Original subtitles

From now on, those who benefit from disaster relief,

who take over a hundred pieces of silver,

should all be killed.

But there are too many corrupt officials.

They cannot be killed all at once.

There are not enough officials to replace them either.

So while eliminating corruption, it is also important to recruit talent.

I am sure that Your Majesty

will be able to find a way to do that.

Prime Minister Li.

You have a very smart daughter.

I'll let you handle

the selection of new talents to replace the officials.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Prime Minister Li.

Why didn't you bring Li Weiyoung to meet me earlier?

You can also let me help the suffering citizens.

Li Minfeng.

Do you still claim that Li Weiyoung

stole your plan?

No, Your Majesty.

It's my mistake.

You said Li Weiyoung is trying to fool me.

But I think

you're the ones who are fooling me.

Guards.

Lock the three of them in prison

-to await judgment. -Yes, Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty, forgive us. -Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty, forgive us. -Your Majesty.

It's all because this servant said ridiculous things and misled us.

-I don't know what her motives are. -Young Master.

-What are you saying? -Scram!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I was anxious to make up for my mistake.

I suddenly heard that Weiyoung had a plan.

I was anxious, so I misunderstood Weiyoung.

I didn't intentionally fool you, Your Majesty.

Yes.

Your Majesty, this is definitely a misunderstanding.

Father, beg His Majesty for our sake.

Beg His Majesty for us.

Li Minfeng.

You executed a disaster relief plan on your own.

Is that also a misunderstanding?

Father, even though Li Minfeng made a mistake,

Prime Minister Li worked hard and provided valuable service,

please go easy on him.

Your Majesty.

My brother executed the disaster relief plan

in the Chiyun family's jurisdiction

with the intention of helping the citizens.

The Chiyun soldiers have always been highly disciplined.

They will only follow General Chiyun's orders.

The citizens all say that the Chiyun soldiers

conquered the land for Your Majesty.

So they respect the Chiyun soldiers very much.

This time, they suddenly rose up in arms

and caused a violent riot.

It was expected indeed.

It's my fault.

I wasn't able to stop my brother in time.

Chiyun soldiers?

So my soldiers became Chiyun soldiers.

The Chiyun family was giving out orders on my behalf.

How bold.

Today,

since I'm reorganizing the government,

I'll discipline Prime Minister Li's son

on his behalf.

Li Minfeng.

You won't be sentenced to death, but you will be punished.

From now on,

you're removed from your position.

And you'll receive 100 lashings in public.

Let's see which officials

will dare to follow your footsteps.

Li Changle.

Since you like copying from others,

you will copy

the disaster relief plan 100 times.

Prime Minister Li, any objections?

Your Majesty is brilliant.

I am sorry for spoiling my son and causing this trouble.

Please punish me.

How can I not know who to reward and who to punish?

Li Minfeng was reckless and did as he pleased.

You are also to blame, of course.

It's a good thing you disciplined Li Weiyoung well.

It makes up for your mistakes.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Take the three of them away.

Let's go.

Your Majesty.

Li Weiyoung.

I want to reward you greatly.

But you're still very young.

You're not fit for the office yet.

I'll just reward you with gold.

Lady Weiyoung.

That's a really good reward.

Aren't you going to thank His Majesty?

Thank you, Your Majesty.

But when I think

of the suffering citizens

affected by the calamity,

it makes me reluctant to accept this reward.

If Your Majesty will allow it,

I'm willing to donate this reward to the citizens

who have been displaced from their homes due to the calamity.

With that thought,

you should be rewarded even more.

But I'm a man of my word.

You must accept the gold I'm giving you.

And...

I'll give you the title of Lady Anping.

And your mother...

Your Majesty.

My father's legal wife is already a First-rank Madam,

but my birth mother doesn't have any titles yet.

Your mother should benefit from your accomplishment.

I'll give your birth mother the title

of Third-rank Madam.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Weiyoung, do you see this?

From now on,

your mother is a Third-rank Madam.

No one can bully her so easily again.

Weiyoung.

Weiyoung.

Your Highness, Prince Gaoyang.

You really impressed me today.

Whenever I see you before,

you were always wounded and silly.

I never thought you would be this bold and smart.

I...

Actually, I wanted to compliment you.

Is your wound better, Your Highness?

So you're still concerned about me.

I thought a lot about it after I left last time.

I finally realized why you're mad at me.

Your Highness, you're being too serious.

What right do I have to be mad at you?

I left a letter for you.

