Original subtitles

[Fated Hearts]

[Episode 23]

Feng Suige.

Since you know everything now,

you should understand

that what I've done has nothing to do with my father.

My father is innocent!

Tell Fu Yixiao to let him go.

This is between you and me.

Don't drag my father into it.

Elder Marquis Murong is in my hands!

Whether or not he gets released

is entirely up to me.

You should be negotiating with me!

Back then, you ordered Xia Jingshi to kill me.

You owe me a life.

The grudge between us

is far from settled.

Fu Yixiao!

Name your conditions for his release!

Then why don't you find a cliff and jump off it too?

You don't dare?

Looks like you still can't bear to

part with that worthless life of yours.

Stop pretending to be a filial son.

All that talk of yours

is nothing but an attempt to use

your bond with Feng Suige to save your father.

Murong Yao.

You're even more hypocritical than Xia Jingshi.

Feng Suige!

My father once saved your life.

Tell Fu Yixiao to let him go.

What does this have to do with Feng Suige?

This is between us.

If you want to save your father,

you'd better first figure out

how to give me a proper explanation.

Stop him!

If I don't see my father

return safely today,

neither of you can leave!

Elder Marquis Murong's life

is in your hands.

Even for his sake,

you can't afford to act recklessly.

Fu Yixiao!

It seems you don't understand what I'm capable of.

Stop challenging my limits any further,

or I'll make your lives

worse than death!

It seems you don't understand

what I'm capable of, either.

If I didn't have a backup plan,

would I be here today?

If Feng Suige and I

cannot leave safely,

your father's life

will also be worse than death.

Think carefully about the consequences.

Don't test my patience any further!

Fu Yixiao!

[Rongyang Palace]

Your Highness.

The weather's hot and dry.

Her Majesty the Empress Dowager

had a pot of sour plum drink prepared for each palace.

I thank Mother for her kindness.

Your Highness need not be so formal.

I figured no one would deliver

to Rongyang Palace,

so I came personally.

If there's nothing else,

I'll take my leave now.

Please take care on your way.

The guards have withdrawn.

Seize the opportunity.

What is this about?

I remember telling you before

that even if you gave up everything for me,

you could never take her place.

You said you'd grant me

one wish.

I did say that.

But a life of deep affection and perfect harmony as husband and wife—

that I cannot grant you.

What if it's just for one night?

We're already in Jinxiu.

Now, I'm no longer a princess,

and you're no longer a live-in son-in-law.

We're just an ordinary couple.

Princess, please choose another wish.

This is my only wish!

From the first time I saw you,

you've been my only dream,

and becoming your wife

has been my one true wish.

I never imagined anyone would win your heart

before I did.

You and I are bound by fate, yet not meant to be...

But I'm trapped.

Princess.

Listen to me.

I'm the Princess of Susha.

I've lived in luxury

and never experienced hunger or hardship.

But I'm trapped in this obsession

and cannot break free.

My Prince.

Even if we cannot grow old together,

could you just help me

fulfill this one dream,

so that I can accept my fate and let go?

♪ Flying alone ♪

♪ With no need for direction ♪

What will it take for you to let go?

Let me be your true wife—

♪ Flying up to the clouds ♪

even just for one night.

♪ Yet the sun is hiding ♪

Then I'll have no regrets.

♪ Roaming freely ♪

♪ Unafraid of wind or frost ♪

♪ The wet wings ♪

♪ Will carry me far away ♪

Princess, there's nothing I can do

about your obsession.

♪ Don't cry, don't cry ♪

♪ I'll remember the way home ♪

♪ Don't cry, don't cry ♪

♪ I'll find the way home ♪

Elder Marquis is in the village north of Chongfu Temple,

just outside the city.

I tied him up

and found a farmer's family to look after him.

Don't worry.

I didn't hurt him.

[Wutong Mansion]

Yun Fang.

Pass on my military order—

summon all soldiers of the Qiongqi Unit

of Feng Battalion to come and see me.

Come on.

I'll take you to see

my divine steed.

I personally captured it

from an enemy general.

Aren't all horses in this world the same?

They just differ in color.

What's there to see?

You'll know once you see it.

Let's go.

What steed in the world

could ever compare to you, Susha's First Prince?

Hiya!

After you returned,

why didn't you send anyone to rescue us?

Why didn't you plead with His Majesty?

Aren't we best friends?

Where were you when I needed you?

Where were you when I needed you?

Yao.

Yao.

Yao!

Your Highness.

You're finally awake.

Fortunately,

the border patrol soldiers found you.

Where is Yao?

