Original subtitles

Who's there?

Strategist Gongsun?

It's the middle of the night.

What are you looking for? I'll help you.

That's classified military information.

What classified information?

I told you, it's classified. Why do you keep asking?

-Go away. -Yes, sir.

Go that way.

Strategist.

Come in.

Strategist, it's already the fourth watch.

You're wounded. Get some rest.

I'll keep reviewing the classified materials a while longer.

-You may go. -Yes, sir.

Good.

Very good.

Ancestors left us a rule.

When forging a fierce blade,

it must taste blood before it's truly born.

Only then can it leave the forge

to tame the spirit within,

so it doesn't turn on its master.

The Marquis has never believed in such superstitious nonsense.

Whose blood?

Human blood is best.

Come.

Light the fire.

Marquis, please treat these two blades well.

She is the one…

who can fulfill these blades.

ADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL ZHU YU BY TUAN ZI LAI XI ON JJWXC.NET

Young master, we can't hide for long.

If it comes down to fighting to the death,

I'll lead them away.

You just focus on escaping. Don't worry about me.

Uncle Xun, don't rush.

Look at these wheel tracks on the main road.

An army just passed through here.

You mean we can ask for help?

But what if it's Sui's army?

We'd be walking right into their hands.

I've read my fa…

that person's scrolls before.

It contains the specifications for military vehicles

from Chongzhou, Yanzhou, and Jizhou.

These tracks belong to the Xie army.

Young master, how old are you?

-How old are you? -Six.

Still so young,

yet you never forget what you see.

Your talent is truly heaven-sent.

So you are the chosen one after all.

My teacher once taught me,

when faced with two evils, choose the lesser.

Uncle Xun, you can take that gamble.

Aren't you afraid?

If we lose this gamble,

we'll die with no place to be buried.

Uncle Xun, remember, we're not fleeing.

We're going to get reinforcements to save my mother.

Yes, sir. As you command.

What time is it?

It's midday. The sun's been up for ages.

Sister, you've slept so long.

This fish tastes so good.

I couldn't sleep last night, so I went to the river and caught it.

You've got it all over your mouth.

You enjoying that?

So good. Zheng grilled it.

How do you know it was he who grilled it?

Back when Sister hadn't found me yet,

Zheng grilled fish for me. It tasted just like this.

Then eat up.

Sister, I miss Bao'er.

And Pretty Lady too.

I miss them too.

That smells amazing.

Master!

You're here!

Grandpa looks like a sage from a painting.

Like the stone statue in the Confucius temple.

I look like Confucius?

You flatter me too much.

The older one is simple,

but the little one has a sweet mouth.

Come here, sweet little one.

Let me take a good look at you.

This child is blessed with good fortune.

With you watching over her in the first half of her life,

the second half will bring her great wealth and honor.

Uncle Zhao said the same.

He said her round face means she's blessed.

Zhao?

His face-reading can't compare to mine.

I wouldn't know how to compare.

I just hope you're both right,

that she stays healthy and happy.

Good.

Come, let me read your bones.

This child, her fate is too wealthy and noble.

It's overwhelming.

Naturally, her constitution will be a bit weaker.

But with you anchoring her, that's heaven's will too.

You don't understand?

Before she comes of age,

you must keep her by your side.

Of course.

Good.

Girl, a few words from the heart.

Come, Ning.

Go play with Brother Jiu.

Okay.

Slow down.

Last night, I heard you killed Shi Hu with just three hammer blows.

I was truly astonished.

He was a fierce general, renowned throughout the army.

Two hammer blows.

Two blows?

I just found out you're some kind of Minister or Grand Tutor.

Anyway, someone really important.

If Jin Yuanbao and the others knew

they built a dam with such a big figure like you,

they'd never stop boasting about it.

Are those rascals doing well?

Still alive.

Alive. That's good.

Girl, let's get to the point. I'll speak plainly.

Someone has asked me to take you as my adopted daughter.

Adopted daughter?

But I'm already your disciple.

That's different.

Xie Zheng sent you, didn't he?

Grand Tutor, I appreciate your kindness,

but I don't want to rely on anyone to elevate my social ranks.

I may just be a pig-slaughtering girl from Lin'an,

but I can support myself and my sister

with my own two hands.

I don't think there's anything shameful about who I am.

If he looks down on that,

then so be it.

I love Yan Zheng.

I don't want to marry above myself to the Marquis of Wu'an.

This isn't some storybook.

Sparrows don't just turn into phoenixes.

Good. Well said.

Rely on yourself.

The strong stand on their own.

But let me say a fair word for my stubborn disciple.

He never looked down on who you are.

He just wants

one more person to protect you.

I may not be much, but I have some small reputation.

