1
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{\an8}ADAPTED FROM A SHUQI.COM NOVEL
ORIGINAL AUTHOR: SENLIN LU

2
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Uncle Luo?

3
00:01:58,560 --> 00:01:59,400
When did you get here?

4
00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,880
You can finally come in.

5
00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,000
Since His Majesty lifted your confinement,

6
00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:09,039
I've been waiting
for justice to finally come.

7
00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:12,520
Justice won't just show up.

8
00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:14,120
You have to fight for it.

9
00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:17,680
That's the Prince of Duan's daughter
for you.

10
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Here.

11
00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:25,520
I was worried
you'd be tied down by finery,

12
00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,000
a marriage contract,
and a princess's title,

13
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unable to move.

14
00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:32,840
If that could bind me,

15
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I'd have died countless times by now.

16
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I stay alive for revenge.

17
00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:40,440
Then,

18
00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,920
we should pay respects
to the Prince of Duan's spirit.

19
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I won't drink it
until I kill the enemy myself.

20
00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:53,800
What's your plan?

21
00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:58,120
If His Majesty won't name him,
we'll make him show himself.

22
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With just you,

23
00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,200
I'm afraid you can't bring him down.

24
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It's enough.

25
00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:07,400
What do you need me to do?

26
00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:09,240
Keep the house safe for me.

27
00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:18,200
I've been tracking
Lv Chongshan's whereabouts,

28
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but he's extremely cautious.

29
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He hasn't shown up
in Western capital so far.

30
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This time is different.

31
00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:25,920
His master has already been exposed
before His Majesty.

32
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His master will need a scapegoat.

33
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If we use that as bait,

34
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we might lure him out.

35
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But your wedding
to Princess Yong'an is near.

36
00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:39,000
Why move now?

37
00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:46,720
She's carried that hatred
all alone for 15 years.

38
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I want to settle the past for her
before the wedding,

39
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so she can live a different life.

40
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Mr. Xiao,

41
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that's the mark of a true man.

42
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I'll help you.

43
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Thanks, Mr. Gu.

44
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Over here.

45
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Wipe it clean.

46
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Your Highness, come pick the table skirts.

47
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Then we'll taste dishes and pick wine.

48
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The invitations are out?

49
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Yes, to every address on the list.

50
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Has everyone confirmed their attendance?

51
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In Consort Shu's name,
no one dares to skip it.

52
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Your Highness,
pick the pastries and sweets too.

53
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As for the seating, I made a quick list.

54
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Did I miss anything?

55
00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:39,920
Other than the wine,
you can decide everything.

56
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What wine are we using?

57
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Gentleman Wine.

58
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How come I've never heard of it?

59
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You'll know tomorrow night.

60
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Mr. Xiao!

61
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Mr. Xiao, your trick really is smart.

62
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After we spread the word
about the high bounty

63
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on Lv Chongshan's head,

64
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he couldn't sit still.

65
00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:04,800
He thinks his master
is making him the scapegoat.

66
00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:06,720
He's searching everywhere
for help escaping the capital.

67
00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:07,960
When can we see him?

68
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The snakehead will meet him
tomorrow night in the woods by the ferry.

69
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Compared to us, he fears his master more.

70
00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,720
Once we catch him,
we should get the man behind it.

71
00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:23,240
You really won't tell Princess Yong'an?

72
00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:27,040
Tomorrow she's hosting
a banquet at her manor.

73
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No need to worry her.

74
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We'll tell her when it's done.

75
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Alright.

76
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I'll pose as the snakehead
and meet him tomorrow night.

77
00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:36,880
I can't fight.

78
00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:38,120
Let me pose as the snakehead,

79
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and you cover me from the shadows.

80
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He'll be on guard with me,
so you strike when you can.

81
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Alright.

82
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GRACEFUL VIRTUE, TIMELY RAINS

83
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What are you thinking about?

84
00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:09,080
Tonight's banquet.

85
00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:11,560
It's rare to see you put thought
into this kind of thing.

86
00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:16,840
I hope after tonight,
everything will be different.

87
00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:18,440
What's so different about this banquet?

88
00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,440
After the banquet, I'll be wed to you.

89
00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:32,360
I hope after tonight,
everything will be different.

90
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After the banquet, I'll come see you.

91
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You're busy tonight?

92
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I'm on duty at the Astronomical Bureau.

93
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Then focus on your shift.

94
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Tomorrow morning is fine too.

95
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Wait for me.

96
00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:13,480
We can't ride any farther.

97
00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:15,520
Lv Chongshan is running for his life.

