Original subtitles

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

But I realized

they weren't just meeting secretly.

They were plotting.

Sure enough,

in the clothes he kept close to him, I found a delicate wooden box.

Inside it were two pills.

They're Breath-Stopping Pills.

I didn't know what they were planning next,

but I was terrified.

It had to be that woman's idea!

So that day, in front of Prince of Xin,

you knocked over the drink and pastries

because you recognized that vial

and knew what was inside.

I never thought you'd really find that poison.

I know you're testing me.

But even if it exposes me,

I won't let Prince of Xin be tricked into drinking that poison.

I'm sure you know too

that butterfly box was made from Annan rattan.

I did all of this alone.

I won't let that woman drag Prince of Xin down.

Prince of Xin must have earned a lot of merit in his last life

to have you guard him like this.

But to slip this drug without anyone noticing

into the Imperial Medical Office's decoction for Lady Wang,

you couldn't do it alone.

Mr. Xiao, don't underestimate me.

Our masters may be high and mighty,

but when they truly need something done,

they must still rely on lowly servants like us.

Where are you going?

Jinghe killed someone.

The evidence is conclusive.

Kill her or punish her, it's up to you.

But as for Zheng, I'll find out from him myself

what happened to him.

Secretly meeting a consort is a grave crime.

We can't let palace servants frame him.

Jinghe spins a fine tale,

even she finds it moving.

Too bad it's only the prologue.

Your story hasn't been told yet.

How could I let you go now?

This is life or death.

Don't play games!

Why is this wretch here?

Are you shielding a murderer?

Calm down.

You recognize this ruan, don't you?

You gave it to Lady Wang.

She probably didn't like it.

She never even touched it once.

Poison, butterflies, candles.

Those were done by Jinghe.

But she wasn't behind it all.

It was never her.

You admire Prince of Xin.

How could you bear to kill the one he loves?

But a mother is different.

As his mother,

how could you not notice that Prince Xin's frequent trips to the palace

weren't about filial piety?

He wanted to see someone else.

Killing Yushu was your decision.

You knew Jinghe adored Prince of Xin.

Even if she wanted to keep his secret,

she couldn't withstand your questioning.

No. It was me.

I betrayed Prince of Xin.

CULTIVATE SERENITY WITHIN

When Consort Wei learned Prince of Xin's secret,

it was a weight off my mind.

Prince of Xin admitted to secretly meeting Lady Wang.

As for the rest,

he didn't say a word.

How could you allow a lowly maid to set her sights on Prince of Xin?

Even if Jinghe only wanted to be a concubine?

You sent Jinghe to Prince of Xin.

Because you needed her to spy on him.

And you,

of course, wouldn't turn down such a sweet deal.

You even knew to repay her kindness.

You brought Consort Wei the Breath-Stopping Pills.

After you stole them, Prince of Xin didn't notice?

He noticed soon enough.

I know you're worried about me.

Jinghe,

you don't have to keep kneeling before me begging for forgiveness.

You didn't do anything wrong.

We're both just doing

what we believe is right.

Lady Wang is pregnant.

Mother, help me get her out of the palace.

You…

You…

Do you even know what you've done?

You went to see Lady Wang

not because you admired her talent

or felt a kinship with her.

Kinship?

What a bitter joke.

That shameless wretch was truly bold.

She already got pregnant by my Zheng.

No shame at all.

You two worked together so well.

After you killed Lady Wang,

to stop anyone from examining the body,

Consort Wei arranged pine shavings and a river-willow coffin.

And Jinghe carefully prepared that pretty box of butterflies.

Even after she died,

you still wouldn't let her go.

Then why wouldn't she let go of Prince of Xin?

I hate to see him lose someone he loves.

But he has been completely bewitched by her.

To beg Consort Wei,

he'd rather kneel in the rain for two hours.

All thanks to Yunxiang Powder.

Yunxiang Powder?

Wasn't it the Breath-Stopping Pill?

Zheng, why are you up?

What is Yunxiang Powder?

What did you feed her?

Answer me.

What is Yunxiang Powder?

It's poison.

Colorless, tasteless.

A poison that kills without a trace.

- Why? - Because she's a madwoman!

So she had to die.

I once tried to reason with her.

She wouldn't listen.

I know

what you were plotting.

Zheng is too naïve.

Your plan

wasn't clever at all.

We had to try to know.

