Original subtitles

=Glory Back=

=Episode 25=

(Xuanxiao Palace)

His Majesty intends for her to win?

Feng Qing holds such weight in His Majesty's heart?

She's always been resourceful.

No matter how resourceful, what talent could a lowly maid possibly have?

Is she going to embroider up there?

His Majesty gave her Jiao Wei Qin, the one the late Empress favored most.

Feng Qing is in His Majesty's good graces.

Whatever it takes, don't let her steal the show at the palace banquet again.

Otherwise, she'll soon be stepping over me.

Yes.

Here.

I haven't been here in days. And now you're sick?

Did you catch a chill at night?

Just a minor ailment.

I divined it already. It's nothing serious.

I'll be better in a few days.

The palace is preparing for the Grand Princess's homecoming feast.

The consorts are all vying to prepare their talents.

Only you are still suffering here.

Thank you for worrying over me.

We are like sisters. No need for such formality.

Back when I gave birth,

if it weren't for your help, I might not have survived.

After the banquet ends, while His Majesty is in good spirits,

I'll plead for leniency and request your release.

If it displeases His Majesty, it will only bring trouble upon you.

Once His Majesty's anger subsides, he'll naturally release me.

But when will that be?

The late Empress's fire was an accident, yet you suffer here in the Cold Palace.

Had I not entered the Cold Palace,

the prayer master from that day would have died because of me.

Everything is about karma.

I hold no resentment or regrets.

Does karma truly exist in this world?

Sometimes what you sow might see its fruit harvested by another.

Why do you say that?

I feel sorry for you.

He sent you to the Cold Palace because of the late Empress.

Now he has another who holds his heart.

He has likely long forgotten about you,

leaving you alone in this cold and damp place.

How could you endure this?

You often send me things through others. That's already more than enough.

I'm simply too powerless after all.

I nominally hold the Empress's Seal, yet I can only do small things for you.

His Majesty arrives!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You haven't sought me out all day. I thought you were practicing qin.

My musical skills are lacking. My practice will yield no progress.

(Feng Qing used to be a palace maid. She shouldn't know qin.)

(Qing is intentionally hiding her musical talent to avoid suspicion.)

Then I shall teach you.

No need to trouble Your Majesty.

Watch carefully. I will only teach you once.

You're too stiff. Relax.

This piece is called Flowing Water. Its melody ripples.

Truly profound and lingering.

(I remember he once claimed to prefer lofty mountains.)

Compared to flowing water, I once preferred majestic mountains.

But now, I have come to realize

that my greatest wish is for you to surge freely like flowing water.

At the palace banquet, you may play freely.

I taught you the piece. Whether you play well or not,

no one will dare say a word.

(So he specifically taught me qin)

(because my playing might draw scorn due to my lowly origin.)

(He's considered every detail for me, even the smallest.)

Your Majesty, I've learned it. I'd like to try by myself.

Sure.

♪ Fate may not fulfill our wishes, but I just hope you are well ♪

(Qing, we've finally played Flowing Water together.)

After the Flower Festival, His Majesty bestowed gifts even more frequently.

The four treasures of the study. The jade chessboard.

He thinks of you first for all the good things, my lady.

This hairpin suits you well. Take it.

It's beautiful. You have excellent taste, my lady.

My lady, Imperial Medical Office's Lord Gu seeks an audience.

He says he's here to take your pulse.

Let him in.

Yes.

You may leave first.

Guard the door. Don't let anyone enter.

What happened?

I know I was wrong.

I knelt in the Gu ancestral hall for three days and nights.

Do you know where you were wrong?

I took you out of the palace without permission.

No.

You disregarded my feelings.

You completely ignored Wenxin's safety and that of others.

You ignored any consequences.

As long as you could be safe, I'd gladly give my life.

As for others...

Please punish me with the family rules.

You're being so stubborn. How can I be at ease?

In the past, I was too foolish and didn't see your feelings.

I can't let you keep making mistakes.

What is wrong with truly loving someone?

I hid in the army for five years, so you wouldn't be caught in the middle.

That would be the true mistake, losing you.

When I heard you perished in the fire, I nearly followed you.

I returned to investigate the fire, only to fall for Feng Qing.

So Feng Qing was you all along.

I am always falling for you.

But I've always seen you only as my younger brother.

The bond of siblings no longer binds us.

I can wait until you're ready to choose me

and leave the palace with me.

I deeply appreciate your feelings.

But I've always regarded you only as my younger brother.

