Original subtitles

Why are you here again?

Prince Gaoyang has recovered.

I'm here to visit him.

After what they went through this time,

the marriage of Weiyoung and Prince Gaoyang shouldn't be a problem.

Changle, you must feel terrible.

What do you mean by that?

Changle, why bother lying to me?

We've been cousins for years.

How can I not know that you're in love with Prince Gaoyang?

It's such a pity.

Despite plotting all the schemes and even drugging Li Weiyoung,

nothing seems to make a difference.

What nonsense are you saying?

Changle, why are you playing dumb?

I overheard every word you said to Tan Xiang.

Also, I'm not the only one who heard it.

The Crown Princess also overheard you.

What did you say?

The Crown Princess already knows your true colors.

Didn't you notice that she is treating you differently?

No wonder.

Recently...

Although we are cousins, we are not that close.

You might even hate me deep down.

Why are you so kind as to remind me?

What do you want?

What motive can I possibly have?

I'm reminding you

because we're in the same boat.

Could it be that you also have feelings for Prince Gaoyang?

Do you think only Prince Gaoyang

has fallen for Li Weiyoung?

Li Minde.

Li Minde.

It's really you.

You didn't leave.

You have returned.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Where have you been?

I thought you went back to...

Do you know how worried I was about you?

I had to handle certain matters.

I was just away for some time.

You should have at least told me.

It scared me so much.

I thought I would never see you again.

It's my fault to have worried Your Highness.

I still have work to do.

I'll take my leave.

Anyway, it's good that you're back.

By the way, both Jun and Weiyoung are all right.

You must be very happy, right?

Let's visit them together another day.

Your Highness.

We are in the palace.

You are in your dress.

Shouldn't you be more dignified?

Are you so used to wearing men's clothes that you can't break the habit?

How dare you tease me?

But I'm in a good mood today.

I won't take it to heart.

Your Highness.

Thank you.

Thank you for keeping my secret.

You didn't probe into it. You kept my secret.

No matter what you think,

I've regarded you as my friend.

If you truly see me as your friend, you have to make me a promise.

What is it?

You are not to leave without saying goodbye again.

Sure.

Young Lady, you've returned.

Jun Tao?

Jun Tao, I knew you would be fine.

This is great.

I've made you worried, Young Lady.

Do you know how much I've worried about you all this time?

Bai Zhi.

Look at you.

Why didn't you inform me sooner that Jun Tao was back?

We wanted to give you a surprise.

Come here. Let me take a good look at you.

Did you get hurt?

Why are you in this skirt?

It's nothing.

Jun Tao.

Jun Tao.

What are you looking at?

Have some fruit.

Jun Tao.

Jun Tao.

Have a bit more. We'll set out soon.

If you keep staring,

I'll gouge your eyes out, got it?

Don't.

Actually...

Actually, I just want to tell you that you're...

You're quite pretty.

What are you saying?

-Stop it. -Such nonsense.

Stop hitting, it's late.

-Such nonsense. -Stop it.

Stop hitting me.

-The sun is setting. -I'll beat you up.

We had better hurry.

Let's go.

You're acting a bit odd.

What exactly is it?

Why are you in a skirt?

It's nothing.

I saw it on the street and bought it.

It's just to surprise you.

Really?

You're not lying?

I'm a woman after all.

It's good that you're home.

It's one joyous occasion after another.

Prince Gaoyang is gradually recovering.

Prince Nan'an is fighting off Liu Song at the frontier.

News of victory keeps coming in.

I believe that, in no time,

Prince Nan'an will defeat Liu Song.

He shall return victorious.

-Congratulations, Your Majesty! -Congratulations, Your Majesty!

Prince Nan'an is a quiet man.

I never knew he was so capable.

I'm deeply impressed.

Prince Gaoyang.

You just recovered.

Be sure to get plenty of rest.

You fought valiantly at Huatai.

I am well aware of your contribution.

Once Prince Nan'an returns victoriously, I'll reward you both at the same time.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I only did what I should.

