Original subtitles

[Episode 31]

Do you remember this?

When I was escorted back to the Capital, I met you.

You threw a pack of pastries to me.

If it weren't for that pack,

I'd have starved to death in prison.

The pastries were finished, leaving only the wrapping.

I couldn't bear to throw it away, so I kept it hidden.

Your debt is paid.

You no longer need to force yourself to stay by my side.

I want not this love born of pity.

To my virtuous wife, Ye Li.

Once joined by a matchmaker, our union was duly made.

For half a year as man and wife, we shared endless joy.

Yet feelings change over time, and love turns to estrangement.

This is no one's fault.

May we part ways on good terms.

Your dowry and jewelry shall all be returned to you.

The deeds to lands and houses are all placed in your dowry case.

May we both find joy after our separation, with no resentment forevermore.

Mountains and seas may change, but this decision will not.

By the sun and moon above, our bond is severed forever.

I hereby write this letter, sworn upon life and death.

[Mo Xiu Yao]

[Tuisi House]

[Ye Li, Mo Xiu Yao]

It's so dark in here.

Let me open the door for you.

You'll make yourself sick in here.

Am I going crazy?

Why would you say that?

I shouldn't be seeing you.

Only crazy people see themselves.

You're just too lonely. Qing Shuang should be with you.

But Qing Shuang went back to her hometown.

Mo Xiu Yao said she won't be coming back.

He's lying to you.

Qing Shuang is back.

My Lady.

Qing Shuang.

You're back.

You missed me, My Lady, so I came back.

Li.

Your eyes are so red.

Who bullied you? Tell me.

[To Mo Xiu Yao]

Your Highness. You're leaving without breakfast?

I won't be eating.

Where are you going?

Go back to your work.

Yes.

Aunt, where are you going?

- Where are you going, Wu You? - To school.

Children should study hard.

Let's go.

Your Highness.

Princess Ding has left.

She left this behind.

[To Mo Xiu Yao]

You're back.

Which one is it?

This one.

This.

- Give it to me. - Let me see.

Untie this.

Do you want to go in and say a few words?

No.

My Lady, where are we going then?

Let's go back to Li Mountain.

Li Mountain?

Great! I miss the Headmaster, the masters, and the senior brothers.

I miss them too.

Then let's go.

Let's go.

Be careful.

Officer Gu.

Officer Gu.

- Officer Gu. - Officer Gu.

Officer Gu, you look radiant today.

It seems good news has put you in high spirits.

Officer Gu, what's the good news?

What good news? Don't you all know already?

Clerk Zhang, aren't you just asking the obvious?

I heard that yesterday, Zheng Zuo Shi's sentence was finalized.

It's a done deal.

He was guilty of judicial misconduct, extorting property,

falsifying evidence for Marquis Muyang, and covering up crimes.

He also withheld military documents, delaying intelligence.

He's been sentenced to exile.

All his embezzled assets have been confiscated.

I heard His Majesty ordered an overnight probe into Marquis Muyang's accomplices.

Over 20 people from the Dali Court were purged.

Over 20 people?

Sun Ting You, Vice Minister of Rites,

and He Fang Yuan, Administrator of War, are among them.

A lot of officials will be replaced this time.

Officer Wang, you've made a great contribution.

You'll surely get a promotion.

Don't forget about us when you move up.

That's right.

- We are colleagues, after all. - Indeed.

What are you all standing around for?

Don't you want your jobs? Get back to work!

- Look at you. - Enough talking.

- Don't you have work to do? - Your Highness.

Jin, read the decree.

Yes.

By Heaven's mandate, we rule over all lands.

Rewards and punishments are the foundation of the state.

Marquis Muyang's Huaixi Armory Case

and the assassination of Princess Ling Yun of Cangbei have been thoroughly investigated.

You officials have remained impartial with tireless devotion.

You shall be rewarded for your merits.

Gu Zheng, Civil Officer of Jingzhao Prefecture,

for loyalty, diligence, and meticulous judgment,

is promoted to Vice Governor of Jingzhao Prefecture at the lower fourth rank.

He shall oversee criminal justice in the Capital.

Wang Su Wu, Military Officer of Jingzhao Prefecture,

meritorious in military command and quelling unrest,

is promoted to Administrator of War with the title of Chaosan Grandee.

He shall temporarily assist the Dali Court.

The other officials involved are each awarded fifty bolts of silk

and one rank of salary increase in recognition of their hard work.

- We thank Your Majesty. - We thank Your Majesty.

Congratulations, Vice Governor Gu.

Congratulations to you too.

And congratulations to Administrator Wang.

- Congratulations, Administrator Wang. - Congratulations.

See? Was I right or what?

Quiet!

Everyone, back to work!

Your Highness, still working?

Is there something you want?

- Yes. - Speak.

Marquis Muyang has fallen, and the Jingzhao officials were rewarded.

Everyone is in high spirits and wants to celebrate.

As you should. Go ahead.

Your Highness, please join us.

No, I still have official business.

The major case is closed. What urgent business could there be?

Your Highness, I just boasted to everyone

that I'd bring Your Highness along for a few drinks.

If Your Highness doesn't go, I, the Vice Governor, will lose face.

I said...

You all go ahead.

If I have time, I'll join you.

Then we'll be awaiting Your Highness at Qingfeng Mingyue Tower.

Your Highness.

Are you staying here again tonight?

You've been busy all day.

Today's documents are done, and yesterday's have been submitted.

How about...

How about we return to the mansion?

To Qingfeng Mingyue Tower.

Let's go.

- Good capacity! - Come.

Fill it up.

Come.

Ladies, please.

- Drink up! - Please.

Administrator Wang!

Good, good.

His Highness is here! Hurry!

Make way.

You all said I was boasting, but His Highness is here, isn't he?

Your Highness, please come in. Your Highness, this way.

Your Highness, please take a seat.

Please sit down, Your Highness.

- Sit. - Your Highness, I'd like to toast you.

Please sit.

Your Highness.

- Congratulations, Vice Governor Gu. - It's all thanks to you.

Your Highness, I want to toast you as well.

I'll finish mine first!

What a drinker!

Let me fill your glass, Your Highness.

- Let me fill your glass. - Come.

Come, come.

Why aren't you toasting him?

I can handle myself.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, be careful.

Don't worry about me. You may leave.

Your Highness.

I'll get you some water to wash up.

No need.

You may leave. Go on.

Thank you for your hard work.

Li.

Li.

You must be careful when you're out.

Don't stand for too long, run, or jump.

Don't fight anyone. And don't be reckless again.

From today on, you don't have to take medicine anymore.

It's too dark in this room.

It needs some light.

If you care for me, drink this soup.

I'll have to reheat it if it gets cold.

Please come back and eat with us.

Let's eat, Li.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

Li.

Li?

Li?

I bought you...

Eight-Treasure Duck from Qingfeng Mingyue Tower.

Eat it while it's hot.

Where are you?

No rush.

Actually, I also brought you two packets of candy.

No rush for that either.

I'll put them away for you first.

Where's the candy jar?

Can you tell me where you put the candy jar?

Found it.

Li.

I'll put them in the jar for you, one by one.

Then you can eat them one by one.

Candy can wait.

But the Eight-Treasure Duck can't.

Come out when you're ready.

Still hiding?

Fine.

Then I'll wait for you.

I'll wait for you.

Li.

Don't hide.

I miss you.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your...

Your Highness. I'll go prepare some breakfast first.

[To Master Zhu, Li Mountain Academy]

- Then have some soup first. - Go over there first.

You have to rewrite it now.

Leave it to me.

Luckily, the inside isn't wet.

Just sit down.

Stop making a mess.

Leave me alone.

Yes, Your Highness.

To Master Zhu, it's been a month since I left the mountain.

I remember your fondness for sweets.

I gathered linden nectar and brewed it by an ancient recipe.

I hope you will enjoy it.

How is Grandfather's health?

Has his old headache relapsed?

Please take great care.

Regarding Xiu Yao's leg treatment, the dosage and timing must be precise.

I am attaching the prescription.

Please review it for me to put my mind at ease.

Senior Brother Wei.

Your Highness.

Li has a senior brother named Li Fei Bai. Where is he?

How can I find him?

You are looking for Li Fei Bai?

Yes.

Where is Li Fei Bai?

- Where is Li Fei Bai? - Upstairs.

It's you.

Are you Li's senior brother?

What do you want?

I have something to ask you.

Li wrote so many letters.

Why weren't any of them sent?

Look.

This one is for Headmaster Xu.

And these are for the other masters.

But none of them was sent.

She even gathered nectar for Master Zhu.

But that nectar is still at home.

And Senior Brother He's father entrusted a letter to Li.

It's still here too.

Why?

Where is Li?

Where is she?

I'm asking you. Where is she?

- She's gone. - Gone?

Why?

Where did she go?

Did you drive her away?

Answer me!

Did you drive her away?

Did she go back to Li Mountain?

Mo Xiu Yao.

Ever since Li left the mountain,

she exhausted herself to treat your leg and to clear your family's name.

But what about you?

Is this how you repay her?

What did you personally promise her?

You said no matter what happened, you'd never abandon her. But now?

You drove her back to Li Mountain.

You abandoned her all alone on a desolate mountain.

What do you mean, "all alone on a desolate mountain"?

What happened to Li Mountain?

What happened there?

Don't you already know?

Otherwise, why would you come to me?

I know?

What do I know?

You lived with Li day and night for so long.

Don't you know about Qing Shuang?

Qing Shuang?

Since you know about Qing Shuang,

you should know what happened on Li Mountain.

I'm writing to my grandfather, the masters,

and my senior brothers on Li Mountain.

