Original subtitles

♪So this is what love is♪

♪I want to transform into a butterfly and pretend to meet you by accident♪

♪Gentle yet playful♪

♪You are as sweet as honey and as beautiful as springtime blooms♪

♪Yes♪

♪I have secretly fallen in love♪

♪My eyes are filled with longing. I can't help but care deeply about you♪

♪In this lifetime, I'll practice hard♪

♪To master your enchanting worldly charm♪

♪You are like a love story, a poem, a dream, and a stunning view♪

♪The unparalleled and everlasting love in this world, all that touches my heart♪

♪Your dress brushes past the copper bell♪

♪Laughing foolishly, feeling fortunate to have met you♪

♪Cherry blossoms fall into my heart♪

♪You are like a mood, sometimes happy, sometimes mad, and sometimes sunny♪

♪I'm the happiest when I think of you and I want to pick the stars for you♪

♪I'll be gentle with you for the rest of my life♪

♪You make me want to be close to you♪

♪Let's travel together to the ends of the earth♪

♪There's a girl, playful and unique♪

♪A smile of hers can make the whole street bloom♪

♪How could the world ever let down a pair like us, unmatched in the world?♪

♪The world is no longer fun. I don't want to explore it without you♪

♪There's a girl, mesmerized by the spring breeze♪

♪Like falling petals meeting flowing water, hoping for eternity♪

♪I shall confess my love for you♪

♪There is someone♪

♪I really like♪

♪You are like a love story, a poem, a dream, and a stunning view♪

♪The unparalleled and everlasting love in this world, all that touches my heart♪

♪Your dress brushes past the copper bell♪

♪Laughing foolishly, feeling fortunate to have met you♪

♪Cherry blossoms fall into my heart♪

♪You are like a mood, sometimes happy, sometimes mad, and sometimes sunny♪

♪I'm the happiest when I think of you and I want to pick the stars for you♪

♪I'll be gentle with you for the rest of my life♪

♪You make me want to be close to you♪

♪Let's travel together to the ends of the earth♪

[Practice Daughter]

[Adapted from An Yimo's original novel, The Charming Thief Princess]

[Episode 18]

[Eastern Palace]

Stop.

Come on.

Careful.

I worry if we go in together,

it'll do harm to your reputation.

You go first.

I'll come to you later.

Let's go.

[Eastern Palace]

Did you see that?

See what?

I think I just saw

Mei and Mr. Bai going out together.

It's already so late.

Guard Xingshi.

Is the Crown Prince not back yet?

Not yet.

We are waiting here.

Guard Xingshi, you may go back.

We will wait here for them.

I just ran into Mei outside.

She said she would come here to wait for her lady.

Has she arrived yet?

Mei?

I think I just saw

Mei going out with Mr. Bai.

What's going on?

It is already so late.

Do you think something will happen to Mei

for her going out with two men so late?

With Mr. Bai's moral quality,

nothing will happen.

Let's go to the palace gate and wait.

We can report this to His Highness as soon as he returns.

Mr. Bai, we mustn't kill her now.

When we took her from the Eastern Palace,

Nanbei saw us.

No.

If I don't kill her today,

she will be extra alert.

I'm afraid I won't have another chance then.

Stand guard outside the mansion.

If anything happens,

the Crown Prince will help me.

Why did you take me here?

Of course,

to take your life.

I didn't want to kill you.

But now,

I have no choice but to kill you.

Mr. Bai, I have no quarrel with you.

Why do you want to kill me?

Tell me who you really are.

Why did you get into the palace?

About the fishtail-shaped mark on your shoulder,

what does it mean?

Why were you trying to get close to the Crown Prince?

Why do you ask so?

Have you misheard anything?

Now,

are you still trying to pretend?

You pretended to be a maid

to approach the Crown Prince.

Aren't you trying to fulfill the prophecy of the destruction of Jixi?

Prophecy of the destruction of Jixi?

He mistook me for Douzi

and thought I was the Princess of Shengdong.

It's not what you think.

I've been in the palace for some time.

If I want to harm His Highness,

why haven't I done anything yet?

Then why did you come to the palace?

