Original subtitles

Your Majesty, this is an aphrodisiac incense.

Aphrodisiac incense?

Remove it immediately.

Quickly.

Your Majesty.

I have nothing to do with it.

I've never seen any aphrodisiac incense before.

Search her.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, this is the aphrodisiac incense.

Aphrodisiac incense.

This means

the maid isn't here to steal from Li Weiyoung.

She is here to plant this aphrodisiac incense.

Your Majesty, she is innocent.

This is a setup!

Why would Rong'er possibly do so?

Li Weiyoung must have framed Rong'er to cover up her romance

with Prince Nan'an.

Prince Nan'an is here.

-Father. -Drop the formalities.

Answer me.

Did you come here just now?

I did.

Were you here to see Li Weiyoung?

Why would I come here to see Li Weiyoung?

I noticed a suspicious person lurking around here.

I followed him here,

but he disappeared, so I left.

Li Weiyoung.

Answer me.

Were you here just now?

Your Majesty.

My clothes were accidentally dirtied a while ago.

I had wanted to get changed,

but I was held up elsewhere.

So I sent Xiao Linzi to bring me my clothes.

This means that

Rong'er sneaked into Li Weiyoung's room

to plant the aphrodisiac incense.

If the both of you were here at the same time,

I would have then witnessed a spectacle.

Li Changru.

She is your maid.

Your Majesty.

You got it wrong, Your Majesty.

Nonsense.

Are you making excuses?

It has all been proven.

It's obvious that you ordered Rong'er

to plant the aphrodisiac incense in Li Weiyoung's room.

Then you lured Prince Nan'an over.

Later, I was also brought here.

If there hadn't been unforeseen changes in your plan,

would I have been fooled?

Li Changru.

You'll do any means in order to harm others.

You really should die for it.

Your Majesty, I'm innocent.

You can't accuse me of framing them because of what Rong'er did.

I feel wronged.

Li Changru.

At this point, you're still acting innocent.

I'll have you admit your sin.

Rong'er.

Have you planted the aphrodisiac incense in Li Weiyoung's room?

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

I've already planted it in Li Weiyoung's room.

What else is there to say?

The two of you are the same.

-Guards. -Yes.

Take him away.

-Yes. -Your Majesty, spare me!

Your Majesty, spare me!

-Your Majesty, spare me! -Go.

-Li Changru. -Spare me!

You committed treason, the most heinous of crimes.

Execute her immediately after the birth of the royal offspring.

Consort Lu.

Please save me, Consort Lu.

What else can I say

now that it has come to this?

I never thought that you would be so ruthless.

I was wrong about you.

Consort Lu!

Consort Lu!

Your Highness.

Your Highness, save me.

For the sake of our child, please save me.

You can hit me or scold me,

but please save my life.

Your Highness.

I did everything for you, Your Highness.

I really can't leave you.

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

You wench!

Save your fake kindness!

You haven't changed at all.

Do you know how much Grandmother worries about you?

You're carrying a child.

Your mother is very worried.

Hypocrite.

How did you get out of this trap?

Did you know about my plan beforehand?

You bribed Rong'er.

You made her betray me!

Rong'er is very faithful to you.

Yet you can't even trust her.

If she didn't betray me,

how could you possibly get out of it?

That aphrodisiac incense is the most powerful incense.

Besides, Prince Nan'an already has his eyes on you.

That aphrodisiac incense may be the most powerful.

However...

you have underestimated my love for Tuoba Jun.

Don't do this.

Weiyoung.

I really love you.

Let go of me.

Let go of me!

Don't come any closer.

Do you really think that will stop me?

If you come any closer,

I'll kill myself right before your eyes.

Stop right there!

You helped Li Changru frame me again and again.

Do you really think I'm that weak?

If it was you who set me up,

you would surely send someone to watch this place.

Once I get hold of that person,

it's as good as attaining the evidence to prove you guilty.

Rong'er was under the influence of the aphrodisiac incense.

She couldn't think straight.

I kept questioning her,

and she exposed you while she was groggy.

What goes around comes around.

Li Changru.

You brought this upon yourself.

You made me do it.

It was you!

You took away everything I cherished.

You made my life a living hell!

You claim that you love Prince Nan'an.

Yet you used him to get back at me.

Is this what you call love?

Shut up!

I won't allow you to insult the love I have for him.

