Original subtitles

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

The Ceremony finally ended without a hitch.

You've worked hard these days, Deputy Director Xiao.

Let's enjoy tonight's Grand Festival.

Not yet.

The Grand Festival is the main event.

You're here early.

For tonight's Grand Festival, is everything in place?

Look.

Am I going to be your horse keeper or your household servant?

The last time I entered the palace was 20 years ago.

What's your plan?

Just get me into the palace and keep me out of sight.

I'll handle everything else.

Don't worry.

I give you my word.

This time,

I'll avenge the Prince of Duan.

You trust him that much?

It's already past Shen Hour.

Go rest a bit. We'll be busy again soon.

Just as I thought.

So you're here too, Mr. Xiao.

You already knew the Celestial Lord was him.

Why hide it?

Because what he did is what I wanted to do too.

- Come with me. - You shouldn't be here.

Why?

Because I wasn't supposed to find you were in on it with the Celestial Lord,

or discover you were behind the palace lantern case,

or use an investigation to bring you to justice?

You think you're clever, huh?

Fine.

Then tell me

how you discovered I was behind it.

At first, I thought the killer hid near the lantern

and cut the cord when no one watched.

But I missed one thing.

The room was lit up everywhere.

There was nowhere to hide.

And around Lang Maochun, there was only him alone.

If it wasn't him,

then only you could have cut it,

as you were closest to him.

I…

I didn't do it.

I didn't do it.

Not me!

Your Ladyship is decisive and bold.

Like father, like daughter!

But she's not like you.

She didn't let Lang Maochun truly die.

The one that was burned was a corpse to begin with.

I bet you hid a prepared body

under the oilcloth-covered workbench.

Using the flames and thick smoke as cover,

Lang Maochun moved it out fast…

making it look like he'd been pierced by bamboo ribs.

The build of that body

and those bamboo wounds were convincing enough.

But you couldn't control one surprise.

The paste under the dragon's eyes

is this one.

Lang Maochun's right fingers were smeared with flammable oil.

In the fire, they should've been badly burned.

Yet that corpse's fingers weren't.

I had Physician Zhao examine it.

That body had been dead for days before it was burned.

Your casework has improved.

I made one mistake.

Next is how you helped Lang Maochun flee.

You must have had someone pour out the tung oil in advance,

allowing him to hide inside the barrel.

What's in that barrel?

Tung oil!

Hurry!

Move!

And right then,

the night-soil collector you planted showed up.

Who is it?

Stop the cart!

- Move! - Got it.

Your Ladyship.

- Did you see anyone suspicious? - No.

- Search over there. - Understood!

You chased after him,

not to catch the killer,

but to escort Lang Maochun out of the palace.

Sharp as a needle.

Good reasoning.

But I don't have time to chat with you here.

In two hours, the Grand Festival begins.

Uncle Luo and I still have a lot to do.

Come back with me to see His Majesty.

I go to the palace to see His Majesty, of course.

You know what I mean.

And you know what I mean.

I've already had this place surrounded.

Even if you kill me,

you won't make it out that gate.

With our skills, no one can stop us.

Your Ladyship.

Last time, if not for him playing generous at our expense,

we would have had our revenge already!

You know me.

And I know you.

You've always shown me mercy.

You must come alone.

If you only mean to stop me

and won't walk with me,

then I'll find someone else to walk with.

And if I insist on stopping you?

Then I can only step over you!

A blood-feud like this must be settled by my own hand.

You're not a cold-blooded person.

You and Consort Shu are like mother and daughter.

You can't bear to watch him take her life.

They're only like mother and daughter!

But Consort Shu and the Right Chancellor are blood and bone.

The Right Chancellor won't fall

unless Consort Shu is removed!

- Tie him up. - Move!

Do you regret it?

I can't wait.

XINGQING PALACE

Stop the cart!

FUCHANG COUNTY PRINCESS BADGE

Who are you from the County Princess's manor?

Do you have a palace-issued pass?

Even Her Ladyship's token won't get me through?

Security is tight today.

Without a palace-issued pass, you cannot enter.

So I can't enter

and let Her Ladyship go in herself with the gifts for Consort Shu?

You don't need to worry about that.

The palace eunuchs will handle it.

This face of mine is worth less than a pass?

Palace rules are palace rules.

This brat doesn't know better.

Your Ladyship, please forgive him.

This way, please!

We haven't searched the cart.

Move it away.

Boss, what's this?

Put it down! We need to check it!

This is my gift for Consort Shu.

Let Her Highness open it herself.

Understood.

Your Ladyship,

if you need anything, just give the word.

You guys, go check over there.

Understood!

I know something will happen tonight.

Inform me once you learn anything.

I can help too.

Then help check over there.

