Original subtitles

Subtitles and Timing provided to you by 🎶 The Copper Sparrow 🪶Team @viki.com

"Go Ahead Fearlessly" - Liu Yuning

♫ Grudges and karma, right and wrong ♫

♫ The past hides blood and tears ♫

♫ It is hard to catch up after years of separation ♫

♫ The truth cannot be fully revealed ♫

♫ Fate is full of twists and turns ♫

♫ Life and death, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand ♫

♫ Obsession is hard to get rid of, keeping the truth and getting rid of the lies, let the wind blow ♫

♫ Tossed about by the wind and rain, I will never regret it, I will accompany you for my whole life ♫

♫ At least you share my joy and sorrow ♫

♫ Unravelling fate, fearlessly, a dream returns ♫

♫ The mountains and rivers are bright and beautiful, holding hands, together we return ♫

♫ In this life, my heart returns untainted of dust and ash ♫

[Melody of Golden Age]

[Episode 31]

Unlimited expenses don't mean that corrupt officials can line their own pockets.

How much could that involve?

It could probably shake the entire imperial court.

They have thoroughly angered the Grand Empress Dowager.

This matter has far-reaching implications.

At this moment, there is still no sign of activity.

I'm afraid the Grand Empress Dowager plans to investigate secretly...

and uproot the problem.

So what should we do now?

They might find me disrespectful for rejecting the marriage.

I'm afraid I will be sidelined.

You won't despise me for this. Right?

Your shrewdness is probably too much for this courtyard to hold.

However, my feelings for you, My Lady, are evident for all to see.

The Grand Empress Dowager's decree

instructs the Imperial Guards to investigate Princess Runing and Prince Xian.

Additionally, to monitor the Imperial Inspectorate.

Is the Empress Dowager suspecting Prince Xian?

It's probably not just that.

The Grand Empress Dowager's edict:

"The Imperial Inspectorate shall secretly investigate the actions of the Zhou family

and the Princess of Valor.

Report truthfully without concealment.

Additionally, monitor the Imperial Guards in secret.

If there are any anomalies, report immediately."

I accept Her Majesty's edict.

Madam Xu, I've prepared some fine tea from Junshan Island

brewed with snow water from the Tianshan Mountains.

Won't you stay for some tea?

Tea is too cold in nature.

What a pity I can't taste it.

Vice Minister Lai, no need to see me off.

I hope you carry out the Grand Empress Dowager's order

cautiously and prudently without any mistakes.

Thank you for your kind reminder, Madam Xu.

Excellent tea!

Shen Du had the nerve to turn down the marriage bestowed by Mother Empress.

I have underestimated Yan Xing.

How interesting!

I didn't expect the cold and merciless Shen Du to actually fall in love.

Anyway, it's good news for us.

If the Imperial Guards side with the Princess of Valor,

it will be even harder for you to obtain the position of Prince Regent.

Don't you find it weird that Mother Empress hasn't punished Shen Du severely?

After Mo Qianzhi died, the position of Yingzhou Governor has remained vacant.

I heard that Shen Du had been attacked before he returned to Xiang'an.

He entered the palace to see Mother Empress overnight.

After that, he was bestowed with a marriage.

Too much of a coincidence.

I wonder what secrets Shen Du has discovered in Yingzhou.

I believe that the Grand Empress Dowager grew distant from Shen Du due to his refusal.

She barely summons him these days.

Some palace maids have reached the age of being sent back to their hometowns.

The Grand Empress Dowager summoned Lai Luozhi and bestowed several maids upon him.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Lai Luozhi is now favored by the Empress Dowager.

The Imperial Inspectorate will eventually overpower the Imperial Guards.

It is too early to say that.

Zhang Baohuan suddenly fell ill.

It's quite suspicious.

Sir, I feel that something huge is brewing in the court.

People are unfathomable.

I'll keep a closer watch on the Princess of Valor.

Uncle Lan, he is a friend.

Men of Great Cang are not to be trusted.