No one loves him more than I do!

I wanted to use this on you and Prince Gaoyang.

Who knew it would turn out like this?

If it had been Prince Gaoyang,

do you think you could have gotten out unscathed, Li Weiyoung?

Neither you nor Prince Gaoyang can.

Sadly, the Heavens aren't on your side.

The Heavens are blind! They let you slip this time.

You took everything from me.

Why don't you get punished?

I've never taken anything from you.

None of that was ever yours.

I hate you.

Guards.

Take her away.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Don't you have anything to say to me?

I have nothing to say.

I'll take my leave.

You should thank me.

Shouldn't you?

The royal physician said it.

Li Changru used a very powerful aphrodisiac incense.

Even so, I was able to control myself and preserve

-your chastity. -You...

I saved you from getting killed.

You should definitely thank me.

Your Highness.

We were both framed.

However, it was all because of you.

I don't wish to bring this up again.

I also hope you can forget about it soon.

But I don't wish to.

I actually regretted it.

Li Changru thought she could get His Majesty to kill you.

She had underestimated me.

Li Weiyoung.

My love for you is true.

I could have had you as I desired.

But I didn't...

I didn't force myself on you.

I hope you won't forget that.

Your Highness, save me.

For the sake of our child, please save me.

I've never taken anything from you.

None of that was ever yours.

Is this how everything ends?

SIXIAN GATE

Your Majesty.

Someone just reported that

Li Changru took her own life last night.

Her death means nothing.

Sadly, my grandchild is now gone.

-Changru. -Lady Wen.

-You died so tragically! -Lady Wen.

-Lady Wen. -Lady Wen.

-My daughter died tragically. -Lady Wen, don't do this.

-I must avenge you. -Lady Wen, watch out.

I want them dead!

Let go of me!

-Let go of me. -Lady Wen.

Let go of me.

Hold her. Gag her.

-Don't let her spout nonsense. -Yes.

Grab her quickly.

-Quickly. -Lady Wen.

-Lady Wen. -Lady Wen.

-Xiaoran! -Lady Wen.

-Lady Wen. -Lady Wen.

-Lady Wen. -Xiaoran!

-Xiaoran, I'm begging you. -Lady Wen.

Please save Changru.

She really was innocent, Xiaoran.

Xiaoran...

Take her away quickly.

-Xiaoran, I beg you! -Lady Wen, come.

-Xiaoran! -Come, Lady Wen.

Xiaoran!

Changru was innocent!

-Changru, you died so tragically. -Our family...

What did our family do to deserve this?

If you hadn't envied the Chiyun family's power from the start

and spoiled Changle beyond reason,

it wouldn't have caused the girls to hate each other.

Their nature was hence twisted.

If not, none of these heartbreaking incidents would have happened.

Look at how we are now.

The descendants of the Li family...

Minfeng is dead.

Changru is also dead.

My grandchildren ended up so.

What hope is left for our family?

Bai Zhi.

Li Changru.

She got what she deserved.

You can now finally

rest in peace.

But so what?

You can't come back to life.

Tuoba Jun.

Fortunately, I still have you.

Where am I?

What am I doing here?

Your Highness?

Did His Highness knock me out?

Why would he do that?

I want to go home.

I want to go home.

Home?

You're already dead.

Where's your home?

What do you mean, Your Highness?

After I took you away,

I had a corpse prepared.

It was used to take your place in a suicide.

Everyone thinks that you killed yourself out of guilt.

Stay here in ease and deliver the child.

If you behave,

I can keep you alive.

Your Highness.

You rescued me

because you still have feelings for me, right?

Your Highness,

don't leave me.

Don't be so cruel to me.

I just wish to be with you.

I had given you a chance.

Yet you insisted on doing it your way.

You led yourself to a dead end.

I've already spared your life.

What more do you want?

Your Highness.

Why are you protecting Li Weiyoung who doesn't even love you?

Why are you so cruel to me when I'm the one carrying your child?

How did you conceive my child?

You...

You know it better than I do, don't you?

I've put up with your tricks once.

Do you think I would allow it again?

Your Highness.

Li Weiyoung will join Tuoba Jun to take you down eventually.

You'll regret it.

Don't you worry about that.

Your Highness!

Come to your senses.

Li Weiyoung loves only Tuoba Jun.

She'll never fall in love with you.