Boss, Mr. Xiao said the killer might strike again tonight.

I've been on edge all day.

Look, my hands are shaking.

It's cold.

You're dressed too lightly.

Of course your hands are shaking.

I'm on duty.

You're making me embarrassed.

Why be embarrassed?

If you freeze, you can't even wield your sword.

Boss, you're really kind.

Thank you.

Tonight, I can't keep watch with you.

With you beside His Majesty and Consort Shu,

I'll feel more at ease.

He's in charge of the gifts for His Majesty and Consort Shu.

Treat him as you would treat me.

Understood!

Enjoy the night.

ONE TRUE MASTER IS ENOUGH

The Protector-General has sent troops to station outside Chunming Gate.

We're waiting for your order, Master.

Has the evening drum sounded?

It's the start of You Hour.

Wait a little longer.

Pass it on. Keep strict watch.

Understood!

Wuren.

- How is it? - No sign of anything.

Go check over there.

What time is it?

The second ke of You Hour.

Master,

His Majesty will never summon you for tonight's Grand Festival.

You may go now.

Master, we really can't wait any longer.

The Imperial Guards have doubled inside the palace.

Consort Shu will be in danger at the Grand Festival.

Move now, or it'll be too late!

We siblings

have served His Majesty

with all our hearts for decades.

As long as His Majesty remembers the bond we once had,

I won't take it too far.

Tonight, if I lead troops into the palace,

whether to purge the traitors or to save Consort Shu,

in His Majesty's eyes,

it would be treason.

So…

let's wait a little longer.

A guest is here.

Chen Luo has entered the palace with Her Ladyship.

Everything is in place.

And the Right Chancellor is about to boil over.

Everything is ready.

And the time has come.

- Let's enter the palace. - Understood!

XINGQING PALACE

Stop right there!

Deputy Director Xiao.

Consort Shu is about to dance!

CHUNMING GATE

Mr. Xiao?

Why are you here so late?

- Have you seen Chen Luo? - Chen Luo?

He's the Celestial Lord. He should be in the palace right now.

Why are the fireworks lit at this time?

They must have made a mistake.

"Phoenix Dances Across the Nine Heavens.

Venus Shines in Tandem."

What's that supposed to mean?

Your Majesty,

it was supposed to be "Dragon Roams the Four Seas."

How could it…

Why are you still standing there? Go check it now!

- Go, now! - Understood.

"Phoenix Dances Across the Nine Heavens."

In the whole sky, only one phoenix reigns.

Mr. Xiao?

They're using

the Grand Festival fireworks to brand Consort Shu as one

who'd upend the realm.

They're using His Majesty's hand to have her executed.

Whoever set up those fireworks deserves death.

I'll go check it.

It's Her Ladyship.

Her Ladyship prepared the fireworks.

And there was someone with her.

I thought he was just a servant.

It's all my fault. I let my guard down.

Her Ladyship?

Why would she do this?

- She wants Consort Shu dead? - Let's go!

So that's it.

At tonight's Grand Festival,

the Cui clan faces a great disaster.

CHUNMING GATE

How is it in the palace?

His Majesty is furious. He may order Consort Shu executed.

Report!

No idea how the news got out,

but a squad of Imperial Guards is heading this way!

You can put Consort Shu on a pedestal,

but you can never bring her down.

Trying to use this

to frame her as a traitor

and wipe out my clan?

Wrong move!

His Majesty is blind.

He won't even give me a chance to explain

and already wants me wiped out!

Fine.

Since you drive me to rebel, I have no choice!

I'll give you what you want.

I'll oblige you.

Kill!

Kill!

CHUNMING GATE

TANG

Cui Minzhong!

You dare raise troops at the palace gates!

Today, for His Majesty,

I'll wipe out you rebels!

Who do you think you are?

You framed me first,

then claim you're quelling rebels.

You're the real villain here.

I may not be a general,

but I'll still fight for this loyal heart of mine!

- Kill! - Kill!

Send word back to the palace.

The Right Chancellor has rebelled!

Understood!

It's done.

Once the sign goes up,

Consort Shu is as good as dead!

The Cui clan is finished!

Congrats, Commandant Chen.

Your vengeance is complete.

Congrats, My Lord!

Anyone who tries to stop me dies!

Open the gate!

His Majesty has an edict.

One more step,

and you walk to your death!

This is…

Her Ladyship didn't kill Consort Shu?

Your Majesty, look!

"Phoenix Blesses a Thousand Generations.

Dragon Soars to the Highest Heaven!"

A dragon and a phoenix in harmony.

May Great Tang prosper for endless generations!

LI QIANG, CROWN PRINCE

So that's it…

So that's it.

This whole puzzle

was to force me to raise troops.