Where is Uncle Murong?

Well...

Your Highness, don't worry.

They've both been saved.

They're safe and sound.

His Majesty even said he would reward them.

Elder Marquis Murong

is going to guard the northern border

and has already left with His Lordship.

Why should I hate you?

Feng Suige,

it's never you that I hated—

it's my own fate,

and this unjust world!

For once, I want to live for myself.

I want the Murong family

to get what it rightfully deserves.

Is there anything wrong with that?

[Zhuang Residence]

[1 tael of stalactite, 1 tael of red gypsum]

[Half tael of amethyst, half tael of cinnamon twig with coarse bark removed]

Physician Xu found this prescription

in ancient medical texts.

He's absolutely confident

that it can awaken His Majesty.

Are you truly confident?

This is a serious matter.

You must not speak carelessly.

The pills produced from

this prescription I found

are actually highly toxic.

The medicine actually uses its power

to forcibly stimulate life energy.

Once His Majesty takes it, he'll surely awaken.

However...

However, it will be like a fleeting revival.

His life will soon end.

You mean

taking this medicine

means certain death?

Yes.

After waking from this medicine,

he'll live no more than 5 days at most.

By tomorrow morning at the earliest,

I can have

this pill prepared.

Physician Xu.

This matter must never be disclosed.

I don't need to remind you further, do I?

I wouldn't dare.

The lives of my entire family

are in Prime Minister Zhuang's hands.

I would never dare to betray him.

I'll definitely do as Prime Minister Zhuang commands.

After it's done,

this person cannot be left alive.

Only the dead can keep secrets.

I understand, Uncle.

Miss Yixiao, come here.

What's wrong with His Highness?

I was talking to him just now,

but he ignored me. It feels like

he's radiating murderous intent.

Look, you're not talking either.

What's going on with you both?

He's obviously upset.

When he wants to talk,

he will.

Some things

are better left for him to tell you himself

when the time comes.

Is it that serious?

Alright then.

I-I won't pursue further then.

At times like this,

I'd better keep my distance.

You'd better not

bring that bad luck upon yourself either.

Be careful.

I'm leaving now.

What are you thinking about?

I'll leave the wine here for you.

I won't disturb you any further.

Why is your name Fu Yixiao?

Didn't you say

you never met your parents?

Then who gave you your name?

Why do you have the surname Fu?

So all that brooding of yours—

turns out this is what you've been thinking about?

Fu Yixiao.

Commander Fu.

That name of yours sounds like

you're someone's deputy.

Why don't you join

my Feng Battalion?

I'll make you a chief commander.

You can be whatever you want

and take whatever surname you want.

It's already come to this,

why do you still have

so many trivial questions?

Then why do you bother

answering these trivial questions?

Because you're the one asking.

It's only when I'm with you

that I can speak without restraint

and ask whatever I want.

I chose my own name.

It means that no matter how sad things get,

I can just smile

and forget it all.

Isn't that wonderful?

It is.

You really have forgotten it all.

And here I was,

worrying that you were upset

and thinking of how to comfort you,

yet you're making fun of me instead.

I wish I could forget it all too,

but I can't.

Awake, I'm troubled.

Asleep, I'm still troubled.

You were betrayed by your friends,

yet I've been there by your side,

trying to say something profound

to comfort you.

Now that I think about it,

I must have been quite annoying.

Not at all.

Actually, I wish

I could comfort you

the way you did for me.

♪ Take down the setting sun as my heart ♪

♪ Fold the heaven and earth to make my wings ♪

♪ If fate shows no mercy ♪

How about I teach you archery?

♪ Then don't blame my recklessness ♪

When I'm shooting arrows,

I become completely focused,

clearing my mind of all distractions,

and naturally letting go of my worries.

♪ I thought in this life I'd drift like a solitary sail ♪

Would you like to try?

I'm the Commander-in-Chief of all three armies,

♪ Yet I chanced upon you in the smoke-filled alleyway ♪

second only to one and above all others,

♪ Like a fleeting flower falling into ♪

with countless master archers under my command.

Do you really think

♪ My eyes ♪

I need you to teach me archery?

The greatest archer in all of Jinxiu

offering to teach you personally.

It's an opportunity not to be missed.

If you don't want to learn,

forget I mentioned it.

♪ Never thought who'd lay me to rest ♪

♪ Once unstoppable and sharp ♪

Don't go.

♪ Now my heart's tied to you ♪

♪ Thinking of you day and night ♪

I want to learn.