No one can stop me from getting what I want.

Not even her.

Your Highness.

Li Weiyoung will destroy you someday.

You'll regret it.

You'll regret it!

Your Highness.

You seem much better today.

I was already much better yesterday.

I'm just a bit frail.

It's all my fault.

If I wasn't so harsh on you,

you wouldn't have suffered.

I am terribly sorry.

General Jiao, get up.

You were carrying out orders.

How is that your fault?

However, now that the plan has fallen through,

you'll be blamed by my father.

I was incompetent.

I'll accept punishment willingly.

It's just...

I have a question.

Your Highness.

Was it because you didn't have a chance to retrieve the military deployment map

or did you change your mind?

General Jiao, you should know very well what the truth is.

Why bother asking?

Your Highness.

Princess Shanggu is here to visit you with many medicinal herbs.

All right.

-Step out. -Yes.

General Jiao.

Your Highness.

Keep her away.

I don't want to see her.

Your Highness.

I might not be well-educated,

but I can tell that the Princess likes you very much.

Your Highness.

Why are you doing this?

Judging from the current state of my health,

how can I bear to waste her youth?

Do as I said.

Yes, Your Highness.

General Jiao.

Greetings, Your Highness.

How is the Prince today?

He is much better now.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

Our prince said that he doesn't wish to see anyone today.

Am I just anyone?

He doesn't wish to see me?

Please head back.

Don't ever come here again.

His Highness said that he doesn't wish to see anyone.

I'll make him explain himself today.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Li Minde.

Why are you avoiding me?

You're truly devoted to me.

But I can't reciprocate your feelings.

I'm too ashamed to see you anymore.

My affection is mine to decide.

Why do you have to suffer?

I'm doing this willingly.

All these years,

I've never liked anyone so much.

I made up my mind after much thought.

I don't want to keep dragging it on without being sure of myself.

You can't run away from it either.

For your sake,

I even lied to my father and brother.

Yet you ended up avoiding me.

Is this how you treat someone who loves you?

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

I don't wish to avoid you either.

But I'm no longer able-bodied.

How am I worthy of you?

General Jiao told me you were practicing archery here.

I came to take a look.

I treated you so harshly.

Aren't you mad at me, Your Highness?

I sure am.

But

I can't stop myself from caring for you.

Li Minde.

What's wrong?

I'm all right.

I strained my wound.

Your wound hasn't healed, and you were poisoned.

Stop practicing.

Get well first before practicing, all right?

I'm sorry.

Your Highness.

Will you give me another chance?

I'm willing to try to accept your affection for me.

What did you say?

I said I'm willing to try to accept your affection for me.

I wonder if you could give me another chance.

Yes.

I will!

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Silly.

I'll keep practicing.

I'll get you the bow.

CROWN PRINCE'S MANOR

Your Highness.

Someone handed me a letter secretly.

It's an invitation to meet you at the woods west of the city.

They said they have to tell you information on Prince Jingmu.

Maybe this person knows the true mastermind.

Prince Dongping, Tuoba Han, is now a civilian,

but back then, he benefited the most from my father's death.

If there really was a mastermind,

Prince Dongping should be the most possible one.

But on second thought,

Tuoba Yu also gained Prince Dongping's trust at that time.

Right now,

Tuoba Yu has replaced Prince Dongping in the royal court.

Do you suspect Prince Nan'an?

He is now second in command after His Majesty.

If he really was the mastermind...

I'll get him, an eye for an eye.

Your Highness, this is the location.

SUCCESS AND FAILURE ARE BOUND INEXORABLY WITH EACH OTHER

ZONGZHENG'S RESIDENCE

Who is that?

Help!

Run!

Who are you?

Official Zongzheng.

Guards!

Don't come near me.

Guards!

It's past the hour we agreed on.

Where is that person?

ZONGZHENG'S RESIDENCE

In just one night,

a high-ranking official and his family were massacred.

More than a hundred lives.

None survived.

What kind of governor are you?

-Guards. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Have him beheaded.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

-Please calm down, Your Majesty. -Spare me, Your Majesty!

Spare me, Your Majesty!

Have mercy on me, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

-Please calm down. -Spare me, Your Majesty!

The minister's family was murdered overnight.

All evidence was also wiped out.

It indicates that it was premeditated.

Please allow the governor to redeem himself

by seeking out the killer.

