Original subtitles

SAY NO TO PIRACY, SUPPORT ORIGINALS

ADAPTED FROM JIA JIN CHAI, ORIGINAL NOVEL BY XIAOJIAREN ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY

Welcome back to the palace, Your Majesty.

ETERNAL SPLENDOR

I hear someone persuaded His Majesty to issue a decree

allowing Noble Lady Wu'an

to divorce the heir to the Duke of Ying.

Lady Li, the Empress Dowager arranged that marriage herself.

Yet you acted without informing her

and made the decision on your own.

You've overstepped your authority.

Your Majesty, allow me to explain.

Wu'an made a noble sacrifice

and married Lu Zhuo to help him recover.

Sadly, their personalities clashed, and the marriage failed.

Rather than let them grow to resent each other

and fail to appreciate Your Majesty's kindness,

it was better to let them part ways.

Have you heard the rumors in the capital, Lady Li?

People are saying

her own mother is a woman of loose morals

who pushed her daughter to divorce and remarry.

LADY ZHENG

They're also spreading gossip about your past.

And the things they're saying are truly disgraceful.

It's simply

a stain on His Majesty's good name and the Imperial Family's honor.

Lady Li was only concerned for her daughter.

She never meant to defy Your Majesty.

Please consider her love as a mother

and forgive her offense.

What's done is done. Their marriage cannot be saved.

Besides, as for the divorce,

His Majesty gave his consent.

How dare you!

His Majesty's lifelong reputation

has been ruined by you!

Yet you show no remorse.

You can't even raise your own daughter properly!

Very well. If you can't teach her,

I'll do it myself.

To put an end to the gossip,

find Wu'an another husband at once.

Han Liao, heir to the Marquis of Xiting,

is a fine warrior who recently lost his wife.

He won't mind marrying a divorced woman.

She should stay out of the public eye

and focus on being a dutiful wife.

In time,

the rumors will die down.

Even the palace rarely sees sea pearls

of such fine quality.

Lord Han, what is it you want?

I wish to marry Lady Wu'an.

I humbly ask Your Majesty to grant my request.

Absolutely not.

No Han shall marry that wretch's daughter!

Please calm yourself, Your Majesty.

GRACIOUS BLESSINGS

Wu'an seized vast estates and lands belonging to my family

and humiliated me.

Marrying her would return them to us

and give us leverage over Lady Li.

His Majesty must name a crown prince someday.

Please consider what that means.

Thank you for caring about my daughter's future, Your Majesty.

However, His Majesty has said

the annual military competition always draws exceptional talent.

He wishes to choose Wu'an's husband himself.

If Lord Han is truly such a great warrior,

he should have no trouble winning.

But this year's competition will be rather unusual.

I'm afraid Lord Han

may not dare enter.

What makes it so unusual?

He must first survive the Thousand-Bolt Crossbow Formation.

The Thousand-Bolt Crossbow?

I hear it's a new weapon from the Imperial Workshop.

It can fire thousands of bolts at once.

Even heavy shields are shredded within 300 paces.

Incredible!

This year's competition will be quite a spectacle!

Indeed.

The competition is usually held at the military camp.

But this year, it's been moved to Shanglin Park.

Perhaps His Majesty suddenly wants to watch warriors fight,

or maybe there's another reason.

What other reason could there be?

His Majesty plans to inspect the troops during the competition

and select the most capable men.

Lu Zhuo,

you look terribly ill.

You mustn't compete again this year.

If Lu Zhuo doesn't compete, who will win for the Lu family?

Let my second brother have a chance.

Brother, do you really mean that?

Grandfather, I can do it. Please let me compete.

Since your brother has spoken for you,

-you may give it a try. -Yes, Grandfather!

Remember, your brother went ten years without a single defeat.

Don't bring shame upon the Lu family.

I won't let you down, Grandfather.

Very well. You may go.

We take our leave, Grandfather.

Well, look at you!

