All language subtitles for BdRLse_Ashes.to_.Crown_.E16_eng

SAY NO TO PIRACY, SUPPORT ORIGINALS

ADAPTED FROM XI XING’S NOVEL
QUEEN CHU ON QIDIAN.COM

LUOCHENG

PRUDENCE AND PERSISTENCE

Your Highness, Luocheng is less
than a hundred li from the Capital.

I shall grant the local noble families
three days to present themselves.

I intend to entrust the administration
of this city to their heirs.

Naturally,

you know how to deal with those
who defy our orders.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

Mr. Ning has provided the roster
of the noble families along our route.

I guarantee not a single soul
shall escape.

How many troops do we have ahead?

The prefecture holds
about 20,000 garrisoned troops,

and the Capital
is deploying reinforcements.

Yet, they pose no true threat.

Should they resist,

we shall crush them in a battle
and march straight into the Capital.

Furthermore, there are a few
other matters.

Speak.

The Grand Princess has entered
the Prince of Xiaonan's Residence alone.

She is leveraging Your Highness's life
to demand His Lordship's retreat.

RULE BY RIGHT, REALM AT PEACE

She likely fails to realize

how ruthless the imperial family can be.

In the struggle for power,
even the bonds of blood

are nothing but pawns to be sacrificed.

Did she truly believe
she could threaten Father?

Secret intelligence from the Capital
reports that Xie Yanfang has drafted

an imperial edict
to condemn Chu Lan's clan,

but has yet to issue it.

What a ruthless man he is.

Zhao has evidently misplaced her trust.

The moment Chu Ling perished,

Xie began making a blood sacrifice
of the Chu Family.

There is another matter.

Chu Lan and his family have vanished.

They fled?

That serves us well.

Had Chu Lan remained in the Capital,
he would have become a constraint upon us.

Nonetheless,

that idiot is far too incompetent
to have fled the Capital on his own.

Chu Zhao must have orchestrated
this in secret.

What then is our course?

It is best that this leverage
remains in our hands.

Dispatch the order
to seal all primary routes.

Chu Lan and his family
must be apprehended.

Understood.

Mr. Deng, the Xiaonan Army

is now less than a hundred li
from the Capital.

The people along the way
are flocking to their ranks.

I fear this might lead to trouble.

Where is the minister dispatched
to deliver the imperial edict to Xiao Xun?

There has been no word
from him to this day.

Xie Yanfang's suspicion was correct.

The dispatch riders were a ruse.

It appears Xiao Xun intends
to use this pretext

to force his entry into the Capital
and stage a coup.

Xiao Xun has been disseminating
rumors along his march,

claiming he comes to defend
His Majesty by command.

He is clearly exploiting public sentiment

to mislead the people.

That is precisely my greatest fear,
that the people of the Capital

will also be swayed by his deception.

You must formulate a strategy
without delay, Mr. Deng.

-If he continues deceiving the people--
-Mr. Deng!

Mr. Deng!

Mr. Deng.

Please review this.

Her Highness has entered
the Prince of Xiaonan's Residence alone,

seeking to negotiate their surrender.

A diversion to relieve the Capital?

Her Highness has truly grown
far more audacious than before.

Where is Mr. Xie?

Mr. Deng!

Mr. Deng!

Mr. Deng, a matter of concern has arisen.

Mr. Xie intends to depart
with His Majesty.

-What?
-What? What?

This is preposterous.

He means to flee with His Majesty.

Ludicrous.

His Majesty arrives!

Mr. Xie,

where are you escorting His Majesty?

I am escorting His Majesty
to lead the campaign.

-Absolutely impermissible!
-This must not be allowed!

-Cease this folly, Mr. Xie!
-Nonsense!

Mr. Xie,

are you aware of the sheer peril
of our present circumstances?

That's the precise reason
why His Majesty must lead the army.

The Lord of Xiaonan and his son
are his sworn enemies.

It is only right
that His Majesty avenge his parents.

As the one who sits on the throne,

he must prioritize the state.

Now that the rebels
are misleading the people,

only the announcement
of an imperial campaign

can lay bare their true intentions.

