Original subtitles

[Episode 26]

"Moonlight graces the hibiscus in bloom.

Starts shine bright on southern towers."

Your Majesty.

This must be the poems Master Xian Kun collected for you.

Every verse speaks of hibiscus. Every line sings its praise.

Enough.

Take it away and burn it.

Yes.

[Linjiao Villa]

You should go.

If the Empress finds out, you'll be implicated.

I know what I'm doing.

Just take care of yourself.

Consort Guo is doing all she can to get you out.

We can't let her efforts go to waste.

- Consort Guo? - Yes.

With her here, you're safe.

It's so good to have you both.

You really are such a fool.

Remember.

Never let what happened to me happen to you.

"Bright moon, ask not where to go.

Find shelter beneath the hibiscus.

If it could bloom always in sight,

I'd gladly stand by the water forever.

People all say plum blooms first.

Yet I say none compares to the hibiscus."

It earned a full hall of applause.

Master Xian Kun really loved hibiscus.

Why are you here?

I'm in a bad mood.

What about you?

Who upset you?

My father...

He killed Qin Cang.

Didn't he?

You knew.

What else?

I've been planning this for years.

How could I just let it all fail now?

But Qin Cang is his son.

Does that matter?

When my father sent me to the palace to secure his interests in the southwest,

did he ever think of me as his daughter?

I'm trapped in the palace, a thousand miles from home.

Did he ever wonder how I'd survive?

It was Zhou Xian Kun.

He's the one who kept me alive.

And Consort Guo.

Ten years.

Eight years.

The only thing that kept me going in this palace...

It's fake.

Do you understand?

It's all fake.

You...

You're a fool too.

Hurry up and leave.

Don't stay here.

So...

Are you abandoning me too?

Is that it?

You befriended me only to help your father.

I'm useless to you now.

I want to tell you...

That's not true.

It doesn't matter anymore.

I don't care about anything anymore.

If you want to drink, get drunk with me one more time.

If you don't, just leave.

Your Highness.

Consort Dowager Qin is here.

What exactly do you want?

From our chance meeting during the eclipse to the dragon painting at Changsheng Shop...

What exactly do you want to prove?

You already know the answer, Your Highness.

Why ask at all?

How did you know?

I don't know for certain.

I'm just investigating.

The Empress Dowager has two capable people.

One is Marquis Muyang.

He's her blade in court, eliminating those who oppose her.

The other is you, Your Highness.

You're the eldest daughter of Prince Nanyi and have influence in the southwest.

But why would you serve her so willingly?

Simply out of sisterly bonds in the palace?

I've been thinking about it, and all the clues pointed to one person.

It's Zhou Xian Kun.

He drew dragons to summon rain, and his art is renowned across Lingnan.

If it's for fame, why not do it in the Capital?

The only reason was you.

Consort Dowager Qin.

Why are you prying into all this?

You were once my mother's best friend.

You know her death was not peaceful.

You should also know

where the fear and guilt she carried to her deathbed came from.

Ye Wen Hua told you, right?

That man never could keep a secret.

Then you must want to kill me right now.

After my mother died,

Ye Wen Hua used Marquis Muyang's influence to climb up the ladder.

I thought it was Marquis Muyang who forced the Ye family to search for the imperial decree.

But how did it end up in your hands?

The day you and your mother left the Ye's Mansion,

I was outside the gate.

So you took the imperial decree from Ye Wen Hua.

Yes.

After that...

I submitted it to the Empress Dowager.

The one who forced the Ye family was Marquis Muyang.

But to the Empress Dowager, you're much closer to her than Marquis Muyang.

You don't have to take credit for this.

You took the decree just for the Empress Dowager?

This decree is too important.

Since I saw it, how can I not take it?

Yes.

It seems reasonable.

But there's one thing that doesn't make sense.

When Zhou Xian Kun was imprisoned because of the Eastern Palace,

you went to see him one last time.

After sending my third uncle away, what did Xian Kun say to you?

With the Empress Dowager's influence back then, could she really not save him?

He works for the Empress Dowager and has a close relationship with you.

Why would he collude with the Eastern Palace?

Consort Dowager Qin, did Zhou Xian Kun ask you to keep the decree?

It was his final counsel to you as a sacrificial pawn.