I haven't seen them for a long time.

They must miss me a lot.

Now that you're here, do you still feel lonely?

No. There are many people here.

Why do you ask, Your Highness?

Have you never felt lonely?

No.

What about on Li Mountain?

Li Mountain?

There were so many people there.

Every morning, it took forever just to prepare meals.

I barely had enough time to sleep.

How could I be lonely?

Your hands are so cold.

Are you cold?

When I was on Li Mountain,

I often couldn't sleep from the cold.

Qing Shuang would hold me to sleep.

The moon at Li Mountain is huge.

Lying in the courtyard every night,

you'd feel as if it were embracing you.

I like eating sweets.

But not long after I went to Li Mountain, there was none to eat.

Mo Xiu Yao.

You drove her back to Li Mountain.

You abandoned her all alone on a desolate mountain.

Your Highness.

Your Highness?

Your Highness, are you there?

Come in.

Your Highness. Are we still going...

Are we still going to the office today?

Or should I apply for leave on your behalf?

Help me wash up.

[Qiongying House]

Madam, Prince Ding is waiting outside.

Yao?

Yao, you...

What happened to you?

Sister-in-law, I'm going away for a while.

Where are you going?

I'm going to Li Mountain.

Li Mountain?

Are you going to find Li?

Yes.

Good.

But Li Mountain is heavily guarded.

No one can enter without an edict.

How will you get in?

And you're the Governor, vital to the Capital's security.

Will His Majesty allow you to leave?

I will hand in my resignation to His Majesty.

I will also ask His Majesty for a pass to the mountain.

No matter what, I must go up that mountain.

All right.

Go then.

Yao.

You must take care of yourself.

You're still so young.

Don't worry, Sister-in-law.

Go.

Cousin, what happened to you?

It's only been a few days, yet you've become like this.

Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.

My father also went grey at a young age.

It's a hereditary condition.

And time spares no one.

Your Majesty needn't worry.

What brings you here today, Cousin?

I humbly ask Your Majesty for a passage decree, allowing me to enter Li Mountain.

You want to go to Li Mountain?

Why?

Your Majesty.

I had a quarrel with Princess Ding.

I spoke out of turn and broke her heart.

In her grief, she returned to Li Mountain.

But Li Mountain is still under lockdown.

She could return, but I cannot enter.

I have no other choice but to come here and beg for Your Majesty's grace.

Once I depart, my return will be uncertain.

The Jingzhao Office has many affairs.

Gu Zheng, the Vice Governor, is diligent.

He can manage in my stead.

Furthermore...

Since taking office, I have shown little talent or virtue.

My achievements have been mediocre.

Coupled with my chronic illness, I lack the energy to continue.

I fear I've failed your grace.

I humbly request that you find someone more worthy

and allow me to resign as Governor of Jingzhao Prefecture.

Mother, you didn't see him.

In just a few days, his hair has turned white.

He looks like an old man.

When I asked him why, he said it was a hereditary condition.

I recall his father's hair did turn white before he even reached fifty.

But my cousin is in his prime.

This is far too early.

By the way, during his audience today,

he handed in his resignation as Governor.

Resign?

Yes.

He said he had a rift with his wife

and wants to find her at Li Mountain.

That sounds like a mere excuse.

Marquis Muyang's case just ended.

The court is unsettled right now.

I am worried that Prince Ding's decision to resign at this point

might be a strategic retreat.

Could it be that the couple has some ulterior motive?

It may not necessarily be an excuse.

When Prince Ding had an audience today, aside from his hair, did he seem unusual?

When he came this morning, he looked utterly grief-stricken.

It was as if Princess Ding's return to Li Mountain was due to some catastrophic event.

If you have doubts, just send someone to investigate.

Pass on my decree.

Prince Ding is named Consolation Envoy to Li Mountain

and granted the Imperial Tally,

fifty bolts of silk, a hundred taels of gold,

and a box of century-old ginseng.

He shall visit Li Mountain Academy on the Emperor's behalf as a sign of imperial grace.

Shun Xi, accompany Prince Ding on this trip.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Excuse me, some pancakes please.

Right away.

Here you go, master.

Come on.

It's one thing not to have pastries,

but you don't even have a single hot dish?

Master, look at this road.

You'll hardly see a soul on it.

A bowl of hot noodles is the best I can offer.

A plate of braised meat would do.

The broth is clear enough to see my own reflection.

How am I supposed to eat?

Any roadside stall in the Capital keeps braised meat ready.

I'm flattered.

How can my little stall compare to those in the Capital?

How about more spring onions for you?

[On the Next Episode]

By imperial decree, Consolation Envoy, Prince Ding, is here to pay his respects.

Why is there no one here?

If they are not at the academy, where else could they be?

I am sorry, Li.

Yao, what exactly happened?

On the entire Li Mountain, besides Your Highness, there is no one else.

No one else?

How can there be no one else?