If anyone ever tries to harm you, I'll protect you.

Who would want to harm me?

No one now doesn't mean no one ever.

What if there is in the future?

If someone really wants to harm me,

would relying on a man really work?

Or would your reputation really protect me, Master?

Even if you can protect me for a while,

can you protect me for a lifetime?

You…

You… This girl…

You see things even clearer than I do.

A found jade pendant must eventually be returned.

When I saw him as the majestic Marquis of Wu'an,

I understood.

I understood why he hid his identity.

Why he wouldn't stay in Lin'an.

You don't lack a father.

But I lack a daughter.

Otherwise, I'll end up alone forever.

I want to take you as my adopted daughter

because of the bond between us.

If you accept me as your adoptive father,

I'll treat you as my own flesh and blood,

protect you, keep you safe and happy for the rest of your life.

Think it over carefully.

I won't force you.

The day we drew lots at the dam,

you were protecting me with your own life.

I also said I would take care of you until the end.

But if you insist on a formal bond…

Adoptive Father,

please accept your daughter's bow.

Rise, please.

Quickly, get up.

You… You accept me as your adoptive father?

Good.

Half a lifetime alone and lonely,

I never thought,

in the end, I'd gain such a wonderful daughter.

Daughter.

I…

I should give you a gift to mark this bond,

but… I have nothing of value.

I know. I'll give you a courtesy name.

You were born

in the Year of the Tiger.

Your given name, Changyu,

means "virtuous and polished",

but it suppresses your sharpness.

I'll choose this one for you.

"Shanjun".

It means "Lord of the Mountain"?

That's one interpretation.

But it also has another meaning.

The fierce tiger of the mountain.

A tigress of the mountain.

Now that's good.

Much better than Lord Li's suggestion.

You child,

why do you always pick the worst way to say things?

Shanjun.

XIE

MARQUIS OF WU'AN

Though we won this battle,

the casualties were heavy.

The upcoming battle at Lucheng will be even harder.

The Yanzhou army is about

to march for Lucheng.

Will you go with my stubborn disciple?

No.

Now that I know he's the Marquis of Wu'an,

I don't need to worry about his safety anymore.

I want to leave.

He has his affairs,

I have my life.

I want to help the people of Lin'an who've been displaced

find their way home safely.

Families reunited,

back to work, back to meals,

living their simple lives well.

With your achievements,

you could be appointed Commander,

as a sixth-ranked official.

The first female commander in all of Dayin.

Such honor, are you willing to give that up?

Adoptive Father,

I don't like the feeling of killing at all.

True.

The rebels who threaten Dayin deserve to die.

But when I see them on the battlefield,

terrified, wailing, kneeling, and begging for mercy,

I think of Uncle Zhao and Mr. Jin being taken away.

I think of Mrs. Kang's youngest son, killed in battle.

I think of the innocent people of Lin'an.

None of them wanted war.

But because of war,

they had no choice but to go die.

This kind of pain…

I don't want to see it anymore.

You want to leave?

You know that husband of yours and his stubborn temper, don't you?

If you tell him,

he'll tie you to him if he has to.

I know.

That's exactly why I'm asking for your help.

There's too much

between us that's unresolved.

But right now, I have more important things to do.

What's so important?

I need to find a dear friend of mine.

Only when she and her child are safe will I be at ease.

If it were any other woman, I'd stop her.

But you're Fan Changyu.

You killed Shi Hu with two hammer blows.

In all of Dayin,

besides the Marquis of Wu'an,

I can't think of a third.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Actually, yes.

Please, help me send Ning and Uncle Zhao from the Wu River camp.

Send them both back to Jizhou, to Auntie Zhao.

You're not really a physician,

and your name isn't Qi Bengong, is it?

Yan Zheng is the Marquis of Wu'an.

You're close with him.

You must be someone of wealth and status too.

You'll know one day.

But for now,

you and I are just comrades who fought together.

Take care on your journey.

Remember,

stay safe.

You take care too.

The road to Lucheng,

Prince Changxin has likely set up ambushes long ago.

Since we can't face him head-on,

why not go around from behind?

That way, the journey is twice as long.

We must depart before dawn.

Okay. I'll pass the order. We set out at the fifth watch.

Marquis! The Marchioness, she's gone.

We found this letter left in her tent.

TO THE MARQUIS OF WU'AN

I HAVE THINGS TO DO DO NOT LOOK FOR ME. CHANGYU

-Xie Jiu, saddle a horse. -Yes, sir.

Fan Changyu!

The Marquis of Wu'an is coming.

We'll hold him off for you.

No need.

I didn't explain myself clearly.

You go ahead.

We'll wait for you up ahead.

Fan Changyu.

Why would you rather leave a letter and go than stay with me?

