Original subtitles

♪Pink hands so fine♪

♪Gold-branded wine♪

♪Spring paints green willows palace walls cannot confine♪

♪East wind unfair♪

♪Happy times rare♪

♪In my heart sad thoughts throng♪

♪We've severed for years long♪

♪Wrong, wrong, wrong♪

[Si Jin]

[Adapted from Si Jin, by Dong Tian De Liu Ye]

[Episode 39]

[Yangui]

You should leave.

Baoping, how long has it been?

Your Majesty.

It's been more than three days.

Judging from the time,

Jin should've met up with Cui Xu by now.

Your Majesty,

Mr. Cui is loyal and upright.

Once he hears about this,

he'll rush to your rescue.

Although Cui Xu is loyal and upright,

he'll never abandon the people

living at the border

just to rescue me.

He's an upright minister who fears no authority

and only cares about the safety of the people.

To him,

protecting the borders

and ensuring the safety of the people

are his priorities.

What?

Rong Yang staged a rebellion?

Together with the Marquis of Changxing.

That's impossible.

Although he has wild ambitions,

he has been

through thick and thin with His Majesty for many years after all.

Why would he rebel?

Every word I utter is true.

Mr. Cui,

please come with me to rescue His Majesty.

I know that is our priority here.

However,

Your Highness has seen for yourself

the dire situation at the border.

Longgu Pass is easy to defend and hard to capture.

But the Nanwu people harass us often.

My troops are already exhausted from fending them off.

If, at this moment,

I have to mobilize some of my troops

to join your Red Plume Cavalry

to rescue His Majesty in Ling'an,

the pass will surely fall

in three days.

Our realm shall fall.

With all due respect, I cannot follow your command.

[Name List] Here are the objectors.

Prince Qi has indeed helped you

to reassure some of the old ministers.

Most have already submitted.

What do you think Prince Qi will do

if he finds out that I don't intend

to help him ascend the throne?

Marquis of Changxing,

why do you think there were no female rulers

throughout the history of Zhou?

In my opinion,

Zhou will have

its first female ruler soon.

Initially,

I didn't have such a wild ambition.

It's all thanks to your reminder and assistance.

But you have never mentioned

what rewards you seek.

I have no other wishes!

Your Highness, I'm willing to serve you

with my life.

Marquis, have a seat.

Don't worry.

I will reward you handsomely.

You shall only be

second to me in the entire realm.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Father is already in danger.

We mustn't delay any longer.

If the Princess Royal

does intend to kill him,

that would signify the fall of the current reign.

Our realm shall fall as well.

Your Highness, please rise.

Under such circumstances,

to me,

there's only one choice.

Mr. Cui, what if I told you

we could resolve the border crisis?

Your Highness,

how would we do that?

By depending on my wife, Jiang Si.

Ridiculous.

How could a woman like her

make them withdraw their army?

You might not know,

but Jiang Si is the Nanwu Saintess.

It's right over there.

[Wanted Notice]

Isn't she Su Ke's daughter?

How come she's the Nanwu Saintess?

I don't know the reason either.

But her body

does carry the Saintess Emblem.

Nanwu stationed their troops at the border area

in order

to rescue their Saintess.

Now that she has returned.

There's no need for them

to wage war again.

Mr. Cui, please trust me this time.

Regarding my ascension,

what do you think?

The sooner the better.

Delay leads to change.

However,

one of the officials has rallied his peers

to impeach me.

Say,

do I need to locate him?

Absolutely.

Your Highness, you're right.

Our priority now

is

to purge all opposition

so that

the ascension ceremony in five days

can proceed smoothly.

We'll follow your proposal.

Jiang Si.

[Mount Shenjian, Nanwu] This emblem

looks the same as the one on your neck.

Grand Elder.

Long time no see.

Who are you? How dare you trespass upon our holy ground?

Everything still looks the same.

How's your leg ailment?

We've never met before.

How did you know about

the old ailment on my leg?

Chief.

Mr. Cui

is avoiding us by using military affairs as his excuse.

He's even letting us use his tent.

It's obvious

that he doesn't want to mobilize his troops.

Chief, what should we do?

You ask me?