And waited for a long time outside the city.

You didn't come because you were mad, right?

What letter?

You didn't get my letter?

I see.

No wonder you're mad at me.

But we've resolved our misunderstanding now, right?

I didn't leave without saying goodbye.

Weiyoung.

Why are you being so distant?

Because of our status...

we're destined to be distant from each other.

If you really want what's best for me,

please stop.

Cheng De.

What do you think is the matter with Weiyoung?

She wasn't that reserved when we were at the inn.

Back then, I felt like we could talk about anything.

That was the very first time

I ever felt that way with a girl.

But now,

it's so hard to even approach her.

Your Highness, I feel like you're the one acting strange.

Strange?

How am I strange?

Who are you?

You're the Emperor's grandson from the royal family.

In Wei, how many people can compare to you?

In Wei, you can choose any girl you want.

Why do you keep pursuing Weiyoung?

It's embarrassing.

What are you talking about?

What do you mean by choosing any girl I want? That's not it.

I admire Weiyoung.

I want to be friends with her.

Even though I'm the eldest royal grandson,

there aren't many whom I can safely be friends with in this palace.

That's why I treasure my encounter with Weiyoung.

I'm afraid she just doesn't like you.

What did you say?

Think about it.

You treasure your encounter, but Lady Weiyoung might not.

To be brutally frank,

in terms of power and status,

you're not better than Prince Dongping or Prince Nan'an.

Women outside the royal family might...

It's my mistake.

Weiyoung is not that kind of person.

Your Highness.

If Lady Weiyoung likes you too,

why is she being so distant?

I suggest you give up.

Look at my hand.

That's Li Changle, she copied from someone else.

That's her?

She was supposed to be talented.

How embarrassing.

His Highness must be looking down on me now.

Will Li Weiyoung steal him from me?

Li Minfeng is narrow-minded,

reckless, and impudent.

He is nothing compared to his father.

Yet Your Highness even risked angering the Emperor today

and pleaded for his sake?

If it wasn't for Prime Minister Li,

why would I stoop down for that kind of person?

Everybody knows I side with Prince Dongping.

I'm friends with someone like Li Minfeng

just to confuse people.

I just never thought

Li Minfeng would fall in the hands of a country bumpkin.

"Country bumpkin"?

That girl may look rough,

but she is smart and has lots of ideas.

Very interesting.

Your Highness, look. There is Lady Weiyoung.

Lady Weiyoung.

Your Highness, Prince Nan'an.

I realized that someone

always rescues you and takes you away from danger

whenever you need it.

I must say,

you are good.

I'm not doing anything wrong.

Of course, I'm not afraid of being framed.

You're keeping such a high profile.

Aren't you afraid of attracting criticism?

I just know that if I was always compliant to others,

they would just bully me.

I should just deal with them directly.

Then we'll see who the real winner is.

Very interesting.

Very interesting, indeed.

Li Minfeng.

I stand alone.

I may not be strong, but with enough effort,

even ants can move elephants.

This is just the start

between you and me.

Master.

You're back.

What happened?

Why didn't Minfeng and Changle come back with you?

What exactly happened?

What happened?

You taught a good son.

He almost dragged down the entire Li household.

Now,

removing him from his position and receiving 100 lashings

is considered a great mercy from the Emperor.

A hundred lashings?

Then Minfeng...

How can Minfeng survive that?

Master.

Why didn't you stop the Emperor?

How can I stop the Emperor?

Zi Yan already confessed

that Minfeng and Changle instructed her to frame Weiyoung

in front of the Emperor.

That's the crime of deceiving the Emperor.

Good thing

Weiyoung brought Zi Yan home to deal with her privately.

If the Emperor asked someone to investigate this,

who knows how this will end?

Then...

Then what about Minfeng's future?

Future?

How can he have any future?

He is stupid, reckless, and impudent.

It's already very fortunate

that he is still alive.

Master.

This is all my fault.

I didn't discipline him well.

But he is your only son.

You can't allow this to happen.

Let's wait.

I'll think of something

when this tide is over.

Master.

Master.

Tell him

not to cause any more troubles.

If he does,

don't blame me for not treating him as my son.

QINGYUN COURT

Young Master, eat something.

You haven't eaten all day.

Eat? Scram!

-Yes, Young Master. -Leave us.

Mother.

-Minfeng. -You must do Minfeng justice.

Mother.

It's all that lowly servant Zi Yan's fault.

She didn't take the blame for her master.

I won't let her get away with this.