He is also after that person.

That person didn't just deceive Saintess Daisi.

- You believe in him? - Yes, I do.

Here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uncle Lan, you served Saintess Daisi for many years.

We want to know what happened back then in detail.

It's been over ten years.

Back then, Daisi was still the saintess of the Jinwu Tribe.

After the Jinwu Tribe sent envoys to pay homage to Great Cang,

Great Cang also sent envoys to Jinwu in return.

The Jinwu Tribe and Great Cang have been in touch ever since.

The common folks were free to travel back and forth.

Once the saintess was doing charity work on the street…

Easy. There's enough for everyone.

That's when she met that person.

It was just a random encounter.

The saintess didn't pay much attention to him

and soon forgot about this man after she returned.

Because she was a saintess who was bound for life not to marry

or fall in love with anyone.

She lived solely for the people of Jinwu.

But somehow, they met again very soon.

But this time, they met at the court banquet of the Jinwu Tribe.

How could it be such a coincidence?

- Saintess. - The saintess had rarely met any men.

She was innocent and pure.

But once she fell in love,

she was like a wild horse breaking free of its reins. There was no hiding of her feelings anymore.

After the welcome banquet,

during the days that the envoys stayed,

[Daisi] Daisi had frequent contact with the envoys of Great Cang as the saintess.

And she did that to get close to that man from Great Cang.

What is this?

Daisi. Your name.

Unexpectedly, this man proposed to learn the Jinwu language from the saintess.

This man from Great Cang was gifted in language learning.

In just seven to eight days, he learned quite a bit.

And then, the saintess learned that man's name.

Those three characters should be etched in her memory.

But it remained a blur no matter how hard she tried to recall it.

Their feelings for each other grew day by day.

Very soon, they became deeply affectionate.

But the saintess had her duties.

In the presence of others, she had to restrain herself.

But at that point, all she could see and think about

was that man from Great Cang.

She forgot all about her duties.

But the good times didn't last.

Trouble arose...

very soon.

Will you come to Great Cang with me?

I know you have a special status.

I've used all my luck just to meet you.

How could I ask for more?

No. I will go with you.

Of course, I will.

From then on, the saintess could no longer be found.

Some said they saw her dressed in the attire of a Great Cang woman,

riding a horse towards Great Cang, following that man.

Jinwu did not want it to be a scandal and proclaimed that

the saintess passed away due to illness and erased her identity.

After that, the Jinwu Tribe severed its tie with Great Cang.

I thought that this man from Great Cang and the saintess

would be together for life.

But to my surprise, not long after,

I saw the dying saintess right in this dilapidated house.

Saintess! Saintess!

Saintess, what happened?

I am no longer the saintess.

Saintess, come back with me. Everything will be fine.

It's too late.

Where is he? Where is that man?

He deceived me.

He tricked me into revealing the secret I should keep

and teaching him how to control moths with medicinal powder.

I was such a fool. Why did I fall for the trick?

When I discovered that he bore evil intentions,

practiced evil crafts,

and even tried to manipulate others with those crafts to do his bidding,

he harbored the intent to kill me.

Saintess! Saintess!

Saintess.

It's too late.

Everything is too late now.

I've sinned gravely.

- Death will do me justice. - No! No!

Saintess!

This man truly deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces; death is too lenient a punishment.

Calm down first.

Sooner or later we will catch him and expose him to the world.

Uncle Lan, check these and see if he looks like anyone in there.

This man. It's him. [Imperial Inspectorate]

[Imperial Inspectorate]

It's the man from Great Cang.

It's him.

You found him? Where is he?

- I'm going to kill him. - Uncle Lan.

Leave it to us.

Rest assured.

I will make this person pay the price

and give Saint Daisi justice.

Are you watching, Saintess?

That man did so many evil deeds.

Surely, karma will get him.

He shall die a miserable death.

Saintess Daisi once saw that treacherous man

teaching someone to burn down a granary with evil crafts.