I'm willing to assist him.

We'll investigate together.

Father, I'm also willing to investigate with the governor.

All right.

Since you both pleaded on his behalf,

I'll give you ten days.

If the culprit isn't sought out within ten days,

not only the governor, but both of you will be punished.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Father.

So much has happened in the palace.

It's no wonder His Majesty is in such a bad mood.

What is it?

Did Grandfather pick on you?

I'm fine.

He is very lenient with me.

By the way,

do you know who killed Official Zongzheng's family?

They were so ruthless.

Are there really no leads at all?

Although there aren't any clues, this case is highly suspicious.

That night, I was to meet the person who knew about the account book.

I waited all night, but that person never showed up.

It was also right then

that the family was massacred.

Do you think that both cases are related?

I find it highly suspicious.

Therefore, I asked to investigate this case.

I hope to find clues in the shortest time possible.

My father's case has always been a weight on my shoulders.

Whatever happens, I must get to the bottom of it.

The murderer is extremely cunning.

After the massacre, he had the place cleaned up.

I've had this place searched many times.

There are simply no traces left at all.

A hundred men were killed overnight.

There must be more than one culprit.

He must have left some traces behind.

It's up to us to spot whatever that stands out.

-Cheng An. -Yes.

Take our men over there.

-Go over there. -Yes.

You, come over here.

You, go up there.

-Go over there. -Be thorough.

Search this place inside out again.

Don't leave any stone unturned.

-Yes. -Yes.

Your Highnesses, I think there is something here.

Please take a look.

What is your opinion?

I'm afraid my opinion

is the same as yours.

Weiyoung.

Weiyoung.

You're in such a great mood.

What's the occasion?

Her Highness went to visit Prince Yuanlie.

Su Xin.

I'm just happy that Minde is recovering well.

He asked me to tell you not to worry.

I can set my mind at ease now that you've said so.

But lately, Your Highness has been looking after Minde every day.

It has been hard on you.

Not at all. I don't find it hard at all.

I know how you feel about Minde.

But he is the prince of Rouran after all.

He will have to return home.

Your Highness, will you really marry into Rouran?

No matter what happens to Li Minde,

I want to stay by his side always.

You're so devoted to Minde.

He surely won't let you down.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Lady Li, His Majesty asked to see you.

I'll get going.

Li Minde.

I'll wait for the day you fall for me.

Aunt Di.

Did you see Weiyoung?

Weiyoung?

Father just summoned her.

Looks like he already knows.

Prince Gaoyang is here.

Continue.

Your Majesty.

We found the blade marks left by the killers in the manor.

This blade mark is shallow at the tip and deep at the back.

It is caused by a unique weapon from Northern Liang's army,

the Liang cloud saber.

No other nation can make such a saber.

It can't be.

The killers can't be from Liang!

Even if the weapon can only be made in Northern Liang,

it doesn't mean that those who wield such weapons are.

We could be framed.

I have already investigated.

The wounds on the victims were made by this kind of weapon.

I also found out that

there were several Liang slaves in Official Zongzheng's household.

They harbored enmity and concealed their ulterior motive.

I'm afraid that they did it to seek revenge.

I was kind enough to free those slaves.

I didn't expect that they would get my official killed.

The people of Liang are ungrateful.

They showed no gratitude for my mercy.

Convey my decree.

All Liang slaves are to be arrested.

Unless the killers surrender themselves,

don't blame me for killing them all.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Calm down, Your Majesty.

This is a serious case.

How can it be concluded by just a Liang cloud saber?

I think there must be more to it.

Shut up.

If it weren't for you,

I never would have released the slaves of Liang.

Grandfather, calm down.

Your Majesty, please have mercy and allow me to investigate as well.

Please have mercy.

Please have mercy.

Please have mercy.

Please have mercy.

Please have mercy.

-Please have mercy. -Grandfather.

Please have mercy.

Please have mercy.

-Father, have mercy. -Please have mercy.

-Please have mercy. -Fine.

Don't say I didn't give you a chance.

If you can't solve this case within ten days as well,

you'll die along with your people.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Kings and bears worry their keepers.

He just promoted you, but now he wants you beaten up and killed.

Young Lady, let me take you away from here.

Don't cause more trouble.

Under such circumstances, how can Weiyoung leave?

Father is too mean.