If you can help us keep the secret,

that would be a merit too.

Merit? No, it's a sin!

Look at you, a mere music girl from the Music Office,

you became

a rank-eight Imperial Consort overnight,

assured of comfort for life.

That's a blessing so many in this deep palace crave.

What could you possibly still want?

If living is only about a secure life,

that's dreadfully dull.

I don't lack money.

I entered the palace to learn music.

That "blessing" you speak of means nothing to me.

But to be favored by His Majesty

is the highest honor.

To you, it's an honor.

To me, it's a cage.

If the price of his favor

is losing my freedom for the rest of my life,

then I don't want it.

So you ignore all decency,

for your selfish desire, and ruin my Zheng for life?

Ignore all decency?

Selfish desire?

Ruining a life?

With every accusation you throw,

are you describing me or the Emperor himself?

His Majesty is old enough to be my father.

On a whim,

he made me an Imperial Consort and then just dropped me.

I could've left this palace,

but now I can only grow old here, alone.

You're just unwilling

to accept you lost his favor so quickly.

I'm unwilling to accept my fate, changed so easily by others!

Yushu,

have you ever thought

maybe you want too much?

In this palace,

consorts have no more than that.

If you want wealth and glory, go fight for his favor.

If you want peace and ease,

stay in your place.

What if I want freedom?

To be forgotten by His Majesty

is to be free of the palace's chains.

You like playing the ruan, right?

You live alone in this huge Hanliang Hall.

No one ties you down.

Play whenever you want.

Isn't that freedom too?

For people, freedom is having a choice.

Bending yourself to fit,

finding joy in misery, it's just lying to yourself!

Look at you.

So what if you're Consort Wei?

How pitiful.

People are pitiful

only when they want too much.

Keep to your place,

know what's proper,

and life will be easy.

All these years, you've kept to your place.

Not once have you felt wronged?

Night after night, being neglected by your husband,

did "knowing what's proper" really get you through?

I have His Majesty's respect,

and I have my Zheng.

We are not alike, so let us each go our own way.

I didn't need to tell you this much.

I won't see you out.

You probably think as long as I don't interfere,

you can use the Breath-Stopping Pill to fake your death

and leave the palace.

But you may not know,

after a consort dies,

the body lies in state at Mortuary Hall before burial.

The timing and dose of the pill must be very precise,

or you'll die for real!

If you wake before the burial, the guards will find you.

After you're buried, if no one digs you out in time,

you're as good as buried alive!

Zheng may be a prince,

but to secretly move an imperial consort

and send her away, you think that would be easy?

During this process,

a single misstep will cost you your life.

We keep talking to ourselves.

Prince of Xin and I have it all planned.

I'll get away clean.

He doesn't know

what a mother would do for her child!

I knew she wouldn't give up easily.

I had people watching her.

But I never imagined

she'd dare ask a Medical Officer

to examine her.

Once he examined her…

HANLIANG HALL

…her pregnancy would be exposed.

My Zheng would be dragged into it.

She and the child in her belly

will always be a threat to Zheng.

So she had to die!

You bribed the Medical Officer

and slipped Yunxiang Powder into her pregnancy tonic.

Yes.

Then you deceived Prince of Xin into believing

you'd help Yushu flee by faking her death.

But Yushu took too much of the Breath-Stopping Pill

and never woke up.

Yes.

Mother.

Why didn't you tell me any of this?

Zheng,

you're too honest, too soft-hearted.

That's why people can fool you.

That woman doesn't love you!

She's only using you!

Forget her. Forget all of this.

In the future, you'll have a proper princess consort,

and you'll have a child with a clean name.

Did you ever think

why Yushu would dare ask the Medical Officer to examine her?

Either she was foolish

or she meant to threaten me and get back at me!

But either way, she deserved to die!

No…

No…

I was the foolish one.

Zheng,

what did she do to you?

Of all the women in the world,

why do you cling to her alone?

All my life,

inside these palace walls,

I've never met a woman as vibrant as her.

The first time I saw her at the Music Office,

I fell for her.

I knew what her heart longed for wasn't something I could give.

What she wanted was a life of freedom,

traveling the world with a ruan.

So I never dared to wish for more.

To share moments sparring over melodies…

IN VIRTUE LIES TRUE NOBILITY

…weaving lyrics and tunes,

that was blessing enough.

I knew she would soon be free of her service and the palace.