I've already found the perfect match for you.

Xie Hualou, Grand Tutor Xie's eldest granddaughter,

is beautiful, talented, and virtuous.

She's more than fit to be the future mistress of this household.

I'll send a marriage proposal tomorrow.

Lu Zhuo has only just divorced.

How can you arrange another marriage so soon?

Isn't that terribly hasty?

I'm not asking him to marry her tomorrow.

We can arrange the engagement first.

They can marry in a year or so.

Grandfather,

I'd like to make my own decision about marriage.

Your decision? Lady Xie is both beautiful and talented.

She's a hundred times better than that reckless Wei Rao!

And you're still pining for her?

Has the illness clouded your judgment?

You're the one who's lost his senses!

You were the one who insisted

on arranging his marriage to the Wei family.

Now you want him to marry a Xie instead.

He's barely divorced,

and you're already rushing to find him another wife.

What will people say about Lu Zhuo?

Haven't you heard the news from the palace?

Every family has been told

to send its finest unmarried young men to compete.

There are no princesses waiting to marry.

Who do you think it's for?

You mean the palace is choosing a husband for Wei Rao?

What Lady Li is doing

is a slap in the face to our entire family!

They're already choosing a noble husband for her.

I'm pushing you to find another wife

so you'll finally face reality and stop clinging to false hopes!

Lu Zhuo, what are we going to do?

Grandmother, we're already divorced.

She and I have nothing to do with each other now.

Whoever she marries is entirely her choice.

What a cruel twist of fate!

Fine.

Then go and see for yourself,

how Lady Wu'an chooses her new husband.

Of course I'll go.

But only to watch my second brother win.

Fine. Very well!

You really are as stubborn as they come!

Let's see how long you can keep up that act.

Princess Consort Duan is known for her virtue.

She truly deserves that reputation.

Thank goodness she's so sensible.

If Lady Chan had made a scene,

who knows what rumors would be spreading?

My Lady, Lady Li sent me

to wait here for you.

What's all this?

The military competition is in three days at Shanglin Park.

You've been invited to attend.

ZHUYU ESTATE

THREE DAYS LATER

Send for Bitao.

Yes, My Lady.

That girl

is far too impulsive.

Come here.

I'm not used to anyone else doing my hair and makeup.

I'd rather you do it from now on.

My Lady!

There, now.

I have a banquet to attend. I can't be late.

Come, help me get ready.

I'll get you ready, My Lady.

ZHUYU ESTATE

The bricks, tiles, reeds, and bamboo arrive today.

Keep an eye on the silkworm house.

My Lady, please let me go with you.

No. The estate's work comes first.

None of you need to come.

LIU SHUO, THE EMPEROR'S FOURTH SON

This estate belongs to Lady Wu'an.

Outsiders shall not enter.

Who are you? You can't just barge in!

Why did you run in front of the horse? Do you have a death wish?

This is His Highness, the Fourth Prince!

Go inform Lady Wu'an at once!

Your Highness.

My Lady. My… my Lady.

I heard.

So you're my elder sister.

We haven't met before.

-I'm… -You're Lady Li's son,

His Majesty's beloved Fourth Prince.

I traveled the provinces to further my studies.

Only returned to the capital two days ago.

I've wanted to meet you ever since.

But Mother was afraid I'd startle you, so she kept forbidding me to come.

But… Today is your first palace banquet, Rao.

So I came especially to escort you.

I've prepared a carriage. Come, Rao.

I have my own carriage.

You needn't trouble yourself, Your Highness.

Rao! Sister.

You don't seem to like me very much.

I wouldn't dare.

What is it?

Are you jealous because Mother has always been by my side?

Or are you angry that

I haven't visited you all these years?

What exactly are you trying to say, Fourth Prince?

You'll understand once you enter the palace.

It's full of wicked old witches who'd eat kids alive.

Mother kept her distance to protect you.

After all, from the moment I was born,

we've been on the same side.

