Original subtitles

[Episode 8]

Your Highness.

How are you feeling?

Much better.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I only asked how you were.

I'm thanking you for the monkey incident.

Qing Yu told me everything.

Let me apply the medicine for you.

Then I'll go prepare some tea.

These are all old wounds.

Applying medicine won't do much now.

This is Jade Skin Ointment, a tribute from the Western Regions.

It contains angelica,

Chuanxiong,

peach kernels, safflower,

and pearl powder.

It can fade scars and moisturize skin.

- Fade scars? - Yes.

Do you think they look unsightly?

No.

Not at all.

Then shall I apply it or not?

Do you feel a cooling sensation?

My arm does feel smoother

and cooler.

That means it's working.

Apply it twice a day.

In less than half a month,

these scars of yours

should be all gone.

Is it really that effective?

Then, could I...

have one more pot?

Why do you need more?

You might not even finish this one.

I want to give one to Qing Shuang.

On her hands,

there are also scars from monkey bites.

Qing Shuang?

Qing Yu and Qing Shuang

both grew up with me.

Now that I have something good,

I can't leave her out.

Alright.

I'll have Jin bring it over later.

Don't forget.

Your Highness, the tea is ready.

I shall pass.

Does Princess Ding have

a maid named Qing Shuang?

Her Highness has many maids.

There are Tao Er, Xing Er,

and Qing Yu.

As for Qing Shuang...

I can't recall at the moment.

I'll ask around tomorrow.

Madam, Buddhist Yunji sent an invitation.

She invites you to the Hongxiu Banquet.

I see.

Buddhist Yunji?

A practitioner?

She is a consort of the late Emperor.

When the late Emperor passed away,

Consort Dowager Qin left the palace to devote herself to religion.

She burns incense and chants sutras daily

to pray for the people.

Since she is a practitioner,

why is she hosting this banquet?

The Hongxiu Banquet

is held for Lady Lin Ting Lan.

Lady Lin is favored by the Empress Dowager.

She's a famous talent across the Capital,

yet she isn't confined to her chambers.

She travels far and wide,

helping those in need.

People say she is like a heroine.

Tomorrow,

you should come as well.

Me as well?

Consort Dowager Qin is close to the Empress Dowager.

Over the years, she hosted banquets in the name of worship,

helping the Empress Dowager

recruit talented people and build influence.

Prince Ding has kept a low profile for years.

We've never received an invitation from her.

Not until you, a descendant of Li Mountain, married in.

Tell me,

who do you think she's after?

- It's been long since I last saw Lady Lin. - Indeed.

Why are we here?

Didn't your Third Uncle tell you?

Changsheng Shop has always been close to Consort Dowager Qin.

[Lin Ting Lan]

What a heartbreaking melody.

It truly rends one's heart to hear it.

It is indeed beautiful.

It makes me want to go home

and spend an intimate time with my husband.

This lady here...

must be Prince Ding's new bride.

I am Ye Li.

Greetings, Consort Dowager Qin.

The eldest daughter of the Ye family.

The elder sister of Princess Li.

I heard she was raised on Li Mountain

and only returned to the Capital to marry.

No wonder I've never seen her.

Come to think of it,

Li Mountain has been sealed for nearly eight years.

How is the book compilation progressing?

Before I left the mountain,

my grandfather and the masters

were annotating the "Gazetteer of Rivers and Canals."

I believe it will still take some time.

Your Highness, I didn't expect you

to be a descendant of Li Mountain Academy.

Years ago,

I read Headmaster Xu's "Hundred Essays."

But there is one line in it

that I still find quite puzzling.

I wonder if you would be willing to enlighten me?

Please, go ahead.

In "Hundred Essays", it says,

"Pass down knowledge like a flame

and education knows no class."

It says that all people in the world, regardless of gender

or social status,

have the virtue to seek knowledge.

But if so,

I'm curious, since Li Mountain Academy is a great school,

why does it refuse to admit female disciples?

Headmaster Xu has written many books.

But why do his words conflict

with his actions?

