruel trick on us.

Di Ziyuan.

For that, I apologize to him with all my heart."

Official Di.

His Majesty also wanted me to ask you something on his behalf.

Such is his question.

"Now that I have restored the reputation

of the 80,000 heroic souls and your family,

have you finally let go of the past?"

Not yet.

I do not wish to deceive His Majesty, but I have never let go of the past.

However, I have let go of my hatred.

After all, what had been done to my family cannot be undone.

Any amount of hatred that I harbor would not bring back my father

and the 80,000 generals and soldiers beneath Qingnan Mountain.

My only hope

is that peace and prosperity

will prevail over the state

and that such tragedies will never repeat.

Very well. I shall bring your reply to His Majesty.

Thank you, Eunuch Zhao.

Father.

I did it.

The day has finally ended.

However, did you really mean what you said earlier?

You mean the part about not hating Han Zhongyuan anymore?

Have you truly decided?

Yes.

I came here to prove my family's innocence.

Once everything settles,

I have no more to ask for.

But look at how the Han family is ruling the state.

The government is corrupt, and the people are suffering.

Do you really think the Han family can be a good ruler?

I have faith in Han Ye.

He will be different from Han Zhongyuan.

You trust Han Ye that much?

Yes. I trust him.

He will make sure this nation is peaceful and prosperous.

Even so,

Northern Qin is more than eager to conquer Jing.

Making this nation peaceful and prosperous won't be that easy.

If... If he can't cope with it, will you help him?

No.

It's his family's nation. He will have to defend it himself.

The Jing State, the capital, and the Han family won't have anything to do with me.

Two days from now,

I will return to Jingnan and never leave there.

Mingxi. Will you come with me?

I'm sure that by now, the Flowers of Longing must be blooming.

Of course.

Once I tend to the capital's matters, I will join you in Jingnan.

By then, we'll drink together, ride on horses, and admire the flowers.

It will be an enjoyable time.

How's everything?

The fake assassins have been exposed.

She didn't fall for it.

We need to use another pawn now.

[Ren's Residence]

What's going on there?

- I think there's a rat. - A rat?

Give it to me.

It's me. It's me.

Wen Shuo?

Yuanshu. You hit me really hard.

I thought there was a rat, so it had to be one strong blow or nothing.

Why are you sneaking around instead of using the front gate?

I'm afraid

that you wouldn't welcome me.

The Crown Prince and Anle

seem to be unwilling to see each other forever now,

and I'm scared you'd do the same to me.

Who said so?

He's him, and you're you.

I hope Yuanshu didn't break any of your limbs.

I'm strong and tough. She can't beat me.

Anle.

Are you really going back to Jingnan?

You heard about it?

I'm going to miss you ladies. Can you not leave and stay here instead?

I no longer have any reason to stay in the capital.

What about the Crown Prince? For His Highness's sake, can you...

Young Lady. It's getting late.

Get some sleep. We'll entertain him.

Don't bully him. Have fun.

Sure.

If you ever mention the Crown Prince next time, I won't let you off.

You're all leaving,

so there's no next time.

Are you sad to part with Miss Di

or Yuanqin here?

Both.

I'm afraid that once we part ways,

I'll never see you again.

I don't think you came here in the middle of the night just to say that.

[Crown Prince's Residence]

Look at this.

This is all the evidence I found about another force backing Gu Yunnian.

It's him? The Left Chancellor?

I didn't expect his power to grow to this extent.

My Lord. How very punctual of you.

There's a lot of underlying turmoil in the palace court.

I suspect the Left Chancellor is up to something.

Ziyuan's suspicion was right.

We were so focused on taking down Gu Yunnian that we forgot about him.

Still, I haven't found evidence that he's colluding with Northern Qin.

You need to investigate it thoroughly.

- Thank you, - Luo Mingxi.

You don't have to thank me. This is part of my duties.

Luo Mingxi.

If things hadn't turned out this way...

You would have been my most trusted minister.

There are no ifs in this world.

Also,

I'm returning to Jingnan soon.

If you really want to thank me, get me two boxes of top-grade candied fruits.

I spent a great deal to gather this. Don't waste it.

Don't worry. I will continue the investigation.

You want candied fruits?

Get me some White Dew Tea from Xishan in exchange.

Yuanqin, you're an amazing cook.

I've been controlling the fire, mind you.

Good heat control.

What is it?

Is it not enough? There's more.

No.

I was just recalling my past.

I grew up on Wuliu Street.

I was raised by Ms. Zhong.

I rarely got to eat.

There was this time when I went hungry and fell ill.

When I woke up, I couldn't remember anything.

I couldn't remember my parents

and where I lived.

I couldn't even remember my name.

What happened then? How did you meet the Crown Prince?

I remember that one day,

I joined a group of young beggars to play at a temple procession.

When we came back, we saw the Crown Prince

standing alone in a rundown temple on the eastern outskirts.

He was dressed in fine clothes,

so I tried to pickpocket him,

but he caught me.

And then?

Then, His Highness asked me

why I wanted to steal from him.

I replied that my family needed money

and I wanted to help the elders

provide for the children.

I thought His Highness would drag me to the magistrate,

but instead, he told me

he would get a tutor for me so I could study

and become successful.

He said that?

The Crown Prince is so kindhearted.

But just when we were about to leave the temple,

a bunch of ruffians appeared.

His Highness was still young back then, and he was dressed in fine clothes,

so they tried to rob him.

Luckily, His Highness was a good fighter.

He injured their leader,

but that angered the rest of them, and they lunged at me with their swords.

His Highness protected me

and blocked the attack with his own body.

Wait.

