Original subtitles

ADAPTED FROM A SHUQI.COM NOVEL ORIGINAL AUTHOR: SENLIN LU

Those kids are such a worry.

This matter concerns me, after all.

Don't blame yourself, Sister.

I'll send someone to find out what happened.

CONSORT WEI

That's for the best.

I'm just afraid that it might tarnish Peiyi's reputation.

May you be well, Your Highness.

Peiyi.

Come here.

I rushed over upon hearing what had happened

in the Cheng'en Palace.

Cheng'en Palace was bestowed upon Her Highness by His Majesty.

It may be under renovation, but it's her abode after all.

Cheng'en Palace has seen so many accidents since the work started.

And now this happens?

Why were you there?

For Yushu's case?

We found out that she had been having an affair with someone

and meeting him at the Cheng'en Palace.

It's a serious accusation.

Do you have proof?

The Palace Investigation Bureau

can't disclose certain clues to Your Highness.

I knew the Cheng'en Palace had bad feng shui.

I must implore His Majesty

to tear it down and build a new palace over it.

That's right.

Lady Wang was seeing someone in your palace

and kept close contact with you before she passed away.

I wonder why.

Peiyi.

Cheng'en Palace is bestowed upon me.

Naturally, I am to be suspected.

If you have any questions,

I will tell you everything I know.

Since you don't mind it, I will have someone look into it.

Of course, I don't mind.

It's just that

people are spreading rumors.

Like what?

Just some rumors.

Please, speak freely.

Those senseless gossipers

say that you spent a night with Xiao Huaijin

and that you two used Love Incense.

You must be really worried about me to ask in such detail.

How dare they spread rumors under our watch?

They're courting death.

Calm down, Sister.

I lost my judgment.

I shouldn't have said that.

Don't take it out on others.

But our top priority right now

is to protect Peiyi's reputation.

We must stop the rumors.

What do you think we should do, Sister?

I haven't got a clue, either.

But I think you should keep her here for a few days.

At this point,

she'd better lie low to avoid negative attention.

I don't know if your advice helps avoid negative attention,

but it certainly makes Peiyi look guilty for what she didn't do.

She may not be my own daughter, but I brought her up.

His Majesty has never denied her anything,

even if she wanted the stars.

Why would she date a man in secret?

That's right.

I knew something was strange.

There must be some misunderstanding.

I'm just worried…

Seeing that Peiyi is alright,

I can be relieved.

Sister.

I will take my leave now.

Thank you for defending me, Your Highness.

Silly girl.

You can mess around any other time,

but how are you going to clean up this mess?

Someone knew that we'd investigate the Cheng'en Palace

and drugged us.

Well,

did anything go wrong?

Of course not.

His Majesty and I don't like you investigating cases.

Now that such a scandal has arisen,

no one cares about the truth anymore.

They'll just spread rumors to fuel the gossip.

Just let them be.

Nonsense.

You are the daughter of the Li family.

It's not just about you.

It concerns the entire royal clan.

You can't get out of this with a little sweet-talk and puppy-dog eyes.

His Majesty sent you to me.

It means he already knows and wants me to handle it.

If I don't handle it well, he will come forward himself.

What are your plans?

I'll ask His Majesty to marry you to Xiao Huaijin.

I know you're reluctant. But there's no other way.

After the wedding,

can I keep investigating cases with Mr. Xiao?

You're still thinking about investigating cases?

I don't care about the gossip.

But it bothers you and His Majesty.

And I hate to see that.

If a wedding can solve the problem, I will do as you say.

Once it's settled,

I'll go back to investigating cases just like before.

Why not?

Look at you.

You can be so cold and yet so warm.

I've raised you for 15 years,

but I am not your mother, after all.

I don't really understand you.

But I know that you are kind to me.

I will talk to His Majesty about the wedding.

Go ahead and do your job.

Doesn't Consort Wei have a son?

Yes. Prince of Xin, Li Zheng.

A year ago, he asked for permission

to renovate the Cheng'en Palace to show filial piety.

So he is allowed to enter the palace?

That's right.

I know you're the best.

Your Ladyship. How did it go?

Investigate Prince of Xin.

He might have been the one meeting Yushu in secret.

I'm asking about you and Mr. Xiao.

Problem solved.

Consort Shu will marry us.

How did that happen?

Mr. Xiao is such a decent man…

We're a perfect match.

So what are we doing?

Let's save Mr. Xiao.

I told you to stay away from Li Peiyi.

But you wouldn't listen.

Now you're even caught up in a scandal.

You've tarnished the reputation of the entire clan.