♪ I suddenly realize ripples are spreading ♪

♪ Melting the frost, lingering in my heart ♪

♪ The light between your brows ♪

♪ Is the kind of bloom ♪

♪ That I love the most ♪

♪ I truly feel I can forgive it all ♪

♪ The sky's vast and the road's long, but with you by my side ♪

♪ The twists and turns don't count ♪

♪ I can tell with tears that I have not lived in vain ♪

♪ Not in vain ♪

Where the arrow points,

the heart follows.

Where the arrow points,

the heart follows.

That's right.

Don't think about anything else.

Just focus on your goal.

There's only one goal

in my heart.

♪ If fate shows no mercy ♪

♪ Then don't blame my recklessness ♪

♪ I thought in this life I'd drift like a solitary sail ♪

♪ Yet I chanced upon you in the smoke-filled alleyway ♪

And what is it?

♪ Like a fleeting flower falling into ♪

♪ My eyes ♪

♪ I suddenly realize ripples are spreading ♪

♪ Melting the frost, lingering in my heart ♪

♪ The light between your brows ♪

♪ Is the kind of bloom ♪

♪ That I love the most ♪

♪ I truly feel I can forgive it all ♪

♪ The sky's vast and the road's long, but with you by my side ♪

♪ The twists and turns don't count ♪

♪ I can tell with tears that I have not lived in vain ♪

♪ Not in vain ♪

You were careless yourself.

It's not like I betrayed you.

Anyway, Feng Suige

would find out sooner or later.

You command the Imperial Guards.

What's there to be afraid of?

But my father is in their hands!

I don't care what plans

you have,

stop them immediately!

If anything happens to Feng Pingcheng,

my father's life will be in danger.

The arrow has left the bow.

How can I stop now?

Besides, your father

neither took part in our plan

nor knew anything about it,

and he even saved Feng Suige's life.

I don't think

Feng Suige would take it out on him.

Are you asking me to gamble with my father's life?

To achieve great things,

one must take decisive action.

You lost your son and want revenge,

but does that mean

my father's life doesn't count?

What do you want then?

You want us to just stop now

and wait for execution?

I don't care!

Once I get my father back,

you can do whatever you want,

and I absolutely won't stand in your way!

Do you think this is

just kids playing house?

This is not a negotiation.

Your heart

seems to have something to say to me.

What does it say?

Shh.

Let me listen carefully.

It says

it aches,

betrayed by your closest friend.

But it's okay.

It's trying hard

to heal little by little.

Right.

Because I have you by my side.

It also says

it doesn't want to be hurt again.

If anything happens in the future,

just tell me directly.

Don't keep it to yourself.

It doesn't want to be a messenger anymore.

Okay.

I promise you.

But something's not right.

It says

it feels somewhat uneasy,

because you're not telling me the truth.

Nothing gets past you, does it?

I'm worried about His Majesty.

The Imperial Guards are under

Murong Yao's command.

Now that I discovered his true nature,

I'm concerned that the Jinwu Guards

won't be able to protect His Majesty properly.

So you want to lead your men

into the palace to protect His Majesty?

But if you do that,

you could be framed

for attempting to rebel.

My conscience is clear.

Why should I fear such petty accusations?

Alright.

Since you've made up your mind,

don't worry,

I'll be with you.

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

What's the matter?

Wu Ying...

She bled to death.

She died?

It's a pity that you didn't get to

avenge her with your own hands.

Do you want to go see?

No need.

I don't want to soil my eyes.

Burn her.

Sure.

Sure.

[Zhuang Residence]

Please.

Here.

-Congratulations, Minister. -Congratulations, Minister.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Father.

I wish you longevity like the pine and crane,

and fortune greater than the North Star.

Fortune greater than the North Star?

Have you lost your mind?

The North Star represents the Emperor's position.

Fortunately, there're no outsiders here.

Otherwise,

you'd be guilty of treason.

Father.

Let's not talk about this now.

Didn't I tell you

I prepared a surprise for you?

Let me show you.

Father.

This is the birthday gift

I've carefully prepared for you.

I remember you said

that after turning 55,

you would petition His Majesty

to retire and return to our hometown.

So this past year, I've been searching diligently

and finally found in Puzhou

the largest fortress.

This fortress has walls 50 feet high

and watchtowers 200 feet tall.

Inside, there're 10 halls, 9 pavilions,

and 300 rooms.

It can accommodate 1,000 horses.

Inside, there's also

a massive granary

that can store enough food for 1,000 people for 3 years.

Why would I need such a thing?

Father, hold on.

I haven't finished yet.