Should the Lord of Xiaonan
and his son retreat,

His Majesty's campaign shall be directed
against the Northern Desert.

Should they refuse to withdraw,

then His Majesty is crusading
to suppress the Xiaonan rebels.

Mr. Deng,

His Majesty and I
await your imperial edict.

Now that Xie Yanfang
has entered the board,

this game

must finally yield a victor.

The Lord of Xiaonan always
presumed this to be his opportunity,

yet he fails to see

that it is Xie Yanfang's opportunity
as well.

Mr. Chu, where are you heading
in such a rush?

His Highness requests your presence.

Please, have mercy.

My family has never held any grievance
against His Highness.

We beg you to show clemency.

LUOCHENG

It's been a long time since we last met.

Mr. Chu, why do you appear so haggard?

It seems Her Highness

has been remiss in her care
for your family.

Your Highness,
I was truly driven to despair.

I had thought
I could survive by playing the fool.

Yet the court refuses to grant me life

because of what happened back then.

Are you blaming me?

I would not dare, Your Highness.

-I swear I would never dare.
-Your Highness.

Rest assured.

I'm not that heartless.

You may stay in Luocheng for now.

Once I enter the imperial city
and present myself to His Majesty,

I shall clear your name.

-I appreciate it, Your Highness.
-My deepest gratitude.

-I am profoundly grateful.
-Thank you.

Miss Tang,

are you willing to assist me
on behalf of your father?

Miss Tang,

you ingratiated yourself
with the noble families,

keeping a sharp eye on the shifting winds,

and the second trouble brewed,

you didn't hesitate to take
your parents and flee the Capital.

Am I correct?

I did hear some news.

Where did you get it?

Zhao

brought the word to me.

You two share a remarkably deep bond.

Her Highness could still
convey tidings to you

from thousands of li away.

Yet do you realize that your flight

only serves to substantiate
the allegations

the court leveled against you?

If my father ascends the throne,

I shall be the Crown Prince.

Miss Tang,

would you like to be the Crown Princess?

What a masterful play
to turn the tables, Your Highness.

XIAONAN PREFECTURE

Did you truly believe
a worthless fool like Chu Lan

could ever approach my son?

Xiao Xun has suffered
three defeats at my hands.

He will never hesitate to strike
when he spots an opening.

He will take the bait, even fully aware.

Since Your Highness knows my son so well,

why did you sabotage
such an ideal alliance back then?

To hunt, one must truly know the prey.

However, I place no faith
in hollow affection.

I trust only the blade in my hand.

What a pity.

A fence-sitter like Chu Lan
is unworthy of being your blade.

You ought to know
your uncle, Your Highness.

Even if he gained access to my son,

a coward of his measure
could never achieve anything of note.

How can Your Lordship be certain
I have nothing left up my sleeve?

I am aware.

Your cousin.

Your Highness seems to forget
that despite your boasted detachment,

you still lost your heart to my son.

Let alone Chu Tang.

Your Highness, you might as well concede.

Your Highness.

What… is it you require of me?

Chu Zhao is besieging Xiaonan
with her forces.

Therefore,

I'd like you to persuade her,

so as to guarantee my father's safety.

Your Highness, how could I possibly
achieve this?

Zhao is the Grand Princess.

How could someone like me
ever persuade her?

Miss Tang,

you live as you please,

even through hard times.

Though Chu Zhao may be wary
and guard against you,

I remain confident
that you know how to win her trust.

Everyone praises Chu Zhao's valor
on the battlefield.

But the truth is,

maneuvering through human minds

takes an even greater hero.

Chu Tang,

do you wish to stand above all others

and be revered by the entire world?

Your Highness.

Will you truly marry me?

A father's eye sees only perfection.

There is a kind of person
who is the hardest to sway.

Take my cousin for instance.

She trusts nothing
she cannot hold for herself.

She cares nothing for mere charm,

-only for propriety.
-Propriety?

And by what standard
does Your Highness gauge her heart?

Besides, what my son is best at
is turning the desires of others

into playthings in his own hands.

You should be well aware of this.

