Original subtitles

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

Uncle Luo?

When did you get here?

You can finally come in.

Since His Majesty lifted your confinement,

I've been waiting for justice to finally come.

Justice won't just show up.

You have to fight for it.

That's the Prince of Duan's daughter for you.

Here.

I was worried you'd be tied down by finery,

a marriage contract, and a princess's title,

unable to move.

If that could bind me,

I'd have died countless times by now.

I stay alive for revenge.

Then,

we should pay respects to the Prince of Duan's spirit.

I won't drink it until I kill the enemy myself.

What's your plan?

If His Majesty won't name him, we'll make him show himself.

With just you,

I'm afraid you can't bring him down.

It's enough.

What do you need me to do?

Keep the house safe for me.

I've been tracking Lv Chongshan's whereabouts,

but he's extremely cautious.

He hasn't shown up in Western capital so far.

This time is different.

His master has already been exposed before His Majesty.

His master will need a scapegoat.

If we use that as bait,

we might lure him out.

But your wedding to Princess Yong'an is near.

Why move now?

She's carried that hatred all alone for 15 years.

I want to settle the past for her before the wedding,

so she can live a different life.

Mr. Xiao,

that's the mark of a true man.

I'll help you.

Thanks, Mr. Gu.

Over here.

Wipe it clean.

Your Highness, come pick the table skirts.

Then we'll taste dishes and pick wine.

The invitations are out?

Yes, to every address on the list.

Has everyone confirmed their attendance?

In Consort Shu's name, no one dares to skip it.

Your Highness, pick the pastries and sweets too.

As for the seating, I made a quick list.

Did I miss anything?

Other than the wine, you can decide everything.

What wine are we using?

Gentleman Wine.

How come I've never heard of it?

You'll know tomorrow night.

Mr. Xiao!

Mr. Xiao, your trick really is smart.

After we spread the word about the high bounty

on Lv Chongshan's head,

he couldn't sit still.

He thinks his master is making him the scapegoat.

He's searching everywhere for help escaping the capital.

When can we see him?

The snakehead will meet him tomorrow night in the woods by the ferry.

Compared to us, he fears his master more.

Once we catch him, we should get the man behind it.

You really won't tell Princess Yong'an?

Tomorrow she's hosting a banquet at her manor.

No need to worry her.

We'll tell her when it's done.

Alright.

I'll pose as the snakehead and meet him tomorrow night.

I can't fight.

Let me pose as the snakehead,

and you cover me from the shadows.

He'll be on guard with me, so you strike when you can.

Alright.

GRACEFUL VIRTUE, TIMELY RAINS

What are you thinking about?

Tonight's banquet.

It's rare to see you put thought into this kind of thing.

I hope after tonight, everything will be different.

What's so different about this banquet?

After the banquet, I'll be wed to you.

I hope after tonight, everything will be different.

After the banquet, I'll come see you.

You're busy tonight?

I'm on duty at the Astronomical Bureau.

Then focus on your shift.

Tomorrow morning is fine too.

Wait for me.

We can't ride any farther.

Lv Chongshan is running for his life.

He won't make a move so easily.

All we need to do is follow the snakehead's plan,

win his trust,

get him onto our boat, and it's done.

Relax.

I'll circle behind him, so you'll be safe.

It's almost time.

Let's go.

PROPITIOUS WINDS AND NOURISHING RAINS

No need to be formal, everyone.

Fruit and pastries, wine and dishes,

help yourselves.

This wine tastes so unusual.

I've never had it before.

What wine is this?

It's Gentleman Wine,

specially prepared by Princess Yong'an for everyone.

Why only Gentleman Wine?

Where's the Lady Wine?

Lady Wine is for a gentleman to win over.

This taste is really something.

There's a beech-mushroom aroma.

Sir, you have fine taste.

In this wine, we added beech mushrooms and matsutake,

so in late autumn, you can still taste fresh mushrooms.

EAST

Tonight!

Where's the money?

It's you?

It's you?

Something felt off about the snakehead…

Mr. Xiao?

I got word

Lv Chongshan would meet the snakehead today

and slip out of the capital.

So Mr. Xiao and I posed as the snakehead to meet him.

Once we caught him, we'd find the one behind it.

I heard Lv Chongshan's master sent plenty of spies to find him,

so I posed as Lv Chongshan and met with the spies.

If we caught a spy, we'd find his master.

Who knew it'd be you two.

We've been tricked.

Oh no. It's the boss.

She lured us to the outskirts on purpose.