Good.

All descendants of the Tuoba clan should behave so.

TAIJI HALL

Jun!

I really feel bad for you.

You risked your life to defend the fort,

how could Prince Nan'an take credit for it?

However, Father is giving him all the credit for the victory.

This is really unfair to you.

As long as we can defeat Liu Song and keep the Wei Kingdom safe,

it doesn't matter who takes the credit.

You're such a fool.

It's no wonder others take credit for your work.

He doesn't even know that death is knocking at his door.

He is no match for Prince Nan'an at all.

News of victory!

Prince Nan'an defeated the army of Liu Song in grandeur!

Who could have known?

-Victory! -Prince Nan'an has achieved great feats.

-What a great achievement. -Exactly.

This is wonderful.

Uncle Yu defeated Liu Song.

He will return as a victor.

I can finally relax now.

What's on your mind?

I've been thinking recently.

The incidents that occurred before and after you were injured

seem suspicious.

For instance, that man who ambushed you in the mountain that day.

Is he really from Liu Song?

Also, those assassins we met on the way back to Ping City.

Who sent them?

You also have your doubts, right?

At times, I can't help but think about

why Prince Nan'an escorted me to Huatai.

He then ended up replacing you as the commander-in-chief by accident.

Now he has even rendered meritorious service in the war.

-All of this-- -Weiyoung.

I know what you're thinking.

Although kinship in royal families can't be trusted,

I don't wish to think badly of my family unless it comes to a certain point.

That feeling is too frightening.

It's not that you've never doubted.

You're just unwilling to believe in it.

Perhaps the truth might not be so.

You're right.

If Prince Nan'an hadn't shown up that day,

we could have already died.

However, if it wasn't him,

who else could have known the route we took and time we returned to Ping City?

It might be Chiyun Nan.

He has great influence in the army.

It's not difficult for him to plant a few scouts in Huatai.

Chiyun Nan.

However, there's still no news of the report.

You have yet to recover fully.

Don't worry about this matter.

I'll take care of my own issues.

What's yours and what's mine?

Such a clear distinction.

What involves you also concerns me.

Tuoba Jun.

Don't worry.

The report won't just disappear.

We'll eventually find some clues.

Look how carefree the fishes are.

I really envy them.

Knowing that you're in good hands,

I can now leave with ease.

Don't exhaust your brain by reading those.

You just got better. Why are you reading?

Stop reading.

-Here. -Mother, you're too worried.

I'm fine now.

Here, drink this medicine.

Has Li Weiyoung left?

Mother.

During this time,

I believe that you've seen that Weiyoung is true to me.

Who knows if she is just acting?

Mother.

However,

after this incident, I finally figured it out.

Li Changle isn't as nice as I thought.

She just happened to save you once.

She is obsessed with you.

You're wrong, Mother.

It wasn't Li Changle who saved me at the hunting grounds.

It was Weiyoung.

Li Changle has had us fooled all along.

She even lied to me about this?

It seems I am indeed wrong about her.

However, even if you don't marry Li Changle,

you should choose a legitimate and reputable lady.

This will benefit you when you succeed the throne.

Li Weiyoung can only be a concubine at most.

Mother.

I've told you many times.

I never wanted the throne.

But that is meant to be yours.

-Otherwise, your father would-- -Mother.

Didn't Father's death make you understand?

If he weren't the crown prince,

if he was just a prince who wasn't taken seriously at all,

you could have been so much happier.

Give this some thought.

Did the throne matter more than

your safety and happiness with Father?

But they won't let you off.

Mother, rest assured that

I'll make them understand.

I won't be a threat to any of them.

Once Uncle Yu returns in victory,

I'll ask Grandfather for permission to leave Ping City.

From then on, Mother,

you,

me, and Weiyoung...

The three of us will be together.

No more conspiracies.

No more bloodshed.

Weiyoung will bear you many grandchildren.

Think about it.

By then, there will be many toddlers around you saying

"Grandmother."