What truly moves people in this world

is nothing more than profit and sincerity,

and my son possesses both.

Your Highness,

how much can you offer your cousin?

But I am not like Chu Zhao.

She commands the frontier,
with an army at her back.

A shared surname means nothing.

I am of no use to your grand designs,
Your Highness.

Do you know that the hardest thing
to fathom is not power,

but sincerity?

Just like
how I used to feel about Chu Zhao.

Since Your Highness cared for her,

why have you come to me?

Because she does not trust me

and even tried to kill me.

I believe you are different from her

and would never treat
my sincerity as dirt,

right?

Since I have been upfront with you,

I will make things perfectly clear.

Seeking to marry Zhao back then
might have been for interest,

but seeking your help is for my father.

My father staked everything on me

and is now trapped in a dire situation.

If you could write
a letter to sway Chu Zhao into retreat,

I will never forget this kindness.

Your Highness, there is no need for this.

Look.

Such devotion to His Lordship.

Not a soul alive could ever doubt it.

Miss Tang, are you willing to help me?

Miss Chu, this game is all but lost.

Then I shall wager on the wild variable.

Since Your Lordship cannot crush me yet,

shall we play another match?

What are we gambling on?

Whether a simple snare of tenderness

can shatter your son's rotten pretense.

Your Highness,

does it really…

take only a fraction of this poison…

to claim a life?

I have lived a guarded life

and have never killed anyone.

I am afraid.

There is an exception to everything.

I believe you, Miss Tang.

After all,

the dagger in your sleeve
is far deadlier than this poison.

Darling.

What a fine dagger of meteoric iron.

-Tell me.
-Tang.

Should I test the blade
on your father first?

-No!
-Your Highness,

I am willing to kill Chu Zhao
for your sake.

Your Highness, please spare my life.
Your Highness.

Miss Tang, you have deceived me once.

I will obey, Your Highness.

Please spare my father.

Your Highness. Please spare my life.

-Come here.
-Father.

Come.

You said you would obey, didn't you?

Get up.

I told you to come here.

Hold it!

Just like this.

-No.
-Tang.

Darling.

-Show Chu Zhao…
-Father.

how ruthless

her cousin can be.

Whoever dares to move, I will kill him.

You taught me well, Your Highness.

Did I look the part
when I raised my blade against my father?

Surrender now!

PRUDENCE AND PERSISTENCE

Take one step closer,

and I will flay Xiao Xun alive.

Back away, unless you want

to watch him suffer.

Wait.

Tang, do you know
what you are doing right now?

Release His Highness, now.

Father, did you forget
he was trying to kill you just now?

I…

Your Highness, where is your private seal?

In the ruyi sachet inside my sleeve.

Brilliant, Miss Tang.

You even kept your parents in the dark.

Your Highness, your seal
is truly beautiful.

Your Highness, I beg your forgiveness

for failing to realize that their servant
was an assassin in disguise.

I did not mean to hide it.

My parents are of a gentle nature,

and I feared the truth

would terrify them.

What did Chu Zhao promise you?

Promises?

We are family.

If she falls, so will I.

My hand

was forced.

It seems that, compared to Chu Zhao,

I still haven't done enough
to make you believe

that my promise
to make you Empress was genuine.

You have come from a humble background.

If I ascend the throne,

we would be a perfect match.

Why bow to her command?

Or do you think yourself unfit
to be Empress

and that the only difference
between you and her is a powerful father?

My father is wonderful.

Join me, and your father will become
the Emperor's father-in-law.

I'll offer the military tally
as a betrothal gift.

He would hold
far greater power than he does now.

-Tang.
-Tang.

You…!

You wretched woman!

Even His Lordship
never laid a finger on His Highness,

yet you dare to…!
I will tear you to pieces!

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

This is the first time
I have ever struck someone,

but I truly had no choice.

Tang, you should have let me do it.

I promise I would have made him remember
the pain for the rest of his life.

I didn't do it to hurt him,

nor was I even trying to hit him.

What do you mean?

I slapped him

to burn my own bridges.

The title His Highness promised
was far too tempting.

I was afraid that if I kept listening,

I would actually believe it.

