Original subtitles

My son.

My son, my dear son.

You've left me behind like this.

You've abandoned me and gone.

Heavens.

How could this be so unjust?

How could this be so unjust?

Mother.

Please don't grieve too deeply.

Brother died heroically for our nation.

He gave his life in service to the realm.

His sacrifice was an honor.

It was me...

I...

who failed to keep my brother safe.

I...

am guilty.

Mother.

Though I was not born of you,

you raised me with boundless care.

Your kindness gave me a second life.

Now,

with my brother taken from us,

I will

carry on his legacy.

I will protect this realm.

And I will care for you, Mother.

I will never let you

suffer another grievance.

I watched you grow up.

I know

your character well.

Your brother had great hopes for you.

He always said you excelled in both letters and arms.

That one day, you would become a pillar of the nation.

Now,

only you

can finish what he left undone.

I will never fail the trust you've placed in me, Mother.

Nor will I fail

my brother's spirit in heaven.

Mother.

There is one more matter

I must report to you.

What is it?

Guards.

Mother.

This child

was born to my consort.

She endured countless hardships amid the war

in the northwest and narrowly escaped death

to bring him into this world.

This child

was born amid relentless gunfire.

I believe

he is destined for greatness.

After I ascend the throne,

I intend to name him

Crown Prince.

What did you say?

You want to make him Crown Prince?

Don't you think

you're rushing things a bit?

I...

have made up my mind.

He will be

the child I cherish most.

=Blossoms of Power=

(Adapted from the novel, After My Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang)

=Episode 36=

How could this happen?

You're a dying man.

Are you still trying to deceive me?

I never lied to you.

It's precisely because I'm dying

that I have to

tell you

the whole truth.

Why?

Why did you claim back then

that this child was your own flesh and blood?

Because

I knew better than anyone

that if I brought this child back to the imperial capital,

you, as the Grand Empress Dowager,

would make Prince Qian's posthumous son the heir to the throne.

And I

would never ascend the throne.

My brother and I were of one heart.

We fought side by side on the battlefield.

We entrusted our lives to one another.

But the throne of Daxing

was within my reach.

It was there for the taking.

I...

So, Your Majesty,

after ascending the throne,

you were burdened with guilt.

You named the Crown Prince while he was still an infant

and lavished him with every favor.

Precisely because of that,

the Grand Empress Dowager poured all her hatred

onto the Crown Prince.

Yes.

I carried that guilt.

So...

I...

I did everything I could to make it up to him.

I treated Huayong as my own son.

The love I gave him

surpassed that for all my own children.

But I never imagined

that my favoritism toward him

would bring about his death.

Mother.

Huayong.

My grandson.

He was my own grandson.

I...

I killed my own grandson.

I was the one who caused your death.

Huayong.

I caused your death.

I wronged you...

Huayong.

Huayong.

My Huayong.

Xihe...

Leave us.

(Book of Wei)

Brother.

How far have you gotten

in the Book of Wei?

Have you gained any insights?

Brother,

I have read

"The people are the foundation of a nation,

and food is the foundation of the people.

When those under Heaven are free from hunger and cold,

the people will have no desire to abandon their homeland."

I believe

this is how a ruler should govern.

Well said.

As a prince,

you should indeed learn the principles of governing the realm

from the classics, histories, philosophy, and literature.

But in the end, all those teachings come down

to one thing. The hearts of the people.

Only by caring for the people and understanding their hardships

can a nation stand strong.

I will remember your teachings.

Come with me.

This is a newly crafted Dushan jade inkstone and a wolf-hair brush

made by the Imperial Workshop.

I had a set prepared for you as well.

Brother, you are the eldest legitimate son.

Fine food, splendid robes, books, and classics

have always been yours by right.

Yet you

have always shared them with me.

Even our monthly stipends

have always been exactly the same.

I have

truly overstepped my place.

Juechong.

You are my brother.

Between brothers,

there is no yours or mine.

(Months Later)

(I have received Heaven's Mandate and inherited the throne,)

(to restore order to the troubled realm and bring peace under Heaven.)

(Now that my years are drawing to an end,)

(I hereby issue this edict to appoint the new Emperor.)

(Imperial Grandson Xiao Junshu,)

(long blessed with auspicious omens and marked for greatness,)

(I hereby pass the throne to Imperial Grandson Junshu.)

(Crown Princess Shen Xihe,)

(foremost among the Six Palaces and mother of the realm,)

(the new Emperor shall honor her with the utmost filial piety.)