Mother.

Aren't you drawn to this kind of life?

Yes.

You do make it sound really nice.

But it won't be so easy

if Li Weiyoung wishes to be my daughter-in-law.

Mother, what are you up to?

We'll see how well she does.

You're so stubborn.

"We'll see how well she does."

Minde.

Minde.

I heard that His Majesty rewarded you for saving Prince Gaoyang.

I've turned him down.

Why?

I know that Prince Gaoyang means well.

However, I already feel restrained as a royal guard.

If I get a higher position, won't that wear me out?

Everyone wants a higher position.

Everyone except you.

You're not even happy to be promoted.

You can just worry about Prince Gaoyang.

Don't worry about me.

If I don't, who will?

Minde.

Have some tea.

I'll pour you some.

Well.

Weiyoung.

Actually, I've always wanted to do what Prince Gaoyang did.

I want to travel the world like he did.

Relish every beautiful scenery.

-Travel the world? -Yes.

What about your work?

When it's the right time, I'll ask His Majesty for forgiveness.

I'll resign as a royal guard.

I believe His Majesty won't be harsh on me, right?

How long will you be gone?

When will you return?

I'm afraid I won't return anytime soon.

If I marry a beautiful wife as well,

I'm afraid I won't ever come back.

How will this do?

If you really meet a lady of your affections,

how can you not bring her back for me to have a look?

Weiyoung.

If I really don't come back,

will you miss me?

How dare you not come back?

If you really dare to not come back,

I'll let Tuoba Jun send out soldiers to search high and low for you.

Once I find you, we'll see how I teach you a lesson.

All right.

Look at how fierce you are.

I didn't say I was leaving now.

For a period of time,

I'll still be a dutiful royal guard.

Here.

When I walked in,

what did you hide?

Nothing.

Take it out.

-Show me. -I can't.

-Take it out. -No way.

-It's nothing. -Show me.

Nothing at all.

Li Minde.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Li Minde.

Why did you turn down my father's reward?

I'm from Rouran.

I have to return to Rouran after all.

Why should I care about a high position with good pay?

What's so good about Rouran?

You were raised in the Wei Kingdom.

You surely won't get used to Rouran.

Don't leave, please?

Tell me whatever you want.

I'll tell my father.

My father dotes on me greatly.

Please?

Thank you for being a true friend.

However, I've decided to return to Rouran.

I can't accept your offer.

I turned down the reward today,

so that when I have to leave, I can do so without worries.

Without worries?

What about me?

What am I to you?

I'm too flattered, Your Highness.

In my mind,

you're definitely the most honorable Princess of the Wei Kingdom.

I don't need such hypocrisy.

I want you to be honest with me.

What do I truly mean to you?

I'm too flattered by your affection.

Please don't make it hard for me.

I still have work to do.

I'll take my leave.

Don't leave!

What is this?

This belongs to Li Weiyoung, right?

Why do you carry Li Weiyoung's hairpin with you?

I...

You said you were going to leave without a care.

It's just that I'm not the one you care about.

It's Li Weiyoung!

The only one you care about has always been Li Weiyoung.

It isn't so.

Li Weiyoung is just my cousin.

Li Minde. I hate you.

Li Minde.

Why do you treat me so?

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

-What's wrong? -Get out!

Your Highness, have some food.

I'm not going to eat. I told you to get out.

Step out.

Your Highness.

People from Rouran are so mean.

I hate them.

I'm going to tell Father to annihilate Rouran.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, calm down.

Who upset you so much?

Who else could it be?

It's that dratted Li...

It's Royal Guard Li again?

But what is it about Rouran?

I hate Li Minde.

None of you are to mention him again!

-Royal Guard Li seeks an audience. -You...

Are you deaf? Her Highness said she doesn't want to meet him.

Step out right away.

Yes.

Your Highness.

Since he made you so angry,

why don't I teach him a lesson?

How?

I'll ask Prince Nan'an to have him beaten up.

How dare you?