We can only wait.

His Majesty has issued a decree.

I am to lead my army

and join the Red Plume Cavalry

to have a showdown with Nanwu.

We are not to return until Nanwu is eradicated.

What? That's...

This is the imperial decree.

What if this decree

was issued by the princess and the marquis?

Don't you think it makes

much more sense now?

Miss Jiang!

This is great.

I'm glad that you've returned.

Grand Elder, she's the Saintess.

The Saintess?

She's the Saintess?

Really?

How can you prove that?

Welcome, Saintess!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

The Saintess has arrived!

Gather around!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

Nanwu is blessed by the heavens! Welcome, Saintess!

Grand Elder, please rise.

I came back

because there's a crucial matter

I have to discuss with you.

Once the decree is carried out,

blood will be shed at the Southern Frontier.

Even so, are you still not willing

to rescue His Majesty?

Disobeying the imperial decree is a capital offense.

In a crisis, a field commander may disregard the ruler's orders!

Yu Jin.

Has Rong Yang truly started a rebellion?

I know Nanwu has stationed

their troops at the border area

because I was imprisoned.

Well,

since I've returned,

there's no reason to launch an attack.

Grand Elder, please issue an order

and withdraw your troops.

You're speaking up for Zhou

upon your return.

If I withdraw my troops now

and Zhou invades us,

Nanwu

will be done for.

Grand Elder,

I'm not trying to speak up for either side.

I swear upon my reputation as the Saintess.

If Nanwu withdraws their troops,

the army of Zhou

will withdraw their troops within half a day as well.

Report!

Reporting in!

Mr. Cui,

for some reason, Nanwu has withdrawn their troops.

For real?

Yes, Mr. Cui.

Long Dan.

Send a letter to Mr. Zhen.

Tell him that we'll depart immediately!

Yes, sir!

Relay my order!

We shall depart immediately to rescue His Majesty in Ling'an!

Yes, sir!

Yes, Your Highness!

We received a report from the front lines.

Zhou

has withdrawn their troops.

Excellent.

The Saintess can predict the future.

She'll surely lead Nanwu

to the right path.

You'll lead us

to annihilate Zhou.

Now, Zhou's borders are unguarded.

It's a good opportunity to launch an attack.

Saintess, I'm sure

you'll remain in Nanwu forever

and lead us to annihilate Zhou.

Grand Elder,

but war

will not restore Nanwu to its former glory.

I once saw the ending

brought about by the war.

In that ending,

Nanwu used war and violence

to resolve their issues.

And, our people successfully assassinated the Emperor of Zhou

during the Mid-Autumn Hunt.

Are you talking about

the events that happened after the Mid-Autumn Hunt?

That's right.

You always thought

that our issues would be resolved

after the death of Emperor Jingming.

But Zhou appointed a new emperor.

He was incompetent.

The Princess Royal held absolute power.

She ordered

Nanwu's annihilation.

You had to send the Nightingale Sect

to assassinate her in Ling'an.

Our gain is Zhou's loss and vice versa.

Nanwu

has limited resources after all.

We compete with each other

to develop ourselves

and keep our enemy under control.

Grand Elder,

I have a way

to stop this meaningless cycle.

Please gather all our people tomorrow.

I shall announce

the true way

to restore Nanwu to its former glory.

Mr. Zhen, is that you?

It's me.

Lately, the palace has been preparing

grand ceremonies to worship Heaven and Earth,

and to offer prayers at the ancestral temple.

But I don't think

it's as simple as it seems.

Worship Heaven and Earth?

Offer prayers at the ancestral temple?

This is bad!

Those are compulsory ceremonies

for the ascension ceremony.

Seems like the Princess Royal

does intend to usurp the throne.

If that's the case,

those who go against her

shall be eliminated.

What should we do, then?

Have Jin and the rest returned?

I'm afraid they can't make it in time.

Your Highness,

I've already taken care of

the stubborn officials who weren't willing

to join your side.

But there's one official left.

Who?

He was the official

who rallied others to oppose your rule.

Zhen Heng.

I didn't expect

a stubborn fool like him

would still be around.

[Eternal Joy and Serenity]

Now, the palace is full of danger.