What makes you say that?

If Mother and I are doing well,

you'll have a good life too.

But if Mother and I ever fall, you'll suffer a terrible fate.

Our interests are tied together.

So you have every reason to be close to me.

We should be the very best of friends!

Your Highness.

No need to be so formal with me.

Just call me Shuo from now on.

Come, let me help you into the carriage. Here.

ZHUYU ESTATE

Watch your step.

I'll lead the way for you, Rao.

Is he…

really my own flesh-and-blood brother?

Han Liao is incredibly strong and cunning.

He often fights dirty.

If you face him, be extremely careful.

I've trained in martial arts for years.

You're underestimating me.

Lu Ya.

You probably aren't used to gatherings like this.

And there are many people you don't know.

I'll sit with you for a while.

Thank you, Princess Consort Duan.

His Majesty is testing the new crossbows this year.

All the military officers are eager to compete.

Look, even Han Liao has entered.

-Bravo! -Bravo!

-Well done! -Bravo!

-Bravo! -Bravo!

-He's taking on three men at once. -Truly remarkable.

What an amazing fight.

Indeed.

Give that to Lady Wu'an.

-Hurry. -Yes, My Lord.

Lord Han wishes to present today's spoils to Lady Wu'an.

He's won more than ten matches today.

His reputation as an undefeated general is well deserved.

Truly, none can rival him.

Quite so.

His endurance is astounding.

My Lady. General Qi asked me to bring you this fruit platter.

Please thank General Qi for me.

General Qi and Lord Han are both exceptional warriors.

Rao, who do you think will win today?

Both generals have their strengths.

It's hard to say who will win.

His Majesty has arrived!

Everyone, rise.

Let the competition continue!

Rao, forgive me for interfering.

Both General Qi and Lord Han

are going out of their way to court you.

But a woman who entertains two suitors

is bound to attract gossip.

I suggest you be more careful,

lest Lady Li take offense.

Rao, come here.

May Your Majesty enjoy good health

and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager enjoy endless happiness.

Your Majesty,

look at this young lady.

She doesn't look

quite like her mother, does she?

She looks just as I remember.

Beautiful, graceful, and poised.

Come, give her a seat.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

She is Lady Wu'an.

Lady Wu'an,

so many fine warriors have gathered today.

Yet Right General Han Liao stands above them all.

Not one man here has been able to defeat him.

He's truly an exceptional warrior.

What do you think of him?

The competition isn't over.

How can you be sure Han Liao will emerge victorious?

How many matches has he won?

Your Majesty, Lord Han has won fifteen straight matches,

defeating every challenger.

No one else dares enter the arena.

It seems we've searched the entire army,

Lady Li,

and still found no warrior capable of defeating Han Liao.

I'll fight him!

Shunqin.

Has General Qi had too much wine?

His legs seem rather unsteady.

Or is he simply outmatched and too afraid to fight?

There's something wrong with the wine.

Help him away first.

-Yes, My Lord. -Summon a physician to examine him.

I've won every match today!

Well? Anyone else think they can beat me?

He has no respect for the Lu family!

General Han, I'll take you on!

Lu Ya, don't be reckless!

Who is he?

Admirable courage.

-How is he? -Help him up!

-Help him up! -Oh my.

-Sixteen straight victories. -Oh my.

Simply unrivaled!

-No one's a match for him. -He's unbeatable.

-How remarkable. -He has no equal!

He can still fight on?

Lu Zhuo. Can't you see?

He's deliberately provoking you into fighting.

Lord Lu, accidents happen in the arena.

Forgive me for injuring your brother.

I heard your old illness has returned, leaving you too sick to leave home.

I suggest you stay out of this.

I'd hate to be accused of an unfair victory.

After you.

Let's see what happens.

Watch out!

Of the Four Elite Armies, the Shenwu Army is the strongest.

For years, the Lu family has held it firmly in their grasp.

Even my son and I must tread carefully around them.