When I was young, my mother often brought me to the palace.

She always had me call you Sister Qin.

She said that you were straightforward and lively

and that I would like you.

Back then, I truly loved that Sister Qin.

My mother's life was sacrificed for your power struggle,

a pawn discarded in your scheme.

Even in death, she bears the stigma of injustice.

It has been eight years.

Dozens of loyal souls of Prince Ding's Mansion

and tens of thousands of soldiers from Heiyun Cavalry...

Are their blood debts to be buried in darkness forever and never to be vindicated?

Clearing their names was my mother's last wish.

Sister Qin.

If the decree is still here, please give it to me.

Madam, be careful.

Mother, are you all right?

- Madam. - Mother, are you all right?

Be careful.

Greetings, Your Highness.

What brings you here in person?

What happened to Wan Zhou?

Your Highness, she's just weak. She'll be fine.

I've sent word to Li Mountain.

Someone will take care of them along the way.

Did Marquis Muyang send you to fetch this?

Yes.

Give it to me.

Your Highness, Marquis Muyang ordered me to hand this to him in person.

This is no small matter.

There are many eyes in your mansion.

If anything goes wrong, the lives of your family could not pay the price.

Tell Marquis Muyang that I took it.

He won't give you a hard time.

Yes.

The imperial decree?

Why do you have it?

I just retrieved it from the Ye's Mansion.

Burn it.

It's a source of trouble.

It can't be allowed to exist.

Where is everyone?

Why did you tie me up?

Where is my father?

Stop the carriage!

Where is my father? Stop!

I told you to stop the carriage!

Where's my father?

I'm asking you, where's my father?

Speak. Are you mute?

I...

I'm dying. Don't you care?

We were told to leave you be.

You won't die.

Master Zhou!

Master Zhou.

Grand Eunuch Shunxi.

The Empress Dowager wishes to see you at the palace.

The Empress Dowager?

He has business to attend to.

Can he visit Her Majesty after we return?

Which takes precedence? Your affairs or Her Majesty's?

But it's all right.

Come with me, all of you.

Once Her Majesty's affairs are settled, you may handle yours.

Your Highness.

Come in.

An invitation from Prince Ding's Mansion.

Princess Ding invited me to a banquet at Qingfeng Mingyue Tower tomorrow.

You have no personal connection with her.

Why would she invite Your Highness?

Women from Great Chu are so petty.

Your Highness came all the way here for affairs of state.

And she asked you to help her with her family matters?

Your Highness.

Princess Ding is not an ordinary lady.

She is a descendant of Li Mountain Academy

and the only scholar to have left the mountain in eight years.

She's worth meeting.

All right.

Since Your Highness wants to attend, I'll arrange the carriage for tomorrow.

Do you want to go to the banquet tomorrow?

I'm your maid, Your Highness.

Since Your Highness is going, of course I'll follow.

All right. Go and get ready.

Yes, Your Highness.

Take him away.

My father developed this Yuchuang Powder.

It stops bleeding and promotes healing.

Thank you.

Your family... are they all gone?

Back then, I was ordered to the Capital on duty.

As soon as I left, the Suixue Pass fell.

After that, Lingzhou was lost.

My entire family was gone.

Governor, I've been running errands for you lately.

I know very well that you're a good man.

What happened back then was not your fault.

But I feel bad.

It's like...

It's like there's a fire trapped inside me, burning me day and night.

But... who should I hate?

Hate the barbarians in Cangbei?

Hate Heaven for turning a blind eye?

Sometimes there's no one left to hate.

So it all came down on you.

To be honest, when I was drunk in the past,

I even wrote a letter scolding you and threw it into your mansion.

I know.

How do you know?

Since my first day on duty at the Jingzhao Office.

The handwriting was so crooked.

I've never seen anything so ugly.

I'm a boor. I never liked school since I was young.

My grandfather beat me often over it.

Even that terrible scrawl

only came from my family dragging me to the lame scholar next door.

I can finish reading the documents now.

It's purely a blessing from my ancestors.

Since coming to the Capital eight years ago,

all I've thought about is avenging my family on the battlefield.

But after all these years, our two states have finally found peace.

If we go to war again, many people will die.

Keeping most people alive matters more than anything.