You say you hate him, but deep down, you can't.

If you say another word, believe it or not, I'll...

I'll shut up.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

I need to speak with you.

How dare you, Li Minde?

How dare you hinder the Princess?

Her Highness said that she doesn't want to see you again.

No one is to mention you to her.

Shouldn't you disappear quickly?

Even if Her Highness punishes me, I still have to talk to her.

Please allow it, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Make it brief.

This hairpin does belong to my second cousin, Weiyoung.

I do still worry about her.

However, it's because of our kinship.

When I was at the Prime Minister's manor

and my mother was all I had,

Weiyoung was the only one who took good care of us.

I'm really grateful for that.

In my mind,

I've long regarded Weiyoung as my closest kin.

I admit.

I did like Weiyoung.

But I've already moved on.

Seeing that Weiyoung and Prince Gaoyang

are happily in love,

I'm sincerely happy for them.

It isn't what Your Highness assumed.

I don't yearn for her.

As for our relationship,

Your Highness is of noble status.

I wouldn't dare to think otherwise.

Moreover,

we've been through a lot.

And I've already regarded you

as my best friend.

Are we just friends?

Your Highness.

Some things that happened in the past should be forgotten.

If there's an afterlife,

I surely won't let you down.

Fine.

Since you've said so,

I'll look forward to the afterlife.

In this life, I'm willing to be just your best friend.

Thank you.

Young Lady, someone sent this letter here.

It's addressed to you.

Who is the sender?

I don't know.

GENERAL CHIYUN FRAMED KING HEXI FOR REBELLION, KILLED HIS CLAN

-Step out first. -Yes.

What's wrong?

This is what was written in the report.

But apart from that, there's nothing else in this letter.

It's obvious that the report is in the hands of someone with ill intentions.

But what does this person want?

The sender is unknown.

I'm afraid whoever wrote this

has ill intentions.

You're right.

This person has the report.

I was then contacted.

This person must know my identity.

Who can it be?

What does this person want?

When I think about this, I can't help but shiver in fear.

But even if this is a trap,

I have no choice but to jump into it.

That report means too much to me.

Whoever got the report must have attended the hunting trip.

This person can't be ordinary and conspicuous.

The motive isn't that simple.

Weiyoung, you must promise me.

Whatever news you receive,

you must discuss it with me right away.

Don't act alone.

I understand.

Jun Tao.

Jun Tao.

Why are you ignoring me these days?

What do you want?

Why should I talk to you?

Ruthless woman.

We've been through a lot, after all.

How can you treat me like this?

Am I a woman now?

Didn't you always see me as a man?

You're a woman.

Who said you aren't?

Get lost.

Jun Tao.

Are you all right?

If I ask to see you again, can you not ignore me?

Young Lady, why do you keep staring at me?

I just heard that you and Cheng De...

Cheng De and I...

There's nothing between us.

There's really nothing between us.

I didn't say there was anything between you and him.

Didn't you just confess it yourself?

Are you blushing?

Jun Tao.

I realized that you're really simple.

Leave me.

-Yes. -Yes.

Young Lady.

Can you stop teasing me?

Is anyone there?

Anyone?

Is anyone there?

Anyone?

-Anyone? -Your Highness, are you all right?

Why are you out here alone?

Where is Qiu Yi?

I wanted some time alone.

I didn't let her come along.

Why does my leg hurt so much?

Carry Her Highness inside.

Hold on.

I don't want you to carry me.

I want you to do it.

Me?

What is it? You don't want to?

I didn't expect you to be so strong.

You're indeed from the countryside.

Fortunately, I'm very strong.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to escort Prince Gaoyang back.

Be careful.

Don't drop me.

Slow down.

Don't drop me.

Be careful.

I had such a fright.

Please have some tea.

Leave it there.

I'll take my leave.

Hold on.

My leg hurts.

Can you massage it for me?

Anyone else can do it.

Why must my young lady do it?

How insolent.

Jun Tao, you must not be rude.