Why did Douzi take you here?

Did she already know

that you were the Princess of Shengdong?

She doesn't know anything.

Do you think as long as you don't tell me anything,

you'll walk out of the Tianji Mansion today?

We came to the palace

to get the Moon Spirit Pearl,

definitely not to hurt the Crown Prince.

The Moon Spirit Pearl?

Why do you need the Moon Spirit Pearl?

We want the pearl

to...

I can't say.

Just say it.

Douzi is going to die if I tell you.

Douzi?

What does she have to do with the Moon Spirit Pearl?

You think I'd hurt her, don't you?

Since the day you fell into the water,

I already started to suspect you.

If I wasn't worried

that Douzi'd be implicated,

I have already told everything about you

to the Empress.

Would I have waited until today?

Tell me.

Then swear to me,

if I tell you the truth,

you will never hurt Douzi

and keep our secret.

Okay.

I swear to you,

as long as you tell me the truth,

I will protect Douzi.

Now tell me.

We switched bodies because of the Moon Spirit Pearl.

Actually, I was her,

and she was me.

I am Mei Yushan.

What?

Why do you break

into the Tianji Mansion?

Please forgive me.

I was about to pick up Miss Mei's maid at the gate of the Eastern Palace.

But she was suddenly gone.

I came to the Tianji Mansion to see if you know anything.

Then I can't let you in.

The one I've been looking for

was actually Douzi.

I swear to God,

Douzi and I meant no harm.

She still doesn't know who she really is.

She will never hurt the Crown Prince.

I have told you the truth.

Why do you still want to kill me?

Killing you

may not break the prophecy.

But if I don't kill you,

it must be Douzi who will die.

Let's go.

Mei.

Bai Ye, what are you doing?

Your Highness.

How come you are here?

Put the sword down.

Put it down.

Bai Ye, what is going on here?

Little Diviner, what are you doing?

Douzi.

I already know everything.

About what?

The Crown Prince must not know about it.

Your Highness.

What I did today was all for you.

Also for...

Anyway, whatever happens,

I have to kill her today.

You can punish me after.

Why do you want to kill Mei?

Bai Ye, have you lost your mind?

I have to

kill her.

Little Diviner, put the knife down.

I'll save her.

You won't be able to kill her.

Your Highness,

Mr. Bai does everything

to save your life.

Do you know

the true identity of her...

Lingxiao!

True identity?

- You mean... - Yes.

I know the true identity of this maid

is the Grand Chancellor's daughter.

I'm afraid she'll ruin

the relationship between you and Douzi.

So I have to kill her.

Just because we switched bodies,

you want to kill Mei?

What are you talking about?

Mr. Bai, why don't you tell the truth?

I'm telling the truth.

I've known for a long time that they switched bodies.

Bai Ye, you worry too much.

And the relationship between Douzi and I

won't be affected by her identity.

Bai Ye, tell me the truth.

Do you really want

to kill her for Douzi and me?

Yes.

Is our friendship for more than ten years

not enough for you to trust me?

It is because of what we've been friends for ten more years,

I find you extremely strange today.

Little Diviner, put the knife down.

Douzi!

Miss Mei.

Douzi!

How is it? Is it bad?

It's just a flesh wound.

No bones are broken.

Didn't you hear Guard Xingshi say

it was just a fall?

As the Imperial Physician,

I know what to say.

Don't call me

to treat minor injuries like this in the future.

Grand Tutor,

please also check her.

I am fine.

Is that even an injury?

Grand Tutor,

just check her.

Girls care about their appearances.

It will be awful if a scar is left.

I'm fine.

Okay then.

I have a little pill here.

Here.

Crush it

and apply it to the wound.

I need to talk to Guard Xingshi about something.

Please suit yourself, Eighth Prince.

You saved my life again today.

Fortunately, I showed up in time.

Now that you know I'm not the Princess.

Why did you give your life to save me?

I just

don't want you to get hurt.

Did Bai Ye know that you switched bodies?

Yeah.

Then why did he still want to kill you?

Because

he's even less willing to kill Douzi.

So you mean

he tried to kill the Princess.