Of course, we'll teach Zi Yan a lesson,

but we must never let that Li Weiyoung off the hook.

If she didn't tell the Emperor

that the Chiyun family conquered the world for him

and angered him,

Minfeng wouldn't have suffered all the lashings.

The Emperor has always respected the Chiyun family.

Li Weiyoung dared to say that our achievements overpowered the Emperor's

and rubbed him the wrong way.

She is really cunning.

Mother...

Mother, that little bitch is so evil.

She made me suffer this much.

You must do me justice.

Mother, you must deal with Li Weiyoung.

Don't cause any trouble these days.

Mother.

I was utterly humiliated.

How can I just stay put?

What do you want to do then?

What can you do?

Don't you care about me anymore?

Minfeng.

How can I not care about you?

You're both dear to me.

How can I let someone bully you?

Then why won't you teach Li Weiyoung a lesson for us?

Li Weiyoung

was just given the title of Lady Anping by the Emperor.

She is very popular now.

We can only wait for the right time.

Endure whatever you have to

for now.

Remember.

Don't have any direct conflict with her.

Understand?

Yes, Mother.

Minfeng, when you're feeling better,

I'll get your father to restore your position.

Mother.

I don't want my position.

I just want Li Weiyoung to die.

Lady Weiyoung...

Since you're calling me that,

why did you betray me?

Zi Yan.

Do you even have a conscience?

Lady Weiyoung saved our lives.

How could you harm her?

We even treated you like a sister.

You...

I...

I was blinded.

I wronged you, Lady Weiyoung.

Bai Zhi.

Kill me.

It's fine even if you kill me.

You can't even say it.

Can't you apologize to Lady Weiyoung

and beg her to spare you?

Speak.

Speak!

Speak!

-Speak! -Never mind, Bai Zhi.

Stop hitting her.

She doesn't care about us anymore.

It's no use talking to her.

Let's go.

Lady Weiyoung.

I want to ask you one last question.

Go ahead.

From the start,

have you already known?

Is that why you gave me a fake disaster relief plan?

Yes.

Zi Yan.

I've always treated you like my own sister.

I've never suspected you.

Until one day...

I've always been very sensitive to smell.

That day,

I smelled the fragrance of rubbing alcohol on you.

And I smelled this fragrance

on Li Minfeng before.

I thought I was smart.

Actually, you've already known.

Lady Weiyoung even asked you

if you had someone you liked.

If you had said yes,

Lady Weiyoung would have let you go.

But you...

You kept what you had with Young Master.

And you even colluded with them

to frame Lady Weiyoung for the crime of deceiving the Emperor.

Do you know

that's a crime punishable by death?

Lady Weiyoung.

I know you've experienced

more hardships than happiness

by staying with me.

I don't want

to blame you for what you did.

We were like sisters.

I don't want you to die.

I'll talk to Grandmother for you,

so that you can leave here soon.

But from now on,

we are no longer sisters.

Lady Weiyoung.

I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

Madam has arrived.

Take Zi Yan out and beat her to death.

-Yes. -Stop.

Zi Yan works for me.

I'll decide what to do with her.

Even if you're Lady Anping,

you don't have a say

in the Prime Minister's manor.

Take Lady Weiyoung to her room,

so that she won't see blood and sicken her stomach.

-Yes. -Yes.

Madam.

Madam, you can't kill me.

Because I'm already pregnant

with Young Master's child.

Grandmother.

Father.

Even if Zi Yan made a mistake,

please consider her pregnancy

and spare her.

Zi Yan.

Are you really pregnant with Minfeng's child?

Yes, Old Madam.

That bastard.

How can you blame Minfeng?

This lowly servant must have seduced Minfeng on purpose.

So that she can improve her status.

This isn't the first time this happened.

Don't talk about useless things.

How should we handle this now?

I think--

I don't care about the child of this lowly servant.

It's humiliating for us to let her stay here.

For the sake of your and Minfeng's reputation,

don't be too soft-hearted.

Spare me, Master!

Master, Madam.

I'm really pregnant with Young Master's child!

I think Master and Old Madam

shouldn't be worried about this minor thing.

Let me handle it.

Servants.

Take this lowly servant away.

Master, spare me!

Madam, spare me!

Master, spare me!

Madam, spare me!

I'm pregnant with Young Master's child!

Wait!

Father.

I presented a disaster relief plan to the Emperor.

Is that considered an accomplishment for the Li family?

Yes, it's an accomplishment for the Li family indeed.