Lady Lin, you enjoy travelogues,

so you must have read Master Fuyao's "Travels of All Things."

Indeed.

It is a fine book.

Then do you know that Master Fuyao

is actually a woman?

The Academy has never had a rule forbidding women to study.

Most commoners favor sons over daughters

and provide education only for their boys.

That is why the number of men coming to study far exceeds that of women.

But in reality,

the Academy has not only female disciples,

but also female masters.

Master Fuyao is one such example.

So that's how it is.

It seems I was short-sighted.

I nearly wronged Headmaster Xu.

I shall drink a toast as a penalty.

Very well.

Since it was a misunderstanding, it should be spoken of and cleared up.

Then the rift will naturally vanish.

Lady Lin is indeed open-minded.

I suggest

we should all drink this cup together.

Come, raise your glasses.

Master Ye is right.

I have a question as well

for Princess Ding.

The Empress Dowager admires Li Mountain Academy.

But as soon as the late Emperor passed away,

the Academy closed its gates to compile books.

Rumor has it

they feared Her Majesty would seize the throne and close the Academy.

So they used book compilation as an excuse.

Is that so

or is it not?

Though the current Emperor is young,

he is wise and strategic.

He has a steady character.

The Empress Dowager cares for the realm, and governs diligently.

Mother and son are of one mind,

which brings Great Chu's current prosperity.

If anyone dares to spread rumors

that the Empress Dowager seeks the throne,

they intend to drive a wedge between mother and son

and between the ruler and subjects.

Such malicious intent truly deserves death.

You're quite eloquent, Your Highness.

Then,

let us drink together.

Let's drink.

Come, come, raise your glasses.

- Eat. Try some. - I'll try it.

Over here.

It's good, right? And this one.

You're so carefree. Still eating?

The Empress Dowager and Li Mountain are enemies.

Consort Dowager Qin is clearly trying to settle a score for Her Majesty.

It's such an obvious trap.

Can't you tell? How dare you come?

She invited me, so I came.

Master Ye.

Look, why won't this lotus lantern light?

It won't?

- Let me check. - Please.

- I'll be right there. Just a moment. - Hurry up then.

Watch your words and actions.

This pastry is called Sihe Pastry.

Its filling is made from flowers and fruits of all four seasons.

The crust is made with Shisui Honey.

Shisui Honey is extremely rare.

A single jar costs a fortune.

Sister, you've been in the mountains for years, lacking food and clothing.

You must not have eaten such fine things for a long time.

Come, have some more.

It's all for you.

Did you go senile in the mountains?

You don't even know basic etiquette.

What's wrong?

There is...

a black sesame seed stuck to your tooth.

Thank you.

Quick, look. Where is it?

There's nothing.

Look more closely.

Please spare me, Your Highness!

It's fine.

It won't be cleaned off easily.

Why don't I take you to wash it up?

Wait for me here.

Okay.

Please don't be angry, Your Highness.

Have some pastry.

Take it away.

From now on, when we are out, anything with sesame seeds

is not to be served to me.

Yes.

Don't take this horse milk cake away.

There are no sesame seeds on this.

Go fetch Nanny Zhu.

Yes.

This is the place. Your Highness, please.

There is nothing here.

How am I supposed to wash it up?

Are you blaming me?

Li.

Li, listen to my explanation.

I didn't want to break off our engagement.

It was them. They forced me to do it.

They said

Guo Jin was suspicious of me.

If I had married you,

it would be like dragging you into danger.

I thought

that if I broke off the engagement,

you wouldn't leave the mountain.

But I never imagined

that Guo Jin...

would have you betrothed to that cripple.

What exactly are you trying to say?

Li.

Let's run away together.

Run away?

Yes.

Let's run away.

I've had this thought

for a very long time.

On your wedding day,

I watched you in your bridal gown,

getting into someone else's carriage.

That's when

this thought took hold.

I wanted to take you out of the city on horseback,

through the streets of the East Market,

past all the city gates,

along the ancient mountain road,

and back to Li Mountain.