Take this to Zhao.

If we wait any longer,

I am afraid I might regret it.

In your dreams.

The guards are outside.

You cannot even leave this room.

Now, I've made a bitter enemy
of His Highness's right-hand man.

I will kill you!

Tang, what should we do now?

Whether we bind His Highness or not,
death awaits either way.

There is no way out.

Father, since it has come to this,

we must fight for a way to live
where none seems possible.

Zhao wanted me to restrain Xiao Xun

and then await her word.

How certain are you of this?

The Lord of Xiaonan has seven children,

and Xiao Xun is merely one of them.

To people like him,

flesh and blood mean nothing.

Even if Chu Tang has restrained Xiao Xun,

it does not mean
the Lord of Xiaonan will back down.

Xiao Xun can die,

but the Lord of Xiaonan will not relent.

I am aware.

But let us wait a little longer.

What exactly are we waiting for?

For Xie Yanfang?

For the news that he has brought Yu
to lead the army in person?

You certainly place great faith in him.

Even acting from afar,
the two of you move in perfect accord.

I merely think
he should understand my move.

More than just you.

He understands everyone in the world.

It is hardly surprising
that Xie Yanfang could earn your trust,

Your Highness.

-Jiu, you sound like you are…?
-I am reminding you

that Xie Yanfang excels at claiming
the spoils from the shadows.

His help must come

with an ulterior motive.

What of it?

I have no use for Xie Yanfang's sincerity.

XIE RESIDENCE

Mr. Xie.

Mr. Xie,

the routed troops from the prefectures
who are straggling in,

combined with the 80,000 troops
marching with the imperial expedition,

bring our total strength to about 150,000.

Although the Lord of Xiaonan
claims to have an army of 200,000,

most are commoners forced
into service along the way.

Furthermore,

we have 30,000 of our own men
who have secretly left Gaoyang

and can deliver a fatal blow
to the Lord of Xiaonan at any moment.

Very well.

Pass down the order to assemble
and prepare to move out.

Yes.

We must not keep Her Highness

waiting.

What perfect accord
between you and Chu Zhao.

She seized Xiao Xun as a hostage,

and you persuaded His Majesty
to lead the campaign.

A masterful chain of stratagems.

The Lord of Xiaonan's lifelong quest

comes down to just one thing,

a rightful name.

Yet I shall ensure

he loses the moral ground he stands on

and the heart of his son.

CHU

THE CAPITAL

XIAONAN

Your Lordship, you do not look
particularly pleased.

Is it because Tang managed
to capture Xiao Xun?

I've often told my son
that to perfect the elixir,

it is all in the timing.

Yet he was too impatient,

letting you gain the upper hand.

But do you truly believe

you have won?

With Xiao Xun captured,

his life is in our hands.

I have one wife and three concubines,

with seven children in total.

So Your Lordship means
Xiao Xun's survival is of no consequence?

Xun is a devoted son.

So even if it costs him his life,

he would never allow anyone
to use it as leverage against his father.

After I ascend the throne,

I will honor him as Crown Prince.

How about I name you Crown Princess,

so you may keep him company
in the afterlife?

I dare you.

It's true

blood holds no sway in the palace.

Your Highness also waded through blood

in the coup to reach this position.

Do you think that capturing Xun

would make me hesitate?

Since Your Lordship
disregards even your son's life,

you must care even less
about being labeled a traitorous rebel.

I received word

that His Majesty
is about to lead the army in person.

Can Your Lordship guess

whether the imperial expedition
is targeting the Northern Desert

or Xiaonan Prefecture?

If it is the latter, this treason
can never be absolved.

I promise you

that if you withdraw your troops now,

I can ensure you remain unscathed.

Should you not be begging me

to spare that boy's life
when I ascend the throne?

Or if you submit to me now,

I can spare your life as well.

Xiao Hong,

His Majesty and I have no need
for your mercy,

nor will you have the chance
to face His Majesty in battle.

With Xiao Xun captured,

the Xiaonan forces in the Capital
are left without a head,

destined to crumble at the first strike.