Don't worry.

I'll reward you greatly.

What exactly do you want to say?

I don't need any rewards.

I just hope that Zi Yan can live

and deliver the baby safely.

How presumptuous!

Do you have a say here?

Do I have a say, then?

Forgive me, Old Madam.

That was rude of me.

Please provide your instructions.

I won't consider it as instructions.

However,

Weiyoung should have a say

in this household.

Furthermore,

the Emperor gave her the title of Lady Anping.

Even Changle was not bestowed such an honor.

As for Zi Yan,

even if she was lowborn,

parents shouldn't mistreat their own child.

Instead of doing that

and claiming an innocent life,

you should discipline your own son,

so that he won't cause any more trouble.

Old Madam.

I'm tired.

You can handle

the rest.

Don't forget.

This is the Li household.

Who should have a say here?

Master.

Servants.

Take Zi Yan back to her room.

No one

can deal with Zi Yan privately without my permission.

Master!

Lady Weiyoung.

Thank you.

Lady Weiyoung.

Zi Yan

has moved into Young Master's Qingyun Court.

She finally got what she wanted.

I hope they can treat her well

for the sake of the child.

Lady Weiyoung.

Zi Yan treated you that way.

Not only do you not hate her,

you're even thinking about what's good for her.

Having hatred in your heart is a very tiring

and painful thing.

"By the power of the heavens, this is the Emperor's command.

Li Weiyoung presented a disaster relief plan

to aid the citizens and assist the Emperor.

Li Weiyoung will now be given the title

of Lady Anping

as a reward.

That would be all."

-Thank you, Your Majesty. -Thank you, Your Majesty.

Please rise, Old Madam.

Prime Minister Li.

This is the reward the Emperor gave to Lady...

No.

I should call her "Lady Anping."

This is the reward the Emperor gave to Lady Anping.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Highness.

Weiyoung.

You did well.

You presented a disaster relief plan and assisted the Emperor.

You also aided countless citizens.

You're a good descendant of the Li family.

Li Weiyoung is quite good.

She was bestowed with a title.

From now on, would Changle also have to be courteous to her when she sees her?

That title comes with a certain rank.

From now on, we must bow when we see Weiyoung.

Weiyoung.

Come here and thank His Highness, Prince Gaoyang.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Highness.

If Lady Weiyoung likes you too,

why is she being so distant?

I suggest you give up.

I'm just doing my job.

There is no need for courtesy, Your Ladyship.

Your Highness, please come and have some tea in our parlor.

I must report back to the palace.

I appreciate your offer, Prime Minister Li.

Cheng De.

Take care, Your Highness.

If she doesn't like me, why should I persist?

Consider me blind

for giving my attention to the wrong person.

Are you talking about Li Weiyoung?

Didn't you see how Li Weiyoung acted?

She was as cold as ice.

You're right.

She doesn't like me.

Your Highness...

Since she doesn't feel the same way, never mind then.

Your Highness...

Lady Weiyoung, have some tea.

Bai Zhi.

Prince Gaoyang saved me so many times.

Not only did I not repay him,

but I've also been treating him coldly.

Am I someone

who is ungrateful?

Others might now know, but I do.

You really care about Prince Gaoyang.

You also thought of the disaster relief plan because of him.

But Prince Gaoyang

doesn't know that.

That's why he thinks

that I'm an ungrateful person.

Lady Weiyoung,

I think Prince Gaoyang is not a narrow-minded person.

If you really care about him,

just talk to him properly the next time you see him.

What exactly am I thinking?

Lady Weiyoung.

Leave me.

I want to be alone.

Yes.

If I knew

how sad I would be now,

I really shouldn't have

met you back then.

You want to keep the gifts the Emperor gave Weiyoung to yourself?

Is that your own idea,

or did someone tell you that?

It was clearly written in the royal order.

These things...

are for Weiyoung.

You don't need me to ask someone

to read it to you again, right?

Mother, of course, I know that.

But Weiyoung...

I've always

felt at ease when you're handling government affairs.

But you're too lax

with your wife.

Weiyoung is also your daughter.

Even if she is not a legitimate one,

I think she is not less talented than Changle.

You really are

playing favorites.

Mother.

Changle is the eldest daughter of the Li family.

How can Weiyoung compare to her?

However,

the one who assisted the Emperor

and resolved your troubles

was not Changle.

I know.

As the eldest daughter,

Changle is beautiful and smart.

You and Chiyun Rou

both put a lot of hope on her.