We were investigating the case and got set up.

As a man,

my top concern right now is to defend Her Ladyship's reputation.

The Xiao clan's reputation is out of my concern.

What's so special about her?

Why do you have to meddle with her?

I also want to know what's so special about her

that terrifies you so much.

I'm just worried that you might get yourself killed

and drag our entire Xiao family down with you.

I said we were set up. Do you believe me?

I said we were innocent. Do you believe me?

Does my opinion matter?

Do the maids and eunuchs believe you?

Do the court officials believe you?

Does His Majesty believe you?

Those people set you up

because such a scandal is a deadly crime for you,

even if you have done nothing wrong.

It doesn't matter what you did.

What matters is what His Majesty believes.

Then I will explain to His Majesty.

What if he doesn't believe you?

Then I'll talk to Her Ladyship.

If she agrees, I will ask His Majesty to marry her to me.

If she disagrees,

I will kill myself to prove her innocence.

Don't you dare!

Huaijin.

Why wouldn't I dare?

Y-You rebellious child!

Stop it.

- You… - I might as well kill you

lest you implicate the whole family.

That's enough. Stop it.

Since you see me as such an eyesore,

I'll just leave.

Guards.

Stop him.

He is not allowed to leave.

- Understood. - Understood.

Her Ladyship is here. We couldn't stop her.

She's in the main hall.

So shameless.

So shameless.

Your Ladyship. What brings you here?

The case is still unsettled.

I'm getting my partner back to work.

My son is still ill

and needs some time off to rest.

Let me check on him.

He is too ill to see you.

I know medicine fairly well.

Let me see what I can do for him.

Your Ladyship.

Do you know what is going on right now?

The gossip has spread all over the court.

Shouldn't you stay away from my son?

If people find out that you came to my mansion,

Your Ladyship, what will they say about the royal family

and the Xiao family?

Don't worry, Grand Tutor.

Consort Shu will ask His Majesty to marry me to Mr. Xiao.

We won't have to avoid each other.

And you can set your mind at rest.

Your Ladyship has always acted with absolute freedom,

but… but marriage is not to be treated lightly.

Are you displeased with me or my family background?

Your Ladyship, please withdraw this false accusation.

So you know how it feels to be framed.

Someone set us up.

Why are you so furious?

I implore Your Ladyship to let go of Huaijin

and the Xiao family.

So you are asking me for a favor.

Then let's sit down and talk.

What are you hiding about the massacre 15 years ago?

I will never forget the smell on Mr. Xiao.

I smelled it when my family was wiped out 15 years ago.

Your wife and your son both say

that she personally blended that incense.

So someone from your family was present that night.

You smelled it more than ten years ago.

Your Ladyship is too arbitrary.

It's even a bit ridiculous.

I know it's not evidence.

But I know I'm right.

The person knows, too.

I may remember the smell wrong,

but I can't be wrong about my fall into the water.

Xiao Huaijin wasn't the only one who saved me that day.

I've been through too much as a child to remember everything.

But after meeting Mr. Xiao,

my broken memories started piecing together.

I actually recalled a few things.

Speaking of which,

Grand Tutor Xiao, you are my savior.

What are you trying to say?

I'm trying to say that Mr. Xiao and Consort Shu

both told me stories not quite consistent

with the truth about how I was rescued.

Mr. Xiao was young at that time.

I don't know if he is confused or trying to hide something.

But I'm sure that you know something.

You're hiding the truth for certain purposes.

I don't remember anymore.

Let's say I saved you.

Then you should show gratitude,

instead of giving us a hard time.

Compared to the indisputable fact of my family's destruction,

this story may seem alright, but it's riddled with holes.

More coincidentally, it's also related to the Xiao family.

If Your Ladyship insists on accusing us of something we didn't do

out of your speculation,

I have nothing to say.

I'll have to seek justice from His Majesty.

It's alright.

I have plenty of time.

As long as Mr. Xiao stays by my side, I'll remember everything.

You've been using Huaijin from the beginning?

So what?

The Xiao family and I are in the same boat.

You can stay silent.

But get ready to be pestered for the rest of your life.

Once I marry your son, I will ask to live in the Xiao's Mansion.

Don't even dream about running away.

You…

You…

Your Ladyship doesn't have to threaten me.

I said I don't remember anything.

So the person who killed my family terrifies you, too.

Only a handful of people can do that throughout the entire court.

I'll look into them one by one and find the culprit.

But until I do,

I'm afraid that you'll have to accept me as your daughter-in-law.

I will do everything I can to stop you from marrying my son.