Even if not Li Mountain,

whether it be Dongyue,

the borderlands,

or Cangbei,

as long as I'm with you,

anywhere would be fine.

But you didn't do it.

No, I didn't.

Because I was afraid.

I knew we couldn't go back to Li Mountain

or even make it out of that alley.

You haven't changed at all.

You're still the same as before.

Cowardly...

and hypocritical.

Always hiding your own filth behind noble-sounding words.

After enough time,

you actually start to believe

that you are an innocent person

who values justice and loyalty.

Your Highness,

don't you find yourself ridiculous

when you say these things?

Mo Jing Li,

I truly loathe you.

So stay far away from me.

Nanny, why is there no one here?

Li!

There seems to be someone up ahead.

Let's go take a look.

Let's go.

No, I don't believe it.

If you really don't care about me,

if you really loathe me,

then why did you kill Lu Chang Fu?

You knew I was struggling at court,

so you killed Lu Chang Fu

to make the Empress Dowager and the Emperor suspect each other.

Am I right?

You can't hide it from me.

I know your methods all too well.

So,

you do have me in your heart.

I killed Lu Chang Fu

not for you,

but for Li Mountain Academy.

Lu Chang Fu owed the Academy seven lives.

I wanted him to pay in blood.

It has nothing to do with you.

Ye Li, stop right there!

If you take one more step,

I will jump from here.

You know

that I cannot swim.

Let go of me!

Let me die!

Let go!

Let me die!

- Cicadas in this world... - Let go!

always seem to believe their cries

will attract the attention of others.

As if it gives meaning to their existence.

But the membranes they use to make sound are very thin.

With just a little force,

they will tear apart.

Mo Jing Li,

you are just like those cicadas.

Master Gu.

[Gu Zheng]

Long time no see.

Young General Mo.

No, no.

I should call you Prince Ding now.

What brings you here to visit a miserable old man like me?

I have come to invite you

back into service.

You have been taken office?

As the Governor of Jingzhao Prefecture.

Master Gu,

a bright pearl has been covered in dust,

trapped in a cage for too long.

Now the people long for good governance.

Beneath the imperial court,

the shadow has yet to dissipate.

If you could

take up the brush of statesmanship

and join me in wielding political power,

we could sweep away the court's corruption,

cleanse the realm

of its turbid currents.

Together, we shall forge a great legacy

and write an immortal legend for all generations to come.

Where did you copy this pretentious nonsense from to disgust me?

On the way here,

I had a scholar who writes family letters help me with it.

You must not have paid him.

It sounds completely insincere.

Give me something real.

I want to right the wrongs.

To clear the name of Prince Ding's family.

To clear the name of the Heiyun Cavalry.

And to seek justice

for my deceased elder brother.

The price of hiring me is very high.

I'm afraid you...

can't afford it.

Master Gu,

name your price.

I want that manifesto from eight years ago

carved on Marquis Muyang's tombstone.

Deal.

On the fifth of next month, the grandson of Chancellor of Rites turns one month old.

Three years ago, at the Heaven Ceremony, he was entrusted by Your Highness

to pray for your lineage.

Back then, you asked him to pray for 18 sons.

It became a laughingstock at court.

That was a great move.

But it needs a follow-up.

Your Highness, you should thank him.

The gift shouldn't be too modest,

but not to lavish either.

I have prepared for Your Highness

a set of gold locks, bracelets, and anklets with auspicious cloud patterns,

and a pair of jade blessing pendants.

When you go there,

it's best to play the zither to celebrate.

On the eighth of next month,

there's a polo match at Yunjing Garden.

Yuan Chang Kong will be there too.

You've been at odds with him for years.

Don't forget to pick a quarrel.

If possible, get into a physical scuffle.

Bruising his face will suffice.

- The fifteenth of next month... - I'm not going.

Which one are you skipping?

All of them.

You cannot skip them, Your Highness.

You haven't attended any banquet for over a month.

Do you know what they say about you?

They say you've changed since you married,

abandoning your old dissolute ways.

That you've become prudent and mature.

As the son of the former Crown Prince,

what's the use of being mature?