Why won't you let yourself love me?

What have I, Xie Zheng, done wrong?

How could I not love you?

If I didn't love you,

would I have come looking for you?

Would I have worried about you getting hurt?

Would I have gone to battle in your place?

The one you love…

is Yan Zheng.

I've thought it through.

Whether you're Yan Zheng or Xie Zheng, I love you all the same.

Are you just…

trying to placate me?

I'm not placating you.

These are all my true feelings.

When you were Yan Zheng,

all we worried about was daily life.

You'd copy texts and write essays to earn money.

I'd slaughter pigs and sell pork.

When difficulties came,

we supported each other and got through.

But Xie Zheng, you're the Marquis of Wu'an now.

I can't help you with anything.

I don't know…

what keeps you busy, what troubles you.

My mother told me,

for a marriage to last,

husband and wife must understand and support each other.

The unhappy couples,

they're the ones who never learned to understand

before their lives together ended.

Their feelings

were worn away long ago.

I don't want that for us.

Changyu,

status is an illusion.

What matters most is that we understand each other.

Of course I know that.

That day,

I actually thought about cutting ties with you completely.

But when you talked about our life in Lin'an,

the little moments, how you wanted to go back with me and rebuild our home,

I'm not made of stone.

I was moved.

I couldn't bear to let go.

But right now, there's something I must do.

I have to go save Qian.

But you know

the people who took Yu Qianqian are no ordinary foes.

On your own,

you might not be able to save her.

I have to try to find out.

How about this?

I'll avenge what happened in Lin'an for you.

I'll find the people you're looking for.

I'll rescue Yu Qianqian for you.

You don't have to take the risk. Okay?

I like you.

But I can't spend the rest of my life relying on you.

If I did, I wouldn't be me anymore.

Okay.

I know.

Once you've made up your mind,

you won't easily change it.

Your Highness,

may I come in?

Come in.

Headmaster, what brings you here so suddenly?

Your Highness,

your shoes.

You fixed them?

A soldier on patrol last night happened to find them.

I made some small repairs.

I hope you don't mind.

Headmaster, don't bother with such trifles.

I won't be grateful.

I'm leaving.

Headmaster, don't try these little tricks on me.

What's… What's wrong with you?

It's almost dawn.

I have to go now,

or I won't catch up to them.

Then say it.

Say you like me.

Say it.

Find an elite squad. Discreetly protect Fan Changyu.

Yes, sir.

Headmaster, you're wounded this badly.

Why didn't you say anything before?

When I thought you were tricking me,

why didn't you tell the truth?

Before…

I did deceive you.

So today,

I am too ashamed to make excuses.

I'll…

find some herbs to treat it.

Your Highness, rest early.

I am calling the shots for your condition as the physician.

Turn around.

Turn around!

At the academy, your word is law.

On the battlefield, you're brave and wise.

Why are you so careless when it comes to yourself?

What are you smiling about? You're still wounded.

No, I'm ticklish.

You're about to die and you're still laughing?

I…

I want to say… My feelings for you

are like my injury.

It seemed I deceived you,

but it wasn't really my intention.

Do you understand?

-Let me be direct. I-- -Strategist,

the Marquis returned.

Even if the sky falls, I'm finishing what I have to say.

Come back and tell me.

I'll wait for you.

General Shi Yi, please inform the Marquis

that the Strategist has internal injuries

and shouldn't overexert himself.

If his condition worsens after he returns,

I'll hold him accountable.

Yes.

Then… I'll go now.

You got her back?

She's gone.

She has her own thoughts.

I respect her for it.

This Mrs. Fan,

to make the mighty Marquis of Wu'an so dejected,

she's quite something.

The Grand Princess is returning to the capital.

I'm leaving the task of protecting her to you.

The Grand Princess has already agreed

to send Ning back to Lin'an with Mrs. Fan.

After that, whether she chooses to stay in the capital

or remain in the military camp,

I'll respect her for it too.

That's not what you said before.

When Li Huai'an was investigating me in Lin'an,

he soon returned to the capital to meet the Grand Princess for a matchmaking.

That was your doing, wasn't it?

Yes…

and no.

When feelings surge in the heart,

they can't be controlled by will.

Better to stop them before they sprout,

to avoid falling into the quagmire of love.

Informing Empress Dowager An about her life at the academy,

that was indeed my doing.

As for the matchmaking between the Grand Princess and Li Huai'an,

that truly was unexpected.

Given Empress Dowager An's nature,

she would never consent.

This is the last time Your Highness

has personally prepared medicinal food for Master Gongsun.

You all go ahead.

My horse is fast. I'll catch up shortly.

Let's move out.

All troops, listen up.

Move out to Lucheng.