The Prince of Duan's manor may be short on people,

but Her Highness should still receive her guests.

Sir, this is the Princess's Mansion now.

She's the lady of the house and a bride-to-be.

Her attention is quite divided.

The Right Chancellor is here!

Right Chancellor!

Good. Sit, everyone.

Why are you all staring at me,

like I'm the host or something?

Where's Peiyi?

Look at me, so impatient.

I still think of her as the child raised by my sister.

I actually forgot she's a titled princess now!

Everyone,

you've heard the music and had the wine.

When will Her Highness show herself?

Princess Yong'an, Li Peiyi,

thank you for coming to my banquet.

I have three cups to share with you all.

There are three toasts tonight.

First, to my rebirth.

May I be blessed after surviving the disaster.

Everyone, please.

Please.

There she is!

Where?

The banquet just started.

You're seeing things already.

Second, to my return to the Prince of Duan's manor.

It's a move-in and a homecoming.

May we all regain what we've lost.

Please.

Third, I want to see an old acquaintance

and recount an old story.

I hope to fulfill a long-held wish.

You may feel dizzy and unwell,

and your body may not obey you.

Don't worry.

It's just the effects of toxic mushrooms.

The wine is poisoned!

Your Highness…

We have no grudge with you.

Why poison the wine?

- Why harm us? - Any grudge or not?

You'll know soon.

These toxic mushrooms are fierce,

but they won't kill you.

So be patient,

and hear me out.

- If I'm in a good mood, - You…

I might hand you the antidote.

If you want revenge, go for the right man.

You poisoned us for nothing,

and now you want us to hear your story?

Don't think just because you're a princess

you can do whatever you want!

Enough noise!

Good. Then I'll start my story.

What I'm about to tell is what happened 15 years ago,

when the Prince of Duan's household was wiped out.

I'm sure you've all heard of it.

But I have a different version.

GRACEFUL VIRTUE, TIMELY RAINS

- Lantern Festival night, 15 years ago. - My good girl.

- It was right here. - Come, your turn.

My father, my mother, and I

- watched the moon and painted lanterns. - Let me see.

So pretty!

- The lantern burned me. - It hurts!

Mother carried me back to my room.

Here, take your medicine.

I took a pill and fell asleep.

When I woke again,

all I heard was screaming outside and the sounds of fighting.

I don't know how long the slaughter lasted.

Everywhere I looked was blood.

Screams rang in my ears.

That year, I was only eight.

And I may have seen more dead bodies than you will

in your whole lives!

By day, they were all living, breathing people,

playing with me.

Among the dead

were my father and mother.

I know the one behind all this

is among you.

He hid it well.

I searched for 15 years and couldn't find him.

So I made a decision.

I'll kill you all.

- Oh my! - Murder! Run!

Princess Yong'an is going to kill us!

The Princess is killing!

Murder!

Let's run!

So it was you, Right Chancellor.

For 15 years,

you made me search so hard.

You hid it so well.

Your Highness,

I can't make sense of what you're saying.

Everyone's been poisoned,

crashing about like mindless insects.

But only one person felt guilty and was scared.

He knew I wouldn't let it go,

so he wouldn't touch a thing here.

He knew the one way to get out fast.

He knows this place best,

because this is where he killed my father.

And 15 years ago, he slipped away unseen

from this very exit of this manor.

Too bad.

I've blocked the door.

Today, you won't escape.

Your Highness,

you've handled cases for years.

Don't you know convictions need evidence?

You poisoned your own guests,

and that's your crime.

I didn't fall for your trap, and that's my caution.

I don't drink. That's no crime.

You come at me with a blade.

If I turn to run,

that's not a crime either.

Your scary little tale

is just slander, utterly unconvincing!

I don't need to convict you.

I only need your life!

Li Peiyi,

you think I'd come unprepared to your family banquet?

Even if you didn't strike tonight,

I'd still make sure you die without a body left whole.

Your Highness, I'm here!

Tonight we'll avenge the Prince of Duan!

The Jianning Iron Army still has survivors?

Back then, you couldn't protect the Prince of Duan.

Today you'll fail again!

Uncle Luo!

Back then, the Prince of Duan died right here!

Today, you can go join him!

Well done!

Well done!

Much more interesting than your simple-minded father.

He knew I came under imperial order to arrest him,

yet he still hoped to see His Majesty.

He missed his chance,

and my men pinned him to his knees!

I barely had to swing my sword,

and he was dead.

You dared kill a prince.

Your crime deserves death!

The Palace Investigation Bureau ruled the Prince of Duan died by his own hand!