(In keeping with tradition, the new Emperor)

(shall honor his mother as Grand Empress Dowager.)

(My choice)

(is worthy before Heaven and the spirits.)

(All princes and officials,)

(all regional governors and local magistrates,)

(and all scholars and commoners,)

(shall faithfully obey this decree)

(to fulfill my will.)

(Let this be proclaimed throughout the realm so all may know.)

- Long live Your Majesty! - Long live Your Majesty!

- Long live the Grand Empress Dowager! - Long live the Grand Empress Dowager!

Now that the realm is at peace and harmony has been restored,

it is fitting to proclaim a new reign era.

Drawing upon the ideals of harmony throughout the realm,

the reign title shall be Yonghe.

(Spirit Tablet of Prince Xin, Xiao Changqing)

(Spirit Tablet of the Late Lady Gu)

(Favorable Weather and Abundant Harvests)

Greetings, Grand Empress Dowager.

Rise.

Leave us.

My brother

was branded a traitor who sought to seize the throne.

Under the laws of Daxing,

his name should have been struck from the Xiao family register

and he would never be interred in the Imperial Mausoleum.

Fortunately, when the new Emperor ascended the throne,

he granted a general amnesty.

Thanks to the Grand Empress Dowager's mercy,

he was allowed to keep his place in the Xiao family,

his name preserved for posterity.

He was spared the fate

of becoming a wandering soul with neither roots nor kin.

Your Majesty's great kindness

is beyond my power to repay.

The truth is, your brother

never truly intended to seize the throne.

The day he wounded you,

he did it on purpose.

He wanted to sever your ties with him

so you would not be implicated.

I know.

No matter what he did,

he would never truly hurt me.

He always put me first,

shielding me from every storm.

He was the best brother I could ever have.

Your Majesty,

I wish to ask

for an edict from you.

What is it

that you seek?

Please grant me permission

to go to the frontier

and lead the troops in its defense.

Have you thought this through?

If this vast realm

can enjoy lasting prosperity

under Your Majesty's reign,

it would surely be what my brother always wished to see.

I want to protect it

in his place.

Very well.

I grant your request.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Rise.

There is one more thing.

My mother...

I will spare her life.

You have my word.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

By decree of the Grand Empress Dowager:

Bu Shuyao, younger sister of the Young Master to the Marquis of Shunan.

was separated from her family for many years

before finally being found and reunited with them.

It is hereby recognized that Bu Shuyao

is of gentle character and gracious bearing,

blessed with virtue and dignity.

The Grand Empress Dowager is greatly pleased.

Now that the period of national mourning has ended,

she is hereby betrothed to Cui Jinbai, Minister of Court of Judicial Review.

The wedding shall be held on an auspicious date. So decreed.

I accept the decree.

- Long live the Grand Empress Dowager! - Long live the Grand Empress Dowager!

The Grand Empress Dowager has another decree.

She summons you to the palace today.

Very well. I'll go shortly.

Thank you, Chief Steward.

"Of gentle character and gracious bearing,

blessed with virtue and dignity?"

Is that really me?

Xihe has always loved teasing people.

She must have said it ironically.

You really should break that habit.

When you enter the palace later,

you must not address Grand Empress Dowager by her given name.

At last, we can finally be together openly.

Everything in this world may change,

but the love between us

never will.

How sappy.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Rise.

There's no one else here.

Why are you acting so proper?

Come.

I've been keeping my back perfectly straight

the whole way just to look like a proper lady.

My back is killing me.

Why pretend at all?

The Grand Empress Dowager praised me to the skies in the decree.

I had to live up to it.

I should have arranged your marriage long ago.

It was delayed because of the period of national mourning.

I never intended to marry so soon anyway.

Why not?

Well...

I hadn't had enough fun yet.

Such a pity. Your martial skills

deserve better.

You may choose

between Chief Clerk and Staff Officer.

What?

If Cui Jinbai refuses,

I'll go reason with him myself.

Just follow your heart and make the choice

you truly want.

Do you mean it?

You trained in martial arts alongside the soldiers since childhood.

You've endured far more hardships than most.

I know you love Cui Jinbai,

but I also know you're worried

that once you're married,

you'll be confined to the inner quarters.

I wish

to serve as a Staff Officer.

Have you made up your mind?

I have.

Very well.

(Four years later) Everyone, hurry up.

(Four years later) Yes.

There are still some leaves over there.