-Yes. -Yes.

MARQUIS WU'AN

LUCHENG WESTERN SUBURB MANOR

PRINCE CHANGXIN, SUI TUO

Father.

I never should have believed your nonsense.

What "infallible plans"?

Now we're retreating at every step.

Not only did we lose a great general like Shi Hu,

we nearly cost Yuanqing his life as well.

What?

You don't agree?

Do you think I'm wronging you?

When you were young,

you were bright and cheerful.

One fire turned you into what you are today.

Let me make this clear to you now.

Even if something happens to Yuanqing,

the throne will never be yours.

I have never coveted the throne,

nor have I any desire to compete with Yuanqing.

If these words are false in the slightest,

-may heaven strike me down. -Big brother,

do brothers need to make vows between them?

Why curse yourself like this?

Come.

Yuanqing. This is wartime.

Remember your position.

Father, with the enemy at our gates, can we drop the formalities?

It's just the three of us here.

If outsiders learn that our own family is fighting amongst ourselves,

they'll seize the chance to cause chaos.

Even the wisest makes mistakes.

Big brother did his best against Xie Zheng.

If he hadn't sent Shi Yue to rescue me,

Xie Zheng would have tied me up and used me to threaten you on the battlefield.

Children are nothing but debts.

Yuanhuai,

go and reorganize the logistics.

The Chongzhou army…

cannot afford a third defeat.

Yes, Father.

Ever since that fire 17 years ago left him scarred,

he turned into a person as stubborn and hard as stone,

erratic, paranoid,

as if possessed by some evil spirit.

Father, please don't blame big brother.

Anyone who suffers such a great ordeal would inevitably change.

Big brother has always been kind and good to us.

He's never had the slightest ill intent.

I hope you'll see the truth.

Sui Tuo,

I truly don't want your throne.

What I want…

is your life. And your son's.

Charge.

Bao'er.

Run! Go, go!

Here, take this.

If you ever run into danger, blow it,

and someone will come to protect you.

Bao'er.

Fall back!

We're from Jizhou.

Not… Not the Chongzhou army.

Bao'er.

Uncle Yan.

Are you alright?

Uncle Yan, I'm so scared.

The bad men took my mother away.

It's okay.

Everything will be okay.

LUCHENG WESTERN SUBURB MANOR

SUI

Miss me?

What are you standing there for?

Come, sit.

I personally made my specialty, Snow-Cleared Broth.

Give it a try.

You didn't…

poison this soup, did you?

You scared?

Even if it's poisoned,

if you gave it to me,

I'd drink it.

Good.

Then next time, I really will poison it.

I'd drink it gladly.

Just now, for a moment,

I almost felt…

that a life like this…

wouldn't be so bad.

If our army hadn't taken the detour,

we wouldn't have run into you.

Truly, fortune favors the brave.

Untie him.

Mr. Zhao,

you've been so hard to find.

I owe the Marquis my life.

If there's any use for me,

I'll serve with all my heart, even if it costs me my life.

That's exactly what you said when you came to Lin'an

looking for me last year.

Please calm your anger, Marquis.

I had no choice.

That 200,000 dan of grain, it truly was a trap.

But fortunately, you saw through it,

so those scoundrels had no chance to exploit it.

Back then, you told me you worked for the Eastern Palace.

Was that true or false?

My mother, Nanny Lan,

was once the most capable maid to Crown Princess Chengde.

When she came of age, she was fortunate to leave the palace.

On the surface, she married my father,

but in truth, she secretly managed

the Crown Princess Chengde's assets outside the palace.

Mistress, this room seems a bit dark.

Shall I light two more lamps for you?

That fire in the Eastern Palace, it was set by the Crown Princess herself.

To give the Crown Prince's eldest son a chance to survive.

Then who exactly wanted to harm the Eastern Palace?

I don't know.

My mother only received the Crown Princess's

personal letter after the fire.

But the letter said nothing about who did it.

Master, spare me! I truly didn't know you were here.

The Crown Prince's eldest son is still alive, isn't he?

Yes.

He is now…

Prince Changxin's eldest son.

Sui Yuanhuai.

END CREDIT SCENE

On your body…

there's more than just sword and axe wounds.

What's wrong?

It must hurt a lot, doesn't it?

It doesn't hurt.

You're just a young lady.

Being wounded like this,

how could it not hurt?

You… You're hurt here too.

It's all red.

Probably got banged up on the battlefield too.

Doesn't seem like it.

The other bruises on your body are dark purple.

This one injury here looks fresh, like it just happened.

Strange.

I've never seen anything like it in the medical texts.

It just happened.

That wound was probably from falling

and hitting a stone too.

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS FILM

Subtitle translation by: Wanjiao Song