Then what should I do?

Act like you did before.

Like before?

Play the zither, get drunk, act crazy,

and get into fights with others.

Ideally,

have my clothes torn,

my face bruised,

then show up at court with my debauched look.

So everyone loathes me

and laugh at me as the Capital's greatest joke.

Exactly.

I know you are suffering, Your Highness.

But only by doing this,

will the Empress Dowager believe you harbor no hatred

and that you are just a debauched man.

Only in this way

can you survive.

Only then can the Prince Li's lineage

survive.

Then I...

will continue to make arrangements for you.

Since you are in a foul mood,

the day after tomorrow,

you should go to Yinshan Villa

to relax yourself.

Your Highness,

the quartz flowers from Master Zhu have bloomed.

Really?

Come and see!

Your Highness.

Tao Er and I have been taking good care of it.

We gathered the cleanest dew

from the tips of the grass before the sun rose to water it.

It must know how much we care,

so it grew its best for us to see.

Your Highness, you promised us,

if we could make it bloom,

you would treat us to a feast.

Does your promise still stand?

Of course it does.

That's great!

- Thank you, Your Highness. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

What's happening outside?

On my way here,

I saw many strong men coming and going,

carrying tables and chairs.

It looks like they're adding new furniture.

Hurry up! Be careful!

Don't bump into anything. Hurry up!

Your Highness, are you renovating the mansion?

Why buy so many things?

Go ask your Third Uncle.

Lift it higher. Higher!

Slow down.

This is a Luodian screen.

Be careful, will you?

Be careful.

Third Uncle.

Li.

You're here just in time.

Here, take this into the room for me.

Let's move this one. It's light.

Come, help me out.

What's with all this commotion?

Did you empty out Changsheng Shop?

How is that possible? These are just daily necessities.

I stay here every day now. It's not right to have nothing.

Besides, Changsheng Shop has so much going on.

My devotees are waiting for me to return and burn incense for them.

How long do you plan to stay?

A month or two, for starters.

That's way too long.

You heartless girl.

In the whole Ye family, who treats you the best?

It's me, your third uncle!

What's wrong with me staying here for a few days?

What is that?

T-This is...

the Goddess Miaotian.

Look at her.

How majestic her jewelry is. Right?

Li,

you are now a princess.

Your daily necessities must meet a proper standard.

From what I see now,

you live worse than the young boys in my shop. This simply won't do.

Your bed is so hard. Your table is so small.

- And the window... - What's wrong with the window?

The light comes through it.

Way too much light.

It affects my sleep.

If I don't sleep well, I'll have headaches.

I'll do it myself. Leave it to me.

Let me tell you, I have some good tea. Come inside.

"The Green Plum Melody."

He really can't let it go.

Ye Li, you've gone way too far!

Your Highness. Please, calm down.

They were only engaged in their early years. It's all in the past now.

How is that in the past?

They are still meeting in private.

Nanny, are you blind?

So what if they meet?

Your marriage was bestowed by the Empress Dowager.

And both of them are already married.

If they cross the line,

Her Majesty won't spare them.

But I still can't swallow this insult!

And what can you do about it?

To commit murder.

Kill your husband?

K-Kill Prince Li?

That is a capital crime punishable by clan execution!

What are you talking about?

I mean Ye Li.

Your Highness,

this isn't some storybook where you take lives at will.

How would you even do it?

She is Princess Ding now.

Who would take such a job?

I'll go make you something to eat.

Stop having these wild thoughts.

She is Princess Ding,

but I am Princess Li.

I can definitely pull this off.

[Han Ming Xi]

Ma'am,

do you require assistance?

What's your price?

That depends. Is it a long-haul or short-haul trip?

We have plenty of men.

How many of us do you need, ma'am?

The person is in the Capital.

No need to leave the city.

In the Capital?

Yes.

The number doesn't matter.

What matters is that you leave no loose ends.

Don't you worry, ma'am.

Our men have always worked in that way.

Good.

Once you bring the person to me,

you will be handsomely rewarded.

Bring the person to you?

Yes.