The day His Majesty's cavalry
crushes Xiaonan Prefecture,

your treacherous correspondence
with the Northern Desert

will be posted on every city gate.

When the time comes,

the frontier troops of Yunzhong
will be waiting to sever

every head of your clan.

I will have them all displayed,
one by one, atop the city gates,

for all to witness.

The court historians will write
as I command.

The traitor Xiao Hong
is condemned for treason.

His clan shall be exterminated.

Every life
in the Prince of Xiaonan's Residence

and every blade that falls on them

serve to atone for your infamy.

Did you believe
I captured Xiao Xun to threaten you?

I want you to know
I can take his head at any moment.

If you persist in your defiance,

I will ensure that there is
not a single soul left

to shed a tear for the Xiao Clan.

Even with perfect timing,

you still need a spark to ignite it.

Xiao Hong,

as long as I draw breath,

Xiao Clan can forget
about touching the throne.

Your Lordship,

standing for too long harms your bad leg.

Why don't you take a seat and talk?

You fool,

do you truly think
you are the one to end this game?

What I want is simple.

Withdraw your troops
and leave Xiao Xun as a hostage.

Your Lordship
would still hold dominion over Xiaonan.

It's a pity the world doesn't bend
to your will alone.

As things stand,
even if I were willing to retreat,

someone else would not allow it.

Xie Yanfang has brought His Majesty
to the front lines.

The imperial expedition
is acclaimed by all,

its momentum like a rising tide.

After all your planning,

are you truly resigned
to letting another reap the rewards?

I only know

that Your Lordship must accept my terms.

Your Lordship broke your leg
in a fall at seven,

yet the late Emperor met that frailty
with nothing but disdain.

Having survived until today,

are you truly content to die at the hands
of a mere woman like me?

You…

Her Highness considers your situation

and has specially prepared
a letter of surrender for Your Lordship.

The moment Your Lordship
affixes your seal,

it will be dispatched to the Capital.

If I can surrender my son
to suppress this rebellion,

what can you possibly offer me?

How does the title

of the Prince of State sound
to Your Lordship?

The first sentence
in Her Highness's letter

certainly gets straight to the point.

This war must not come to pass.

Her Highness states

she has captured the heir
to the Lord of Xiaonan, Xiao Xun,

and by holding the life
of the Xiao Clan over his head,

she has forced the Lord
to withdraw his troops.

She only asks the imperial court
to pardon their sins,

requiring only that Xiao Xun
enter the Capital as a hostage

and that the Prince of Xiaonan
be granted the title of Prince of State.

Is Her Highness being too lenient?

Not punishing them is one thing,

but to grant him an even higher title?

Absurd. Treason is a grave crime.

How could it be so easily pardoned?

In my view,
the Lord of Xiaonan should return

to the Capital to beg for forgiveness.

-Right.
-Yes.

Her Highness argues in her letter,

"While the court's forces are strong,

the Northern Desert is restless.

The Lord of Xiaonan
has long harbored treasonous designs.

If the conflict drags on,

I fear the state will be plunged
into chaos for decades.

The Lord of Xiaonan covets the throne
but lacks the spine for it.

If his edge is blunted,

he will surely tread with extreme caution.

Therefore, the court can subdue
the enemy without a war."

A victory without a war is like

merits going unnoticed.

Even if we are willing, would Mr. Xie be?

Now that His Majesty
has assembled the forces

for an imperial expedition,

negotiating peace secretly
with the Lord of Xiaonan

would bring unimaginable infamy upon us.

Mr. Deng, what gives you such support,

enough to rival the Xie Clan,

is the late Emperor's dying wish

to place the Imperial Seal in your hands.

It is not you they follow,

but the power behind you.

In war and peace,
it is the generals who hold sway.

A commander in the field
need not always heed the Emperor's orders.

If even an imperial command
can be refused,

what then of a regent's authority?

So, Mr. Deng,

do you intend to serve in an age of chaos

or an age of prosperity?

Draft the decree.

Yes.

LUOCHENG

The Northern Desert is encroaching,

and His Majesty
is leading the army in person.