I hated to see her go,

but I was truly happy for her.

The life she dreamed of was the life I wanted too.

I couldn't have it.

If she could see it for me, that was enough.

Until that day.

Father took Yushu to bed.

Where is Yushu?

In that moment, my world spun.

The one I loved lost her freedom for good.

I knew what all of this meant to her.

But he was my father,

the reigning emperor.

There was nothing I could do.

- Zheng. - Your Highness.

Zheng, what's wrong?

Thank you.

After that,

Yushu moved to Hanliang Hall.

And Father vanished from her life.

Whenever I entered the palace,

I'd take a detour and stop behind Hanliang Hall.

I just wanted to see that patch of sky above her.

HANLIANG HALL

If I was lucky,

I'd even hear her ruan.

I could hear all her bitterness and pain.

Later,

she realized she was pregnant

and wanted even more to leave this deep palace.

Yushu…

Your Highness, help me.

Please rise.

What's the matter?

She said… she had lost the will to live.

But the child became her reason

to go on living.

She could see the sorrow of women in the harem,

and she could also see

how even an imperial son is bound by fate.

She didn't want her child to bear any of it.

She wanted to run.

Do you remember

Princess Zhaosi faking her death at the Lantern Festival?

What are you trying to do?

I wish to do the same.

After that,

I found a way to get the Breath-Stopping Pill.

Yushu and I planned everything,

but Jinghe and Mother found out.

Mother is usually cautious,

but if she knew that child was mine,

she would've helped me.

I just never thought

I'd get Yushu killed because of it.

You didn't kill Yushu.

Consort Wei did.

And the one she killed

wasn't just a selected lady,

but an imperial heir too.

An imperial heir?

A bastard who can't be brought into the light,

and you call it an imperial heir?

Mother.

That's not true.

Even now,

you still want to protect her?

That child was a mistake,

a sin.

Are you still going to hide it?

I'll ask you again.

Why did Yushu dare ask the Medical Officer to examine her?

Because that child was His Majesty's.

Heaven sees all.

Lady Wang's body was burned,

but that only made the innocent child's bones come to light.

The fetus's bones had formed.

That means Yushu was at least four months pregnant.

Yushu used to love drinking.

But we investigated. The maids at Hanliang Hall said

less than a month after her investiture,

she stopped drinking to drown her sorrows.

She used to drink to drown her sorrows.

But later, we never saw her drink again.

Back then, she already realized she was pregnant.

Less than a month

after her investiture?

Jinghe, you care so much about Prince of Xin.

You should know exactly

when he started meeting her at Cheng'en Palace.

It's…

two months ago.

That's right.

The "haunting" rumors at Cheng'en Palace started two months ago.

Two months ago,

when Lady Wang met Prince of Xin,

she was already three months pregnant.

Yet you never once doubted Prince of Xin's lies.

That Medical Officer you bribed and threatened

must have known how far along she was.

But you only worried about Prince of Xin

and never asked about the fetus.

You killed her in haste!

When she was murdered, the fetus was already five months along,

already shaped like a child.

I didn't know…

I didn't know…

Zheng…

You lied to me.

Why did you lie to me?

But the Imperial Medical Office has no record.

So who can prove her child was His Majesty's?

She slept with someone else and got pregnant with a bastard.

She used Zheng's soft heart to try to flee the palace.

She almost led my Zheng into a grave mistake!

I did it for the royal family's honor.

I did it for my child. That's why…

- Mother! - That's why I did it!

Yushu did it for her child too.

To get the child out of the palace,

she was willing to risk her life.

But because of what you said,

for her child, she could even give up her freedom.

She had already decided

to spend her whole life trapped in this palace.

If the Medical Officer truthfully reports the fetus's age,

that would prove the child

was Father's.

But you…

But I…

But I'm a mother too. A mother!

Now, the truth is clear.

Your Ladyship, close the case.

This case… How should it end?

You plotted against Lady Wang, poisoned an imperial heir.

And to hide your crimes, you framed me and Mr. Xiao for an affair.

Consort Wei, will you take it all,

or share some with Prince of Xin and Jinghe?

I have no guilt to admit.

Fine move.

Jinghe was the perfect scapegoat.

Even if you walk away unscathed, what about Prince of Xin?

What does that have to do with him?

The sachet he wears every day

was made by Lady Wang.

It may prove little, but that's enough.

I learned that from you.

What happened doesn't matter.