Everyone said you saved the Crown Prince,

and that was how you started to live in his residence.

Back then,

His Highness insisted that I stay in the temple

until someone came for him.

If the Imperial Guards saw you guarding the Crown Prince,

everyone would assume that you saved the Crown Prince,

and he could take you under his wing with no qualms.

Wen Shuo. You're a lucky guy.

Yeah.

His Highness is like a brother and father to me.

I think meeting him is the best thing

that has happened to me.

Meeting Young Lady is also the best thing that has happened to Yuanqin and me.

However, meeting you is kind of unlucky.

As a well-bred gentleman,

meeting an uncultured woman like you is also kind of unlucky.

Who are you talking about?

I'm talking about you.

Enough.

You've talked about your past and bade us goodbye,

so you should go now.

You're kicking me out?

Just go. Will you look at the time?

Stop keeping Yuanqin and me awake.

It's late. Go back.

Fine.

My Lord.

My Lord. Everything is ready.

Let's do it, then. We'll get it done once and for all.

Yes, My Lord.

[Ren's Residence]

Who's there? Halt!

Who kidnapped me? Where am I?

Don't make any noise, or else I'll kill you.

[Ministry of Justice]

A few days ago, the former Di servants scattered around the Northwest city

all received news

that Official Di was almost killed by the Plum Blossom Agents

on her way to welcome back the loyal souls to the capital.

Looks like the assassination

wasn't aimed at the court but to instigate the former Di servants.

It seems that Miss Di won't be returning to Jingnan easily.

As a descendant of the Di family

and the current family head,

she shouldn't return in the first place.

And the Di Troops must not land in someone else's hands.

So,

you mentioned you have something to tend to...

I'm going to help Ziyuan re-establish the Di Troops

and return them to her.

Of course, I also need to eradicate anyone casting their eyes on the Di Troops.

Official Luo, bad news!

Official Luo.

The Crown Prince is threatening to kill the Left Chancellor in public!

Official Luo, you should go there now!

What's going on?

Jiang Yu, you audacious ruffian!

- Your Highness, what are you... - Jiang Yu.

Release him.

Your Highness.

Must you threaten me like this?

Just agree to my terms, and we can get what we both want.

Get what we both want? You want me to commit treason with you?

Your Highness.

Do you know that your current actions are more than treason?

This is my last warning.

Release him.

Han Ye,

are you afraid that I'll tell His Majesty the truth?

I've changed my mind.

I'm going to tell the truth to His Majesty

as well as everyone in the state right here and now!

- I dare you! - Why not?

I am the Grand Chancellor of the Left!

You may be the Crown Prince, but you can't get away with this!

Han Ye.

Let me tell you this.

If you want to destroy me,

I'll drag the entire Di family to my grave.

He killed him!

- He killed him! - He really killed him!

He killed him! He killed him!

He killed him!

The person who will be dragged to hell by you can only be me.

[Ren's Residence]

Young Lady. We can go now.

We're finally leaving this place.

Young Lady, are you going to miss this place?

This isn't my home, so why would I? Let's go.

Ziyuan!

Anning?

Ziyuan.

- Anning. - My brother is in trouble.

He just killed the Left Chancellor, and he's held in prison now.

[Yuchen Hall]

What an impudent son!

He murdered someone in public?

How audacious of him! And he refuses to say anything?

Fine. Fine!

Keep him in prison

and let Luo Mingxi interrogate him with our torture equipment!

Your Majesty! You can't!

His Highness is the Crown Prince,

a noble entity respected and admired since he was young.

How could we lock him up as a prisoner?

He still knows he's the Crown Prince,

not a butcher or slaughterer?

He killed the state's chancellor in public.

He has no regard for the law. Preposterous!

Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

[Prison]

I killed someone in public.

Everyone in the city can bear witness.

Official Luo, don't feel bad for me.

Just do your job.

You wouldn't kill someone for no reason, especially the Left Chancellor.

Why?

What's more, you already have enough evidence to take him down.

You could have let the Court of Judicial Review handle everything.

Why did you have to kill him?

Han Ye.

Is there something that you're hiding from me?

After Gu Yunnian killed himself,

his troops were surprisingly quiet.

Someone must be pulling the strings behind it.

Your Highness.

What does that have to do with me?

- Gu Yunnian and I have nothing... - Yes, you are different from him.

But you've been harboring plans even before he did.

Why did you help Di Cheng'en?

And now, why did you kidnap Wen Shuo?

Your Highness.

Since you mentioned Wen Shuo, I have something to say about that.

Ever since the Di family's innocence was restored,

His Majesty has been extremely displeased with Di Ziyuan.

His Majesty may accept the fact that she's the sole living member of the Di family,

but if His Majesty knew that her brother, Di Jinyan, was still alive

and had been with the Crown Prince all along,

what would happen then?

Jiang Yu. I dare you.

Say something.

His Majesty has ordered me to investigate this case.

How can I get you out if you refuse to tell me the truth?

If you want to save me,

Wen Shuo has something that may prove useful.

You can try finding it.

Very well.

Wait for me. I'll find a way to get you out.

I thought the Crown Prince was someone gentle,

but what transpired today showed me how harsh and resolute you could be.

[Prison]

How is my brother? Did he say why he killed the Left Chancellor?

He didn't say anything.

I'm going to see him now.

Don't you want to go in?

Perhaps he might tell you something.

Since I'm going back to Jingnan, it's better that I don't see him.

Pass my message to him.

He promised me

that he would make sure this nation prospers and people could live peacefully.

He hasn't done it yet.

You still care about him.

It's holding you back.

How could you return to Jingnan when you still care for him?

♫ 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? ♫