Original subtitles

(Crown Prince's Manor, South Hui Kingdom)

(Episode 1)

The crown prince has returned.

It's time for him to gloat.

Shu He, won't you go see him?

All the officials will want to congratulate him.

I won't be missed.

You can take this opportunity...

to tell His Highness...

that you want to live in seclusion.

(Shen Song, a guest at the Sixth Prince's Manor)

I'll wait a little longer.

Although the crown prince came back victorious,

this battle has also depleted Father's years of hard work.

Under such circumstances,

I really can't add to Father's worries right now.

Mountains and oceans will return someday.

And friends will meet again someday.

Your Highness,

Prime Minister Gu invites you to his residence.

(Huo Ying, Imperial Guard Commander of the Sixth Prince's Manor)

Prime Minister Gu is suspicious...

and cautious.

Why would he want to see me at this time?

Prime Minister Gu knows how you feel,

but he constantly invites you to join the imperial court.

He's not a simple person.

I know what you're worried about.

Back when my mother was killed, why did I go missing?

Why was General Duan killed?

Prime Minister Gu must have had a hand in it.

I won't let anyone hurt me again.

Shu He.

If I'm not back by 9pm,

please go to Prime Minister Gu's manor...

and check on the situation.

There's an assassin!

Guards!

Protect His Highness!

Your Highness, the intruder was shot with an arrow.

He climbed over the wall and escaped.

Search the whole city.

Capture him alive.

I want to see...

who dares to attack the manor of the crown prince of South Hui.

(Xiao Shu Qian, Crown Prince of South Hui Kingdom)

Your Highness.

Help me.

Help me.

(Five years ago)

After you came from the Shadow Guard Camp,

you've never revealed yourself...

while standing guard in my chambers, have you?

I've been by Your Highness's side day and night.

I haven't seen anyone.

You don't have to come starting tomorrow.

What have I done wrong?

Starting tomorrow,

I'll have Steward Liu arrange for you to stay...

at Sixth Prince's residence.

With your capability,

you should be able to win Shu He's favor.

I'm at your service, Your Highness.

They all like him.

They like that he's smart.

They like that he's kind...

and do not vie or compete.

But now Father says I'm weak.

He's forcing me to fight with him.

Do you think my brother...

is really a loafer?

Or is he just lying low...

and pretending to be an ignorant child?

Will you...

be like them...

and like him too?

I only have one master in this life.

That is you, Your Highness.

This medicine is called Blood Dove.

You must take a Rhino Horn Pill every month.

Otherwise, the poison will take effect.

You'll wish you were dead.

Good boy.

There is a thunderstorm tonight.

Stand guard here.

After I infiltrate Sixth Prince's manor,

I'll come back...

to accompany Your Highness on stormy nights.

You are the only one I trust.

You must be loyal to me.

Don't use your qi.

All right.

Thank you,

Crown Prince...

Catch the assassin! Come on. You two, go that way!

- Yes. - You two, go that way.

- Yes. - Hurry. Catch the assassin!

- Get more help! - Come on! Catch the assassin!

Who's there? There's someone.

Who is in there? Come out!

Take a good look...

at who I am.

Your Highness.

It's not safe on the streets today.

You should go back to your residence.

You may go.

Let's go!

May I ask...

Don't move.

May I ask what your name is?

They didn't look like imperial guards.

They looked like the crown prince's soldiers.

Why did you take the risk...

and provoke them?

Your Highness, mind your own business.

Don't talk too much.

Don't force me.

Are you looking for this?

With this jade token, you can leave the city.

Sixth Prince, do you want to help me...

or capture me at the city gate with this jade token?

I like to make friends.

Though you held me hostage,

you didn't hurt me at all.

It shows that you're not a bad person.

I'm willing to let you go.

I'll keep my promise.

Go.

Don't do evil deeds again.

Brother, save me!

Brother, save me!

This silhouette...

looks so familiar.

You failed tonight.

You should be sent back to the North Kingdom...

to be punished.

I was incompetent.

I'm willing to accept any punishment.

But it's a good opportunity.

You met the sixth prince.

Stay by Xiao Shu He's side.

You will get another chance to kill him.

Are you sure he didn't recognize you tonight?

I'm sure.