You're alive.

Keeping people safe is the greatest comfort to your family.

Governor, you saved my life twice.

I, Wang Su Wu, am not an ungrateful person.

In the past, I was too stubborn.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Get up.

You've worked hard.

- Your Highness. - Let go!

Let go!

Chen Long Xiang, Marquis Muyang's right-hand man.

You're a notorious, cruel official.

Five years ago, you got drunk and committed murder.

You killed your wife and kin.

You even killed your mother-in-law and your seven-year-old brother-in-law.

You should have been executed.

However, Marquis Muyang used tricks

to help you slip away under a false name until today.

Am I right?

How do you know that?

- Someone told me. - Who?

- Stay still! - There's a traitor among Marquis Muyang!

Take him away.

- Get up! - Tell me!

Tell me!

Qing Yu has her monthly today.

It's finally my turn to go out with Your Highness.

You're so pleased about it?

I'll take you out more often.

Sure.

Where are you from?

South of Yunzhou. A place called Xiaohe Village.

Has Your Highness heard of it?

I know Yunzhou.

You're so young to be so far away from home.

Are your family not worried?

My parents aren't well. Medicine is expensive.

And I have a little sister.

I'm the smartest at home, so I came out to earn money.

If Your Highness rewards me more, I can go back to them sooner.

Look at you, fishing for a reward.

You're indeed smart.

You're not usually this talkative.

Stop running, A Ding. Come here.

I'm going to hit you.

What is it?

Done working for Shende House?

You want to be a gatekeeper now?

You haven't been in the shop for a few days. I was afraid...

That if I'd died, you'd have no one to repay?

Bad omens never stick. Good ones do. Come here. Touch the red thing.

Let go.

Touch it.

Satisfied?

Don't worry. I'll live well.

Go back to the shop.

Otherwise, I'll charge you for skipping work.

Well... You didn't say you'd pay me.

Where are you going?

Princess Ling Yun is hosting Princess Ding at Qingfeng Mingyue Tower.

That's right on the way.

[Qingfeng Mingyue Tower]

Your Highness.

We'll go upstairs and get prepared.

Go on.

Please follow me.

This is your favorite marigold you mentioned in your letter.

It's at its blooming season.

I think it will bloom in a few days.

When you go back to Cangbei, I'll prepare a batch for you to take back.

Your Highness. This is our master's treasure.

If anything were damaged, we'd all be doomed.

All right. I won't touch it.

Your Highness. This way, please.

Your Highness, we're here.

Your Highness, I'm Consort Dowager Qin's maid.

Does she have something for me?

Her Highness compiled the first four volumes of Xian Kun Miscellany.

She heard that you're interested in astrology,

so she presents them as a gift and hopes you find them useful.

Thank you.

Your Highness.

- Your Highness. - Why isn't Master Feng here?

He hasn't been seen for days.

What are you doing here?

She has her guards with her.

Shouldn't you bring one too?

Follow me then.

Your Highness, this way.

Your Highness, this way.

Your Highness, sorry to keep you waiting.

It's all right.

I pitied her when I was on a safari in Cangbei,

so I kept her as my maid.

I brought her along this time because she's from Great Chu.

She knows your etiquette.

Nothing more to it.

I heard she took leave to visit your household a few days ago.

That was not under my direction.

You worry too much, Your Highness.

Everyone has their past.

Lady Su has her own difficulties.

It's just fate.

I worry too much.

I'll toast you with tea.

You must be going back to Cangbei soon.

I have plans with a friend. I'll stay for a few more days.

It sounds like your friend is from Great Chu.

Yes.

Have you been here before?

I met him in Saibei when I was at my lowest.

You were the famous Princess Ling Yun.

How could you ever be at your lowest?

It's a long story.

I'd like to hear it.

Your Highness, we're ready.

This way, please.

Guards!

It's her. She killed Princess Ling Yun.

Sui Zui Dier.

Capture him!

[Danque Gate]

Rise!

Where is Prince Ding?

Your Majesty, Prince Ding is out on business.

He has been gone for two or three days.

Duke of Huaguo has arrived!

Greetings, Your Majesties.

No need for formalities.

How is the situation outside?

I've ordered all the northern towns

to light their beacons and maintain round-the-clock watches.