Gently. Be gentle.

A bit harder.

Just a bit harder.

That's too much.

It hurts so much.

Your Highness.

I know you're just acting.

I'm not.

It really hurts a lot.

It's just that...

How can you be left alone without anyone by your side?

Even if it was so,

how is it possible not to run into any servants on our way back?

Therefore, you must have had this arranged beforehand.

Since you know that I'm acting,

why did you still obey me?

It's because you're Tuoba Jun's mother.

You mean the most to him.

Apart from carrying you back here and massaging your leg,

I'm happy to do anything, however difficult it may be.

You do make it sound nice.

However, I still remember what you said at the hunting grounds.

You were so heartless then.

Who knows whether you mean what you say now?

Will Your Highness give me another chance to prove myself?

When I was younger,

my mother was never around.

Therefore,

I really hope that Your Highness will like me.

I also hope to treat Your Highness like my own mother.

As for that,

I need to consider it carefully.

You can certainly think it over.

But you must not be too mean.

If Your Highness is too mean to me,

it's Tuoba Jun who will get upset.

Are you threatening me?

I'm not one to make concessions.

Compromising within reason is more of my style.

Your Highness.

You'll have to get used to it.

This is... What?

Fine.

Let's wait and see.

Young Lady.

Young Lady?

Step out.

I want to be alone.

Yes.

The Crown Princess already knows your true colors.

If the Crown Princess is also on Li Weiyoung's side,

what exactly should I do?

Didn't you say you'll soon be Prince Gaoyang's consort?

But now it seems

that Li Weiyoung is at Crown Prince's manor every day

while you're sitting here with a blank stare.

I would like to ask you.

What on earth have you been doing?

You have to help me.

Nan.

I can't get rid of Li Weiyoung by myself.

Here's a saying for you.

"It's easy to parry a spear thrust in the open,

but it is hard to dodge an arrow shot in the dark."

General.

I don't understand.

Since you're now on Prince Nan'an's side,

why do you still support Lady Changle in marrying Prince Gaoyang?

Why don't you marry her to Prince Nan'an?

It might do you more good.

Do you think I'll serve under Prince Nan'an my whole life?

Once I retrieve the report, I won't be blackmailed by him.

Prince Nan'an is unpredictable.

Also, it's hard to predict the successor to the throne.

It's best to leave some pawns at hand.

Mother.

I'm really incompetent.

I still can't win over Prince Gaoyang.

You're my daughter.

Don't forget

all the suffering you had previously endured.

But

I'm on my own now.

I'm really tired.

Changle.

Lady Changru has sent a letter.

Li Changru?

YOU'RE SNUBBED BY PRINCE GAOYANG BECAUSE OF LI WEIYOUNG.

I HAVE A PLAN TO HELP YOU OUT. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.

CHANGRU

No, I must not resort to this.

Let's hope Li Weiyoung will appreciate your compassion

when she becomes Prince Gaoyang's consort.

Aren't you very close to Li Weiyoung?

She helped you a lot to get you to where you are now.

Aren't you afraid of retribution by framing her as such?

Retribution?

That sounds so ridiculous coming from you.

Changle, do you really believe in retribution?

You're truly scary.

You've pretended to be pitiful all the time.

Who could have thought of keeping you at bay?

Don't assume that only Chiyun Rou can manipulate everything.

How is it?

Do you want to work with me to take back the ones we love?

How would I know if this is just another trap

you and Li Weiyoung have set for me?

Judging by your current predicament,

do we still need to go to the trouble to set you up?

Could it be that

Li Changle is nothing compared to Li Weiyoung?

Here's a saying for you.

"It's easy to parry a spear thrust in the open,

but it is hard to dodge an arrow shot in the dark."

I didn't expect

for us to actually have a mutual enemy.

Anything is possible.

You really are my good cousin.

Li Changru.

Chun Ming.

Has my mother eaten today?

The time Madam is awake is getting shorter and shorter these days.

She has been eating far less.