At worst…

At worst, I'll retire and take Huaijin back to our hometown

rather than let him marry you.

Y-You are a cursed lone star.

Do you really think these words can hurt me?

If you leave right now, don't even think about coming back!

I will wait for you to change your mind.

- What's wrong? - It's swollen.

It's alright.

Put some medicine.

Leave before my father changes his mind.

You looked truly imposing when you barged in.

You flatter me.

How long have you been standing there?

I just came.

You heard me arguing with your father?

Yes.

He said he'd never let you marry me

and insulted you by calling you a cursed lone star.

What else?

What else?

What else do I need to hear?

Nothing.

I'll take responsibility for what happened last night.

Don't take it to heart, Mr. Xiao.

I know you don't care about this.

But I do.

I asked you to investigate the case and got you implicated.

How can I drag you into more trouble?

It's not trouble.

If anything, I'll be marrying up.

No matter what you plan to do,

this is my promise.

But I will act along if you have other plans.

Before His Majesty summons us,

let's find the culprit.

You've been using Huaijin from the beginning?

So what?

Inspector Du wrote back.

It took him a lot of work to look these up.

This is the Yuhua Stone from Jinling.

This is a unique spiral shell along the Penglai Coast.

Here is the gravel of Yangguan.

This is a stalactite from Lianzhou.

And

this dried leaf that breaks at touch

comes from a tree only found in Shazhou, called Ghost Clapping Hands.

These things come from all over the world.

They are not particularly valuable.

I don't know why Lady Wang

was crying and laughing while checking them.

Because she could no longer fulfill her dream

of seeing the world.

Have you inspected the pill found in her sachet?

It's indeed the Breath-Stopping Pill.

But the ingredients are slightly different.

Lady Wang was poisoned when she was pregnant.

Was the Breath-Stopping Pill also from the killer?

No.

The killer poisoned her pregnancy tonic.

Why bother using the Breath-Stopping Pill?

Too troublesome.

This Breath-Stopping Pill was sewn on the inside of her sachet.

Maybe she prepared it herself.

She wanted to fake her own death to leave the palace.

Could it be

that she was seeing Prince of Xin and got pregnant?

So she decided to fake her death and leave with him?

Let's talk to him.

Your Ladyship. Your Ladyship.

I also found something.

The Mortuary Hall is huge.

It took me quite some time to find this basket.

Look. Baskets made of rattan are rare to find.

I looked into it. Annan's specialty.

Well done. Thanks.

Your Ladyship.

Can I join you on this trip outside the palace?

No.

Understood.

Let's go.

Mr. Xiao.

The three of us will make it look like an interrogation.

Prince of Xin may not speak.

I'll check why the renovation stopped.

Boss.

What's wrong with you two?

I sensed something weird.

Nothing.

He is right.

Splitting up is more efficient.

Something is wrong.

The two of us can get confessions out of anyone.

The three of us always investigate together.

Why are we suddenly splitting up today?

He's avoiding you?

I bet that's why.

He heard about the engagement?

Yes.

That makes no sense.

Why is he avoiding you, then?

He's shy?

No, no.

He didn't look shy.

Instead,

he was a bit angry.

He insulted you

by calling you a cursed lone star.

What else?

What else?

What else do I need to hear?

You've been using Huaijin from the beginning?

So what?

Maybe he was angry.

I got it.

He didn't want to investigate with us, not because of you,

but me.

I'm the one who should leave.

He was giving me a hint. But I didn't get it.

I'll get him back now.

Enough.

Stop guessing.

Save your brain for the investigation.

Yushu was really lucky to have a friend like you.

When Yushu was here in the Music Office,

we drank with Prince of Xin and played music.

What a pleasure.

Now, Yushu is gone,

and His Highness stopped coming.

PRINCE OF XIN'S MANSION

PRINCE OF XIN, LI ZHENG

It's been so long.

You're playing the ruan even better.

I never know whether to believe your words or not.

When the last string is plucked, the feeling knows no end.

If the player is full of passion,

it can compensate for a less refined technique.

Sure enough, it's a mockery.

Interesting sachet.

Show me.

The little pocket is for the plectrum?

That's right.

Lady Wang gave it to me.

She was good at playing the ruan,

so she made a sachet that carries a plectrum.

I was jealous and asked for one.

I didn't know you were so close.

I assume you came to ask about her.

Back in the Music Office,

we bonded over our passion for playing the ruan.

She was a musician at that time.

We were like-minded and became friends.

She was gifted.

Unfortunately, she died too young.