What His Majesty thinks happened matters most.

So you want revenge.

You want to drag me down together, huh?

If we can't settle this, we can talk about something else.

What?

Prince of Xin fell at his residence

and hurt himself.

You're trying to clear that wretch?

No chance.

She dared to murder an imperial son.

She must die!

You're right.

Whoever dares murder an imperial son must die.

IN VIRTUE LIES TRUE NOBILITY

Your Ladyship, if you get to see Prince of Xin,

could you tell him I'm sorry?

Funny.

He asked me to apologize to you too.

That night, I dreamed of Yushu.

She wanted us to live on.

Where's your pipa?

All of them were from the Music Office.

I don't want to take a single thing from this palace.

What a pity.

Her Ladyship went to such trouble to find this pipa,

a hundred-year-old one.

What now?

A hundred years ago, Xingqing Palace didn't exist.

So it doesn't count as palace property.

Thank you, Your Ladyship.

Thank you, miss.

Listen to her. Live on and live well.

Did you plan this all along

to save Ahao by hiding the truth?

Consort Wei can twist things to her will,

but one thing she said was right.

No one can prove Yushu's child was His Majesty's.

If this stirs up trouble,

the only one we can convict

is Jinghe, who framed you and me.

Consort Wei will still walk away clean.

If His Majesty grows suspicious,

the one doubted and blamed will be Prince of Xin.

With a truth this murky,

it's better to trade it for Ahao's life.

That's true.

The truth coming out

isn't always the best ending.

What story did Consort Wei make up to report to His Majesty?

"Consort Wei loves music,

and she and Lady Wang bonded over it.

Who knew Lady Wang only wanted to leave the palace,

and even asked Consort Wei for help?

Consort Wei tried her best to dissuade her,

but Yushu had made up her mind.

She insisted on faking her death.

To spare His Majesty any shame,

Consort Wei had no choice but to put her to death in grief."

And what of our "scandal" at Cheng'en Palace?

That night, I didn't go there,

but you and Wuren showed up there.

You'd been investigating for days, exhausted, and fell asleep.

Eunuch Liu had been humiliated by you before.

He held a grudge,

so he made up a pack of lies and spread it everywhere

to ruin your name.

And Consort Wei had him beaten to death.

For one life, one can make up a lie.

To cover a lie, one can sacrifice a life.

Mr. Xiao, I say this case isn't worth investigating.

PRINCE OF XIN'S MANSION

Your Highness…

I…

Scold me. Or hit me if you want.

Just don't leave me.

Don't worry.

Since I promised Mother to bring you into this residence,

I won't abandon you.

Everything in this residence,

you may use as you like.

But…

I truly can't stay here any longer.

I used to think

none of us were wrong.

Mother wanted to protect me.

She wasn't wrong.

I wanted to help Yushu.

I wasn't wrong either.

And you,

for a hopeless love,

gave everything willingly.

You weren't wrong.

But now I feel

we were all wrong.

Your Highness…

I thought you were unaware of my feelings.

I thought you always saw me as a servant,

a concubine bound by duty.

So you knew everything…

Jinghe,

I understand

how you feel.

But she'll never know

my feelings again.

Your Highness…

I'm sorry.

Jinghe,

live on and live well.

Be good to yourself.

Your Highness…

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Lately, I haven't seen you as often.

State affairs have been heavy.

Yet Your Majesty still troubles yourself to visit me.

It's my fault.

If Your Majesty won't blame me for Lady Wang's case,

I already…

feel deeply grateful for Your grace.

She brought it on herself.

As consorts, we should keep to our place.

How could she think she can enter the palace for favor,

then run away for freedom?

If she had really pulled it off,

she would've set the worst example.

The entire harem would be in chaos.

This concubine lacks ability,

but this is all I can do to help Your Majesty

keep the rules and hold the balance.

It's getting late. Come.

Let's dine together.

CHENXIANG PAVILION

My lady, look!

Bad luck!

Your Majesty, please step back!

Guards!

Save Consort Wei!

Protect His Majesty!

Protect His Majesty!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help…

Help…

- You useless idiot! - Consort Wei! Are you alright?

Your Majesty…

My face…

- You… - My face…

My face…

My face…

Boss! Something happened to Consort Wei yesterday.

Consort Shu wants you to check it out.

What happened?

You know the Night-Wandering Maiden?

The ghost-bird crow?