After all, the blade that killed him

was found in his own hand!

Don't worry.

I'll spin you a fine story too.

I'll report it to His Majesty and spread it across the court!

Let's see who lives to tell the story to His Majesty.

Then bring it on!

I'm curious too.

Lv Chongshan!

Your Highness!

Du Zhixing

is not much of a teacher.

Fifteen years,

and is that all he taught you?

Like him.

Exactly like him.

For 15 years, every sight of you

brings back your father's eyes.

He always stared at me just so.

That look…

of contempt…

of anger…

and of righteous fury.

He provoked me.

A martial upstart,

meddling in army funds and corruption.

Leaning on his title as a prince and his war merits,

he thought he could shake my foundation.

But in the end, the heavens sided with me.

"Mars invades the Heart."

A perfect omen to frame him!

The stars played their part to lend me a hand.

Everything lined up.

So you see, I didn't murder him.

It was fate taking its course.

Now it's your turn.

You'll die

on the very stones your father's blood stained.

Isn't that a family reunion?

Kill her! Kill her!

Your Highness!

You've always been a man of few words.

But once people get smug, they slip.

You must regret having said so much to me.

Any backup?

If not, kneel down,

and let me take your life.

Peiyi!

Deputy Director Xiao, you're just in time.

Look, Princess Yong'an has gone mad.

She killed everyone.

- She has the Prince of Duan's madness-- - Shut up!

You're too weak to lift a thing.

He's a Deputy Director who can't throw a punch.

Who can stop a madwoman?

Peiyi.

Put the sword down.

Kill him!

No!

You're trying to stop me from getting revenge?

No.

I'm stopping you from doing the wrong thing.

Cutting down my enemy, how is that wrong?

He's a court official.

Every guest tonight is a witness.

If you kill him, you wouldn't survive it.

Do you smell it?

What?

The smell of blood.

Whenever I have nightmares,

I smell that same blood.

Once I kill him,

my nightmares will end.

That smell won't scare me anymore.

It'll be the taste of my revenge!

But I'm afraid you'll have new nightmares.

I'm afraid he'll drag you down to hell.

I'm not afraid of hell,

as long as he goes with me.

Peiyi!

Her Highness shouldn't dirty her hands.

- Let me do it! - No!

You…

That old bastard confessed it himself.

It was him.

He framed the Prince of Duan with that star nonsense.

He deliberately stopped the Prince of Duan from seeing His Majesty.

He forged the charge that the Prince of Duan

defied an imperial order!

He killed an imperial prince with his own hands!

His guilt is clear. Killing him isn't wrong!

It took me 15 years…

to remember that part.

I risked my life

to force out the man who slaughtered my whole family.

If I can't kill him,

why didn't you let me die clueless 15 years ago?

Peiyi.

I'll go with you to see His Majesty.

Now that Cui Minzhong has confessed to every crime,

His Majesty will give you justice.

Tang law will give you justice.

If he dies here,

then there's no proof left.

The Prince of Duan's name will never be cleared.

Deputy Director Xiao, you're the one with a clear head.

I'll tell His Majesty everything.

- Take me to His Majesty! - You…

Peiyi.

Your Highness!

We waited 15 years.

Are we really letting him off that easily?

We're not letting him off!

Peiyi,

if you kill him now, it's letting him off easy.

He must confess before His Majesty to every charge.

He must confess before the whole realm and give the Prince of Duan his justice.

Search carefully! Don't let a single one escape!

The Imperial Guard can't find you here. Leave, now.

- You… - Leave, now!

- Help! Someone! - Run!

- Help! - Leave now!

Help!

Peiyi!

- Peiyi! - Your Highness!

Cui Minzhong slaughtered the Prince of Duan's household

15 years ago!

Now he tried to kill Princess Yong'an.

Take him into the palace and report to His Majesty!

And Lv Chongshan's body, take it as well.

Understood.

Let go of me!

You're escorting me to see His Majesty!

Do you even understand?

Cui Minzhong!

How dare you!

You used even me, deceived me!

She's badly hurt, but her life isn't in danger.

Let me check on her.

Let her rest properly.

Let's go.

THREE DAYS LATER

Look at you.

So gloomy again.

Your Majesty, what is your judgment?

I've suspended him from office.

He is to return home, copy scriptures, and repent.

Suspended?

You didn't even strip him of his rank?

He killed dozens in my household.

He murdered Your Majesty's brother.

He tried to kill me again and again.

And for all that, his sentence is to copy scriptures?