- Yes. - Yes.

(Clear and Serene)

Make sure it's spotless.

Yes.

Mo Yu.

It's blooming again.

Junshu.

This is Chief Justice, Cui Jinbai.

This is Chief Envoy,

Zhao Zhenghao.

From now on,

they will be your Masters.

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

Rise.

Why don't you greet your Masters?

Greetings,

Masters.

Now that yesterday's birthday banquet is over,

you have turned four.

It is time to begin your formal education.

You will study the Thousand Character Classic and other primers,

along with court etiquette.

Yes, Mother.

These two Masters are highly learned,

each responsible for different subjects.

Besides the classics, histories, and statecraft,

calligraphy, painting, chess,

martial arts, and foreign languages,

they will also teach you the art of governing the realm.

Yes.

From now on,

you are to attend lectures at the Shangshu Hall every day.

You are to arrive at dawn and leave at dusk.

You will have one day off every ten days.

There will be monthly examinations in the fifth and ninth months.

At the end of the year, you will take the annual examination.

If you wish to advance to the next level,

you must pass the promotion examination.

I understand.

I'll be relying on you both from now on.

- We are honored by the Grand Empress Dowager's trust. - We are honored by the Grand Empress Dowager's trust.

- We'll devote ourselves and - We'll devote ourselves and

- impart our knowledge to His Majesty. - impart our knowledge to His Majesty.

(Sixian Hall)

Wait here for now.

After I pay my respects to Mother,

I'll return to the study hall.

Yes.

Greetings, Mother.

Come here.

Come.

School is over?

I still have to return to the study hall to review.

Grand Tutor will set an examination tomorrow.

What a good boy.

I prepared

your favorite osmanthus rice cakes.

Mother,

what kind of man was Father?

Why do you ask that all of a sudden?

You're always lost in thought before Father's portrait.

Whenever Baisui sings "Youyou and Luming",

you always smile

so gently and beautifully.

I am truly curious.

What kind of man was Father?

Your father,

in my heart,

was a perfect man.

No gold is pure, and no man is perfect.

Yet Father was perfect in your eyes.

I really wish I could meet Father.

(Clarity and Serenity)

Mother,

my name is on it.

Did Father leave this for me?

What does it mean?

(To my son, Junshu,)

(if you are reading this letter,)

(then you have already begun your studies.)

(Reading cultivates wisdom and virtue,)

(and is the foundation of one's character.)

(Now that you have entered the world of learning,)

(you must uphold filial piety, brotherly respect, propriety, and righteousness,)

(and as a ruler, temper benevolence with authority.)

(The finer principles)

(your mother and the Grand Tutor will surely teach you.)

(Though I cannot remain by your side as your father,)

(I know you will become a wise ruler.)

(All that I have learned and contemplated)

(I leave to these written pages.)

(May you surpass your father,)

(and never fail the hopes your parents place in you.)

(Above all, honor and care for your mother.)

(Remember this well.)

(Your father, Huayong.)

Mother, what did Father say?

Your father said

he is proud of you.

He also said

Little Goldfish

will become a truly great Emperor.

As great as Father?

Then in your heart,

am I a perfect man, too?

Compared with your father,

you're still just a little short.

You must keep trying.

I will become just as great as Father.

No, I'll become even greater than Father.

Come.

Let's read it together.

- Heaven was dark and Earth was yellow. - Heaven was dark and Earth was yellow.

- The cosmos was vast and primordial. - The cosmos was vast and primordial.

- The sun and moon wax and wane. - The sun and moon wax and wane.

- The stars are arrayed across the heavens. - The stars are arrayed across the heavens.

What happened?

How did he

suddenly collapse at the training grounds?

Summon Zhao Zhenghao.

I'll ask him

what exactly happened.

No need to summon Zhao Zhenghao.

It's only natural to feel exhausted after training at the martial grounds.

We should summon the Imperial Physician

to see if there's anything else to worry about.

Mother, I'm all right.

I'll be fine after a few days' rest.

Little Goldfish,

you shouldn't refuse to see the Imperial Physician.

We should have the Imperial Physician examine you.

Youyou, do you know

there is a remedy

that can cure Little Goldfish's illness?

What kind of medicine?

It's quite difficult to obtain.

It requires Youyou's approval.

Just let the boy rest for three days

and spare him Cui Jinbai's questioning.

Father is the worst.

Grand Tutor Cui is so strict.

If you don't understand your lessons,

just ask your father.