Are you truly confident

you can defeat Lu Zhuo?

With Your Majesty's support,

killing Lu Zhuo and seizing military command

will be child's play.

You have crossbows backing you, yet you resort to sneak attacks.

Hardly an honorable victory, Lord Han.

On the battlefield, victory is all that matters.

A defeated man has no right to demand fairness.

Your Majesty, is today's competition

open only to noble families?

Lady Wu'an, Lady Li cares deeply about your future.

She hopes to find you a worthy husband among our rising military officers.

Don't tell me you'd marry some lowborn soldier

and make him your husband.

Rao, the Empress is kindly helping you find a husband.

With so many warriors competing today,

you should choose a true hero.

My daughter deserves nothing less.

Don't worry. Speak your mind.

Your Majesty, choosing my husband is a minor matter.

Choosing capable generals matters far more.

Neither should depend on noble birth.

If nobles can compete, why not commoners?

Great generals have always come from noble families.

What could an illiterate foot soldier possibly know?

How could he command an army?

Lady Wu'an lives in seclusion. She knows nothing of state affairs.

We can't blame her for that.

Lady Wu'an, ignoring rank will only bring chaos.

Are you ignorant, or deliberately stirring up trouble?

I hear your estate has taken in many scholars.

They haven't been recommended for office,

nor do they come from military families.

Lady Wu'an, you shouldn't let those scholars lead you astray.

This is supposed to be a martial arts competition.

Victory should depend on skill, not family background.

Anyone with exceptional fighting skills

could become a valuable officer.

That's what a fair competition should be.

Do enemy swords and blades

distinguish nobles from commoners?

Starting tomorrow,

all soldiers may enter the competition.

Win three matches in a row, and you'll be promoted one rank.

The champion will receive a title based on merit.

Long live Your Majesty!

Now see what the Thousand-Bolt Crossbow can do.

Look!

How did Lord Han lose so suddenly?

Save him! Hurry! Someone help him!

Your Majesty!

Lu Zhuo used the competition to settle a personal grudge.

He deliberately injured Lord Han!

I beg Your Majesty to grant the Han family justice

and punish the culprit severely!

Your Majesty, injuries happen in combat.

Lord Lu was injured too.

-Everyone saw that he… -Who here actually saw what happened?

It was clearly a fair fight.

How can you call that deliberate assault?

He lost because he wasn't good enough. Who else can he blame?

You praised him as the greatest warrior alive.

I thought he must be an incredible fighter.

Turns out he's not much of one at all.

Your Majesty, the Lu and Han families have never been on good terms.

Lu Zhuo deliberately injured him.

That makes his offense even worse.

I beg Your Majesty to judge this fairly.

Winning and losing are part of any competition.

Accusing him of deliberate assault is utterly groundless.

Summon the imperial physicians to treat the injured.

Today's competition

-will continue as planned. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Lord Lu!

ZHAO

Your Majesty.

Are his injuries really that serious?

Does he mean Han Liao, or…

Rao.

Rao.

Look.

That young man

is Li Wei, the third son of the Marquis of Zhennan.

He's rather young, and he lacks experience.

But his character and looks are exceptional.

He's nearly as impressive as Lu Zhuo.

Qi Zhongkai is a fine choice too.

But his mother is difficult to deal with.

Besides, the Qi and Lu families are very close.

I'm afraid that would make things awkward.

Rao.

There's no turning back now.

Forgive me, My Lady! It was an accident!

How could you be so careless?

It's all right. I'll go change and come back.

Escort Lady Wu'an to Fanghua Hall.

Yes, My Lady.

Isn't Juzhi on duty today?

I'm worried she may not serve her properly.

Go and help her.

Where is Lord Lu?

My Lady, I believe Lord Lu is being treated at Anfu Hall.

That's where injured competitors are usually taken.

Lead the way.

Yes, My Lady.

General Li is truly formidable!

He knocked that strongman out with one punch!