If she hadn't become Father's woman,

she could have achieved something.

Is that what she thought?

I misspoke.

Have you fallen for her?

We held different statuses.

I admired her.

Your Highness.

JINGHE, PRINCE OF XIN'S CONCUBINE

Freshly made fried dough twist. Have a bite.

They're crisp and tasty.

It's really refreshing with the cane juice.

Please try it.

I went out to investigate a case

and bought something fancy.

Want to try it?

What is it?

Special color.

Is it spicy?

Try it.

Jinghe.

What happened?

Forgive me. I was so clumsy.

I disturbed you and Her Ladyship.

Raise your head.

You look familiar.

Were you a palace maid?

She used to serve my mother.

My mother trusted her.

A while ago,

Father ordered the dismissal of the palace maids.

Mother sent her here to be my concubine.

Your Highness, forgive me. I just wanted to serve you another drink.

I was too careless.

You were quite agile.

What a lovely tray.

Jinghe.

What happened?

It looks like you don't want us to have the fried dough twists.

Is that so?

What's wrong with the dough twists?

Or do you think

there is something wrong with this powder?

Forgive me, Your Ladyship. Forgive me, Your Highness.

Jinghe…

Isn't this just rose powder?

Jinghe has given herself away.

A little interrogation will make her talk.

She might be timid, but she dares to die.

She will die if she confesses.

She's not the mastermind.

Pushing too hard might cause trouble.

What about Prince of Xin?

Judging from his reaction,

I can't tell whether he's clueless or an excellent actor.

Go to the Music Office.

Lady Wang was quite arrogant when she was here.

She was not so close to any musicians except for Ahao.

Was she acquainted with people outside the Music Office?

Prince of Xin.

He was a frequent visitor here.

He was the only one she knew outside the Music Office.

He is humble and gentle and never puts on airs.

And he's an expert in music.

We get along like friends.

But still, he was the closest to Lady Wang.

Every time they met, they could talk forever.

He also enjoyed Lady Wang's ruan music.

Has he come here these days?

Ahao and I were just saying

that His Highness hasn't come for a long time.

Where is Ahao?

I think she went to buy strings.

She is responsible for the purchase outside the palace.

Does she need to bring a pipa?

Take some people to Prince of Xin's Mansion.

Understood.

Mr. Jin.

Long time no see. Please rise.

You haven't visited us for quite a while.

I came out to buy strings

and decided to come and play Crossing a Thousand Mountains.

I haven't listened to it

for a long time.

Please.

PRINCE OF XIN'S MANSION

- Your Ladyship. - Any news?

The renovation stopped because a rumor said there were ghosts.

The rumor spread exactly two months ago.

A chilly midnight tune

Brings back distant memories

Once, I played in harmony with you

The melody resonated across the land

Jinghe.

Bring me my ruan.

Understood.

Mr. Jin, you played it wrong.

Yushu would be upset.

Lady Wang…

Lady Wang would be upset.

Ahao, don't.

Yushu died because of you.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Get a Medical Officer.

Your Ladyship.

Thank you, Mr. Liu.

It's hard to walk at night.

Be careful where you step.

Don't sprain your ankle like His Highness.

Understood. Rest assured, Your Ladyship.

His Highness sprained his ankle.

He will be fine in a few days.

Please go back and complete the record.

If you make a mistake…

Rest assured, Your Ladyship.

I will definitely record His Highness's sprain in detail,

without mistakes.

Yushu.

I got your revenge.

Ahao.

I didn't realize it was him.

His Highness was nice to everyone in the Music Office.

I thought he simply appreciated Yushu's talent.

But then I realized

that he never visited after Yushu was made the Selected Lady.

I finally realized how stupid I was.

I heard that you two were looking into the Cheng'en Palace

renovated by Prince of Xin.

I panicked.

Then I saw this sachet.

He called her "Yushu".

Who gave him the right to call her that?

He spoke such high-sounding words of admiring Yushu's talent

and showed her every courtesy.

But he also made her pregnant

and got her killed.

Consort Wei is here.

Mr. Xiao, keep her there. I'll be there soon.

PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU

It's all my fault.

I made His Highness suffer.

Don't blame yourself.

Everyone makes mistakes.

I, Xiao Huaijin, Deputy Director of the Astronomical Bureau,

pay respects to Your Highness.

I've long heard that a talented astronomer

was assisting the Palace Investigation Bureau.

But right now, you're not the one I want to see.

Have you checked on Prince of Xin?

Where is that woman?

The assassin has been imprisoned.

That's all?

She went after the prince and should be executed on the spot.