98
00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:16,600
He won't make a move so easily.

99
00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,200
All we need to do
is follow the snakehead's plan,

100
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win his trust,

101
00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:22,600
get him onto our boat, and it's done.

102
00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:23,760
Relax.

103
00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,440
I'll circle behind him, so you'll be safe.

104
00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:29,880
It's almost time.

105
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Let's go.

106
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{\an8}PROPITIOUS WINDS AND NOURISHING RAINS

107
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No need to be formal, everyone.

108
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Fruit and pastries, wine and dishes,

109
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help yourselves.

110
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This wine tastes so unusual.

111
00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:58,360
I've never had it before.

112
00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:00,280
What wine is this?

113
00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:01,760
It's Gentleman Wine,

114
00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,360
specially prepared
by Princess Yong'an for everyone.

115
00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:06,840
Why only Gentleman Wine?

116
00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:08,560
Where's the Lady Wine?

117
00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:13,760
Lady Wine is for a gentleman to win over.

118
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This taste is really something.

119
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There's a beech-mushroom aroma.

120
00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:23,960
Sir, you have fine taste.

121
00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,680
In this wine, we added
beech mushrooms and matsutake,

122
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so in late autumn,
you can still taste fresh mushrooms.

123
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EAST

124
00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:37,800
Tonight!

125
00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:40,280
Where's the money?

126
00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:45,480
It's you?

127
00:10:45,560 --> 00:10:46,480
It's you?

128
00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:49,560
Something felt off about the snakehead…

129
00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:54,720
Mr. Xiao?

130
00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:56,040
I got word

131
00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:58,000
Lv Chongshan would meet
the snakehead today

132
00:10:58,080 --> 00:10:59,360
and slip out of the capital.

133
00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,040
So Mr. Xiao and I posed
as the snakehead to meet him.

134
00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:03,720
Once we caught him,
we'd find the one behind it.

135
00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:06,480
I heard Lv Chongshan's master
sent plenty of spies to find him,

136
00:11:06,560 --> 00:11:08,480
so I posed as Lv Chongshan
and met with the spies.

137
00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:10,720
If we caught a spy, we'd find his master.

138
00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:12,960
Who knew it'd be you two.

139
00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:15,080
We've been tricked.

140
00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,480
Oh no. It's the boss.

141
00:11:17,560 --> 00:11:18,880
She lured us to the outskirts on purpose.

142
00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,520
The Prince of Duan's manor
may be short on people,

143
00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:27,600
but Her Highness
should still receive her guests.

144
00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:31,320
Sir, this is the Princess's Mansion now.

145
00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:33,560
She's the lady of the house
and a bride-to-be.

146
00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:35,800
Her attention is quite divided.

147
00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:38,760
The Right Chancellor is here!

148
00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:44,560
Right Chancellor!

149
00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:55,360
Good. Sit, everyone.

150
00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:12,440
Why are you all staring at me,

151
00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:14,560
like I'm the host or something?

152
00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:16,000
Where's Peiyi?

153
00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:21,520
Look at me, so impatient.

154
00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:25,080
I still think of her
as the child raised by my sister.

155
00:12:25,680 --> 00:12:28,520
I actually forgot
she's a titled princess now!

156
00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:33,720
Everyone,

157
00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:37,280
you've heard the music and had the wine.

158
00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:40,120
When will Her Highness show herself?

159
00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:43,680
Princess Yong'an, Li Peiyi,

160
00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:45,680
thank you for coming to my banquet.

161
00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:52,800
I have three cups to share with you all.

162
00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:54,200
There are three toasts tonight.

163
00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,200
First, to my rebirth.

164
00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:00,720
May I be blessed
after surviving the disaster.

165
00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:02,520
Everyone, please.

166
00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:04,120
Please.

167
00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:20,320
There she is!

168
00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:23,560
Where?

169
00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:25,960
The banquet just started.

170
00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:27,640
You're seeing things already.

171
00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:31,680
Second, to my return
to the Prince of Duan's manor.

172
00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,200
It's a move-in and a homecoming.

173
00:13:35,560 --> 00:13:37,920
May we all regain what we've lost.

174
00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:38,880
Please.

175
00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:45,840
Third, I want to see an old acquaintance

176
00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:48,160
and recount an old story.

177
00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:51,640
I hope to fulfill a long-held wish.

178
00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:54,000
You may feel dizzy and unwell,

179
00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,240
and your body may not obey you.

180
00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:57,880
Don't worry.

181
00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,000
It's just the effects of toxic mushrooms.