After all, the last time we met, we were just kids.

Don't cry. Are you hurt?

(Young Duan Zi Ang)

Don't be afraid. Have you heard of General Duan?

He's the most powerful man in South Hui.

I'm his son.

I'm Duan Zi Ang.

I... I am Shu He.

It's just that...

I'm not sure if he still remembers me.

(Gu Manor)

(Prime Minister Gu's residence, South Hui Kingdom)

Capturing assassins is the Imperial Guards' duty.

If anyone encounters the assassin tonight,

you have the authority to execute on sight.

- Yes! - Yes!

Prime Minister Gu.

It seems that you can freely mobilize...

the imperial guards under the crown prince's command.

Your authority is impressive.

Your Highness's manor...

is only a joss stick away from my manor.

Your Highness, you took your time.

I ran into something on the way.

It's not peaceful at the crown prince's manor tonight.

A bold assassin disturbed His Highness.

Is Shu Qian all right?

His Highness is fine.

The assassin hasn't been caught yet.

Please return to your residence, Your Highness.

You are in charge of the capital's defense.

I'm afraid you'll have a busy night.

It's my duty.

The crown prince is the foundation for our nation's stability.

Even if it's chaotic tonight,

Your Highness, there's no need to panic.

I'm sure the assassin...

won't target Your Highness.

Men, escort His Highness back to his residence.

- Yes! - Yes!

Your Highness, please go back.

Who do you think was behind tonight's attack?

Your Highness,

I just met Huo Ying two hours ago.

There are no unusual changes at the Sixth Prince's manor.

I don't think it was Prince Shu He's doing.

Sixth Prince may be indifferent to worldly affairs,

but he's not a reckless person who doesn't know his place.

Moreover, when the assassin attacked today,

Sixth Prince was with me.

Is that so?

At such a late hour, what were you and Xiao Shu He doing?

He is still trying to ask me...

for a way to hide away in the martial arts world.

What's going on in the Prince of Qi's residence?

It has been taken care of.

Your Highness, you can't do this sort of thing again.

Prime Minister Gu, please go back.

It's so chaotic tonight.

I'll have to trouble you to deal with it.

Find two teams.

One team will keep an eye on Xiao Shu He.

The other team will follow Prime Minister Gu.

Every person that the sly old man meets with...

must be reported to me.

Yes, Your Highness.

Did you give him this month's Rhino Horn Pill yet?

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Forget it.

It's just this once.

Commander Huo can endure it.

If worse comes to worst,

Xiao Shu He's country bumpkin doctor...

can still keep him alive.

You're right, Your Highness.

I'll take my leave now.

Just this once.

This is the last time I will tolerate it.

Yes.

Hasn't the Crown Prince given you the antidote?

Why is it you?

The Blood Dove poison is peculiar.

It usually lies latent in the meridians.

But if you stop taking the Rhino Horn Pill,

it will cause you pain and suffering,

like ants in your bones.

The crown prince used this to control you.

How vicious of him.

Before I took the Blood Dove,

His Highness informed me of its effects.

I was the one who chose it.

How is he vicious?

Right.

If you don't take it, you would be executed immediately.

If you take it, you would be controlled by him for life.

Is that called a choice?

I did it willingly.

Don't get upset.

Don't think you can do anything to me...

just because you have something on me.

You can tell Sixth Prince...

that I'm a spy sent by the crown prince.

I never asked you to keep it a secret for me.

Fine.

If you don't listen to me,

I'll tell Shu He everything.

Don't think that you will still have a chance...

to serve the crown prince then.

Lie down and rest.

Take the medicine...

so that you can live to see your heartless master.

It has been 10 years.

Back then, the Duan family was hit with an unexpected crisis.

If the Red Shadow Guards hadn't taken you in,

you wouldn't have survived.

So you have to remember your mission.

It was the crown prince who led the Imperial Guards...

to persecute your whole family.

Killing the crown prince...

is also a way to appease your father's spirit.

Your shoulder hasn't fully recovered.

To avoid Xiao Shu He's suspicion,

I'll arrange for someone to fake an assassination.

When you sacrifice yourself to save him,

Xiao Shu He will surely trust you.

What if this plan doesn't work?