The Lord of Xiaonan
intended to dispatch troops

to garrison the Capital.

However, Xiao Xun, in…

his obstinate defiance,

harbored treasonous designs.

By commanding Xiao Xun
to the Capital to face justice,

the Prince of Xiaonan
has placed duty above blood,

a loyalty most commendable.

The title of Prince of State
is hereby conferred upon him,

in recognition of his fealty.

Your Highness, please rise.

Father has cast me aside.

His Lordship had no other choices.

Please do not hold a grudge
against His Lordship.

Why would I?

A sacrificed piece

must know its place.

Chu Zhao has set an inescapable trap.

Be careful on your way

to the Capital, Your Highness.

Chu Zhao.

Are you certain it is safe now?

Rest assured. It has been safe
for some time.

Okay.

Mr. Chu, there is still
a grand undertaking waiting for you.

Grand undertaking? What is that?

Her Highness says

you are to accompany
Xiao Xun back to the Capital.

Having achieved such a monumental success,

you should go and see His Majesty
to receive your rewards.

That's right. We did render our service.

We deserve a reward.

Go. Let's claim it.

Darling, do you truly wish to go?

Could this be another errand
to our deaths?

Wait.

We risked our lives for this.

It is real.

Father, remember to ask His Majesty
for plenty of rewards.

After all,

I did give up a chance
to marry into power.

That's for sure.

-Let's go claim our rewards.
-Alright.

EARNEST AND MODEST

-Hold on tight.
-Mother, easy.

Hurry.

TAIJI HALL

-Greetings, Your Majesty.
-Greetings, Your Majesty.

DILIGENT AND VIRTUOUS

You may rise.

-Thank you, Your Majesty.
-Thank you, Your Majesty.

Mr. Deng, I appreciate your tireless
dedication to affairs of state.

Guarding the state for Your Majesty
is my duty.

With you presiding over the court,

I was able to march with peace of mind.

You have earned great merit.

Your Majesty, where is Mr. Xie?

He offered to remain in Xiaonan Prefecture
to handle the aftermath.

He will return to the Capital
once the situation is settled.

Given the gravity of the matter,

would it be wise to leave it
entirely to Mr. Xie?

He is my own flesh and blood.

How could it not be appropriate?

Do you doubt

his ability to manage
the affairs of Xiaonan Prefecture?

I would not dare to speak recklessly.

Everything is at
Your Majesty's discretion.

The imperial uncle's carriage
has entered the city.

I leave the rest to your discretion.

Yes, Your Majesty.

THE CAPITAL

Send His Highness to the side residence.

Assign more guards

and ensure His Highness is well cared for.

Yes.

Long live His Majesty!

The rebels of Xiaonan Prefecture
are repelled,

and the State of Chu
is preserved for eternity!

"For eternity"?

They actually treat Your Highness
as a prisoner.

A defeated enemy

deserves no courtesies.

It should have been Your Highness
entering the city in triumph.

Chu Zhao used you as a hostage,

and His Lordship had no choice
but to retreat his troops,

wasting all his efforts.

Did Father call back his troops
for my sake

or for his reputation?

We both know the answer.

But it doesn't matter.

Even if my father has no regard for me,

I still have to play the dutiful son,
don't I?

Your Highness.

No need for comfort.

Chu Zhao's scheme was brilliant.

First, she used the Longwei Army
to threaten Father

into hesitation,

then she joined forces with Xie Yanfang

to deceive my nephew
into leading an imperial expedition.

Father has been so cautious

that he would not risk sending troops.

How could His Lordship do this?

Father has valued

a rightful name
above all else his entire life.

Yet,

he was nearly branded a traitor
by Chu Zhao and Xie Yanfang,

so he had to abandon me.

My mistake

was underestimating Chu Zhao again.

I never thought

she was capable of such ruthlessness,

wagering me over Xiaonan Prefecture

and Xiaonan Prefecture

over the will of the people.

If Your Highness wishes to leave,

I will risk my life
to escort you out of the city.

Why the rush?

Since we are back in the Capital,

I might as well play out

the rest of this game with Chu Zhao.

FERRYMAN’S LODGE