If you won't let go of this idea, then return to the army.

Qing.

♪ How can I face it again ♪

You don't have to accept my feelings.

But could I stay until I uncover the truth about the fire?

I promise.

If you're unwilling, then in this life,

we need not meet again.

Alright.

Uncover the truth about the fire first.

Xuan, have you found anything new?

Wan said De Zhuang brought a fox fur to Lanzhi Palace at Spring Equinox.

After that, the ice silk vanished.

I've had my people find the craftsmen who worked on the mourning hall.

I believe we'll have news soon.

Regarding the ice silk, it seems Yinsheng's and Wan's accounts match.

After De Zhuang visited Lanzhi Palace, the ice silk disappeared.

In that case,

I'll visit her palace to investigate after the banquet for Grand Princess.

The banquet for Grand Princess might not go smoothly.

Be careful, Qing. I'll be guarding outside the hall that day.

(Qing, no matter what comes next, )

(I will stand by you until the end, until we win this game.)

This is the qin for Concubine Feng's performance. Be careful with it.

Yes.

Noble Consort Wan, I heard you'll play High Mountains. What a coincidence.

Concubine Feng has been diligently practicing Flowing Water.

I wonder which of you two will prove superior?

Each has their own unique way with qin.

Even for the same piece,

different performers bring distinct charm.

The performances are for Ning's pride, not to compete or show off.

Noble Consort Wan speaks rightly.

I chose the ancient qin and its melodies because they best represent our culture.

Your Highness, there's an issue with the instruments in the side hall.

Concubine Feng's qin strings are smeared with wax for some reason.

Wax?

Why is there wax on the strings?

I don't know.

If the wax soils the silk strings, I won't be able to play a complete tune.

I fear someone couldn't see me shine and sabotaged the strings.

I implore Noble Consort De to find out the person who damaged the qin.

Naturally.

But the banquet is about to begin. Do you have another option?

Concubine Feng, don't worry. You may borrow my Jiao Wei Qin.

I won't let you falter before His Majesty.

Thank you, Noble Consort Wan.

For tomorrow's banquet, someone might tamper with my qin.

Take guards to catch them, and hand them to Chief Li for interrogation.

(With the harem watching like tigers, how could I be unprepared?)

Elder sister, you come back.

And King of Yun, you personally lead your envoy to Ning.

I have specially prepared this banquet to welcome you both.

I often hear from my wife that Ning is prosperous and its people well-off.

(King of Yun) But the wine's not as good as Yun's.

Food and drinks are deeply intertwined with culture.

You haven't yet understood Ning's culture and customs.

You naturally won't get this wine.

My harem has prepared talents to entertain.

Enjoy the performances over wine, and you will surely grasp its wonders.

Concubine Feng, this is for you.

(This is... the hairpin I gave Wenxin.)

This hairpin suits you well. Take it.

It's beautiful.

(Did you think sabotaging the qin was my only plan?)

(Wouldn't I have a backup plan against you?)

Why don't I see your personal maid today?

Could the dazzle of the banquet have caused her to lose her way?

Concubine Feng, are you performing?

I haven't met Concubine Feng before. Which noble family is she from?

Your Highness, Concubine Feng is not from a noble family.

She was from...

Concubine Feng, your skills are great. I look forward to your performance.

Your Majesty, my qin encountered an issue earlier.

I'd like to check it out.

Concubine Feng, didn't we agree you would use my qin?

Your Majesty, the two pieces we prepared are one composition's two parts.

How about I play the first part, High Mountains,

so she can follow with Flowing Water?

With the King of Yun and Grand Princess present,

may I withdraw briefly to prepare before returning to perform?

Very well.

Qing, what happened?

Wenxin is missing.

In this summer heat, her jade hairpin has frost on it.

I think she's trapped in an ice room.

Left too long, she could die.

I'll go with you.

Let's split up.

Return to the Imperial Medical Office and prepare warming clothes and herbs.

Alright, I'll join you later.

Wenxin? Wenxin? Wen...

♪ Once a lonely sail, without a guiding light ♪

♪ With the warmth you lent me, how could I fear loneliness ♪

♪ Day and night together, sharing joys and sorrows ♪

♪ Searching all under heaven, my heart won't change ♪

♪ Fate in haste, looking back countless times, you swayed for me ♪

♪ Among a vast sea of people, faintly seeing the old self ♪

♪ Scenery along the way, looking back, love finds its echo ♪

♪ Watching the bustling world together, we write more verses ♪