182
00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:01,880
The wine is poisoned!

183
00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:07,240
Your Highness…

184
00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:08,960
We have no grudge with you.

185
00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,000
Why poison the wine?

186
00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:12,880
- Why harm us?
- Any grudge or not?

187
00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:14,640
You'll know soon.

188
00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:16,520
These toxic mushrooms are fierce,

189
00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:18,360
but they won't kill you.

190
00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:20,200
So be patient,

191
00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:22,920
and hear me out.

192
00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:25,360
- If I'm in a good mood,
- You…

193
00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:26,520
I might hand you the antidote.

194
00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,680
If you want revenge, go for the right man.

195
00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:30,720
You poisoned us for nothing,

196
00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:33,120
and now you want us to hear your story?

197
00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:35,840
Don't think just because you're a princess

198
00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:37,960
you can do whatever you want!

199
00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:38,960
Enough noise!

200
00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:43,360
Good. Then I'll start my story.

201
00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:45,840
What I'm about to tell
is what happened 15 years ago,

202
00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:48,120
when the Prince of Duan's household
was wiped out.

203
00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:49,600
I'm sure you've all heard of it.

204
00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,200
But I have a different version.

205
00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:54,120
GRACEFUL VIRTUE, TIMELY RAINS

206
00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:56,600
- <i>Lantern Festival night, 15 years ago.</i>
- My good girl.

207
00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:58,360
- <i>It was right here.</i>
- Come, your turn.

208
00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,040
<i>My father, my mother, and I</i>

209
00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,000
- <i>watched the moon and painted lanterns.</i>
- Let me see.

210
00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:03,320
So pretty!

211
00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:04,960
- <i>The lantern burned me.</i>
- It hurts!

212
00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:08,120
<i>Mother carried me back to my room.</i>

213
00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:10,560
Here, take your medicine.

214
00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:26,680
{\an8}<i>I took a pill and fell asleep.</i>

215
00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:28,160
{\an8}<i>When I woke again,</i>

216
00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:31,880
<i>all I heard was screaming outside</i>
<i>and the sounds of fighting.</i>

217
00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:40,840
<i>I don't know how long</i>
<i>the slaughter lasted.</i>

218
00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,560
<i>Everywhere I looked was blood.</i>

219
00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:46,600
<i>Screams rang in my ears.</i>

220
00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,640
<i>That year, I was only eight.</i>

221
00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,520
<i>And I may have seen</i>
<i>more dead bodies than you will</i>

222
00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:55,000
<i>in your whole lives!</i>

223
00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,840
<i>By day, they were all living,</i>
<i>breathing people,</i>

224
00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:00,280
<i>playing with me.</i>

225
00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:03,360
<i>Among the dead</i>

226
00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:05,840
<i>were my father and mother.</i>

227
00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:09,080
I know the one behind all this

228
00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:10,680
is among you.

229
00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:12,280
He hid it well.

230
00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:14,360
I searched for 15 years
and couldn't find him.

231
00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,320
So I made a decision.

232
00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:19,160
I'll kill you all.

233
00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:21,520
- Oh my!
- Murder! Run!

234
00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:22,560
Princess Yong'an is going to kill us!

235
00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:24,440
The Princess is killing!

236
00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:25,800
Murder!

237
00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:30,520
Let's run!

238
00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:43,920
So it was you, Right Chancellor.

239
00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:46,120
For 15 years,

240
00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:48,360
you made me search so hard.

241
00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:50,640
You hid it so well.

242
00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:52,720
Your Highness,

243
00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,200
I can't make sense of what you're saying.

244
00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:58,800
Everyone's been poisoned,

245
00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:00,960
crashing about like mindless insects.

246
00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:05,480
But only one person
felt guilty and was scared.

247
00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,079
He knew I wouldn't let it go,

248
00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:21,400
so he wouldn't touch a thing here.

249
00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,119
He knew the one way to get out fast.

250
00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:25,760
He knows this place best,

251
00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,160
because this is where he killed my father.

252
00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:31,920
And 15 years ago, he slipped away unseen

253
00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:33,920
from this very exit of this manor.

254
00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:37,440
Too bad.

255
00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:39,280
I've blocked the door.

256
00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:43,560
Today, you won't escape.

257
00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:46,480
Your Highness,

258
00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,480
you've handled cases for years.

259
00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:53,000
Don't you know convictions need evidence?

260
00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,920
You poisoned your own guests,

261
00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:58,320
and that's your crime.

262
00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:04,360
I didn't fall for your trap,
and that's my caution.