I've already found a way

to send you out of the palace.

I've already packed your belongings.

You'll leave by tonight.

Mother, I'm not leaving!

Fuqing,

this isn't the time for you to be willful.

You always said

you wanted to leave the palace, right?

This is the chance.

Why are you...?

Mother, I'm not being willful here.

I've already grown up.

I'm no longer the little girl

who could only hide and cry

in the cabinet.

I have to remain in the palace.

Only then will I be able

to relay information to Mr. Zhen

and protect you.

Mother, no matter what,

I will never escape by myself.

- Stop right there! - Stop.

There are so many of you.

What are you up to?

Sir,

we are a trading caravan from the North.

Please let us pass.

From the North, huh?

Judging from your accent,

I think you're from the South.

Sir, I dare not joke about it.

Here.

Judging from these blisters,

I suppose you were in the military.

As for those behind you,

they don't look like cargo haulers at all.

Someone! Inspect them!

[Ling'an]

Stop!

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

What's going on?

Your Highness,

this trading caravan

seems suspicious.

We've already arrested them.

We'll hand them to Her Highness.

Just leave it to me.

Take them away!

Move!

Wait!

Your Highness, I...

Wasn't I the one who arrested them?

Yes, Your Highness.

Yes, Your Highness.

Let them pass.

We humbly invite the Saintess

to consult the heavens and to guide all beings in glimpsing the future.

Heaven shelters, Earth sustains, and all creation is in place,

yet none is more precious than humanity.

With the war's end, Nanwu rises, and harmony returns to the world.

Saintess,

throughout the history of Nanwu,

there's only war, no reconciliation.

That's right.

We

are born to fight.

Although our land is small

and our population scarce compared to Zhou,

all of our warriors excel at battle.

We fight and steal

the things we need.

It's that simple.

Mr. Bai,

no one is born to fight.

All humans

are born to live better.

Who would be willing to fight on the battlefield

if everyone

was content with their lives?

I know.

Nanwu prioritized war

for the past century.

This habit

cannot be changed in no time.

However, since Nanwu has chosen me

to be the Saintess

and granted me the ability to see the future,

I'm willing to turn the best future I've seen

into reality

together

with you all.

What should we do, then?

Grand Elder,

let's set a time limit of one year.

During this period of time,

I'll remain in Nanwu.

I'll make Nanwu prosper like never seen before

without

needing to wage a war.

What if you fail?

If after one year has passed,

you still think

that war is the best solution,

then I shall lead by example.

Saintess, we shall obey your will.

- Saintess, we shall obey your will. - Saintess, we shall obey your will.

What a shame, Mr. Zhen.

Your righteousness

won't be your saving grace.

It'll only harm you.

You and the other ministers

have done your best to impeach me.

But in the end, your efforts are all in vain.

I'm daring enough to take the Crown Prince's life,

let alone the lives of officials like you all.

To me,

you're nothing

but insignificant pests.

Death is but a swift blow.

I've seen plenty of people like you

in the Capital Administration Office.

You've let His Majesty's trust down.

You're not fit

to be Zhou's Princess Royal.

Zhen Heng,

you're too bold for your own good.

No wonder I couldn't find the Count of Dongping

and his family.

So, you were hiding them.

Excellent.

I've changed my mind.

I only wanted

to get rid of the Count of Dongping and his family.

Now, it seems like

I must get rid of your family as well.

Rong Yang, how dare you!

Evil deeds never go unpunished!

Zhen Heng's insolent words

have offended the ruler.

Take him down!

♪Life is like a wilting flower, blooming and withering with the seasons♪

♪The wind leaves its trace, swaying, yet holding firm♪

♪Not asking for more care from the heavens♪

♪May I enjoy the blessings in the days to come♪

♪Only wishing for a life free from entanglements♪

♪Fate plays its tricks. We are but mere mortals♪

♪Looking back, I dare not gaze too long at the road I've traveled♪

♪As the day fades, the wise redeem themselves♪

To me...

the law is the light.

It punishes evil and upholds goodness, dispelling the shadows in the process.