You can go to this mill for help.

We have news about your brother.

I'll do my best.

Rest assured, Consul Wang.

If necessary, you can get rid of Xiao Shu He.

Abbot,

you and Father are old friends.

(White Cloud Temple, South Hui Kingdom)

I sincerely came here this time to seek a good plan...

to distance myself from the disputes in the imperial court.

How can you bear to let me down again and again?

Your Highness, you should understand.

No matter where you go,

you can't avoid worldly affairs.

The wind moves the sails,

but it's neither the wind nor the sails.

It's Your Highness's heart that moves.

You're afraid that history will repeat itself...

if you meddle in state affairs.

Your Highness, you're a smart person.

There are some things that I can't speak candidly about.

Since you think I'm smart,

why are you playing dumb?

After nefarious monks caused chaos in the previous dynasty,

all the temples in South Hui were suppressed.

All these years, White Cloud Temple has prospered...

over other temples.

It couldn't have been possible without my support.

Abbot, do you really think...

that I did this without any risk?

If the imperial court were to find out...

about the true source of White Cloud Temple's funding...

But next time,

I'm sure you will have come up with a solution for me.

Abbot, there's a visitor outside who insists on seeing you.

He's really...

Your Highness,

I understand.

Abbot, I'm the one who wants to see you.

Who are you?

I'm looking for my long-lost brother, Huai Yi.

Stay by Xiao Shu He's side.

You will get another chance to kill him.

He was adopted by a Buddhist temple...

around the 15th year of the Great Xiao.

Abbot, do you remember?

Huai Yi?

Sixth Prince, do you want to help me?

May I know your surname?

My brother changed his surname after he left.

I don't know his current surname.

I don't think he is in our temple.

You can inquire in the south.

Wait.

May I know your name?

I've never seen you before, sir.

Please excuse me.

I'm Xiao Shu He.

Do you recognize me?

To avoid Xiao Shu He's suspicion,

I'll arrange for someone to fake an assassination.

Watch out!

Are you badly injured?

It's him?

He escaped from the manhunt just last night.

Now he has shown up here on purpose.

Would there be such a coincidence?

I'm fine.

It's just a minor injury.

May I ask if your surname is Duan?

It seems like he does remember our childhood friendship.

It's fine. Don't worry.

- I don't think the wound is deep. - Don't move.

I have a physician at my manor. We will be there soon.

I didn't expect to see you again in this life.

I did not expect to see you again...

in my hometown.

Zi Ang.

Why is it that every time I see you,

you save my life?

Where have you been all these years?

When I returned to the courtyard and didn't see you that day,

I actually thought you were already...

The steward later told me about Huai Yi's whereabouts.

But he didn't mention you.

Huo Ying, faster!

(Sixth Prince's Manor, South Hui Kingdom)

(Sixth Prince's Manor)

"Sixth Prince's Manor"? Shu He, you are...

I'll tell you more after your wound is treated.

Your Highness, forgive me.

Inform Shen Song at once. Tell him that I'm injured.

You do it.

Bear with it.

Shen Song's father is a famous physician.

He's better than the imperial physicians.

Thank you, Mr. Shen.

My name is Shen Song. I'm a year younger than you.

No need to be so formal.

I've heard a lot about you from His Highness.

Now that I've met you,

you're indeed elegant and dashing.

Ignore him. He followed his father around the world when he was young.

He developed a frivolous attitude.

He is a smooth talker.

Zi Ang, have a good rest.

Let Huo Ying know if you need anything.

Zi Ang, you've lost too much blood.

Let me check your pulse again.

It's just a minor injury.

You don't have to be so serious.

Zi Ang, have a good rest.

Shen Song and I have matters to discuss.

If you're interested in chatting tonight,

I'll come again.

Goodbye.

General Chen,

Duan Zi Ang has infiltrated South Hui as planned.

I see.

You're the most experienced consul of the Red Shadow Guards.

This time, we need you to personally assist Duan Zi Ang.

Make sure the plan goes smoothly.

More importantly, make sure Duan Zi Ang is safe.

After this mission,

Duan Zi Ang...

will be the next leader of the Red Shadow Guards.

Don't make any mistakes.

Yes.

It was too easy.