263
00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,560
I don't drink. That's no crime.

264
00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,840
You come at me with a blade.

265
00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:10,920
If I turn to run,

266
00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:13,040
that's not a crime either.

267
00:18:13,120 --> 00:18:15,480
Your scary little tale

268
00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:19,880
is just slander, utterly unconvincing!

269
00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:23,160
I don't need to convict you.

270
00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:26,120
I only need your life!

271
00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:37,280
Li Peiyi,

272
00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:41,240
you think I'd come unprepared
to your family banquet?

273
00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,840
Even if you didn't strike tonight,

274
00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:48,200
I'd still make sure you die
without a body left whole.

275
00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:56,200
Your Highness, I'm here!

276
00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:58,480
Tonight we'll avenge the Prince of Duan!

277
00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:04,840
The Jianning Iron Army
still has survivors?

278
00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,360
Back then, you couldn't protect
the Prince of Duan.

279
00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:09,400
Today you'll fail again!

280
00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:22,240
Uncle Luo!

281
00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:39,560
Back then, the Prince of Duan
died right here!

282
00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:42,880
Today, you can go join him!

283
00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:05,480
Well done!

284
00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,160
Well done!

285
00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:09,720
Much more interesting
than your simple-minded father.

286
00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:14,200
He knew I came
under imperial order to arrest him,

287
00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:18,040
yet he still hoped to see His Majesty.

288
00:20:20,120 --> 00:20:21,400
He missed his chance,

289
00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:23,560
and my men pinned him to his knees!

290
00:20:27,360 --> 00:20:30,920
I barely had to swing my sword,

291
00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:33,040
and he was dead.

292
00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:36,840
You dared kill a prince.

293
00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:39,240
Your crime deserves death!

294
00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:46,960
The Palace Investigation Bureau ruled
the Prince of Duan died by his own hand!

295
00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:50,360
After all, the blade that killed him

296
00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:52,480
was found in his own hand!

297
00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:57,040
Don't worry.

298
00:20:57,120 --> 00:20:59,080
I'll spin you a fine story too.

299
00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:02,360
I'll report it to His Majesty
and spread it across the court!

300
00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:06,080
Let's see who lives
to tell the story to His Majesty.

301
00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:07,640
Then bring it on!

302
00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:08,960
I'm curious too.

303
00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:29,360
Lv Chongshan!

304
00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:44,880
Your Highness!

305
00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:04,640
Du Zhixing

306
00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:08,040
is not much of a teacher.

307
00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,120
Fifteen years,

308
00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:12,120
and is that all he taught you?

309
00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:15,760
Like him.

310
00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:17,960
Exactly like him.

311
00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:22,040
For 15 years, every sight of you

312
00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:25,080
brings back your father's eyes.

313
00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:27,840
He always stared at me just so.

314
00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:30,920
That look…

315
00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:32,920
of contempt…

316
00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:35,320
of anger…

317
00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:38,960
and of righteous fury.

318
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:41,560
He provoked me.

319
00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:43,520
A martial upstart,

320
00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:46,160
meddling in army funds and corruption.

321
00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:50,320
Leaning on his title as a prince
and his war merits,

322
00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:53,360
he thought he could shake my foundation.

323
00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:57,360
But in the end, the heavens sided with me.

324
00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:00,360
"Mars invades the Heart."

325
00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:07,160
A perfect omen to frame him!

326
00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:11,520
The stars played their part
to lend me a hand.

327
00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,720
Everything lined up.

328
00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:17,080
So you see, I didn't murder him.

329
00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:22,520
It was fate taking its course.

330
00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:26,600
Now it's your turn.

331
00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:29,600
You'll die

332
00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:33,040
on the very stones
your father's blood stained.

333
00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:38,640
Isn't that a family reunion?

334
00:24:56,160 --> 00:24:58,000
Kill her! Kill her!

335
00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:35,600
Your Highness!

336
00:25:41,240 --> 00:25:43,040
You've always been a man of few words.

337
00:25:43,120 --> 00:25:45,560
But once people get smug, they slip.

338
00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:48,880
You must regret having said so much to me.

339
00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:53,520
Any backup?

340
00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:56,520
If not, kneel down,

341
00:25:57,040 --> 00:25:58,600
and let me take your life.

342
00:26:02,080 --> 00:26:02,920
Peiyi!

343
00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:06,320
Deputy Director Xiao, you're just in time.

344
00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:08,200
Look, Princess Yong'an has gone mad.

345
00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:10,160
She killed everyone.