Provisions for wartime have been gathered

and are on route to the northern front.

Urgent orders are all out to the border towns.

If Cangbei's army makes a move, we strike first, no matter their numbers.

Maybe you're overreacting, Duke of Huaguo.

Although Cangbei is strong, Princess Ling Yun's case is not yet closed.

They might not send troops right away.

Your Majesties.

Princess Ling Yun was the sister of the Cangbei ruler.

He regarded her as both mother and tutor.

Their bond ran deep.

Now, Princess Ling Yun has died in our land.

The soldiers of Cangbei are filled with grief and fury.

They believe that it was a trap laid by Prince Ding's Mansion,

and Princess Ding assassinated Princess Ling Yun herself.

It was witnessed by a maid of Cangbei.

They give us three days to execute the murder.

Otherwise, our two states will go to war.

Do you really think handing over Princess Ding will bring peace?

Prince Ding's household once defended our state.

To the people of Cangbei, they are the face of Great Chu.

Prince Ding's stance is Great Chu's stance.

If Princess Ding really killed Princess Ling Yun,

The Cangbei ruler will send troops regardless.

Then what do you suggest?

Your Majesty, Princess Ding has not confessed.

I think we must not rush to close the case.

Besides, the graver concern now is that Cangbei may already have word

and could send troops to us at any time.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

I've sent men to intercept the messenger.

If the real culprit meant to ignite a war,

they've likely already dispatched a spy, riding day and night to Cangbei.

The messengers you've intercepted are just the visible ones.

The secret letter may already be on its way.

And it is the sword hanging over us.

Is it still possible to send cavalry to intercept it?

If not, we should prepare for war,

Your Majesty.

From today, the city gates will only open for four hours each day.

Post notices at the gates to inform the people.

Do not disturb their daily life.

All civilians leaving the city must be strictly checked.

Non-residents of the Capital are forbidden to leave.

- Yes. - Yes.

Thank you, Your Grace.

Your Grace, how is Princess Ding?

She is in prison at the Dali Court

under the personal watch of Chancellor Murong Shen.

Right now, she's in no danger.

But in a few more days, that may change.

Princess Ling Yun died in Great Chu.

This is a disaster beyond measure.

If we can't find the culprit in three days, Princess Ding will bear it all.

The foundation of Li Mountain Academy

is to uphold justice and defend the order of the realm.

Even in the face of fire and steel,

Li Mountain Academy will give everything and move forward with all our might.

Ye Li is the disciple of Headmaster Qing Yun of Li Mountain Academy.

I, Wei Zhuang, humbly ask Your Grace, in honor of the headmaster,

to speak up for justice and clear Princess Ding's name.

If you can save Her Highness,

Li Mountain Academy and I will be forever in your debt.

Currently, the situation is unclear.

Cangbei holds old grievances over the Heiyun Calvary.

They suspect this was premeditated.

Both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager need an outcome,

one that quells Cangbei's fury

and satisfies the court.

I can tell that there is more to this case.

But before a wave this size, the outcome doesn't matter anymore.

Before the Cangbei army comes,

I'll do what I can to keep Princess Ding from being swept away.

Whether she survives this

depends on her own fate.

More importantly, whether we can find evidence to turn the tables.

Your Highness...

Tao Er.

Your Highness!

Guards!

Ye Li.

Ye Li.

Wake up.

Are you all right?

What happened?

What's really going on?

Someone must have tampered with the tea.

Tampered with the tea?

That vile woman did this to you.

She killed Princess Ling Yun and framed you.

That vile woman?

You know Su Zui Dier?

I don't know why she did this, but she's not a good person.

She has bewitched my elder brother into doing many evil deeds.

Who exactly are you?

Tianyi Pavilion.

You work for Mo Jing Li?

Prince Li?

[On the Next Episode]

That man is off. Jin, chase him.

Wang Su Wu. Stay here and watch Chen Long Xiang.

Yes.

Jingzhao Office! Halt for inspection!

Someone! Princess Ding is vomiting blood!

Without the antidote within two hours, I'll bleed to death.

Find Gu Zheng. He has the antidote.

Prince Ding's Mansion plotted treason.

Ye Li is the murderer.

I'm willing to risk my life to make this case airtight.