Indeed!

-Look at him! -Lady Li praised him highly.

She might even choose him as her son-in-law!

-Really? -You insolent fool!

What nonsense are you spouting?

They're fighting again.

-Look. -Where on earth has Lady Wu'an gone?

My Lord, your wounds are quite serious.

Bear with it. The medicine.

CHANGYANG PALACE

Lady Wu'an is here to visit the injured.

Lu Zhuo!

Outside…

Has anyone come to see me?

My Lord,

apart from the messenger His Majesty sent

to check on you, no one else has come.

My Lord!

My Lord, I haven't finished treating you!

-My Lord, aren't you getting treated? -My Lord!

-My Lord! -Quick! Go after him and bring him back!

Yes!

How thoughtful of you, My Lady,

to still be concerned about me.

All my efforts to win you over weren't wasted.

I'm not here to see you.

Han Liao, what are you trying to do?

You can marry me properly and become Lady Han,

or be branded an adulteress.

The choice is yours.

Absurd.

Who would believe you?

A respectable young lady from a good family

having an affair with a womanizer like me?

Of course no one would believe it.

But your birth mother is a social climber!

The women of your Zhou family

have reputations far worse than mine!

Suppose I open that door right now

and tell everyone

you had an affair with me,

and that's why you divorced Lu Zhuo.

Think they'd believe me?

So you're saying

no matter how hard I try,

I could never clear my name.

That ruthless ex-husband of yours

sent me straight into that crossbow formation.

There's barely an inch of me left unhurt.

If I hadn't been wearing a chest plate,

I'd have died right there.

Tell me,

if he saw you in my arms right now,

what kind of face would he make?

They say Lord Han is charming

and irresistible to women.

I'm not so sure.

I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere.

Yet you're being so rough.

You're hurting me.

Let go of me.

Don't even think about trying anything.

You stepped into this hall today.

The rumors will haunt you for life.

Lord Lu!

You can't leave those wounds untreated!

Your clothes are soaked in blood!

-How am I supposed to explain this? -Don't follow me.

Who's in there?

You think you can ruin my reputation and force me to marry you?

Then you don't know me at all.

If that day ever comes,

I'll cut you to pieces first.

What are you doing here?

I came to change my clothes.

This isn't where the ladies change.

Wei Rao. You came to see me.

You were worried about me.

Don't flatter yourself.

A clever woman like you

actually lost your head

and walked right into a trap.

You really weren't worried?

You fainted on purpose back there? I…

Wei Rao, you still have feelings for me.

You jerk!

I was supposed to take Lady Wu'an to Fanghua Hall to change.

But when we got near this place…

Lady Wu'an said she'd lost her sachet and sent me to look for it.

But when I returned, she was gone.

Have you searched the entire area?

A grown woman can't just vanish into thin air.

This park stretches for miles, with countless buildings.

Perhaps she took a wrong turn.

I'm sure we'll find her soon.

Come. Let's check the west wing

and ask if anyone has seen Lady Wu'an.

He's still breathing.

Her Majesty the Empress and Lady Li have arrived!

You're the one who sent him into that crossbow trap.

You deal with him.

What are you doing?

There's a lake outside, and no way out.

And you're still laughing?

Are you all right?

What a performance.

I'm just taking a page out of your book, Lady Wu'an.

Who's hiding in there?

Break down that door!

Just tell them I did it.

You had nothing to do with it.

You're going to take the blame for me?

Han Liao and I have been enemies for years.

It's already a fight to the death.

One more offense won't matter.

Her Majesty is here! Open the door!

Open up in there!

There's no need.

I'm hardly some sheltered young lady.

Even if I killed that lecher on the spot,

he'd have brought it on himself.

I'll take responsibility for what I've done.

I won't drag anyone else into it.

CHANGYANG PALACE

Open up in there!

Your Majesty.

Lady Wu'an?

What are you doing here?

Rao, are you all right?