346
00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:11,800
- She has the Prince of Duan's madness--
- Shut up!

347
00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:16,120
You're too weak to lift a thing.

348
00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:19,040
He's a Deputy Director
who can't throw a punch.

349
00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:22,200
Who can stop a madwoman?

350
00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:26,760
Peiyi.

351
00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:29,640
Put the sword down.

352
00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:30,720
Kill him!

353
00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:31,760
No!

354
00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:33,880
You're trying to stop me
from getting revenge?

355
00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:37,040
No.

356
00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:39,440
I'm stopping you
from doing the wrong thing.

357
00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:43,040
Cutting down my enemy, how is that wrong?

358
00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:45,280
He's a court official.

359
00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:47,720
Every guest tonight is a witness.

360
00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:51,160
If you kill him, you wouldn't survive it.

361
00:26:59,920 --> 00:27:00,880
Do you smell it?

362
00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:03,120
What?

363
00:27:05,040 --> 00:27:05,880
The smell of blood.

364
00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:11,040
Whenever I have nightmares,

365
00:27:12,600 --> 00:27:14,120
I smell that same blood.

366
00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:19,720
Once I kill him,

367
00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:22,760
my nightmares will end.

368
00:27:25,120 --> 00:27:27,400
That smell won't scare me anymore.

369
00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:29,240
It'll be the taste of my revenge!

370
00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:31,440
But I'm afraid you'll have new nightmares.

371
00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,000
I'm afraid he'll drag you down to hell.

372
00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:36,960
I'm not afraid of hell,

373
00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:40,720
as long as he goes with me.

374
00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:42,680
Peiyi!

375
00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:52,560
Her Highness shouldn't dirty her hands.

376
00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:55,200
- Let me do it!
- No!

377
00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:57,080
You…

378
00:27:57,960 --> 00:27:59,720
That old bastard confessed it himself.

379
00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:00,880
It was him.

380
00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:03,200
He framed the Prince of Duan
with that star nonsense.

381
00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:05,920
He deliberately stopped the Prince of Duan
from seeing His Majesty.

382
00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:06,880
He forged the charge
that the Prince of Duan

383
00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:07,840
defied an imperial order!

384
00:28:07,920 --> 00:28:10,400
He killed an imperial prince
with his own hands!

385
00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:13,520
His guilt is clear.
Killing him isn't wrong!

386
00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:16,680
It took me 15 years…

387
00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:20,120
to remember that part.

388
00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:25,280
I risked my life

389
00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:28,320
to force out the man
who slaughtered my whole family.

390
00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:33,200
If I can't kill him,

391
00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:37,760
why didn't you let me die clueless
15 years ago?

392
00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:41,000
Peiyi.

393
00:28:42,680 --> 00:28:44,000
I'll go with you to see His Majesty.

394
00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,080
Now that Cui Minzhong
has confessed to every crime,

395
00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:49,760
His Majesty will give you justice.

396
00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:51,880
Tang law will give you justice.

397
00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:53,920
If he dies here,

398
00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:55,840
then there's no proof left.

399
00:28:55,920 --> 00:28:58,360
The Prince of Duan's name
will never be cleared.

400
00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:02,800
Deputy Director Xiao,
you're the one with a clear head.

401
00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:05,280
I'll tell His Majesty everything.

402
00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:07,240
- Take me to His Majesty!
- You…

403
00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:11,640
Peiyi.

404
00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:13,520
Your Highness!

405
00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:15,960
We waited 15 years.

406
00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:17,600
Are we really letting him off that easily?

407
00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:19,040
We're not letting him off!

408
00:29:24,400 --> 00:29:25,320
Peiyi,

409
00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:28,520
if you kill him now,
it's letting him off easy.

410
00:29:29,480 --> 00:29:31,800
He must confess before His Majesty
to every charge.

411
00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:36,520
He must confess before the whole realm
and give the Prince of Duan his justice.

412
00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:39,640
Search carefully!
Don't let a single one escape!

413
00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:45,600
The Imperial Guard can't find you here.
Leave, now.

414
00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:46,880
- You…
- Leave, now!

415
00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:50,080
- Help! Someone!
- Run!

416
00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:51,240
- Help!
- Leave now!

417
00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:53,720
Help!

418
00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:57,440
Peiyi!

419
00:29:58,400 --> 00:29:59,880
- Peiyi!
- Your Highness!

420
00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:22,640
Cui Minzhong slaughtered
the Prince of Duan's household

421
00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:23,880
15 years ago!

422
00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:26,040
Now he tried to kill Princess Yong'an.

