Original subtitles

♪If not for you♪

♪I wouldn't have wanted to make a name for myself♪

♪Only when I have your love♪

♪Is my invincibility not in vain♪

♪The towering peaks I've conquered♪

♪Leave me♪

♪Feeling empty♪

♪I've given everything♪

♪Just to follow you♪

♪Through life and death♪

♪Could it be that love♪

♪Is the true end of this life♪

♪Why does every battle♪

♪Bring deeper pain♪

♪I never got it♪

♪You once promised me♪

♪You'd give me ordinary days♪

♪Then I'd rather♪

♪Face blades and fall♪

♪Into your arms instead of the clouds♪

♪I'll pass through layers of fog♪

♪And barriers♪

♪The world's rights and wrongs, wins and losses♪

♪Who's to weigh their worth♪

♪Only love♪

♪Gives me a sky as wide as the sea♪

♪I only want to be your hero♪

=The Prisoner of Beauty=

=Episode 15=

My Lord.

Should we continue weighing?

Shao,

if neither Lady Qiao

nor Wei Yan is behind this,

you owe us

an explanation.

- Exactly. - Yes.

- We must have an answer. - Yes.

How can our people be treated this way?

My Lord,

one is your wife,

and the other is your cousin.

Who will you choose?

Mr. Wei is just the Lord's cousin,

not his real brother.

You mustn't show favoritism.

Lady Xu.

Lady Xu fainted.

Grandmother.

- Grandmother. - Lady Xu fainted.

- Grandmother. - Grandmother.

Grandmother.

- Grandmother. - Mother.

Summon a physician.

No one here is allowed to leave.

- Yes. - Yes.

- Grandmother. - Mother.

Grandmother.

Are you truly okay?

Where is Shiyuan?

I've placed him and Lady Qiao

under separate watch.

Grandmother.

Why do you

suspect that Yan did this?

Zhonglin.

I dare not take the risk.

I understand.

You don't want Yan to suffer,

neither do I.

Even if

Yan actually did this,

I will ensure his safety.

Don't worry.

There is something

I must tell you.

Do you know

how our grudge with Bianzhou began?

It's because of my daughter,

your aunt Qingyun.

The rumors say

she bore Shiyuan

with a servant,

but that's not true.

She was assaulted

by Chen Pang from Bianzhou.

Chen Pang?

Yes.

Chen Pang abducted your aunt

when she had just come of age.

Three years later,

your grandfather brought her back.

By then,

she was already carrying Shiyuan.

Are you saying

Yan is Chen Pang's son?

Yes.

After giving birth to Shiyuan,

Qingyun died in despair.

Chen Pang,

for his own lust,

took my daughter's life.

If I ever have the chance,

I will kill him myself for revenge.

But Shiyuan is Qingyun's flesh and blood.

After much thought,

I decided to claim

his father died

after marrying into our family.

And I raised him myself.

Then

does Yan know the truth?

I've deliberately kept it from him.

But this time,

Shiyuan seems

to have changed.

It's like

he's found something out.

Shiyuan is in charge of the granary.

If there's evidence against him

in front of everyone,

it would mean death.

Even if he made a mistake,

his life must not be forfeited.

Zhonglin.

We must find a solution

that spares both sides.

I'm here.

Where? Hurry!

Why are you all so quiet?

I'm telling you.

Whoever I catch

will have to spend the night

with me.

Why are you here?

Even though

you're the one I caught today,

I won't waste my time

spending the night with you.

Grandmother fainted because of you,

and you didn't even send someone

to check on her.

I know full well

how she is.

She's just putting on an act.

Don't try to trick me.

Then you should understand why she's doing this.

Yet

you're here drinking with tavern maids

instead of trying to clear your name.

Understand her?

She refused to inspect the seeds

because she suspected me, right?

You stationed

guards here

because you suspect me too, right?

If I truly wanted to confine you,

would I let you

enjoy yourself here with tavern maids?

We're doing this to protect you.

Protect me?

Even you believe I did it.

You'd rather believe a Qiao

than believe me.

What about you?

Do you believe me?

What did I do to upset you?

Are you planning

to return to Bianzhou?

How did you know?

So, it's true.

You've learned of your origins.

Since you know,

why didn't you tell me?

We grew up together.

I saw you as my real brother.

So what?

I am Chen Pang's son.

I belong to Bianzhou.

I don't care who you are.

You are always my cousin.

Aren't you afraid I'll covet your position?

Go ahead.

I'm the one

who tampered with the seeds.

You wouldn't trust me anyway,

and from now on, you'll all be wary of me.

That's just your groundless guess.

What about Lady Qiao?

Why are you monitoring her letters?

Ehuang.

This plan may be clever,

but if the Lord of Wei investigates further,

it will bring disaster upon us.

This scheme was never flawless.

But what I'm betting on

is the Lord of Wei's affection for his family.

What do you mean?

Would the Lord of Wei investigate his brother

for a foe's daughter?

The Lord of Wei

may be cold,

but he's always treated family well.

If the investigation

threatens his brother,

he won't continue.

The Lord stationed soldiers here day and night.

We're not allowed to leave.

The Lady is clearly wronged,

yet there's nothing we can do.

According to the law of Wei,

we're to be executed.

Mother.

Don't say such unlucky things.

It's not about luck.

I'm old.

I don't mind.

But you're still young and beautiful.

Mother.

I'd believe you

if you told me Lady Qiao wanted to poison my whole family,

but I'd never believe

she'd harm the people.

What's this?

Why have I never seen it before?

This...

Isn't this the bracelet you prepared for Lady Xu?

It's not that one,

but the style is the same.

Why does this box look so familiar?

You needn't worry about the bracelet anymore.

The bracelet has been found.

Getting it back

is indeed better.

They're the same.

Even if our bracelet hadn't been recovered,

you needn't be afraid.

That bracelet was a token

from the Lord and me to Grandmother.

But this bracelet

is a token from the Lord to me.

Xiaotao,

grind some ink.

Send off this family letter.

Sure.

The seed incident

can be seen as state affairs

or family affairs.

But Wei Dian is using it to incite trouble.

My Lord,

have you decided

whether to investigate it?

If not,

the Lady will be found guilty.

But if we investigate,

and it involves Mr. Wei,

can the Lord kill his cousin?

My Lord,

this is a family letter from the Lady to Yanzhou.

Please review it.

Sending letters at a time like this?

Confiscate it.

Yes.

Bring it to me.

I know this puts you in a tough spot.

No matter what you choose,

I won't blame you.

My Lord,

shall I still send this letter

to Yanzhou?

No need.

This letter

is full of nonsense,

rambling and incoherent.

Yes.

I'm heading out.

No need to follow me.

My Lord.

There's a lead about what you asked me to check.

Someone did visit the granary,

but there's no official record.

Good.

This must be

thoroughly investigated.

Yes.

Why was it returned?

Even letters can't be sent now?

Wait

for my return tomorrow.

Don't panic.

The Lord has his plans.

Six dan.

Two dan.

One dan.

My Lord.

Based on today's results,

a total of 24 sacks of wheat seed

weighs 21 dan.

Before entering the granary,

it was 24 dan.

The weight doesn't match.

So, the Qiao Clan didn't do this.

This proves the seeds

were tampered with in Yujun.

If so,

Mr. Wei should be held responsible.

Will the Lord sacrifice family for justice?

The Lord is fair and impartial.

He'd even sacrifice kin

to uncover the truth.

Everyone, you're right.

The weight of the seeds

doesn't match before and after storage.

Whoever guarded the granary

can't escape blame.

We should punish Wei Yan asap

to appease the public.

Shao,

are you trying

to cover up for him?

Lady Qiao is innocent,

but I believe

Yan is too.

This is riddled with suspicion.

We must continue to investigate.

Until the truth is found,

no one

is allowed to leave Yujun.

The Lord is taking it seriously.

Could someone else have orchestrated this?

No matter what, none of us can leave Yujun now.

Where did things go wrong?

So, Lady Qiao really is innocent.

What did you say?

The Lord of Wei is going to investigate this?

Ehuang, don't worry.

I've taken care

of Zheng Shu.

There won't be evidence

against you.

How did you know

the Lord would return today?

He told the Lady himself.

When faced with this situation,

most would rush to defend themselves.

But you're the one

comforting me,

telling me not to worry.

At Grandmother's birthday banquet,

you spoke up for me.

That means you believe in me.

So, even if this is blamed on me in the end,

it must be because you have no choice.

I don't want to make things hard for you.

I've ordered

a full investigation.

So,

it'll be some time before I return.

Sure.

My Lord,

everything is packed.

Then let's go.

Darling, wait.

My Lord,

please send off this family letter for me.

You haven't told me

how you knew

the Lord would return today.

He told me himself.

What kind of riddles are you two playing?

Are you saying

Zheng Shu secretly entered the granary before?

She went multiple times.

It was very suspicious.

Wei Duo has gone to look for her.

My Lord,

I went to Zheng Shu's husband's home,

and I found out

Zheng Shu died suddenly last night.

With Zheng Shu dead,

Yan could not possibly be the culprit.

There must be

a bigger mastermind behind this.

Pass down my order:

Continue the investigation.

- Yes. - Yes.

Sir.

There's something I wish to ask you.

Please go ahead.

At home,

how do you address your wife?

I call her

Dear.

Understood.

(Thank you for your trust, My Lord. I'll remember it always.)

(My Lord)

Who's that?

Sir,

it's the Lady of Bianzhou.

Did you hear?

The Lady

didn't tamper with the seeds.

Luckily, the Lord is wise,

so she wasn't wrongly accused.

No wonder that the investigation is so strict

and that we can't leave the city freely.

We have to catch the real culprit

and clear the Lady's name.

Maybe

the mastermind

is hiding among these people.

They're waiting for a chance to slip out.

The investigation is necessary.

- Ehuang. - The innocent can't be wronged.

What should we do now?

Why are you panicking?

If they have found the real culprit,

they won't need to check everyone here.

Lady Yulou, do you need to leave now?

General Wei Liang,

Great-aunt's birthday banquet has ended.

My husband is gravely ill.

I must return to Bianzhou at once

to care for him.

Please allow us to pass quickly.

The Lord has ordered

that until the seed case is solved,

no guests for the banquet

are allowed to leave Yujun.

Lady Yulou,

please cooperate with us.

Zheng Chuyu,

why did you act on your own?

You've even dragged me into this.

My Lady.

Have you found her?

We did.

Bring her to me. I need to ask her.

She's been found,

but she can't answer any questions.

Zheng Shu...

What happened?

She's dead.

Dead?

How did she die?

How?

They say she drowned in the river

while doing laundry.

Drowned?

No. It's impossible.

Chuyu was good at swimming.

She couldn't have drowned.

Someone...

Someone must've wanted her dead.

Who killed her?

You need to be more careful.

If you keep acting recklessly,

one day you'll end up hurting the ones close to you.

My Lady.

What's wrong?

Is it my fault

that she died?

It's my fault.

I caused it...

My Lady, don't say that.

Whether

Zheng Chuyu drowned

or was murdered,

it's already done.

From now on,

we must be careful.

Sure.

Besides,

now that Chuyu is dead,

there's no proof anymore.

The Lord won't trace it back to us.

Who's there?

Coming.

Lady Yulou.

My Lady, Lady Yulou is here to see you.

Lady Zhu,

I heard Great-aunt is ill.

I didn't want to disturb her rest,

so I came to ask you instead.

Usually,

Mother loves Shiyuan the most.

But Zhonglin is defiant

and insists on uncovering the truth.

What do you think

we should do?

Don't blame the Lord of Wei.

In my view,

he's the one suffering most right now.

The seed case is serious.

You only see him being scolded by Great-aunt

but not

the pressure

from all the factions in Wei.

If Shiyuan really did this,

the Lord of Wei

would have to kill him.

Right now,

he must be eager to find out.

Yes.

I'm just like you,

hoping this case

can be resolved asap.

Actually,

who the mastermind is

doesn't really matter.