What a fine scheme.

Xie Binglin.

Where are you?

Master!

Turn back while you can.

There may still be a way out!

Trying to make me surrender?

You think you're worthy?

I have no way back now.

Kill them!

Fire!

Kill!

I want to see His Majesty.

I want to see Consort Shu!

Today, even if I die,

I won't die at the hands

of you ants!

The palace has been unsettled of late,

and that nursery rhyme going around in the capital

bears sinister intent.

I saw enemies in every shadow.

I nearly took it out on you.

Please, don't blame me.

I understand Your Majesty's heart.

How could I blame Your Majesty?

Your Majesty.

The Right Chancellor led troops and forced the gate.

He awaits your judgment.

Let him in.

Your Majesty.

Cui Minzhong colluded with rebel forces

and charged the palace gate.

He committed treason,

seeking to overthrow the realm.

Now, the rebel has been seized,

and his accomplices have all been captured.

Let go of me!

Your Majesty,

this humble minister can finally

see your face again.

Cui Minzhong,

you've grown bold, huh?

Your Majesty,

I'm wronged.

Look at you.

The evidence is solid,

and you still want to argue?

I obeyed your command,

copied scriptures at home to repent,

and never dared cross the line.

But someone wouldn't let me go.

They wanted me dead!

I'm not afraid to die.

I'm afraid someone used a nursery rhyme to spread rumors,

using Consort Shu

to sow discord.

They wanted Your Majesty to suspect this loyal minister!

I only doubted you,

and you wanted to kill me?

Cui Minzhong, so loyal, aren't you?

My blade cut down what blocked my road to see Your Majesty.

It severed

your misunderstanding of me.

It's true I brought troops into the palace.

But only this way

could I make Your Majesty see my sincere heart!

This minister was forced into it.

I had no choice.

The one who set this up

truly means harm to Great Tang.

They deserve death!

You raised the troops,

and you got yourself covered in blood.

And you still

want to pin this crime on someone who doesn't exist?

At first,

I couldn't understand

how someone could be so vicious,

hate this minister to such a degree.

But today…

I finally understand.

The one behind it

has a name.

She is Li Peiyi!

Cui Minzhong,

was tonight's Grand Festival to your liking?

Your Majesty. You saw it.

It was her.

That cursed lone star is dissatisfied with Your Majesty's punishment of me

and wants me dead!

She not only drove a wedge between us,

she also used my love for Consort Shu

to make me think Your Majesty meant to kill her!

Don't smear her!

Your Majesty.

The culprit behind the palace murders has been identified.

We're just waiting to catch him red-handed.

It has nothing to do with Her Ladyship.

Silence!

You and Li Peiyi are in league.

You had a hand in framing me!

How dare you vouch for her?

You've always had a silver tongue.

Now the evidence is ironclad.

So I'm curious how you will twist the truth.

This woman has plotted against me at every turn.

Your Majesty,

the recent murders in the palace

and that nursery rhyme spreading through the capital

must be all her doing!

If I hadn't gone this far,

how could I see Your Majesty again

and see my little sister again?

Little sister.

Consort Shu.

You know me!

When have I ever been disloyal

to Your Majesty or to Tang?

My beloved,

in your opinion, what should we do?

Cui Minzhong has committed treason.

This is a minister's greatest crime.

As the sister of a traitor,

I'm willing to accept the punishment with him,

without complaint or regret.

My beloved, please rise.

Get back to your manor and await judgment!

Your Majesty…

Your Majesty!

I told you.

You won't escape.

Your Majesty…

Your Majesty!

I'm wronged!

Your Majesty!

I…

I'm wronged…

Consort Shu didn't die,

but Cui Minzhong did lead troops into the palace.

He can't escape the charge of treason now.

He'll never rise again.

Your plan has been achieved.

Cui Minzhong was just a street thug.

How did he reach the rank of Right Chancellor

and keep His Majesty's favor for over ten years?

Who backed him?

Bring down one Cui Minzhong,

and there'll always be another.

The Prince of Duan's death doesn't count against her?

It was my failure. One lapse in a meticulous plan.

I didn't foresee

that Her Ladyship still valued Consort Shu's motherly care.

She must have tampered with the fireworks.

It wasn't just about the fireworks.

We all underestimated Li Peiyi.

She'd been using us from the start.

Go clean up what you should.

Understood.

You…

You betrayed the Prince of Duan,

and now you set me up too.

You're unworthy of being his daughter!

Your insults are as ridiculous as your grand speeches.

From the very moment my mother bore me,

I was the Prince of Duan's daughter.

Whatever kind of person I am,

that's what the Prince of Duan's daughter is.

You don't get to judge.

Today, I'll clean out the traitor for the Prince of Duan!