♪Sighing in despair♪

♪Is it too late?♪

♪My feelings are numb♪

♪Is it too much to bear?♪

♪How many regrets are left unfulfilled?♪

♪A chance to mend, to make it whole♪

♪An inch of longing, a lifetime untold♪

Fuqing.

♪Is the resting shore♪

♪Too shallow to stand?♪

Fuqing, it's her.

Mr. Zhen, are you afraid of death?

I am.

♪Though splendor fills the land♪

♪I remain trapped♪

It's because I have

plenty of things that I haven't achieved

and plenty of words that I haven't said.

And...

there's someone I still wish to see.

Your Highness.

If it's still possible,

I'll take you

to the open grounds at the southern city.

We'll fly kites there.

Sure.

♪Is the resting shore♪

♪Too shallow to stand?♪

If we can see each other again

in our next lives.

Fuqing.

♪Though splendor fills the land♪

I won't let you down.

Definitely.

♪Gone is the fateful encounter, and my life is dulled for good♪

♪Gone is the fateful encounter, and my life is dulled for good♪

What are we doing at my mansion?

You'll have to ask Prince Qi about that.

Everyone, don't worry.

This is the safest place for now.

After Mr. Zhen Heng

was captured by the Princess Royal,

the Count of Dongping and his family were discovered.

Now, they're imprisoned.

Mr. Zhen once

came to me

after receiving the letter related to your return.

How dare you speculate on my intentions?

Your Highness,

I know

that you're not a heartless individual.

You're doing all of this

to win

His Majesty's trust

and exhibit your talent

for the fortune of Zhou.

I understand

why you did so.

In my opinion,

this moment

is a good opportunity

to realize your aspirations.

Don't repeat the same mistake with the princess.

Instead, you need to reassure her on our behalf.

I know

that she would never let me off.

Therefore,

Your Highness,

please ensure your safety.

In the future,

should I be powerless,

Your Highness,

please lend the Seventh Prince a hand.

Why are you so sure

that I won't tell her

about our encounter?

That day, both you and I

were in the hall together.

Since I was daring enough to come here,

I believe

that you have already made up your mind.

Thank you, Zhang.

Our time is limited.

Tomorrow's the ascension ceremony.

We have

to stop the Princess Royal

and rescue Father before that.

I've already looked into it.

The palace is filled with the Gale Guards.

The Marquis of Changxing's troops are outside the palace.

Therefore, right now,

our priority

is to find a way

to win against overwhelming odds.

What if we turn our men

into the Gale Guards?

Are you saying

that we should assemble a group of Red Plume Cavalry members

matching the Gale Guards in number

and replace them?

That's right.

Great idea.

The number of palace guards is fixed.

If both teams focus on our attack,

we'll make it.

Once we obtain the higher ground,

the ground route will be open.

That's far from enough.

We need someone to keep the Marquis in check

and prevent retaliation.

I'm willing to serve.

You all shall enter from the secret tunnel.

We shall divide our forces into three groups.

The tunnel is very complex.

So do act cautiously.

Commandant Xie, Leng Ying,

you two will be in charge

of the outer palace gate and its watchtower.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Jiang and Long Dan,

you two will be in charge

of the inner gate and its watchtower.

- Yes. - Yes, sir.

For the last step,

you all must cooperate

and replace all of the Gale Guards.

Drag their bodies away!

Get rid of the bodies!

Go!

Move!

Brother, here you are.

I merely requested a decree from you.

Why is it so difficult for you to comply?

You see, even if you don't issue it,

I can still sit on your throne.

Someone.

Grant him a seat.

What's wrong? You don't want to sit down?

Bring them here.

Father!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

- Father! - Your Majesty!

Rong Yang, what are you up to?

Look. Everyone is here.

I have no choice but to bring your family here

to convince you.

I'm sure

you're not willing to let them die

in front of you

just because you refuse to issue this decree.

Rong Yang.

I never expected you

to be this despicable.

It's not too late for you to know that.

Someone!

Burn the incense.

One at a time.

When the incense ends,

so does a life.

If you haven't decided then,

I'll help you with it.

Time to change shifts.

Zhang.

Take me to the inner hall

to meet Aunt.

Do we have a reason

that can ensure that the princess

will summon me?