423
00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:28,560
Take him into the palace
and report to His Majesty!

424
00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:31,360
And Lv Chongshan's body, take it as well.

425
00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:32,360
Understood.

426
00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:39,120
Let go of me!

427
00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:42,320
You're escorting me to see His Majesty!

428
00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:43,560
Do you even understand?

429
00:30:56,360 --> 00:30:57,520
Cui Minzhong!

430
00:30:57,600 --> 00:30:59,360
How dare you!

431
00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:01,880
You used even me, deceived me!

432
00:31:54,480 --> 00:31:57,320
She's badly hurt,
but her life isn't in danger.

433
00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:58,480
Let me check on her.

434
00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:00,640
Let her rest properly.

435
00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:04,240
Let's go.

436
00:32:27,920 --> 00:32:31,720
THREE DAYS LATER

437
00:32:35,840 --> 00:32:36,800
Look at you.

438
00:32:37,480 --> 00:32:39,120
So gloomy again.

439
00:32:39,720 --> 00:32:42,120
Your Majesty, what is your judgment?

440
00:32:46,160 --> 00:32:48,680
I've suspended him from office.

441
00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:51,960
He is to return home,
copy scriptures, and repent.

442
00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:54,200
Suspended?

443
00:32:56,040 --> 00:32:57,680
You didn't even strip him of his rank?

444
00:32:58,720 --> 00:33:00,720
He killed dozens in my household.

445
00:33:01,240 --> 00:33:02,720
He murdered Your Majesty's brother.

446
00:33:03,240 --> 00:33:04,840
He tried to kill me again and again.

447
00:33:05,520 --> 00:33:08,400
And for all that, his sentence
is to copy scriptures?

448
00:33:12,760 --> 00:33:14,120
He's the Right Chancellor.

449
00:33:14,840 --> 00:33:16,040
If I killed him outright,

450
00:33:16,640 --> 00:33:18,760
within three days,
the court would be in chaos.

451
00:33:18,840 --> 00:33:21,760
His opponents would fight to replace him.

452
00:33:22,360 --> 00:33:24,480
His faction would seek revenge.

453
00:33:24,560 --> 00:33:27,040
Everything he has
was given by Your Majesty.

454
00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:29,720
His opponents and his faction

455
00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:31,960
are also Your Majesty's subjects.

456
00:33:32,920 --> 00:33:34,680
By Your Majesty's reasoning,

457
00:33:35,920 --> 00:33:38,760
then is Great Tang of the Li family

458
00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:41,200
or of the Right Chancellor?

459
00:33:47,040 --> 00:33:49,760
I know you just found the one
who killed your parents.

460
00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:52,200
Grief has clouded your mind.
It is your grief speaking.

461
00:33:52,280 --> 00:33:54,280
I will overlook your offense.

462
00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:57,600
But if you overstep once more,

463
00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:01,400
I will show you whose court
this really is!

464
00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:38,880
Peiyi.

465
00:34:56,920 --> 00:34:57,920
Peiyi.

466
00:35:03,880 --> 00:35:05,240
Why wouldn't you let me kill him?

467
00:35:06,520 --> 00:35:07,360
Why?

468
00:35:09,080 --> 00:35:11,480
I don't want you to live
with the pain of killing.

469
00:35:12,280 --> 00:35:13,920
You're not a monster

470
00:35:14,720 --> 00:35:17,120
who can kill and still sleep at night.

471
00:35:17,840 --> 00:35:20,840
I've never known
what it feels like to sleep in peace.

472
00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:24,720
All I know is what it feels like
to lose everyone overnight.

473
00:35:25,560 --> 00:35:26,680
You don't understand anything.

474
00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:29,720
Why did you decide for me?

475
00:35:30,720 --> 00:35:32,160
You're right. I don't understand.

476
00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:34,960
I was just afraid you'd get hurt.

477
00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:38,920
But every time I worry,

478
00:35:40,360 --> 00:35:41,640
I end up stopping you,

479
00:35:42,240 --> 00:35:43,840
and it only brings you pain.

480
00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:48,440
You said revenge is what keeps you alive.

481
00:35:49,560 --> 00:35:53,240
So will every tomorrow be about revenge?

482
00:35:54,520 --> 00:35:55,640
And after you have it,

483
00:35:56,680 --> 00:35:57,960
what comes next?

484
00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:03,760
What can I do?

485
00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:06,280
Someone like me,

486
00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:10,680
can I still hope for some calm,

487
00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:13,160
happy life together?

488
00:36:14,280 --> 00:36:15,760
You've never hoped for it?