Or rather,

he thought if he killed the one with the fishtail-shaped mark,

he'd stop the country from its destruction.

Or was he trying to protect the Crown Prince?

You can rest assured.

He didn't tell the Crown Prince

about Douzi's true identity tonight.

He most likely never will.

Douzi should be safe for now.

No.

Bai Ye will not give up.

You and the Princess must leave the palace as soon as possible.

I'll never forget

that you saved me today.

If one day you need my help,

I would like to give up my life to help you

without hesitation.

But I hope

you won't think you can decide for me

because of what happened today.

It's...

[Tianji Mansion]

Bai Ye of The Tianji Mansion

acted impulsively.

You are supposed to be put into jail,

but the Crown Prince made an exception

for the sake of the past friendship.

From today on,

The Tianji Mansion will be guarded.

People entering and leaving are required to register.

Bai Ye will be grounded in the Tianji Mansion for half a year.

During this period,

you are not allowed to leave the mansion.

Mr. Bai,

when His Highness is in a better mood,

I'll put in good words for you.

Let's go.

[Tianji Mansion]

Your Highness,

take care of yourself.

Your Highness is concerned about people in the whole world.

Didn't you once tell me

that in the future,

you'd be a wise emperor?

A prophecy has caused so much chaos.

All the officials

are writing memorials to depose the Crown Prince.

Your mother is busy all day trying to calm things down.

Your Highness,

do you want your mother to worry about you, too?

Grand Tutor,

do you also think

that I'll lead Jixi to its destruction?

I dare not.

But

Bai Ye's prophecies

have always come true.

No one dares doubt him.

Then I will not

fall for that Princess of Shengdong.

I won't even fall for anyone.

Then the prophecy will be broken, won't it?

Your Highness,

in the world, one's love for others

is usually beyond their control.

There are many people

stir up trouble

for their love.

I don't understand what you mean.

Who I fall in love with in the future

should be under my control, right?

I will control thousands of troops in the future.

I can even control a person's,

or even a nation's fate.

But I can't control who I love or hate?

Your Highness,

you're still young.

When you grow up,

you'll know.

[Sealed]

The day I first met Little Diviner,

the sky was full of stars like this.

I think

Little Diviner must have his reasons.

I don't want to lose him as a friend.

But the person he wanted to kill

happened to be Mei Daidai.

Mei Daidai.

About your switched bodies,

I would like to ask for your opinions.

Mei Yushan,

with your status,

it's not right to be a maid in the palace forever.

Now that someone wants you dead.

We must plan ahead.

If you want to go back home,

I can explain it to your family for you.

If you don't want to go back,

you can ask for other things.

I'll try to give you what you want.

As for Douzi,

you don't need to worry about her.

I'll get her a new maid to take care of her.

With this appearance,

how can go back to my residence?

I don't need a maid.

Besides, she's not a maid.

Whatever problems there are,

I'll solve them with her.

I don't want to be apart from her.

In that case,

I'll figure out something else.

I'm not leaving you anyway.

Whatever I have,

you'll have it.

If the bed is too hard for you,

I'll give you all my quilts.

I've got plenty of padding anyway.

Silly girl.

If you're with me all the time,

how do you get married?

If I get married,

I'll marry someone rich.

So next to my big house,

I'll build you another big house.

And then,

I'll punch a hole in the wall.

So when I sleepwalk,

I can still talk to you.

Just the two of us are fine.

I'm not going to stay single and spend the rest of my life with you.

Then you can get married.

I'll stay single.

You don't have to build me a big house.

I'm not used to it anyway.

Just prepare me enough chicken legs.

I was in the Eastern Palace for the past several days.

I didn't get a chance to ask you.

Why did Little Diviner try to kill you that day?

- I... - Do you really want to know

why Bai Ye wanted to kill Mei?

Oh.

Why can you make no sound when you walk?

Are you feeling better?

Don't run around before you're healed.

And don't say anything you shouldn't.

Get back to rest.

This time tomorrow,

find a way out of the city gate on time.

Then,

I'll be there waiting for you.

What do you mean?

Don't you want to know

- why Bai Ye... - Xingshi.