This is the imperial jade seal.

His Majesty ordered me to hand it to you

when he was in danger.

Your Highness, please keep it safe.

Brother,

time's up.

Have you not made up your mind?

If so,

I shall do it for you.

Father!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Brother.

The next incense is lit.

Let them pass!

Brother, aren't you going to make up your mind?

In this lifetime,

I'm the only one

who dared risk my life to save you.

Are you expecting Yu Jin to come to your rescue?

Yu Jin is caught in a dilemma himself.

Even if he comes,

he'll be dead for sure.

Moreover,

he hates you

more than me.

What's wrong?

My Lord,

someone has replaced

our men in the watchtower.

The enemies have invaded the palace.

What?

You good-for-nothings!

The four of you, remain here.

The rest of you, obey my command.

We shall rescue Her Highness!

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

You all shall escort me

out of the palace.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

So it's you, huh?

Marquis of Changxing,

I'm sure the Princess Royal

will be disappointed

if she finds out that you're abandoning her

just because the situation is dire.

You little crook.

You dare to touch me?

Do you wish to die?

You're the one with a death wish here.

Deceiving the ruler is a capital offense.

Guards.

Take him down!

Hand over the tiger tally,

or meet your demise!

Relay my message to Her Highness.

Tell her that I seek an audience.

Brother, you're used

to being the Emperor indeed.

You remain unfazed even though the situation is dire.

Regarding that,

I should learn from you.

Shijiu.

Come at me!

You come from the same root!

Why are you so eager to slay your kin?

Give me a chance to demonstrate my loyalty!

Your Majesty!

I shall serve you again in my next life!

Who do you think you are? You lackey.

You think you're worthy?

Prince Qi has arrived!

Shijiu.

I'm exhausted.

Tell him

that we can talk tomorrow.

Aunt,

I've found the imperial jade seal.

Invite him in.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Everyone is here tonight.

Present the seal to me.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Majesty!

Yu Jin,

do you think

you can turn the tides now?

What a joke!

Everyone inside and outside the palace

is under my command.

None of you shall leave this place alive.

Guards!

Look.

All of them are my men!

Yu Jin, you're done for!

Is that so?

Aunt,

open your eyes and see.

I was late to your rescue. I deserve punishment!

Minister Cui, please rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Let her go.

Father, you mustn't.

Let her go.

Rong Yang.

On account of our bond,

I shall give you one last chance.

If you confess your crime and repent,

it's not too late.

I can spare you from death.

Brother, you're right.

It's not too late.

It's not the end yet.

The Marquis of Changxing

will come to my rescue!

Your Majesty,

the Marquis of Changxing and his men have been arrested.

The tiger tally is here!

I've put every scheme and trick to use.

In the end, I still lost to you.

I do not

beg for mercy.

Alas, in this world,

no one has ever truly understood me.

Not even loved me.

But I have not lost.

None of you

will ever forget me!

Father!

[The End of Episode 39]

♪Through endless twists♪

♪In the mundane world♪

♪The breezy wind blows♪

♪The heart grows tender and bitter♪

♪I ask the Sun♪

♪If the light has taken root♪

♪As it prospers♪

♪Our love story writes itself♪

♪We lock eyes and promise to stay together forever♪

♪After countless challenges, we are still us♪

♪Our inseparable souls♪

♪Can weather all storms♪

♪We cross paths and promise to stay together forever♪

♪The tapestry of destiny is filled with our youth♪

♪Our blissful time together♪

♪Will lead us♪

♪To the sea of stars♪

♪Our destined paths♪

♪The years will hold♪

♪A light shines at the tunnel's end♪

♪Where happy endings will transcend♪

♪We cross paths and promise to stay together forever♪

♪The tapestry of destiny is filled with our youth♪

♪Our blissful time together♪

♪Will lead us to what we desire♪

♪We lock eyes and promise to stay together forever♪

♪Through frost-kissed trails, and starry space♪

♪Moon-silvered dreams♪

♪On love's embrace♪

♪Hearts bound as one, through time's soft grace♪

♪Love's tide guides, beyond our mortal space♪

♪A moment kept with your embrace♪

♪Where blooms have found their place♪