The saintess denounced him for harming the people of Great Cang.

Yet that treacherous man scoffed and said that

the one who harmed the people of Great Cang wasn't him, but…

but the Grand Empress Dowager of Great Cang.

And the one who made him burn the granary was the Empress Dowager's close relative

was the Empress Dowager's close relative from the Zhou family.

When Saintess Daisi fled,

she took the token of communication between the man and the arsonist.

It is this jade pendant.

Yan Xing,

I hope it's not too late.

[Cangming Palace]

Empress Dowager, I have something to report.

Minister Lai, what matter do you bring before me?

I wish to impeach Sun Tan,

the Marshal of Inspectors in Gannandao, for dereliction of duty.

Sun Tan led the inspectors in Gannandao to investigate the case of the Half-faced Demon

as I have personally witnessed.

How did someone with merit end up guilty in your story?

Grand Empress Dowager.

I gathered evidence of Sun Tan abusing his power and profiteering from bribery.

I'm presenting them to you.

Your Majesty, please have a look.

The Great Cang law states: Taking what is not one's own is theft.

Those in charge who embezzle are guilty.

And those who accept bribes will be sentenced to execution by hanging.

Sun Tan abused his power to amass wealth and collude with bandits.

The evidence is conclusive.

Grand Empress Dowager, please allow me to punish him according to the law.

Grand Empress Dowager,

the Imperial Inspectorate may have convicted the suspect through torture.

Has Sun Tan really committed such a heinous crime?

Please consider carefully, Your Majesty.

Great Chief Shen, your courthouse is also known as the Devil's Court.

You have cruel tortures just like we do.

But now, you pretend to be merciful to protect the criminal, Sun Tan.

Why is that?

Enough.

I'm a bit tired now.

Leave the evidence behind.

We will discuss it another day.

- I take my leave. - I take my leave.

Leave us alone.

Prince Xia--

One must be concentrated when pruning branches and leaves.

What do you think?

Doesn't it look much better than before?

Your Highness…

Your Highness,

Lai Luozhi has been dominating the court

and detaining officials with random accusations.

Now he's even reached out to Gannandao.

Judging by his conduct, he will be a great threat to you

even if you become the Prince Regent.

Should I find someone to impeach him at the court meeting tomorrow?

Prime Minister Zhang,

withered leaves will eventually fall.

Even if we stop the autumn breeze, can we stop the winter snow?

What do you mean, Prince Xian?

Nothing.

These people from Xichen and Nanlang showed up recently. Right?

Yes. Recently, countless nations have come to pay tribute to Great Cang, gathering talented individuals and remarkable figures from across the land.

These people from Xichen and Nanlang came to Xiang'an for a living some time ago.

Pay extra attention during the patrol.

Understood.

Your Highness, it's Shen Du.

I really can't stand it.

How dare the White Ghost openly turn down the marriage

and embarrass Princess Jia'an?

Your Highness, you shouldn't let him off easily.

Shen Du is just like his father.

They don't know what's good for them.

Mother Empress was kind to him.

Yet he doesn't know the importance of seeking support from a patron.

You've watched Jia'an grow up,

spending more time with her than I have as her mother.

Naturally, you would feel for her.

The dignity of the royal family matters the most.

Mother Empress has been humiliated.

Things won't be easy for Shen Du even if we don't make a move.

Sixth Miss, you are the best!

You've become a Chief Director, yet you still help me sort out the files.

Have you ever looked down on me

when I was just a humble clerk?

Right.

Try this.

You brought it from Gannandao?

As expected, it's sweeter than the ones in Xiang'an City.

Here.

The honey from Gannandao is exceptionally sweet.

It's not only used for fruits but also human flesh.

Sixth Miss Yan, I hate you!

Lu Chuichui! Lu Chuichui! Lu Chuichui!

How dare you let Director Yan sort out the files for you?

What are you thinking?

Didn't you use to boss Director Yan around?

I… that was in the past.

Right, Director Yan?