Yesterday, they clawed Consort Wei's face right in front of His Majesty.

Since when did my bureau start exorcising?

First, they had me investigate the ghost infant,

now it's a ghost bird. I'm not going.

Boss, that bird isn't an ordinary bird.

They say they're turned from pregnant women

who died with a grievance.

Now everyone says Consort Wei is linked

to the ghost infant case.

Does Consort Wei keep the outfit she wore that day?

I asked.

She said it was bad luck, so she had it burned later.

This season, crows crave lovefruit.

Consort Wei favors bright colors.

Someone stained her clothes with lovefruit juice

without her realizing.

When the crows flew home, drawn by the lovefruit scent,

they attacked Consort Wei.

That's the truth of the "Night-Wandering Maiden."

Then let's investigate the Imperial Wardrobe Service.

All laundry goes through there.

Your Ladyship, Consort Shu asked you to investigate this.

There's a record of who washed Consort Wei's clothes.

We'll find out.

No need.

When did you get transferred to the laundry?

After Hanliang Hall was "haunted,"

Ruisheng and I applied to transfer out.

So Ruisheng is in the laundry too?

She got transferred to the Imperial Food Service.

So, she stole the fruit, and you starched the clothes.

You really worked well together.

You usually look dull,

but this time, you were clever.

So what now?

What can we do?

The only evidence

that the clothes were tampered with was burned by Consort Wei.

There's nothing left to investigate.

Heaven is watching, and karma's real.

Who can predict?

Come on. Let's report to Consort Shu.

These mysteries are beyond my reach.

Stay for dinner tonight.

I had them make lamb.

His Majesty will come too.

His Majesty gets annoyed just seeing me. I'm not staying.

As for your marriage, His Majesty is letting the matter drop.

The eunuchs and maids who spread rumors have all been slapped and expelled.

You're still His Majesty's most spoiled child.

Consort Wei's crime

was quietly pressed down.

If His Majesty doesn't want to hear it,

how could word ever get out?

Peiyi…

This storm

has settled.

Prince of Xin took a hard assignment

and asked leave to travel away.

After the crow incident, Consort Wei went mad.

She's recovering at Qinghui Palace and can't return without summons.

Prince of Xin's concubine has died by her own hand to atone.

So you can say you got justice for Lady Wang.

She died by her own hand?

That justice wasn't won by me.

And who has truly ever gotten justice?

The innocent die for nothing.

Those who take the blame die of guilt.

Those who love freedom clip their own wings.

Those who are bound spin their own cocoons.

I can uncover the truth, but I can't find justice.

SWALLOW HOUSE

Have you heard?

Our marriage is set aside.

As I said, I wouldn't drag you down.

- So this was your plan too? - What?

Being trapped with me for a night, the rumors spreading,

and drawing Consort Wei out?

You think too highly of me.

If I could foresee things,

I wouldn't have to make you play the fortuneteller every time.

You and I have been through life and death.

I don't want to owe you.

Between two people,

debts of the heart are inevitable.

Connection breeds debts,

and debts foster connection.

If you desire no further debts at all…

then we must part for good and sever all ties.

You're trying to scare me?

I don't know which of your words are true and which are false.

I only said what was in my heart.

What I said that day

was to upset your father.

He really spoke too harshly.

It's fine. It's all in the past.

I knew it. You were eavesdropping that day!

You were discussing our marriage in my house.

How is that eavesdropping?

You were eavesdropping, anyway.

I…

Harsh words cut deepest.

You spoke pretty harshly too.

And you pretended you heard nothing

and acted normal while solving cases with me.

That was for the bigger picture.

You weren't secretly hurt, were you?

Don't make yourself too important.

Why is your forehead wound healing so slowly?

You're not tending to it properly, just to make me feel pity for you?

Utter… Utter nonsense!

Ridiculous.

Fine.

It was my fault. I apologize to you.

No need. I don't accept.

Petty.

Listen!

See? This tune sounds best outside the palace.

May we all have fewer regrets.

You look well.

Thanks to Your Majesty's concern, I recovered this quickly.

After your illness,

you look even younger and prettier.

I wouldn't dare compete with you.

Today's lip rouge really suits you.

Reward Consort Li with a pair of golden hairpins.

Understood.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Would Your Majesty play a duet with this concubine?

My beloved consort?

Quick! Take Consort Li for treatment!

- Quick! - Understood!