He's the Right Chancellor.

If I killed him outright,

within three days, the court would be in chaos.

His opponents would fight to replace him.

His faction would seek revenge.

Everything he has was given by Your Majesty.

His opponents and his faction

are also Your Majesty's subjects.

By Your Majesty's reasoning,

then is Great Tang of the Li family

or of the Right Chancellor?

I know you just found the one who killed your parents.

Grief has clouded your mind. It is your grief speaking.

I will overlook your offense.

But if you overstep once more,

I will show you whose court this really is!

Peiyi.

Peiyi.

Why wouldn't you let me kill him?

Why?

I don't want you to live with the pain of killing.

You're not a monster

who can kill and still sleep at night.

I've never known what it feels like to sleep in peace.

All I know is what it feels like to lose everyone overnight.

You don't understand anything.

Why did you decide for me?

You're right. I don't understand.

I was just afraid you'd get hurt.

But every time I worry,

I end up stopping you,

and it only brings you pain.

You said revenge is what keeps you alive.

So will every tomorrow be about revenge?

And after you have it,

what comes next?

What can I do?

Someone like me,

can I still hope for some calm,

happy life together?

You've never hoped for it?

Not once.

Because I am nothing but a curse to all around me.

All I wanted was revenge.

For revenge, I was ready to make you an accomplice

and to stain our wedding with blood.

That's who I am.

Then why did you send us all away?

If it wasn't to protect us,

why set such a huge trap and keep us far from your banquet?

Maybe I just thought you'd get in my way.

If you hadn't rushed back, my revenge would be done by now.

In your heart,

did we ever matter to you?

What were our feelings?

What was this imperial marriage to you?

If you killed the Right Chancellor,

what would I have to bear?

You think I'll drag your family down.

Don't worry.

I did this before the wedding.

You remain the spotless heir.

You'll still have a bright future.

I won't implicate you.

So in your eyes,

I'm that kind of person?

You think everything I did

was only to keep my family from being dragged down?

Li Peiyi,

I just can't bear to lose you.

But now,

I guess I can take it.

I ruined your revenge.

You ruined my marriage.

Let's call it even.

Then we're even.

No one owes the other.

Fine.

We're even.

No one owes the other.

Did I…

do the wrong thing?

It's been over half a month.

Why is he still not recovering?

The young master's illness lies in the heart.

Medicine can restore his body but can't fix his heart.

Your Highness, you finally came out.

Are you going out?

I'm going to the palace.

Your Majesty, please allow me

to resign from the Palace Investigation Bureau,

strip me of my princess title,

and also withdraw the marriage decree.

While you've shut yourself away at home,

the Right Chancellor has also been shut away, copying scriptures.

Are you still sulking with me?

I'm not sulking.

These duties are beyond my ability.

So I choose to lay them all down.

VIRTUE SHINING, EVER-PROGRESSING

I never liked you working at the Palace Investigation Bureau anyway.

You may quit.

The court is in turmoil now.

Breaking off the marriage at a time like this

may hurt the Xiao family.

Besides, the Deputy Director is ill right now.

Wait a little longer.

As for your princess title…

You poisoned the whole court.

No one died, but it was still wildly wrong!

I must punish you, or I can't calm them!

Alright.

You may be the County Princess once more.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

By the way,

when you have time, go see Consort Shu at Qinghui Palace.

Qinghui Palace?

The Cold Palace?

She knows her brother committed a grave wrong,

so she asked to go there and reflect.

When did this happen?

The day you left the palace.

What did she do wrong?

Your Highness.

You're avoiding me?

My brother committed such a crime.

I can't leave the palace to question him,

and I don't know how to make it up to you.

So I asked to come here to repent, so you never have to see me again.

Did you know about what Cui Minzhong did?

If I had known,

how could I have stayed with you for all these years?

When His Majesty judged the case, did you plead for him?

Such an inhuman crime should be punished severely.

Even if I were implicated, I deserve it.

What right have I to plead his case?

He did the killing.

His Majesty passed the sentence.

You knew nothing about it.

And you've treated me as your own for years.

Why should you repent here?

Do you regret raising me?

How could I?

You're my child.

What mother would regret raising her own child?

Your Highness…

I miss you so much.

I miss you too.

Peiyi…

Are you…

thinking of leaving?

Where would you have me go?

Are you thinking of leaving the palace, leaving the capital?

You're sending me away?

Of course not.

I'm just afraid…

I'm afraid you'll…

Now, I'm all you have left.

And you're all I have left too.

I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay with you.