Director Yan.

Times have changed.

Now we are colleagues of the same rank.

And you are married to the Great Chief.

Therefore, I will count on you to look after me from now on.

Please don't say that, Director Wu.

Her Majesty was kind enough to make me the Chief Director by honor,

but I'm still staff of the Ministry of Justice.

I will still follow your instructions to work on cases.

I'll count on you to take good care of me.

Fair enough! Fair enough! Fair enough!

Your endless cliche is making me sick.

Feng Gui.

Take a seat.

Since you still see me as the director,

I think I should give you some advice.

Now that you are married to Great Chief and have been promoted,

you've become the leading female official.

But as the old saying goes, "It doesn't last long to burn oil with fierce fire."

Do you know that the Grand Empress Dowager favors the Black Fiend

over the White Ghost now?

Look at you.

The wives of other high officials

are adept at dealing with people

to learn secrets that may be useful for their husbands.

Who is silly enough to bury her head

in files and stay in the morgue all day long?

[Observe with Great Clarity]

I'm just saying.

Vice Minister Lai is in power.

The Grand Empress Dowager indulges and spoils Vice Minister Lai

more than she does with Zhang Baohuan.

The Grand Empress Dowager never refuses his request for arrest.

The court officials all feel threatened.

How can Lai Luozhi be so autocratic?

So Sixth Miss, think about it.

How can the Black Fiend allow the White Ghost

to be on an equal footing with him?

To be honest, even if it were me, I would surely hope

that there were only one merciless law enforcer.

Thank you for the reminder, Director Wu.

The more I know my husband,

the more I realize that he's treading on thin ice in that high position.

I don't know court politics. Nor do I know how to help.

I can only do my job well and not cause him any trouble.

You don't...

cause him trouble?

Lai Luozhi is killing innocent people. Can't anyone do something?

What's going on? What's going on?

Marshal Xu, if you refuse to deal with it,

I'll ask the Grand Empress Dowager in the imperial palace

whether Great Cang is still ruled by law.

Shut up.

Get back to work. I don't care if you're suicidal.

But our staff and I don't want to

have our ears cut off by the Black Fiend in the middle of the night.

Brother Xu, what happened?

Lai Luozhi arrested Sun Tan.

Sun Tan? The Marshal of Inspectors of Gannandao?

Wasn't his file delivered to the Judicial Government Office just after the court meeting?

The Grand Empress Dowager hasn't given a verdict. How could they arrest him already?

The Imperial Inspectorate took him into custody without a verdict from the Grand Empress Dowager.

But one day in the Imperial Inspectorate's prison means ten fewer years to live.

If it goes on like this, Sun Tan might be dead before the Grand Empress Dowager gives a verdict.

Vice Minister Lai has been dominant for a very long time.

In the end, it's up to the Judicial Government Office.

Aren't you crying to the wrong people here?

Don't you know the staff at the Judicial Government Office?

They're timid and afraid of trouble.

This case was initiated by the Imperial Inspectorate and it involves the inspectors.

They have already handed it over to you.

The Judicial Government Office... My...

My headache! Feng Gui…

I'm here! I'm here! What's wrong?

Director Wu, rest and recover.

If the Ministry of Justice can't do my buddy justice,

I don't mind barging into the palace again.

- Slowly. - Let's go.

Director Wu isn't any more courageous than those at the Judicial Government Office.

You're trying your luck with the wrong person.

Yun Que, why are you with Marshal Xu?

I am also an inspector. Why can't I be with Marshal Xu?

Go back to work.

Understood.

I take my leave.

Brother Xu.

You have always been outspoken.

Why are you so cautious today?

Don't you remember that I'm also a Sixth-Tier

Chief Director of the Ministry of Justice?

Speaking of ranks, I'm on a par with Director Wu.

I also have the authority to try cases.

I can apply to be the presiding judge.

I knew it. Ask Sixth Miss for help.

Sixth Miss, aren't you going to offend Lai Luozhi?