As long as it's not Shiyuan,

the Lord of Wei

can breathe easy.

Shao.

(Peace and Prosperity) How's the investigation going?

If there are still no leads,

then let me and the clansmen

- leave the city. - Yes.

We've been here for days.

I've found someone

repeatedly entered the granary.

That person is Zheng Shu

who'd been serving my mother.

In that case,

bring her here.

We'll know the truth

with interrogation.

Unfortunately,

Zheng Shu

suddenly died last night.

She's dead?

So now,

she's dead,

and there's no proof.

Zhonglin,

this isn't like you.

You can't brush this off.

If you do,

every criminal in Wei will use

a corpse to plead innocence

tomorrow.

- That's right. - Right.

He's got a point.

I can testify.

Everything Zhonglin said

is true.

Zheng Shu

served by my side for years.

She was

like a daughter to me.

Because of the family feud,

I wanted to get rid of Lady Qiao,

so I worked with Chuyu

to steam the wheat seeds

and frame the Qiao Clan.

Shiyuan

knew nothing of this.

That's the truth then.

But Lady Zhu,

you can't clear Mr. Wei with just a few words.

Don't forget.

We have laws here.

No need to rush, General.

After Chuyu got married,

she was not allowed to visit me freely.

Each time she came,

I had someone escort her

to the side chamber.

If you don't believe me,

go investigate.

Everyone, please think about it.

Who was it at the birthday banquet

that insisted

on inspecting the seeds?

It was Lady Zhu.

This was a fight among women.

It doesn't concern Mr. Wei.

In that case,

it's not a political affair

- but a domestic one. - Yes.

Since it involves the Lord's mother,

she can't be judged by law.

Lady Xu should be the one to punish her.

That's right.

Yes.

My Lord,

this is the best way

to protect both the Lady and Mr. Wei.

Please decide.

Open the city gates.

Let the clan members

return home.

We can leave now.

Take my mother

to the north chamber

and let Grandmother decide.

My Lady.

Take care.

I used to think you were just slow-witted

but never imagined

you were so venomous.

Please calm your anger, Mother.

Mother,

believe it

or not,

I did

swap the seeds

as instructed by Zheng Shu,

but I knew nothing

about steaming them.

I know you didn't steam

the seeds

because you're not smart enough to think of such a plan.

You're too dumb.

Even if you want to plot like others,

your scheming is half-baked.

From now on,

go to the ancestral hall.

Kneel and reflect.

Copy scriptures a hundred times.

It'll serve as a warning to others.

My Lady.

My Lady.

Zhonglin.

Though I am now

the Lady of Bianzhou,

there are things

I've never forgotten.

I once

spent my childhood here.

When my betrothal was on the table,

the elders chose your elder brother.

Sadly,

I wasn't lucky enough to marry him.

Now, all I have

to remember him by

is this jade pendant.

Bianzhou is far away.

You should set out soon.

Take care, My Lord.

Take care.

♪On the rough potato branch grows a pod♪

♪A child wears a pointed ornament♪

♪With the ornament on♪

(Yujun)

My Lord,

what's the song

Lady Yulou just sang?

It's Wan Lan from the Book of Songs.

It speaks

of childhood companions

pretending not to know each other

after growing up.

♪On the rough potato branch, the leaves curl♪

♪A child wears a pointed ornament♪

Ehuang,

don't be sad.

Why would I be?

In a few days,

I'll return

and be Lady Yulou again.

What's there to be sad about?

Besides,

though we failed on this trip,

we made it back safely.

I should be happy.

Lady Yulou, please wait.

Please don't return

to Yujun again.

Why?

Though you and the Weis

share a bond,

it can't endure further strain.

Now that you are the Lady of Bianzhou,

your interests oppose the Weis.

I don't know your purpose this time.

Though Grandmother said nothing,

she surely wasn't pleased.

I can't bear for her to be reminded

of unhappy memories.

So,

it's better if we don't meet again.

Shiyuan,

do you really think you're a Wei now?

Thank you for your concern.

But perhaps you should worry more

about whether you can truly

find peace staying here.

Yan,

I know you're here.