Don't inflict death yet.

Wait for my command.

Ma'am,

who exactly are you looking for?

An assassin.

An assassin?

We are just escorts and guards.

Debt collection or protection is fine,

but murder and arson? We won't do that.

- But... - Leave now.

If you don't leave, I'll report you to the authorities.

I...

What is this world coming to?

Looking for an assassin?

Why do we have to talk like this?

The most dangerous place

is the safest place.

This is the largest tavern in the Capital.

No one would imagine

that in broad daylight,

under the watchful eyes of the world,

someone would be discussing

a deal of life and death here.

Then why are we talking like this?

For our safety,

it's best if we never see each other's faces.

Who is the target?

Don't say it.

Write it down.

[Princess Ding]

Can you afford the price?

Of course.

Name your price.

That much?

Fine.

Then it's a deal.

Are you going to kill her now?

Turn back around.

I still have some preparations to make.

I have one more condition.

- Speak. - You must capture her alive

and hand her over to me.

I am an assassin,

not a kidnapper.

You turn around too.

I know.

It's just...

- I... - You want to do it yourself?

Yes.

Yes, that's right.

So I want her captured alive.

Then the price will be high.

If you succeed, I'll pay double.

Deal!

Anything else?

No.

Aren't you using the front door?

I'm an assassin.

I never use the front door.

A true expert.

Watch where you're going!

You've been busy all day. Have some lychees and rest.

The imperial physician said

lychees replenish blood and qi.

They are best for relieving fatigue.

The work can wait a moment.

I didn't notice it before you said so.

I'm feeling a bit tired now.

The flesh is sweet.

Very good.

Official work never ends.

Why burden yourself so?

You exhaust yourself here,

but that fledgling with growing wings

might not appreciate your kindness.

What news have you heard?

I heard Prince Ding asked the Emperor for someone.

Gu Zheng.

His Majesty has already released him.

Gu Zheng?

He entered service fourteen years ago

and solved many cold cases over the years.

He is a capable official.

In the first year of Xide,

Marquis Muyang found Li Mountain scholars plotting rebellion.

He sent Lu Chang Fu to arrest them.

But those scholars refused to confess,

so Lu Chang Fu burned them to death.

When Gu Zheng learned of this,

he petitioned against Marquis Muyang.

That petition was intercepted by his superiors.

He then criticized the court in front of the palace gates.

He also insulted you and Marquis Muyang.

Therefore, he was sentenced to death.

But both execution attempts met with accidents.

First, lightning struck the century-old tree at the Marquis's mansion.

Then, the executioner broke his arm.

You said then,

"Heaven has a virtue for life."

Perhaps he was blessed with good karma.

So you didn't kill him.

He has been kept in prison ever since.

Now, eight years have passed in a flash.

I heard he still hasn't confessed.

He still spews insults every day.

And yet,

the Emperor actually released him.

His Majesty even reinstated him to his old post,

continuing to work at the Jingzhao Office.

The Emperor...

is just a child after all.

You are right.

Perhaps His Majesty simply values his ability

and never meant to offend you.

Qi is still young,

lacking in his handling of affairs.

He can be taught in time.

♪ The Li Mountain stands majestic ♪

♪ Towering into the clouds ♪

♪ The Li River surges ♪

♪ Flowing east into the sea ♪

♪ Li Mountain stands majestic ♪

♪ Towering into the clouds ♪

♪ The Li River surges ♪

♪ Flowing east into the sea ♪

♪ Towering into the clouds ♪

♪ The Li River surges ♪

Wan Zhou, is that you?

My Lord.

You're awake.

Are you all right?

Do you feel unwell anywhere?

I...

My Lord.

Last night,

you fainted in the manor.

My Lord,

why did you go to Madam Xu's courtyard?

I...

I heard the sound of a zither.

[On the Next Episode]

Your Highness, will you be back for dinner today?

Do you need something from me?

I invited my senior brother over today.

Would you come back and dine with us?

Your Highness,

let me treat your legs.

Actually...

you can still feel your legs.

What makes you think

you can help me?