I think she should know the truth.

You can rest assured.

After you are out of the city gate tomorrow,

no matter whether you decide

to leave or stay,

I won't try to convince you otherwise.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

I'll take my leave.

I'll leave too.

Okay.

What were you talking about?

Acting all mysterious.

You stopped talking when you saw me.

We were just concerned if Guard Xingshi was getting better.

Little Master, now you know how to do it.

I don't want to be laughed at by you.

I wouldn't dare.

Otherwise, you'll put me up in the tree again.

What... What now?

I didn't offend you today.

I...

I suddenly remember

that I want to ask you something.

This place is full of bugs.

One sting leaves one bump.

It hurts.

I'll stop them for you.

So they can't sting you.

But if they sting you,

I'm going to hurt too.

What do you want to ask me?

Actually,

there's nothing urgent.

On our way back to the palace that day,

I asked you a question

and you haven't answered me yet.

I...

I answered.

Have you answered?

I remember after I asked you that day,

we just...

What are you doing?

It's broad daylight.

Answer the question I'm asking you.

If you don't remember,

I'll ask you one more time.

Would you like

to stay with me forever?

I told you the answer was on the ground.

See for yourself.

Stop.

Step back.

Step back.

Step back.

Okay.

Who did this?

It's so asymmetrical.

Does this person want to make His Highness angry on purpose?

It's fine.

I quite like it.

By my orders,

reward the gardeners

who take care of this season's flowers.

You are the future emperor.

The Crown Princess's the future empress.

Managing the harem is a great responsibility.

If you make her your wife,

I'm afraid she won't deserve the crown.

All of you, leave.

I think the so-called virtue

shouldn't be just some etiquette.

It should be the most basic human qualities.

Douzi is brave, righteous, and kind.

She is kind to her family

and generous to her friends.

To me...

She also protects me with her life.

So I don't think she won't deserve the crown.

As for the harem you talked about,

if I have her by my side,

I will...

Will never marry other women.

Well.

It seems

you really like her.

Fine.

Just make her your concubine.

It'll stop people from gossiping.

As for the Crown Princess,

we choose someone else.

I have made up my mind.

If you don't allow it,

I will...

Never get married.

You...

That's the end of this matter.

Wait until I confer with your father.

It's gruesome in here.

Why did you bring me here?

Why are there no names

on these memorial tablets?

Who were they?

They were the Princess's family members

and officials.

Emperor Dingning,

Empress Li

and my father.

None of them can have their names.

If the war hadn't destroyed our country,

they'd all have been watching you grow up, Princess.

What are you talking about?

Aren't you going to tell me

why Bai Ye wanted to kill Mei Yushan?

It's not even Spring Festival yet.

You don't have to do this.

I, Shengdong's Young General Xingshi

show greetings your highness, Princess Yueying.

Don't scare me.

Is there anyone else here?

There's no one else here.

I am just greeting my Princess.

You greet me?

I'm the Princess?

And you are the Young General of Shengdong?

Guard Xingshi,

what is wrong with you?

Did you get some kind of pearl

and switch your body with that toothless storyteller?

You make up good stories.

Don't even start.

Get up.

You are indeed the daughter of Emperor Dingning

and Empress Li of Shengdong,

Princess Yueying.

Princess Yueying?

Why don't you say

I am Chang'e on the moon? [*A Chinese mythological figure]

If I were Princess Yueying,

First Father would be the Jade Emperor.

Second Father would be the Dragon King.

And Third Father

would be the Monkey King.

I know it's hard for you to believe this all of a sudden.

But I dare not lie

in front of all the spirits of martyrs here.

Eighteen years ago,

Shengdong was destroyed.

Your mother, Empress Li, entrusted you to my father.

My father fled with you and me.

We ran into pursuers on our way.

So my father entrusted you to me.

In the end, I had no choice

but to hide you in a box of an escort team near the road.

By the time I got back,

the escort team had already left.

He doesn't seem

to be joking.

But I don't look like a princess.

My figure?

It belongs to Mei Daidai.

It's not mine.

If you don't believe me,

I can swear in front of all the spirits of martyrs of Shengdong.