Didn't you say you wouldn't cause trouble for Shen Du?

That's right!

I just said I wouldn't cause him trouble.

Sixth Miss, I know the court nowadays is filled with intrigue, and Her Majesty's intentions are hard to discern.

Shen Du must be having a hard time.

You'd better stay out of it.

But it concerns you.

And Sun Tan had helped us a lot in Gannandao.

He would help us if we were in trouble.

Sixth Miss, thank you!

Since I've agreed to help, we must plan it carefully.

Follow me. Let's go.

Vice Minister, that Sun Tan is tough.

We've tried everything that doesn't kill him, yet he still refuses to talk.

Since when did we become so soft and lenient?

It doesn't matter whether he confesses.

As long as he is not in Gannandao,

the inspectors there won't be able to do anything.

Whoever tries to block my path

will have a taste of my fierce measures.

Brother Xu, do you know what solid evidence Lai Luozhi has against Sun Tan?

Do you know how we became inspectors?

The court recruits chivalrous men to serve as detectives and arresting officers.

Exactly, we managed to spread our network everywhere

and secured more access to information than the court officials

because we were recruited as people from all walks of life

in the first place.

Before we were recruited, many were bandits who robbed people

or skilled thieves with nimble fingers like me.

We couldn't just sever our ties with our old friends.

Lai Luozhi could easily pin any charges on anyone.

I'm worried that Sun Tan isn't the only target in this case.

Lai Luozhi may have been arrogant and domineering,

but he has never dared to provoke us.

Now that the Half-Faced Demon case has just been solved,

the Gannandao is in dire need of rebuilding, yet he has arrested Sun Tan.

Was he targeting the inspectors or Gannandao?

Sixth Miss, you just came back

and may not know what had happened in Xiang'an.

The secluded Mingsheng Temple, where Elder Princess Runing resides,

is often visited by the carriages of the Princess of Valor.

Elder Princess Runing and Princess Yong'an?

His Majesty is young and slow in speech.

How much longer can the Grand Empress Dowager reign over Great Cang?

Nowadays, many people believe that the Princess of Valor is more likely

to gain power than Prince Xian.

Has Elder Princess Runing decided to support the Princess of Valor?

Elder Princess Runing holds the highest status in the Xiao family.

If she takes a stance, it'll surely change the dynamics in the court.

Moreover, the reconstruction of Ming Hall was close to an end,

yet they slowed it down.

You can even say that they've stopped their work.

It happened shortly after we returned from Gannandao?

Also, Xiang'an has seen a lot more foreigners from Nanlang and Xichen recently.

Each thing may seem quite random on its own.

But if you connect them…

Could there be some connections there?

Sixth Miss, I stand by what I said.

So many people in the court are watching you and your husband.

I bet you know that.

I won't blame you if you decide not to help me.

Brother Xu, we survived multiple attacks on the way back from Yingzhou,

thanks to the help of the inspectors.

If not for this token, I wouldn't be able to see you today.

It's time to return it to its rightful owner.

Sixth Miss,

Sun Tan may not come out of the Imperial Inspectorate unscathed.

But if he has been wronged or has something to say,

As his older brother, I will definitely help him.

Can you think of a way to let me see Sun Tan?

I will draft an application to be the presiding judge right now.

Sun Tan may be locked up in the Imperial Inspectorate,

but the presiding judge should at least be able to question him.

Sixth Miss, I will go with you.

[Imperial Inspectorate]

He's… He's bleeding so much. Will he die?

Do you think anyone would care about his life and death here?

Go back and wait for me if you're scared.

I am Yan Xing, the sixth-rank Chief Director of the Ministry of Justice,

presiding over the case of Sun Tan.

I'm here to summon Sun Tan for interrogation.

Sun Tan is a serious criminal of the Imperial Inspectorate.

I'm afraid you have no right to summon him.

Can I at least interrogate him in his cell?

Only two people are allowed in.

Wait for me at the Ministry of Justice.