I'm really worried...

Chun Ming.

All these years,

you've been so devoted to my mother.

Even if she doesn't pull through,

I won't mistreat you.

Thank you, Lady Changle.

You may step out now.

Yes.

It's been years.

Mother, you've always hoped that I could be successful.

However, I've let you down again and again.

Today,

I've made up my mind for good.

Mother, you can rest assured.

I thought about you when I saw these two pearl pins.

Look at them.

We can have one each.

Li Weiyoung.

Li Changle.

Did anyone send a letter here today?

It's been days since the previous one, but there's no news at all.

It seems this person is deliberately keeping me in suspense.

It's to make me anxious.

When people are anxious, they lose their cool.

They make mistakes easily.

Such meticulous planning.

It's hard not to doubt this person's motive.

Young Lady, don't fall for it.

The report is the only way to take down Chiyun Nan.

Now that we finally have a clue to where the report is,

how can I not be anxious?

What if something comes up again?

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

I just heard that Prince Nan'an will soon return in victory.

His Majesty is overjoyed.

He has ordered a celebratory banquet to be held for Prince Nan'an.

Young Lady, I'll take my leave.

Now that Prince Nan'an has returned,

the political situation in the royal court might change again.

We rarely share a meal.

I'm very happy.

Here, let's drink.

-Zong Ai. -Present.

Take this dish, my favorite cuisine, over to the Crown Princess.

Yes.

You've had a hard time taking care of Jun lately.

Have a bit more food.

-Thank you. -Forgo the formalities.

This is a family dinner. Why bother with the formalities?

Yes.

Jun.

You should get your mother more food.

When your mother is around me, she is always like a startled rabbit.

Your Majesty.

That's because I respect you.

It isn't like what you said.

Your Majesty?

Your Majesty?

Grandfather, what's wrong?

I'm fine.

It's just my old ailment.

I've had headaches lately.

I had the royal physicians over, but they couldn't figure out the issue.

I know.

I'm old now.

Your Majesty.

You're still in your prime and are in great spirits.

How can you call yourself old?

When it comes to my health, I do know it all too well.

All right, that's enough.

Let's eat.

CROWN PRINCE'S MANOR

Your grandfather has lived in glory all his life.

However, old age and death will still creep up on him.

You're right.

Power isn't everything.

Instead of spending so much time and energy

on fighting for more power,

we might as well spend time

enjoying our lives.

Does this mean you've agreed with me?

Silly child.

You're the one I care about the most.

All I ever wanted for you was to live well

and be happy.

Since you think that a simple life can bring you happiness

and being with Li Weiyoung will bring you great joy,

why would I hold you back?

Mother.

I knew it.

You love me the most.

Don't worry. I'll take great care of you.

As for that, I've never doubted you.

You're the best child anyone could ever have.

You're also the best mother anyone could ever hope for.

Young Lady, there's another letter.

"Follow the map and come alone, then you can have the report.

If anyone follows you, the report will be burned.

Don't blame me for not warning you."

Young Lady, you must not go alone.

I'll follow you discreetly to keep you safe.

No.

If they have anyone watching us,

we'll be taking a huge risk.

I have to take a chance.

It's too dangerous.

The report is now in their hands.

If they wish to harm me, they can just expose my identity.

But this person didn't.

They must be after something else.

Perhaps this is a good opportunity for us.

Should we inform Prince Gaoyang?

If we inform him now, he would definitely be worried.

He won't let me go alone.

But if I don't tell him...

Weiyoung, you must promise me.

Whatever news you receive,

you must discuss it with me right away.

Don't act alone.

Jun Tao, bring me ink and paper.

Yes.

After I've been gone for half an hour,

take this map to His Highness.

Remember.

It has to be half an hour after I have left.

It's to prevent someone from noticing you.

Young Lady, you must be careful.

I'll surely retrieve the report and take down Chiyun Nan

for the sake of Ming and my people who suffered greatly.

I will avenge them.

Subtitle translation by Carole Chen