I've also purchased the 10,000 acres of farmland

surrounding it,

enough to station 3,000 troops.

You want to maintain a private army?

Are you planning a rebellion?

Why would I rebel?

I just want to give our family

a chance to live freely,

without having to please others.

Father,

you've worked hard your whole life.

It's time to enjoy some peace and comfort.

Don't tell me

you've already started

preparing armor and weapons?

You know me so well, Father.

The designs are ready,

but making them

takes time.

You cannot do this!

But, Father,

you've worked hard your whole life,

toiling for others.

I just wanted to give you

a chance to spend your later years in peace.

With this fortress in Puzhou,

you can rest easy.

With our doors shut,

even if the King of Heaven himself came,

we wouldn't need to be afraid.

You rose to power together with His Majesty,

so why

should you worship him

and work day and night for him?

You've really lost your mind!

If anyone finds out,

this is open rebellion!

If I had known you had such

treasonous thoughts,

I should never have

let you go out to gain experience!

Go to Puzhou immediately

and get rid of all these fortresses

and farmhouses at once!

Zhuang Jingheng.

Someone has reported that you're harboring private troops

with intent to rebel.

Come with us.

Father...

Uncle.

Physician Xu has prepared the pill.

Prepare the carriage.

I'm going into the palace.

[List of Dowry]

That old emperor of Susha

is quite interesting.

His daughter eloped,

yet he arranged for her dowry to be delivered.

Besides the dowry,

they've also sent

a maid of Princess of Susha.

By rights,

both the maid and the dowry

should be sent to Her Highness.

It's just the Prince of Zhennan and his wife

are both residing in the palace now,

so I must ask for Your Majesty's instructions.

Alright.

Just send them to my place

and hand them over to Bai Shouzhuo.

Find accommodation for that maid.

This matter

must absolutely not

be known to anyone else.

Your Highness.

The guards at the gate have indeed been withdrawn.

Good.

I'll take this opportunity to go out for a walk.

By the way,

take Princess Xiyang

out for a walk too.

She needs some fresh air after all these days.

Yes.

You may leave now.

Yes.

The water's cold.

It's still cold.

Feng.

Never thought

you'd see this day, did you?

Lying before me,

completely helpless,

with your life in my hands.

Do you regret

what you said that day

when I knelt before you,

begging you

to spare my son's life?

Prime Minister Zhuang.

You've always been impartial

and strictly fair.

You've never once asked me

for mercy out of personal feelings,

nor bent the law for private gain.

I beg Your Majesty.

He's my only son.

I boldly beg Your Majesty to spare his life.

Look for yourself.

All these

are memorials denouncing him.

Hiding weapons and private troops

with intent to rebel—

that's the grave crime of treason,

punishable by the extermination of his entire nine-lineage family.

I've already spared your entire family

out of consideration

for your loyal service.

Zhuang Shen.

You're the Prime Minister of Susha.

If I were to grant your request,

how would I command the respect of all

and face the entire court of officials?

If you were in my position,

what would you do?

I also watched Jingheng

grow up.

Though he committed a grave crime

and cannot be honored in the ancestral temple,

I'll allow you

to give him a proper burial.

You traded your son

for the peace of my kingdom—

I'll remember

this debt of gratitude.

You said

I traded my son

for the peace of your kingdom,

and you claimed to remember that debt of gratitude.

I've always

kept that debt in my heart.

13 years.

It's been 13 years!

Not for one day

or even one hour have I forgotten about it!

Jingheng didn't have to die.

What crime had he committed?

All he did was spend money

to buy a house.

He only slightly overstepped his bounds,

but he didn't actually do anything!

It was all because of you.

It was me you resented!

You blamed me

for the late Empress's death.

But why make Jingheng

suffer for it all?

8 days.

During the 8 days you've been lying here,

I could've killed you at any moment

to avenge Jingheng!

Even if the Jinwu Guards killed me afterward,

it would only be a life for a life!

What's the worth

of this old life of mine anyway?

But I won't let you

die so easily.

I want you to watch

your son die with your own eyes.

I want you to feel

the agony of losing a child yourself!

I've prepared the pill for you.

As soon as I catch Feng Suige,

I'll make you take this pill.

This is a miraculous pill.

Once you take it,

you'll immediately regain consciousness,

so you can see your son die right before your eyes

in a sober state!

Unfortunately, though.

Unfortunately, this pill is poisonous.

After you take it,

you'll die within 5 days.

How I wish you wouldn't die.

I wish you could suffer as I have,

enduring the pain of losing your child for 13 years!

Only that would be fair!

Today is

the last time I came to see you.