You don't have to see me,

but Grandmother is still waiting for you to greet her.

Yan!

Young Master,

the Weis are good at deceiving.

You must not go soft again.

You carry the blood

of the Chen Clan of Bianzhou.

The Lord thinks of you day and night,

longing for your return to aid him.

With your talents,

will you really bury your ambition

and resign yourself

to a lifetime of submission here?

The Weis know your true identity.

They're suspicious of you

and even risked your life

to protect Lady Qiao.

Why not come back with me

to Bianzhou now?

My Lord,

are you still worried about Yan?

He's the one

most hurt by this.

I saw Grandmother today.

She misses him deeply too.

Chen Pang of Bianzhou

is bound to acknowledge him.

If we continue

to keep the truth from him,

he may leave for good.

It's true.

I've gone to see him many times,

but he keeps avoiding me.

I don't want to force him.

My Lord,

my situation here

is much like his.

I'm willing to talk to him

on your behalf.

If you trust me,

leave this to me.

What's this?

Since you've decided to build the canal,

I wanted to help

because I've studied some hydraulics.

The route for the canal

concerns labor and cost

so it's critical.

I've reviewed many materials

and made some notes.

I hope they'll be useful.

Tell me about it.

My Lord.

(Rongjun) Look at these mountains.

This is the terrain of northern Rongjun.

I've read many materials.

This part is much higher

than Xindu.

So, if the canal starts here

and runs that way,

it'll take a lot of manpower and resources.

But...

Come here. I can't see it from here.

Come on.

What are these

on the sides?

They're valleys,

which means there are mountains.

If we dig a canal through carelessly,

we risk disaster.

But if we follow

the valleys...

Good. Good.

Very good.

Good. Good.

Since Grandmother's birthday,

she's been weighed down with worry.

And you keep avoiding the Lord.

I had no other choice

but to disturb you

today.

I used to think our situations here

were alike.

As it turns out, I overestimated myself.

You're one of them.

I'm an outsider.

Is family

decided

by blood alone?

Even you've known it.

When I first came to Yujun,

no one saw me as the Lady of Wei.

They only thought

I was a foe's daughter.

I was uneasy.

But now, I've earned the Lord's trust

and Grandmother's affection.

Why do you think that is?

Because you're a Wei now.

If you admit you're not a Qiao,

Zhonglin and Grandmother

won't give you a hard time.

You're wrong again.

If I denied my Qiao blood,

the Lord wouldn't treat me well.

He'd look down on me.

I am the Lady of Wei,

so I'd never do anything to harm Wei.

But I was born in Yanzhou.

I'll never betray my homeland.

I've never hidden my concern

for Yanzhou's people from the Lord.

Only with such honesty between us

can we truly trust one another.

You speak so beautifully.

Only when I see myself as a Wei

can the Lord see me as one of his own.

It's the same with you.

I see myself as a Wei,

but the Weis treat me

as a discarded pawn.

You think you're discarded,

and no one cares about you.

But Grandmother

has fallen ill because of you.

She has always been in good health.

Yet she fainted when she heard

the Lord would reopen the case

and might punish you.

How is she now?

Did the physician see her?

Don't worry. It's nothing serious.

But she's still bedridden.

I dare say

she didn't tell you

not because she feared trouble,

but because she feared that her most beloved grandson

would hold a grudge

and refuse to see her.

Grandmother...

Grandmother.

Grandmother?

Shiyuan.

I understand now.

I'm glad that you're fine.

I'll take my leave.

Shiyuan.

Are you never going

to see me again?

♪The moonlight is as silent as the deep sea♪

♪From afar♪

♪It once lit up dreams with a breath♪

♪But vanished with a sigh♪

♪Brushing past my fingertips♪

♪My heartstrings were stirred quietly♪

♪As if we once met before♪

♪Holding back a love so deep♪

♪Love asks for nothing in the end♪

♪Leaving only obsessions♪

♪I've wandered in the world♪

♪Yet cannot have it all♪

♪We meet and part in the fires of war♪

♪Embracing, leaving tender marks of love♪

♪With one breathtaking glance♪

♪How could I ever forget♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