489
00:36:18,520 --> 00:36:19,760
Not once.

490
00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:23,880
Because I am nothing
but a curse to all around me.

491
00:36:24,920 --> 00:36:26,360
All I wanted was revenge.

492
00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:30,480
For revenge, I was ready
to make you an accomplice

493
00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:32,480
and to stain our wedding with blood.

494
00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:33,720
That's who I am.

495
00:36:35,120 --> 00:36:36,880
Then why did you send us all away?

496
00:36:38,080 --> 00:36:39,560
If it wasn't to protect us,

497
00:36:39,640 --> 00:36:42,600
why set such a huge trap
and keep us far from your banquet?

498
00:36:43,760 --> 00:36:45,360
Maybe I just thought you'd get in my way.

499
00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:50,760
If you hadn't rushed back,
my revenge would be done by now.

500
00:36:52,760 --> 00:36:53,840
In your heart,

501
00:36:56,480 --> 00:36:57,880
did we ever matter to you?

502
00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:00,840
What were our feelings?

503
00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:03,160
What was this imperial marriage to you?

504
00:37:04,240 --> 00:37:05,680
If you killed the Right Chancellor,

505
00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:08,080
what would I have to bear?

506
00:37:11,160 --> 00:37:13,680
You think I'll drag your family down.

507
00:37:15,080 --> 00:37:16,080
Don't worry.

508
00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:19,640
I did this before the wedding.

509
00:37:20,520 --> 00:37:23,080
You remain the spotless heir.

510
00:37:23,680 --> 00:37:25,680
You'll still have a bright future.

511
00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:27,760
I won't implicate you.

512
00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:32,000
So in your eyes,

513
00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:36,200
I'm that kind of person?

514
00:37:38,200 --> 00:37:40,080
You think everything I did

515
00:37:42,280 --> 00:37:44,800
was only to keep my family
from being dragged down?

516
00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:49,400
Li Peiyi,

517
00:37:52,080 --> 00:37:54,280
I just can't bear to lose you.

518
00:38:00,160 --> 00:38:01,120
But now,

519
00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:04,120
I guess I can take it.

520
00:38:05,880 --> 00:38:07,680
I ruined your revenge.

521
00:38:10,280 --> 00:38:12,080
You ruined my marriage.

522
00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:15,360
Let's call it even.

523
00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:34,640
Then we're even.

524
00:38:36,560 --> 00:38:37,560
No one owes the other.

525
00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:39,320
Fine.

526
00:38:40,600 --> 00:38:41,920
We're even.

527
00:38:43,560 --> 00:38:44,880
No one owes the other.

528
00:40:36,080 --> 00:40:37,280
Did I…

529
00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:39,920
do the wrong thing?

530
00:41:41,960 --> 00:41:43,520
It's been over half a month.

531
00:41:43,600 --> 00:41:44,720
Why is he still not recovering?

532
00:41:44,800 --> 00:41:47,120
The young master's illness
lies in the heart.

533
00:41:47,200 --> 00:41:50,240
Medicine can restore his body
but can't fix his heart.

534
00:42:04,200 --> 00:42:05,960
Your Highness, you finally came out.

535
00:42:06,040 --> 00:42:07,760
Are you going out?

536
00:42:07,840 --> 00:42:09,000
I'm going to the palace.

537
00:42:12,200 --> 00:42:13,480
Your Majesty, please allow me

538
00:42:13,560 --> 00:42:15,440
to resign
from the Palace Investigation Bureau,

539
00:42:15,520 --> 00:42:17,040
strip me of my princess title,

540
00:42:17,600 --> 00:42:19,760
and also withdraw the marriage decree.

541
00:42:21,720 --> 00:42:23,760
While you've shut yourself away at home,

542
00:42:24,280 --> 00:42:27,360
the Right Chancellor has also
been shut away, copying scriptures.

543
00:42:28,160 --> 00:42:29,400
Are you still sulking with me?

544
00:42:29,480 --> 00:42:30,640
I'm not sulking.

545
00:42:31,560 --> 00:42:34,440
These duties are beyond my ability.

546
00:42:34,520 --> 00:42:35,600
So I choose to lay them all down.

547
00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:39,200
VIRTUE SHINING, EVER-PROGRESSING

548
00:42:39,280 --> 00:42:42,240
I never liked you working
at the Palace Investigation Bureau anyway.

549
00:42:42,320 --> 00:42:43,160
You may quit.

550
00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:47,040
The court is in turmoil now.