Then I'll wait for you outside.

[Imperial Inspectorate]

Marshal Sun.

Marshal Sun.

Marshal Sun.

It's me, Yan Xing.

Have you joined that villain?

I was made the presiding judge.

I'm here to do you justice.

The Imperial Inspectorate accuses you of accepting bribes

and colluding with bandits.

Tell me if you were wronged. I'll report it.

It's pointless.

It's pointless.

If there is injustice,

Marshal Xu and the other inspectors will risk their lives to rescue you.

I will also give it my all to seek justice for you.

The more you help, the more people will die.

Just leave.

Sun Tan.

I'm not dead yet.

Marshal Xu.

[Marshal of Inspectors] This token is still waiting for you.

Hang in there.

[Marshal of Inspectors]

Director Yan, I have something to say.

All right, I'll take notes.

Most of the inspectors came from all walks of life.

We were all captivated by Marshal Xu's aura

and joined the group as inspectors.

In Gannandao,

I naturally hoped to build wide connections with the talented as Marshal Xu did.

So-called "collusion with bandits".

What about accepting the bribes?

This I can't deny.

I did take money.

Gannandao has many merchants coming and going.

We inspectors protect them from bandits.

They pay us to show their gratitude.

I used that money to treat my buddies.

You can defend yourself and find the merchants

to testify for you to get a lighter sentence.

Sixth Miss, how come you just don't get it?

Lai Luozhi wants to take out the leader of the inspectors in Gannandao.

Marshal Sun, do you know the reason?

After Mo Qianzhi died,

Lai Luozhi put his people in Yingzhou as officials.

Gannandao is a key location at the border leading directly to Xichen.

People can even take a detour via Gannandao all the way from Nanlang.

Without the inspectors there, the borders...

Xiang'an has seen a lot more foreigners from Nanlang and Xichen.

It seems Lai Luozhi intends to dominate Gannandao.

But what he's aiming for is far beyond that area.

He's probably plotting with foreign powers to commit treason.

Marshal Xu.

You'll need evidence even if you want to frame me.

Madam Shen,

you came to visit my workplace,

yet you keep slandering me.

It really put me in a difficult position.

As the presiding judge of this case,

I tried the main suspect Sun Tan

and recorded his testimony based on procedures.

The inspector accompanied me for assistance.

There was nothing inappropriate.

Is that so?

Madam Shen seems to have become more sharp-tongued.

That was the preliminary trial.

Once I organize the case files and hand in the report,

I will be back for the second trial.

Vice Minister Lai, you are obliged to ensure the safety of the suspect.

It depends on his fate.

No one can be guaranteed to stay alive in our jail here.

How dare you!

Marshal Xu. Director Yan. Go back.

I don't intend to keep you and Madam Shen here today.

Don't be so nervous.

However, I do have a word of advice.

The criminals arrested by the Imperial Inspectorate won't be freed so easily.

You'd better think twice about what to note down,

what to report, and what to keep to yourselves.

Subtitles and Timing provided to you by 🎶 The Copper Sparrow 🪶Team @viki.com

"Only Want You" - Ding Yuxi, Deng Enxi

♫ One look confirmed our fate ♫

♫ Upon meeting again, I know you're the one for me ♫

♫ Gazing at the stars, dreaming about old times ♫

♫ A pair of people have already taken root ♫

♫ Lovers before the candlelight, do not ask their thoughts ♫

♫ Affection is bound, lasting forever ♫

♫ Using the evening breeze to express deep love ♫

♫ I have someone I long for in this life ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ You are the only one for me ♫

♫ Embracing each other, how serious we are about our love ♫

♫ Every moment is treasured ♫

♫ From dawn to dusk ♫

♫ You and I, forever inseparable ♫

♫ Without noticing, you broke into my heart ♫

♫ Slowly immersing myself, I become undaunted by perils for love ♫

♫ I charge into battle with unmatched resilience ♫

♫ Because you are my responsibility ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ You are the only one for me ♫