The law will decide what to do with the musician.

But right now,

your top priority is to decide whether to look into it.

She injured the prince.

How could you let her go?

Of course not.

The assassination is easy to investigate.

I will definitely find out the truth for you and Prince of Xin.

But now, I have another account to settle.

I'd like to demand an explanation from you.

Do you recognize this?

What are you implying?

Just say it.

So you recognized it.

It's just a candle.

How can you tell with a glance that it's from your Cheng'en Palace?

I bet it's due to the powder in the candle.

These are love drugs.

Mr. Xiao and I fell victim that night.

What do you have to say about this?

The Cheng'en Palace indeed is mine.

But I haven't moved in yet.

You can't hold me accountable

for the candles in the palace.

If you had been more cautious,

I would be helpless.

Unfortunately, you were too careless.

While adding powders to the wax solution,

you left us some clues.

You're confusing me.

I don't understand.

You were too impatient.

The powders and wax solution may not be linked to you.

But as a high-ranking concubine,

you weren't familiar with the menial job of reshaping candles.

When the candle is demolded before it's solidified,

it captures people's fingerprints.

Fingerprints are unique.

To leave your fingerprints

is just like carving your name on the candles.

There were two candles in that room.

Our people have already collected all the fingerprints.

It's not so difficult to look into it.

Mr. Xiao is good at this. It will be fast.

Since I promised to cooperate,

I won't go back on my word.

Of course, you wouldn't do this menial job in person.

You would find a trustworthy person to do it for you.

My four close confidants are right outside.

Feel free to investigate.

It's just 40 fingerprints.

Mr. Xiao. It's nothing difficult, right?

I just need to check one person's fingerprints.

That person can enter and leave the palace at will

without arousing suspicion.

And that person

has your full trust.

I did promise you

to cooperate and tell you everything I know

if you want to investigate my people.

If Your Ladyship finds Jinghe suspicious,

I won't stop your investigation.

Jinghe.

You've been with me for so many years.

Women of Yuqing Palace are highly responsible.

Don't let me down.

I prepared these candles.

I await my punishment.

You wanted to cover up the scandal for Prince of Xin,

but ended up confirming it.

Not only that,

but you also found me a great husband.

Why should I punish you?

I must thank you instead.

I…

That's right.

I was worried that you'd discover the affair between Lady Wang

and His Highness.

But I was too stupid and implicated him.

No.

You admired Prince of Xin and tried to protect him.

Without you,

his secret love affair with Lady Wang could have been exposed long ago.

His Highness is a good man.

He is so kind to us.

He never looked down on me because I was a palace maid.

I secretly admired him.

But I knew

such admiration could't lead anywhere.

Your Highness.

I knew I shouldn't have followed him.

But at that moment, I couldn't help myself.

He seemed to be in a hurry

and didn't notice that I was following him.

You recognized her?

She was the Selected Lady

appointed by His Majesty.

Ruan player from the Music Office,

Wang Yushu.

After that night,

I realized that His Highness had been staying more in the palace.

He would go out almost every night to see Lady Wang.

I was worried that he would be caught

and resented him for doing that.

Apart from him and Lady Wang,

I had also been keeping this secret.

Whenever he went out on a date,

I'd wait for him at the side door

so that I could alert them if anyone found out.

Once I heard the door closing after midnight,

I would go back to my room.

His Highness didn't know

that I was the most worried about his secret love affair.

But you did not stop him.

I…

I didn't know what to say.

I didn't dare.

I was worried that he would avoid me if I talked to him about it.

Then I wouldn't be able to protect him.

I was more than grateful

that the first person to know about it was me.

His Highness became increasingly reckless.

I was worried about him and had to do something.

So you decided to kill Lady Wang.

Why not?

Could I stop His Highness from seeing her?

Or could I stop Lady Wang from pestering His Highness?

Killing her was the simplest

and best solution.

It might have been the best solution if it were so simple.

But you were a petty palace maid

who couldn't even speak with Lady Wang.

How did you manage to poison the decoction she had every day?

If you truly love someone enough

to give everything,

then you are capable of anything.

His Majesty was sending people away.

So I begged Consort Wei

to send me out of the Yuqing Palace to serve His Highness.

I didn't think about it.

Jinghe had served me for years.

She was very considerate.

I was sure she could take care of Zheng.

And I liked her.

So I made her Zheng's concubine.

Although you stayed by his side,

you couldn't stop him from meeting Lady Wang.

I couldn't stop him from meeting Lady Wang.

But I found that they weren't just meeting up.

They were conspiring.