All these years,

we haven't found a single person from Duan Manor.

Now, the one who came to our doorstep...

is General Duan's orphan.

We have General Duan's handwritten letter...

and a witness from back then.

Prime Minister Gu is going to be nervous this time.

Does Your Highness plan to use this to threaten Prime Minister Gu?

Prime Minister Gu has been a minister for two dynasties.

Whether we can take him down or not...

doesn't depend on whether we have evidence...

to prove his guilt.

Then...

It only depends on...

whether Father wants to use Prime Minister Gu...

to assist the crown prince...

to balance the court.

Prime Minister Gu and General Duan didn't get along back then.

Everyone knows that.

When General Duan set out to war,

His Majesty ordered...

General Duan's entire family to be executed...

for the crime of colluding with the enemy.

He didn't even summon General Duan...

to give him a chance to defend himself.

Because of this,

people have long suspected Prime Minister Gu...

of deceiving the emperor.

But they fear his power.

Having this person...

is enough to put fear in Prime Minister Gu.

It's just that...

Your Highness is worried about Duan Zi Ang.

He saved my life after all.

Yet, I mean to use him and hurt him.

I want to be idle and carefree.

I don't want to become that kind of person.

Your Highness, don't be too hard on yourself.

There is one more thing.

I suspect that Duan Zi Ang...

is the assassin...

that the crown prince was searching for that day.

The way he saved me from the assassination today...

was the same way he held me hostage that day.

I'm afraid Duan Zi Ang returned...

with an ulterior motive.

Revenge?

Back then, it was the crown prince who led the raid on Duan Manor.

General Duan's Imperial Guard token...

was also passed on to Shu Qian by Father.

If this is the case,

everything makes sense.

As long as Duan Zi Ang doesn't escape our control,

we can naturally guide his actions.

Then you can seduce him with your affections...

to achieve our goal.

You can tell him the truth later. What do you think?

I've planted those secret letters.

I've also completed the imitation that Your Highness asked me to make.

I'm curious what Zi Ang's reaction will be.

You've lost.

You're really good at bullying people.

There's only one thing left to do.

He has to expose Prime Minister Gu...

on his own.

After General Duan's household was disbanded,

where did you go?

I've been looking for you all these years.

But it was as if you had disappeared from South Hui.

I never left South Hui.

It's just that I couldn't reveal my identity all these years.

If we hadn't met by chance today,

I'm afraid we wouldn't have had the chance to meet again.

All these years, I've tried to find out...

why General Duan was demoted.

It's all in the past.

We were still young back then.

I didn't mean to leave without saying goodbye.

- It wasn't Your Highness's fault. - Father sent someone to find me.

I didn't get the slightest chance.

Your Highness.

I don't want to talk about the past.

I haven't had a hard time all these years.

I haven't seen you in years.

I just wanted to ask you.

All these years out in the world,

did you suffer?

Did you have anyone to protect you?

I'm sorry for overstepping.

I reminded you of something sad.

After that day,

I was adopted by a salt merchant.

My godfather sells salt at the border of South Hui.

Godfather has no children.

He treats me like his own child.

He hopes that I can inherit his business one day.

I don't want to hurt his feelings by bringing up the past.

However,

I never thought that Your Highness would be the sixth prince.

I see you as my best friend.

I can be honest with you.

I've hated being the sixth prince since I was young.

If it weren't for this identity,

my mother wouldn't have been killed that day.

My life wouldn't have been endangered either.

Fortunately, I met you.

I will never forget your kindness.

Your Highness, you are exaggerating.

I never thought about receiving anything in return.

But right now,

I do have a favor to ask.

There is no need for this.

Just tell me what it is. I'll do my best to help you.

I only have a few months for this trip.

If I can't find Huai Yi, I'm afraid...

I'm afraid I won't have another chance.

You care so much about your brother.

I'll do my best to help you.

I think I haven't seen Huai Yi for years either.

The last time I saw him, he didn't know how to ride a horse.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Come to think of it,

rather than searching fruitlessly on my own,

I could benefit from Your Highness's help.

I am here today...

because you saved me when I was a child.

You saved my life.

Don't address me so formally anymore.

Just call me Shu He.

We've helped each other.

I'm sure...

we'll both get what we want.