But I don't agree with marrying her

into the royal family.

Firstly, people in our family

have always been high-ranking government officials.

We don't need to increase our status by doing so.

Secondly,

I think Changle

is too arrogant.

Maybe

it would bring disaster upon her.

From the looks of it,

all the royal sons

are not easy to deal with.

Getting involved

might not bring about a good result.

And after what happened,

Changle's reputation is no longer good.

If you think

her pretty face

can make her become the future empress,

then you're throwing the Li family into peril.

Look at your position now.

Every step you make

is like stepping on thin ice.

The Emperor might know that you're trying to select someone suitable

among the royal sons.

Then Mother...

We can set this aside for now.

But as for Weiyoung...

Everything Weiyoung says and does in the royal court

will be recorded in history.

Even if you don't care about the honor she brings to you,

you have to care

about the pen that records official history.

Do we need that small amount of money?

Why would you do such a petty thing?

Okay.

Mother.

I'll do as you say

for this matter.

Madam.

Old Madam has already convinced the Master

to return the reward to Lady Weiyoung.

Changru, come here. Let me show you something.

-Bai Zhi, go get it. -Yes.

I thought about you

when I saw these two pearl pins.

Look at them.

We can have one each.

This is for you.

It's so beautiful.

I'll help you wear it.

Here.

Go get a mirror.

You're like sisters.

-Grandmother. -Yes.

I saw this

and immediately thought of you.

I thought I must come here and give it to you.

-I'll scratch your back for you. -Okay.

All right.

-That's enough. -Does it feel nice?

Stop it.

You silly girl.

You're acting so silly.

The Emperor gave that to you.

Why are you giving it to me?

Old Madam, accept it.

-That's Lady Weiyoung's gift to you. -Yes.

The Emperor gave that to you.

You must keep it properly.

Don't let people take it from you.

You really did well

this time,

but that is too high profile.

You might bring trouble upon yourself, enough to cost you your life.

We don't hope for achievements,

but hope not to commit any mistakes.

You must be more careful

when you do things from now on.

All right?

All right.

Grandmother, don't worry.

If anyone dares to fool me,

I'll give him a whip.

Silly girl.

Can a whip solve anything?

When you deal with those in position,

it's a matter of life and death.

You were too bold.

You were trying to play smart in front of the Emperor.

However, it's always good to be filial.

With the title of Third-rank Madam,

your mother's situation will get better.

Thank you for not blaming me, Grandmother.

All right, go and see your mother.

Your father has already allowed her to move into Junlan Court

and live with you.

At this moment,

her things might have already been moved there.

Your mother must be extremely happy.

Go, hurry.

Mother.

Eat more.

From now on,

we can eat together every day.

That's enough.

By the way, Mother.

-Bai Zhi. -Yes, Lady Weiyoung.

Lady Weiyoung.

This bangle suits you very much.

Take it.

You're a good daughter.

I know you want what's best for me,

but this way,

they would think of you as an enemy all the more.

Actually,

I don't need these things.

I just want you to be safe.

Mother, you're now a Third-rank Madam.

And I am Lady Anping.

Those people won't dare to bully us anymore.

We can't belittle the power of the Chiyun family.

You also know Chiyun Rou's tricks.

Don't fight with them anymore.

Just spend your days in peace.

That's good enough for me.

Even if I stop,

will they?

They won't.

But don't worry, Mother.

I'll surely take good care of myself.

I'll also protect you.

Let's eat, Mother.

Here, eat more.

All right, that's enough.

This is the calming incense the Emperor gave me.

Aunt Xuemei, I heard from Minde that you can't sleep well.

So I especially brought some over for you.

How can I accept such a valuable gift?

Take it, Aunt Xuemei.

This is insignificant

compared to the many times Minde has saved me.

And you've always treated me well.

I know that.

I've always wondered about this.

Minde has a cold personality.

He usually doesn't speak much about others,

but he is impressed with you.

Now I finally know why.

You've suffered so much,

yet you're still able to remain pure.

Actually, Minde is also a sincere child.

You two are similar that way.

Minde is a good person that's hard to come by indeed.

Aunt Xuemei, is there anything else?

Leave us.

Yes.

Weiyoung, someone wants to see you.

See me?

Follow me.

Zi Yan.

Zi Yan!

Zi Yan.

Lady Weiyoung.

You've only been at Minfeng's place for a few days.

How did you turn out this way?

I only have myself to blame

for all of this.

Subtitle translation by Coleen Chua