How can a true gentleman

deceive his mother like this?

Pretending to be sick to avoid his studies.

He's exactly like you.

But what Father teaches

is different from what Grand Tutor Cui teaches.

What your father teaches you

is the way of a ruler.

What Grand Tutor Cui teaches you

is the way of a minister.

Then why do I have to learn two different explanations?

What your father teaches you

is how to rule as an Emperor.

What Grand Tutor Cui teaches you

is how to serve as a minister,

so that you will understand

how to govern your officials.

Do you understand now?

If you earn the highest evaluation,

your mother and I

will take you outside the palace.

That's wonderful!

Father is the best!

Mother is the best, too!

We finally get to go out together!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

It's already a quarter into the Mao hour.

If you don't get up now,

you'll be late for morning court.

It's been a long time since you've slept so soundly.

Your Majesty,

you were smiling in your sleep.

Were you having a pleasant dream?

Yes.

A rare and wonderful dream.

The people are of greatest importance. The state comes next.

The ruler is the least important.

Therefore, one who wins the hearts of the people becomes the Son of Heaven.

One who wins the favor of the Son of Heaven becomes a feudal lord.

One who wins the favor of the feudal lords becomes a minister.

Xihe,

do you still remember

the day the maple leaves were at their reddest?

After our afternoon nap,

we quietly

drank chilled plum juice together.

The breeze

drifted through the little window.

That simple, ordinary life

was life's finest moment.

The autumn air is dry.

Have a cup of plum juice

to soothe your throat.

Thank you, Mother.

Mother,

I received the highest evaluation at my last assessment.

Grand Tutor Cui and General Bu

took me outside the palace.

I saw this exquisitely embroidered sachet.

Knowing how much you love ginkgo leaves,

I bought it for you.

I like it.

Thank you, Little Goldfish.

My Lord,

Official Zhao brought a package from outside the palace.

He insisted it be handed to you in person.

Tagara Incense?

♪Let it all go, give my tears to the flowers♪

♪Beneath my feet, eternal doom is more than wind and sand♪

♪That perfectly plotted love hides in the clamor♪

♪Between us, it's both treacherous and flawless♪

♪I want destiny, and also tender words of love♪

♪As night stains my eyes, I'll gaze once more at the rosy clouds♪

♪I have a dream of a long wind in my sleeves♪

♪My heart rises and falls, we embrace in a sea of clouds♪

♪For how much joy do we share this life together♪

♪Withering and flourishing, year after year♪

I'm back.

I feared this beautiful moment

would find you with no companion.

So I come back.

♪Across countless miles of treasured moments♪

♪Every move is a game of truth and lies♪

I've kept you waiting so long.

I'm sorry.

♪I want destiny, and also tender words of love♪

♪As night stains my eyes, I'll gaze once more at the rosy clouds♪

♪I have a dream of a long wind in my sleeves♪

Marrying you in this life,

I will never regret it.

♪Withering and flourishing, year after year♪

♪I have a dream of a long wind in my sleeves♪

♪My heart rises and falls, we embrace in a sea of clouds♪

♪In this eternity, you are a part of it♪

♪My longing can level mountains and cross countless rivers♪

♪Drunk or sober, it's all like a dream♪

♪Stars sink into my hair, the moon slips through my fingers♪

♪For how much joy do we share this life together♪

♪Withering and flourishing, year after year♪

♪May the sand and dirt in my sleeves♪

♪Become the tears in the corner of my eyes♪

♪And blossom into a flower♪

♪A wall that collapses at a single push♪

♪Frost that melts at a single smile♪

♪How can you be this wonderful♪

♪I've hidden so many words♪

♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

♪So never uncover♪

♪Wind that misses the grasp♪

♪Light that ignites at a single touch♪

♪A person can find strength time and again♪

♪Our past♪

♪Has been full of ups and downs along the way♪

♪Admitting my confusion just like your regret♪

♪How hard can it be?♪

♪The wounds that healed with just a little comfort♪

♪The lies made whole with a single embrace♪

♪So brave as if not afraid of disappointment♪

♪You understand my pride♪

♪It is actually just like yours♪

♪So please try your best to be open first♪

♪The flustered mortal world♪

♪Never knowing I was lost♪

♪Why don't you take me away?♪

♪Lead me out of this endless game of hide-and-seek♪

♪The flustered mortal world♪

♪Your eyes remain clear and bright♪

(No animals were harmed during the filming of this production)