Did he frighten you?

Lord Han is recovering here.

Why is there no one attending to him?

How could you neglect him like this?

Don't be afraid. Mother's here. I'll protect you.

Lord Han, Her Majesty is here.

Lord Han?

Lord Han!

Her Majesty is here!

Why is Lord Lu here?

Lu Zhuo pays respects to Your Majesty

and to the ladies of the court.

Lord Lu, you're badly wounded.

There's no need for formalities.

Isn't this Lord Han's room?

Well, Lord Han was supposed to be recovering here.

For some reason, he's gone. I'll investigate right away.

Why has Lady Wu'an come back?

I've made myself perfectly clear.

We're divorced, and we have nothing to do with each other.

My injuries are none of your concern.

We should keep our distance.

-Keep our distance? -Of course we should!

The physician was treating my wounds when you barged in,

sent him away, and locked the door.

What were you thinking?

I told you to leave

because I didn't want people thinking

you were still pining for your ex-husband.

The Lu family has strict standards.

Even if you deeply regret the divorce

and want us to get back together,

I'd have to consult my grandmother first.

We can't sneak around behind everyone's backs.

Don't accuse me of being heartless.

I had to protect my reputation

and yours, Lady Wu'an.

I had no other choice.

Please show some restraint.

What? Did I say anything untrue?

Didn't you come to check on me?

You got furious when I turned you away

and smashed everything in the room.

The evidence is right before everyone.

Are you still going to deny it?

Rao.

Did you come here specifically to see Lord Lu?

The Wei and Lu families

have been close for generations.

His elders have always treated me kindly.

Though Lord Lu and I weren't meant to remain husband and wife,

our families' long friendship still matters.

He's like an older brother to me, and he's badly hurt.

Of course I should come see him.

I kept it quiet to avoid gossip.

Your Majesty, Lord Han has disappeared.

Lu Zhuo.

His wound must have reopened.

Someone fetch the imperial physician.

If Lord Lu's condition worsens,

who will take responsibility? Hurry!

-Yes, My Lady. -Yes, My Lady.

Lord Lu is one of His Majesty's favored officials.

Oh, what are we going to do?

Please rest and recover, Lord Lu.

Your Majesty.

Rao, come with me.

-Rao, did you… -No.

Today, the Empress had someone lure me to a side hall

so I'd be alone with Han Liao.

She wanted to use my reputation to force me into submission.

No wonder she went to such lengths

to ask us all there.

And we should thank Lu Zhuo

for putting things aside and saving you.

At least that proves he's a man who takes responsibility.

-So do you still have feelings… -No.

Whatever we had ended long ago.

No. There was never any love between us to begin with.

If that's what you say, then Mother believes you.

Really?

You…

You're still laughing.

Your Majesty.

We found Lord Han in the bushes behind the east wing.

He's badly injured and still unconscious.

We haven't been able to question him.

Lu Zhuo. Wei Rao.

You've gone too far!

What does Your Majesty intend to do?

His Majesty keeps protecting that woman.

I can't touch that wretch.

But surely I can deal with her little brat.

Lu Zhuo wiped out the bandits on South Mountain.

Those bandits

have plagued the court for years.

Surely a few escaped

and came seeking revenge against Lady Wu'an.

A brilliant plan, Your Majesty.

Rao, you barely ate at the banquet.

Mother specifically asked me to bring you some pastries

for the ride home. Here.

Today must have frightened you, Rao.

Don't worry.

The palace is full of schemes and backstabbing.

You'll get used to it.

I never could. I'd rather go home.

I really envy you, Rao.

At least you have a home to return to.

As for me, the palace is my only home.

Rao, someone's here to pick you up!

Stop the carriage!

My Lady, you were gone so long, I've come to welcome you home.

What's so urgent?

The silkworm house has been fully thatched.

We're all waiting for you to return. By custom,

the owner must be the first to enter a newly built house.

Watch out!

‎NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‎IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW