Original subtitles

♪ Smoke and the city go slow in March ♪

♪ The moon soothes us gently ♪

♪ Who plaits her hair beside the river and bridge? ♪

♪ A mirror writes many a story from reality ♪

♪ A thousand lamps with verses at dusk ♪

♪ Light flees in madness ♪

♪ The looks that never age ♪

♪ Those that are not to be moved ♪

♪ Yearning time and time again ♪

♪ Is life after life, going on and on ♪

♪ Light drizzle fell a few times with scented blossoms ♪

♪ Covering the branches ♪

♪ I will travel the world with you ♪

♪ Until our hair becomes all white ♪

♪ Disengage from worldly riches in a thought ♪

♪ Thrill in a dream together ♪

♪ I keep for you ♪

♪ Our joyous time in music ♪

♪ Light drizzle fell a few times with scented blossoms ♪

♪ Covering the branches ♪

♪ I will travel the world with you ♪

♪ Until our hair becomes all white ♪

♪ Disengage from worldly riches in a thought ♪

♪ Thrill in a dream together ♪

♪ I keep for you ♪

♪ Our joyous time in music ♪

[Unique Lady 2]

[Episode 17]

There's something more shocking.

Master Tang, Tang Meng's father,

colluded with the former grand chancellor and plotted against Sheng Jing.

Really?

Why are you slandering our Tang family?

Like father, like daughter. I didn't say anything wrong.

Consort, you'd better

have less contact with such people.

You...

Meng.

Are you okay?

Is what they said true?

No, not at all.

Don't believe them.

I believe your affection for Jiang Xuan Yu.

I also believe

you would never do anything to hurt him.

As for the rumor,

before there is definite proof,

I would never spread it.

Consort, don't believe them.

Before I find out the truth,

don't tell Brother Jiang.

Brother Jiang and I have hard-won happiness now.

I don't want it to be ruined.

Don't worry.

I won't say anything.

Your Highness, how are you doing?

Prince Jing Yuan, hope that you've been in good health.

What brings you here today?

It seems you have been making progress lately.

I come here

of course to tell you some good news.

Your Highness, do you know

that the Sacrificial Offering Ceremony starts in a few days.

This is a rare opportunity.

It's foreseeable

that something big is about to happen.

Your Highness, you mean...

Your Highness, just sit by and watch.

When did Brother get so familiar with Liu Xiu Wen?

Xi Que.

It's you.

Why do you look so weird today?

-Where are you going? -I... I actually...

Yu, can you help me?

Yu.

What are you holding?

[Could it be that Xi Que had something to do with the opium?]

There was no trace of anyone

other than Miss Tang Meng and the owner

in the kitchen of the restaurant.

But upon investigation,

we found a fuzzy footprint

in a hidden corner.

Based on the size of the footprint,

we infer that it belongs to a petite woman.

The footprint has been sent to bureaucrat's office for inspection.

It should be made clear in a few days,

so that we may find more clues.

There's really something hidden.

[I've been suspecting]

[that the opium incident was the deed of some acquaintance.]

[I also heard what Lan said at the banquet yesterday.]

[And Tang Meng admitted that it was her.]

[But Tang Meng is an inexperienced miss.]

[How could she know about it?]

[She must have been instructed by someone who is experienced.]

[And Yu grew up an orphan in Nan Yan.]

[She learned the rules fast upon her arrival at the Mansion.]

[She never crossed the line.]

[Could the owner of the footprint be...]

Yu,

tell me honestly,

what is this?

-Consort, it's... -Just tell me what you know.

Otherwise, I'm going to punish you for theft.

It's the letter Xi Que asked me to send out.

[It's indeed Xi Que's handwriting on the envelope.]

[But the content of this letter]

[is written in Qi Yu characters.]

[Could it be...]

Xi Que told me this morning

she was in need of money because something had happened to her family.

But she didn't want you to know and worry about her, Miss.

So she took six months' salaries in advance and asked me to send it for her.

That's why I was in a hurry.

[Xi Que entered Grand Chancellor Mansion as a servant when she was a child.]

[How could she have anything to do with Qi Yu?]

Consort?

I see. Assume I don't know about it.

Yes.

-Officer Zhang. -Officer Zhang.

Why is Officer Zhang so weird today?

Who knows?

He might be bothered about some order from Prince.

Officer Zhang is always calm.

I've never seen him like this even for a serious incident.

Could it be that Xi Que doesn't want him anymore?

Love-sickness?

-It's possible. -You two!

-Run 20 rounds around the drill ground! -Yes.

Why are you in a daze?

Xi Que...

They said you had been busy working these days.

So I told the chef to cook something delicious. Here they are.

The dishes...

I don’t have much appetite these days,

so I have some board expenses left.

I told them to make dishes for you altogether.

Enjoy them.

Finish them all.

Your Highness.

What is it?

The result of the footprint has come out?

Yes.

Is it related to Xi Que?

That night,

the intruder only left a shallow footprint

in a hidden corner.

And this pair of shoes with a pattern of Xi Que* (*magpie)

is exactly the pair I gave to Xi Que.

[The letter Xi Que wanted to send this morning]

[was written in Qi Yu characters.]

[And the result shows that the footprint belongs to Xi Que.]

[Now, all the evidence points to Xi Que.]

[Is she really]

[a spy from Qi Yu?]

[The Xi Que I've known for a long time]

[was not her true self?]

Although I haven’t known Xi Que for a long time,

I'm willing to guarantee with my reputation

that Xi Que is by no means a cunning person.

I'm afraid there's still something hidden.

For so many years,

Xi Que's always been a kind and innocent girl.

Sometimes she's even silly.

I also believe it has nothing to do with her.

But...

[How to explain the letter this morning?]

Anyway, before the truth comes out,

I hope that Your Highness and Consort could believe in Xi Que.

I will investigate it fully,

and vindicate Xi Que.

Even if it turns out to be Xi Que,

she must have been hoodwinked into committing the crime.

I will definitely find out the one behind it.

In this matter,

do as you say.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Miss, after we're done with your hairs,

I'll light the incense for you,

so you can sleep more soundly.

Xi Que,

do you have something in mind?

No.

You must tell me if there's any.

No. I have no secrets before you, Miss.

What's wrong, Miss? Did I hurt you?

Sorry, I...

It's nothing. I just feel that you have been a little absent-minded lately.

Xi Que,

if you really have something, you must let me know.

Otherwise, how can I help you?

Miss, I do have one thing.

Tell me.

Tell me now.

You...

You don't like me anymore?

Why do you think that way?

Because I found

that after Yu came,

you don't need me as much as before, Miss.

That time when you ran away,

you left me behind.

You only talk to Yu when you need something.

I'm a little jealous of Yu,

but I think I shouldn't do that.

Silly Xi Que, how could you think that way?

Miss, don't dislike me, okay?

I know I’m not as smart as Yu sometimes,

and sometimes I'm silly,

But I will change.

Why are you still fighting for favors like a child?

You are the one who I brought from Grand Chancellor Mansion with me.

You are like my younger sister.

No matter how good others are, they can’t replace you

in my heart.

You are who you are.

Don't compare yourself with others, okay?

Miss.

Silly girl.

Okay, it's getting late. Take a rest early.

Hurry back. I'm fine.

I'll leave then.

[System, tell me.]

[What should I do?]

[You set up so difficult a plot for me.]

[Xi Que,]

[I believe you have nothing to do with it.]

[You should also believe]

[that no matter what, I'll find out the truth for you.]

Zhang Ji.

Silly girl.

Don't tell me I'm silly.

You come to see me?

Why don't you say hello...

[Silly Xi Que,]

[I will not let you get hurt.]

[Absolutely.]

Tell me.

Is it better for me to ask her directly?

I know

you don’t believe it was Xi Que,

do you?

Xi Que is my intimate servant.

She's just like my younger sister.

I know,

but sometimes we take sides

exactly because we care too much.

I grew up in the royal court,

and I'm used to seeing people plotting against each other.

Sometimes,

even close kin would betray you.

So, when you have no choice,

you should be more sensible.

I know.

But still, I don’t think it was Xi Que.

She's been with me for so long.

There's no reason for her to do such things.

Besides,

if it were really her,

she could have done it long ago.

Why did she wait till now?

Maybe in their eyes,

it's the best time now.

Alright.

Things will only get worse.

How about I ask Xi Que to come here

and ask her directly?

Maybe it's the best way to do it.

Don't worry.

I know how to tell the truth from affection.

If Xi Que really did some irreparable things,

I will not be biased.

Your Highness, bad news!

-Your Highness! -What's wrong?

Someone from the Palace has come to inform

that His Majesty...

His Majesty is seriously ill.

His Majesty has ordered it.

Your Highness, please go back.

Eunuch Su,

how's Royal Brother?

What is the Imperial Doctor's diagnosis?

His Majesty said he didn't want to see you.

Your Highness, please go back.

-Why? -His Majesty said

he had been already tired of you last time.

First, about Princess of Bei Yu,

you repeatedly violated his instructions

and bothered him.

After the Princess left,

you've never cared about His Majesty's feelings,

and made him fall sick from anxiety.

Don't bother him anymore!

I won't let you in even if you give me tons of gold.

Your Highness, please go back.

[I've never given Eunuch Su any gold.]

[Why did he say so?]

[Could it be that Royal Brother is in some dilemma?]

If you don't leave now,

you'll never see the sun in the morning tomorrow!

-Come on. Send Prince off. -Yes.

No need.

I know what Royal Brother means.

Eunuch Su, please say sorry for me to Royal Brother.

Eunuch Su, you have to be more careful when you speak.

What? His Majesty is severely ill?

Then the one to take over the city of Sheng Jing in the future

should be our Prince.

But there were rumors in the street this morning

that Prince is not the biological brother of His Majesty.

They said Prince's mother had been known for her indiscretion

in the Palace.

Once she got sick upon returning from a tour to Jiang Nan,

and was diagnosed by the Imperial Doctor as pregnant.

All competing concubines came to the late emperor,

and said Prince was not his son.

But the late emperor loved her so much that he quieted the whole thing.

But what I heard is

that the late imperial concubine was barren, and so adopted him.

The secrets in the Palace

are only known to those who are involved.

The nanny never let us mention Prince's mother in the past.

Don't you think it's true?

I don't believe it.

Prince is so handsome and dignified.

How could he not have Zhong's blood in him?

But we can't stop outsiders from talking nonsense.

As the saying goes, "bad news travels fast",

and "flies always find the cracked egg".

-Do you think... -You two!

Get lost!

I didn't expect the rumor would spread so fast.

What if His Majesty gets infuriated and rages at Prince and Miss?

No matter what,

we'd better keep Prince from knowing it.

Your Highness.

That's all.

Don't worry. I know it.

[Royal Brother avoided me.]

[Could it be related to the rumors outside?]

[But Eunuch Su didn't mention it at all.]

[Royal Brother didn't seem to be angry because of the rumors.]

[Who's spreading the rumors?]

[What is the purpose?]

Who is worried here?

Jing.

I heard it from Zhang Ji.

Don't care about what the people say,

and don't be sad about rumors.

I'm not feeling sad about that.

If I get confused with these rumors now,

I may fall into the trap of those who started them.

When Royal Brother's severely ill,

those who can spread such rumors and make them known all over the city,

must not be underestimated.

[Are there any other bad guys we're not aware of?]

[System,]

[is the ultimate villain about to show up?]

How about we send someone to find out

where the rumors come from?

This way, we may find the clues faster.

I won't let you in even if you give me tons of gold.

If you don't leave now,

you'll never see the sun in the morning tomorrow!

[What did Eunuch Su mean by that?]

[Take out gold (Jin).]

[Can't see the sun in the morning.]

[Morning without the sun (Chen)?]

[Break up the character, and it would be...]

[Jin Chen?]

[Was Eunuch Su hinting to me]

[that Prince Jing Yuan is the one behind it?]

You know why I granted the honor of Prince to Jin Chen?

I gave him the title of Prince

to reward him and to remind myself to stay alert.

[It's very likely that Royal Brother has been controlled by Jin Chen.]

[I must confirm Royal Brother's safety as soon as possible.]

Your Highness, only the guard at this gate has not been replaced.

Guards at other gates have all been replaced.

I know this guard well.

I'll go and talk to him.

Keep an eye on everything after Prince goes in.

Your Highness, they will change guards after the time is reported.

You must leave before that.

Okay.

If I don't come back at the agreed time,

-you stick to our plan. -Yes.

I knew it.

Your Highness.

-You're finally here. -Eunuch Su.

Was there anyone watching you yesterday

that you couldn't tell me the truth?

Luckily, Your Highness understood what I said.

Did anyone see you when... when you came in?

I avoided the patrol guard.

No one saw me.

Where is Royal Brother? Is he okay?

Is Jin Chen the one behind all these?

He locked His Majesty up in the secret passage.

I'm taking care of His Majesty.

Your Highness, don't worry about that.

But it seems that Jin Chen wants something from His Majesty.

He wouldn't take any reckless actions for the time being.

It’s just that this Prince Jing Yuan who used to be caring so much

about His Majesty and even sent him the thousand-year-old Isatis root,

now put His Majesty under house arrest.

People are hard to predict.

I was proud of having met countless people.

But I failed to see the true colors of Prince Jing Yuan.

Shame on me.

I didn't expect Jin Chen could be so ambitious, either.

Eunuch Su, don't blame yourself.

You've done your best for Royal Brother.

Now that it has happened,

our top priority is to find a way

to rescue Royal Brother as soon as possible.

But in this situation, around this palace are

all Prince Jing Yuan's men.

If we do it by force,

I'm afraid it's hitting the rock with an egg.

The Sacrificial Offering Ceremony starts in a few days.

Royal Brother once intended to announce his successor at the ceremony.

Jin Chen chooses to put His Majesty under house arrest at this point.

Is it for...

After all, Prince Jing Yuan is from another family.

Even if he controls His Majesty and the little prince,

he can't succeed.

Eunuch Su,

you said that Jin Chen

wanted something from Royal Brother?

It's...

It's a treasure

named crystal bead.

That's it.

The crystal bead matters a lot.

Royal Brother will not tell him anything.

As long as Jin Chen can't get the bead,

Royal Brother is safe.

The Sacrificial Offering Ceremony has always been presided over by His Majesty.

Royal Brother's move to Royal Ancestral Temple

will be a good chance for us to rescue him.

Your Highness, I think Prince Jing Yuan

will definitely challenge you at the ceremony.

You must take care of yourself then.

Eunuch Su.

Eunuch Su.

Coming.

What took you so long to fetch the medicine, Eunuch Su?

I accidentally knocked over the medicine pot while I was decocting the medicine.

I had to do it again.

Your Majesty, please take your medicine.

Now, you still have no plan

to tell me where the crystal bead is?

Even if you kill me,

-I can't give you the crystal bead. -You can't?

Or the crystal bead is with Zhong Wu Mei?

Since neither of you have it,

it should be with Zhong Zi Yun,

Princess Royal, then.

It seems I'm right.

Zi Yun has left the Palace for years, and has been wandering outside.

How could I give her the crystal bead?

Jin Chen, I suggest you stop it now.

Don't guess anymore.

The game has started.

How could it end so easily?

If I can't get the crystal bead at the Sacrificial Offering Ceremony,

none of you

will get out alive.

Kill me now if you dare!

How am I willing to kill you, Royal Brother?

If I kill you now,

how can I threaten Zhong Wu Mei?

I still remember

it was my father who won the territory for your family,

but he died without an explanation.

And you?

You are second to no one,

yet you hold on to this crystal bead.

Zhong Shi Li,

you are so greedy.

You are quite good.

Concubine Shen died for you.

The grand chancellor yielded to you.

Besides,

your bastard brother

also admires you so much.

Even this eunuch

is so loyal to you.

Why do you deserve all these?

Now that you want to know about your father,

fine!

I'll tell you the details of what happened back then.

Your father was the favorite general of my Royal Father.

Your father was sent to fight Qi Yu,

but on the way, he seized the wealth of the people

and killed innocent people. My Royal Father had no choice

but to kill this important aide.

Your father defied the rule first,

and so ended up like that.

Jin Chen, this crystal bead

will never belong to your Jin clan.

Shut up!

Even so,

it's the retribution of your Zhong family.

What your Zhong family owes our Jin family

will be taken back by me, one by one, step by step.

No hurry, Royal Brother.

Let's wait and see.

Your Majesty, I just met Prince Yuan Zheng.

He said he would find a way to rescue us.

Wu Mei.

Good.

Your Highness.

I was right.

Royal Brother is in danger.

Zhang Ji, find some loyal men

to protect His Majesty in the Palace.

Besides,

go back to fetch my token from the late emperor,

and recall the imperial guards stationed outside the city.

Rescue His Majesty in Royal Ancestral Temple

at the Sacrificial Offering Ceremony on 15th.

Yes.

Hua Ying Chi, Elder Cang Jian of Tian Yi Clique,

greets Your Majesty.

[Hua Ying Chi, Elder Cang Jian of Tian Yi Clique]

I didn't expect you to move so fast

and really get Zhong Shi Li.

No pay, no gain.

It's so important

that I didn't have time to tell you that day at the banquet.

But the Sacrifice Offering Ceremony starts in two days.

Zhong Shi Li will offer sacrifices to Heaven and ancestors on that day

and announce who will assist the little prince.

At that time, only the highest officials could enter the hall.

The Royal Ancestral Temple lies outside the Palace.

We can take this chance

-to get Zhong Wu Mei at one go. -Great.

Rest assured.

I have already deployed my scouts, but...

I hope the thing you promised me will also appear there.

Of course.

We've planned on it for a long time.

It's finally time to reap the harvest.

The crystal bead

will be mine.

[Oh my god, all the way up,]

[I never expected the gentle Prince Jing Yuan]

[to be the ultimate villain.]

[System, are you kidding me?]

Jin Chen has put His Majesty under house arrest?

Now, they've got Royal Brother.

We can only fight back at all costs.

Jing, I have to attend the ceremony.

But the day after tomorrow, you must not go out.

If I don't come back on time,

no matter what happens,

You must leave Sheng Jing with Zhang Ji immediately.

-But I... -No buts!

I can relax only when you are safe.

♪ Snow in winter ♪

♪ So pure and white ♪

♪ It fell all night ♪

♪ Without making a sound ♪

♪ The bluestone path has gone ♪

♪ The charming young man in my memory ♪

♪ At some point ♪

♪ At the same spot ♪

♪ How impressive ♪

♪ Everything about you is! ♪

♪ My heart was a wasteland before I met you ♪

♪ But you have given me a brand new world ♪

♪ Everything and every moment we've been through together ♪

♪ Have become the butterflies flying freely ♪

♪ Our endless love will last for a life time and beyond ♪

♪ Your face comes to me clearly over and over again ♪

♪ Time fades and you walk away ♪

♪ Whether saying goodbye will bring us back in time? ♪

♪ You are my eyes ♪

♪ You showed me so many things I had never seen before ♪

♪ Which now have become my everything ♪

♪ Everything and every moment we've been through together ♪

♪ Have become the butterflies flying freely ♪

♪ Our endless love will last for a life time and beyond ♪

♪ Your face comes to me clearly over and over again ♪

♪ Time fades and you walk away ♪

♪ Whether saying goodbye will bring us back in time? ♪