Weiyoung has nothing to do with this case.

Why should she die if the killers can't be found?

This won't do. I'll reason with Father.

My dear Princess.

I know that you care for me.

But if you go to His Majesty now, he will only get even angrier.

Not only can you not plead for Weiyoung,

but you'll get Grandfather more vexed at her.

I'm sorry. I was too reckless.

But Weiyoung, can't you just stay out of this matter?

Your Highness.

You know my identity as well.

Do you think I can sit out?

If my father sees that I behaved cowardly and abandoned our people,

I believe he won't be able to rest in peace.

Weiyoung.

I understand how you feel.

But have you considered the possibility of your people seeking vengeance?

If it really were my people,

I'll have the black sheep among them sought out.

I won't have everyone else killed because of them.

But my people couldn't have done it.

Official Zongzheng's entire household was wiped out quietly overnight.

How can any Liang commoner pull that off?

You're right.

This case can't be that simple.

It's my fault for acting carelessly.

Li Weiyoung caught me and sabotaged your plan.

I don't blame you.

Perhaps, it was meant to be so.

I'm just glad to have you with me

even after I've lost everything.

You've always treated me like family.

Sacrificing my life isn't enough to repay your kindness.

Don't worry, Young Lady.

You'll only be in this predicament temporarily.

After you give birth to the Prince's firstborn son,

he will surely come up with a way to take you home.

I'm already declared dead.

Can I still go home?

Young Lady.

His Highness will succeed the throne.

By then, just one word from His Highness can have you reinstated.

You must not despair, Young Lady.

As long as Li Weiyoung exists,

I can never return.

Even after giving birth to my child,

His Highness will only take him away.

I'll still live out my days in misery.

This won't do. I can't be isolated here.

I have to go home.

-I must go home! -Young Lady.

Li Weiyoung.

Just you wait.

His Highness gave orders to restrict you to the premises of the courtyard.

Have you decided?

Yes, Grandfather.

You're obviously ruining your chances!

Grandfather, calm down.

You're so distracted.

Is it because of Li Weiyoung?

Grandfather, why must you pick on Weiyoung?

So it's indeed about her.

You defied me again and again because of a woman.

Is Li Weiyoung the only thing you care about?

Don't you have the ambition to succeed my throne?

Grandfather, you're in your prime.

How could I have such a treacherous thought?

I will grow old someday.

My kingdom

has to be entrusted into the hands of my descendants.

My successor

has to be a decisive and heartless man.

He can't be an incompetent loser who lusts after women.

Do you understand?

Yes, I do.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Li Weiyoung.

Prince Gaoyang pleaded for you again and again.

Does he already know the truth behind the Crown Princess' murderer?

Your Majesty.

I've warned you.

You were not to tell Prince Gaoyang the truth.

You can't get close to him.

You've defied my every command.

Do you still begrudge me for annihilating Liang?

What is your motive

in approaching my son and my grandson?

You've misunderstood me.

Misunderstood you?

Do you dare say that there is nothing between you and Prince Gaoyang?

You defied my orders.

I won't spare you

and your people.

Indeed.

The death of my family had left me in a frenzy of rage.

But then I gradually realized,

the prosperity and safety of my people matter more than my vengeance.

Your Majesty wishes to restore peace to the world.

I respect Your Majesty for that.

I hold no grudges against you.

Why would I wish to seek revenge?

As for Tuoba Jun,

I once hurt him deeply for my selfish reasons.

But no matter how hard I pushed him away,

he never once hesitated to protect me whenever I was in danger.

He watched over me.

Even when he was wounded or critically ill,

he never abandoned me.

Your Majesty.

I couldn't resist falling for Tuoba Jun.

I love him.

I can't leave him.

Even though I know it would enrage you,

I still wish to be with him.

My love for him is true.

There is no other motive.

Please believe me, Your Majesty.

Please let me stay by his side.

Please allow me and my people to prove our loyalty to Your Majesty.

You do speak eloquently.

You have a way with words.

Is this how you fooled Prince Gaoyang?

What should I do to convince you?

Li Weiyoung.

You may be truly in love with Prince Gaoyang.

But it is also a fact that both my son and grandson fell for you.

Simply because of that, I can't tolerate you.

As for the case,

you'll have to leave Prince Gaoyang for good,

whether you solve it or not.

Subtitle translation by Carole Chen