These words have been hidden in my heart

for too long,

and I had to say them out loud.

It's just a shame

that you can't hear me.

You old bastard,

still luckier than I am.

Yesterday, when they

returned to Zhengnian Villa,

Fang asked

when Master would come.

I wonder

if they've settled in well.

Don't worry, My Lady.

They're all very sensible.

They understand that Miss Yixiao

has important matters to attend to.

I asked Mr. Qin

to hire a tutor for them,

and they've agreed

to settle down here properly.

That's good.

This is Physician Hou's prescription.

Instruct someone

to give him medicine on time every day.

He's out of danger now.

He'll wake up in a few days.

Got it.

By the way,

go help me pack a few things.

I'm going on a long journey.

My Lady, you...

You're not going to that

so-called mysterious place, are you?

Yes, I am.

I promised Sister.

Still no news of Ning Fei?

Don't worry.

I pestered my father for information.

The place where Ning Fei was sent

is called the Storm Alliance.

My father said

those of the Storm Alliance are very skilled.

They'll definitely be able to revive Ning Fei.

Rest assured.

Once I return to Zhengnian Villa

and get Fang and the others settled,

I'll go visit the Storm Alliance in person

and check on Ning Fei for you.

So do you know

where the Storm Alliance is?

Of course.

My father knows all too well

how I can never stop digging

once I start asking questions.

I kept pestering him,

so he finally told me.

But wait.

Master sent a letter

instructing Mr. Qin

to watch over you, My Lady,

and not let you wander off.

Eleven.

You just be good and stay here, all right?

I...

[Linfang Hall]

A life of deep affection

and perfect harmony as husband and wife—

that I cannot grant you.

Princess, there's nothing I can do

about your obsession.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Princess, did you personally pick these flowers

for the Prince of Zhennan?

Such touching devotion.

Unfortunately, my brother

is too stubborn.

Once he's made up his mind,

it's nearly impossible to change it.

No one else knows this,

but I

am the one who knows him best.

What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?

After all, I've been

his brother for so many years.

Back then, I beat him, scolded him,

imprisoned him in the imperial jail,

yet he still refused to admit his mistakes.

That's just the kind of person he is.

I'm feeling unwell

and must take my leave.

Are you leaving the flowers?

Giving such beautiful flowers

to my

romantically clueless brother

would be such a waste.

Fresh blooms are meant to be paired with beautiful women.

If His Highness enjoys them,

then they won't be wasted.

Too bad he doesn't know how to cherish beauty.

If I were him,

I wouldn't let a beauty

stand here brooding all alone.

Please show some self-respect, Your Majesty!

This is the first time

anyone dares to treat me like that.

Interesting.

His Highness is waiting for you inside.

His Highness's instruction:

everyone, eat first!

Yes!

What has His Highness summoned

the Qiongqi Unit here for?

These are a bunch of lunatics.

Every single one of them

has dozens of lives on their hands.

Yun Qing.

Give them a heads-up

that when they meet Miss Yixiao,

they must not act rashly.

Your Highness.

You want the Qiongqi Unit to enter the palace

to protect His Majesty?

That's right.

They'll enter as my household guards,

with no waist tokens

and no armor.

This is the only plan

we can think of right now

that won't give anyone leverage

against us.

If soldiers of the Feng Battalion were to appear

to protect His Majesty,

people would suspect

the First Prince of plotting rebellion.

Then

Prime Minister Zhuang would mobilize troops

to surround the Feng Battalion.

So our only option is

to achieve great effect with little force—

enter the palace as household guards

to protect His Majesty

until he wakes up.

Your Highness.

This is Fu Yixiao,

Jinxiu's finest archer.

She's one of our own now.

Your Highness, you summoned us.

Who do you want us to deal with?

Come with me to enter the palace to protect His Majesty.

If anyone threatens His Majesty,

no matter who they are,

kill them without hesitation.

As you command, Your Highness.

Whoever Your Highness wants dealt with,

we'll take care of them.

You just need to take your men

and guard outside His Majesty's chambers.

I'll assist you.

When we work,

we don't need anyone's help.

After I finish the job,

I'll challenge you to a match.

Anytime.

Very well.

Keep your mouth shut if you don't want trouble.

From now on, what Fu Yixiao says

represents my will.

To work alongside the famous Fu Yixiao

and fight enemies together

is my greatest honor.

Don't worry.

You won't need to lift a finger.

Those Imperial Guards

live on meager rations.

They're all weaklings.

All the better.

After finishing your meal, get changed

and get ready to go.

Yes!