No.

You must have confused me with someone else.

I grew up in the Black Dog Alley.

I've never been outside the capital.

Forget about the Princess of Shengdong.

I don't even know how to spell

Shengdong.

And I have no idea

how people of Shengdong

look like.

You know what? I'll get going.

See you.

You were too young when we left Shengdong.

It's normal that you don't remember anything about it.

But I remember everything clearly.

The kerchief you had with you back then

was embroidered with lilies of the valley.

That is the national flower of Shengdong.

In the box where you were hidden,

there were some clay pots.

To prevent bumps on the road,

some rice beans were stuffed.

There was also a pink rattle drum.

The most important thing

is that I left a mark on the box.

Do you still remember?

How do you know all this?

You looked into me in the Black Dog Alley?

You were born with a fishtail-shaped mark on your shoulder.

If I made this up,

how would I know that?

What... What is going on here?

We were trying to hide from the pursuers.

And I went back to save my father.

I had no choice

but to hide you in a box by the side of the road.

When I got back to find you,

the escort team had already left.

I'd been having nightmares for years.

I was wondering how the little Princess

survived in this dangerous world on her own.

I'd been full of remorse

and looking for you all the time.

But it's been so hard to find you among so many people.

I even thought...

I...

I even thought

you were already dead.

Every time I thought about it,

it was like there was a huge rock on me.

I couldn't breathe.

Is what you said

the truth?

If I lie about any of it,

I won't die in peace.

But...

I don't understand

what all this has to do with Bai Ye trying to kill Mei Yushan.

If Bai Ye does not kill Mei,

he will have to

kill you.

The person he wants to kill

is me?

Have you heard of the prophecy?

The Crown Prince of Jixi falls in love with the Princess of Shengdong.

Jixi will be destroyed.

Don't touch me.

Princess,

now that it's not safe

and you and Miss Mei are out of the city,

I don't think you should go back.

Where else should I go then?

I'll get you home safely.

Home?

Back to the Black Dog Alley?

Back to Shengdong.

Why would I back to Shengdong?

Everyone in Shengdong is looking forward to your return.

To rebuild our home.

I'm not an orphan.

My mother didn't abandon me.

She did it to save me.

Back then the city was under siege,

she had to send you away.

Your mother

must have suffered a lot.

Mothers in the world

would all make the same choice.

Do you think

that prophecy will come true?

I hope not.

If Little Master finds out,

will he try to kill me?

He will never find out.

Xingshi and I won't tell anyone.

Bai Ye would rather be punished himself that day

than tell the Crown Prince the truth.

As long as he doesn't say it,

the Crown Prince will never know.

Mei is right.

But don't forget, Princess,

Bai Ye knows about your switched bodies.

He even tried to kill Mei.

I'm afraid he won't give up.

He did it on the spur of the moment.

Besides,

he's already locked up.

Then why would we risk going back to the palace?

Why don't we just...

Why don't you leave with me now?

Shengdong's former subordinates are nearby.

They can pick us up at any time.

- No. - No.

If you insist on returning to the palace,

the next time you meet the Crown Prince,

you'll be enemies.

No.

Impossible.

Impossible.

Have you ever wondered, between you

and the throne of Jixi,

which one the Crown Prince will choose?

I beg of you, Princess and Mei,

to seriously consider coming back to Shengdong with me.

I'm not going back to Shengdong.

♪It's your mesmerizing glance♪

♪Freezing the gentle breeze of the mundane world♪

♪Your gentle call awakens me from my unfinished dreams♪

♪It's hard to convey my love for you when fighting for the homeland♪

♪Our destined encounter♪

♪I am meant to accompany you on this journey♪

♪Wishing for a bit more♪

♪So love feels even more real♪

♪You and I, each completing the other, year after year♪

♪Accompany me to explore the world♪

♪We walk together on bustling streets♪

♪My heart leans towards your warm embrace♪

♪We're both kites reclaimed from the edge of the sky♪

♪If it's an unfathomable fate, let me do it again♪

♪We're both misunderstood, yet we accept it willingly♪

♪Step forth boldly and join me without asking where we're heading♪