551
00:42:47,120 --> 00:42:49,320
Breaking off the marriage
at a time like this

552
00:42:49,400 --> 00:42:50,760
may hurt the Xiao family.

553
00:42:50,840 --> 00:42:53,360
Besides, the Deputy Director
is ill right now.

554
00:42:54,040 --> 00:42:55,000
Wait a little longer.

555
00:42:58,400 --> 00:43:00,320
As for your princess title…

556
00:43:01,080 --> 00:43:03,040
You poisoned the whole court.

557
00:43:03,640 --> 00:43:06,760
No one died,
but it was still wildly wrong!

558
00:43:06,840 --> 00:43:08,760
I must punish you, or I can't calm them!

559
00:43:11,040 --> 00:43:12,160
Alright.

560
00:43:12,240 --> 00:43:13,360
You may be the County Princess once more.

561
00:43:14,800 --> 00:43:16,040
Thank you, Your Majesty.

562
00:43:19,280 --> 00:43:20,160
By the way,

563
00:43:20,760 --> 00:43:23,840
when you have time,
go see Consort Shu at Qinghui Palace.

564
00:43:24,440 --> 00:43:25,440
Qinghui Palace?

565
00:43:26,920 --> 00:43:28,160
The Cold Palace?

566
00:43:28,240 --> 00:43:30,400
She knows her brother
committed a grave wrong,

567
00:43:31,360 --> 00:43:34,120
so she asked to go there and reflect.

568
00:43:35,320 --> 00:43:36,160
When did this happen?

569
00:43:36,800 --> 00:43:38,280
The day you left the palace.

570
00:43:39,840 --> 00:43:42,360
What did she do wrong?

571
00:43:52,440 --> 00:43:53,280
Your Highness.

572
00:43:58,600 --> 00:43:59,680
You're avoiding me?

573
00:44:02,240 --> 00:44:05,200
My brother committed such a crime.

574
00:44:05,720 --> 00:44:07,800
I can't leave the palace to question him,

575
00:44:08,560 --> 00:44:10,320
and I don't know how to make it up to you.

576
00:44:10,840 --> 00:44:14,760
So I asked to come here to repent,
so you never have to see me again.

577
00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:18,280
Did you know about what Cui Minzhong did?

578
00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:23,320
If I had known,

579
00:44:24,560 --> 00:44:27,960
how could I have stayed with you
for all these years?

580
00:44:28,960 --> 00:44:32,160
When His Majesty judged the case,
did you plead for him?

581
00:44:34,040 --> 00:44:38,040
Such an inhuman crime
should be punished severely.

582
00:44:38,560 --> 00:44:40,760
Even if I were implicated, I deserve it.

583
00:44:41,440 --> 00:44:43,600
What right have I to plead his case?

584
00:44:44,840 --> 00:44:46,240
He did the killing.

585
00:44:46,880 --> 00:44:48,040
His Majesty passed the sentence.

586
00:44:48,680 --> 00:44:51,080
You knew nothing about it.

587
00:44:51,160 --> 00:44:54,880
And you've treated me
as your own for years.

588
00:44:54,960 --> 00:44:56,280
Why should you repent here?

589
00:44:58,720 --> 00:45:00,160
Do you regret raising me?

590
00:45:04,880 --> 00:45:06,480
How could I?

591
00:45:06,560 --> 00:45:08,440
You're my child.

592
00:45:09,440 --> 00:45:13,880
What mother would regret
raising her own child?

593
00:45:22,200 --> 00:45:23,360
Your Highness…

594
00:45:24,880 --> 00:45:25,880
I miss you so much.

595
00:45:29,080 --> 00:45:30,680
I miss you too.

596
00:45:35,080 --> 00:45:36,000
Peiyi…

597
00:45:37,560 --> 00:45:38,880
Are you…

598
00:45:40,520 --> 00:45:42,040
thinking of leaving?

599
00:45:46,360 --> 00:45:47,640
Where would you have me go?

600
00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:52,880
Are you thinking of leaving the palace,
leaving the capital?

601
00:45:53,760 --> 00:45:54,920
You're sending me away?

602
00:45:56,680 --> 00:45:57,920
Of course not.

603
00:45:58,920 --> 00:45:59,920
I'm just afraid…

604
00:46:01,280 --> 00:46:02,480
I'm afraid you'll…

605
00:46:04,480 --> 00:46:07,760
Now, I'm all you have left.

606
00:46:10,200 --> 00:46:11,400
And you're all I have left too.

607
00:46:12,240 --> 00:46:14,600
I'm not going anywhere.
I'll stay with you.


