Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

Your Majesty.

Duke Xiang has always been diligent and loving.

He cares for the people.

How could his temperament change drastically in Hua Prefecture?

He wouldn't commit murder out of greed.

He wouldn't take the lives of the people

in exchange for the position of Crown Prince.

This is a matter of life and death.

I hope Your Majesty will find out the truth.

Lord Guo, Lord Pan.

Is it because your daughters

are married to Duke Xiang,

that you are defending Yuan Kan?

Stop arguing.

Find Yuan Kan.

I'll make my decision then.

Lord Kou.

It's a pleasure to see you, Prime Minister.

Anything I could do for you?

All of you, go out first.

Yes.

Have a seat, Prime Minister.

In the Imperial Court today,

we were asked about the fire at the quarantine camp.

When Duke Chu was about to answer,

I saw Wang Ji En

give him a glance.

Yes.

I noticed that too.

Looks like Duke Chu didn't tell the truth.

After we dispersed,

I caught up with Duke Chu.

I wanted to know the details.

[Duke Chu.]

[Please wait up.]

[Lord Zhao.]

[I'm just so worried about Yuan Kan lately]

[that I often seem distracted.]

[I didn't hear you calling me.]

[You didn't hear me,]

[or you are guilty of something?]

[If you truly miss Duke Xiang,]

[you should tell His Majesty the truth.]

[I...]

[When the quarantine camp caught fire,]

[you were there.]

[You saw your own brother]

[and Lord Su]

[trapped in the fire.]

[You didn't save them.]

[Instead, you hide the truth.]

[Where is your conscience?]

[I saved them.]

[Unforgivable.]

[I saved them.]

[I sent people to save them.]

[But the fire was too big.]

[It was too late.]

[I saved them.]

Duke Xiang and Liu E were together at that time.

Maybe Duke Xiang went into the quarantine camp

to rescue Liu E.

However,

I am still hopeful.

I hope Duke Xiang managed to escape.

Send a troop of army now,

search in the surrounding areas.

Dead or alive, we must find them.

Yes, sir.

I will go to Pan Liang now

to send Imperial Guards to Hua Prefecture.

Pan Liang has been following Duke Xiang since he was young.

He will definitely help.

Your Majesty,

Prime Minister Zhao Pu requests an audience.

Come in.

You may come in, Zhao Pu.

Your Majesty.

I am here regarding Duke Xiang's disappearance.

Have you found Yuan Kan?

Since Duke Xiang's disappearance,

Su Yi Jian has been searching Hua Prefecture for days

with the troops

but to no avail.

It may be due to shortage of hands.

General Pan Liang volunteers

to search for Duke Xiang with the Imperial Guards.

At the same time investigate the truth about

the fire at the quarantine camp and the riot.

Approved.

Draft the edict,

General Pan Liang will depart immediately.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Yuan Kan wouldn't disappear without a reason.

It must be a conspiracy.

Clearly, Duke Xiang gave the order to burn down the quarantine camp,

which caused the death of the people.

Maybe Duke Xiang is afraid of Your Majesty's punishment,

that's why he ran away?

Whatever it is, find him first.

We will get the truth from him.

Ying'er.

I am not feeling well.

I need to rest.

Have you contracted the disease?

Yuan Kan! Yuan Kan!

How are you feeling?

Hang in there.

How are you feeling?

I feel cold.

I am cold.

You've caught the cold.

I'll get some herbal medicine.

You will be fine.

You've been with me for a long time,

but

I've never given you any official status.

Our child is not born yet,

yet it suffers together with us.

Don't be like this.

I've thought about our child's name.

Ji'er.

It means turning ill luck into good.

Our child

will be born safely.

It's a good name.

Yuan Kan.

Yuan Kan! Yuan Kan!

Search.

Protect His Highness.

Capture them alive.

Capture him.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam.

It's a boy, Your Highness.

Yi Jian, I am sick.

Keep them away from me.

You have suffered a lot, Ying'er.

Lord Kou.

Duke Xiang is temporarily staying in my residence.

Since he fell sick,

he has been in a coma.

[How is he?]

[We have tried all the medicines.]

[It now depends on His Highness.]

[Water.]

[Water.]

[Lie down. You are finally awake, Your Highness.]

[You've been unconscious for three days.]

[Where's Ying'er?]

[Madam is fine.]

[The child?]

[The child is fine too. Don't worry, Your Highness.]

He woke up this morning.

The Imperial Physician said he's fine.

He will recover in a few days' time.

Good.

I heard while they were escaping,

Lady Liu gave birth to a son?

Yes.

Both of them are in my residence now.

They are safe.

You have done a great deal

in the mission to rescue Duke Xiang.

I am humbled.

If the Prime Minister and you

did not send the Imperial Guards,

without the help of Lord Pan,

I may not be able

to find Duke Xiang.

Although Duke Xiang escaped this time,

Duke Xu was fast

to claim the credit for himself.

He pushes all faults

to Duke Xiang.

As expected.

But there are so many witnesses.

How could Duke Xu tell lies

in front of His Majesty?

The works of the three princes in Hua Prefecture

are not based on Duke Xu's story alone.

It is about naming the Crown Prince,

His Majesty will consider all possible angles

before deciding.

There will be public opinion about the rights and wrongs.

I believe His Majesty will learn about the truth.

When you go back,

please tell Duke Xiang

to rest well.

Don't be bothered by politics.

Prime Minister, Lord Wang, and myself,

we will support Duke Xiang with all our might.

Thank you, Lord Kou.

Slowly.

Please.

Smile.

Sister.

Wan'er.

Duke Xiang asked Lord Su to send for me.

I can take care of you again.

I am glad you are here, Wan'er.

All this while,

I missed you a lot.

Look. This is Ji'er.

Ji'er.

He is a charming boy.

Ji'er was born at a time of crisis,

and yet he looks strong.

Look,

doesn't he resemble Duke Xiang?

Yes, he looks like you too.

Madam.

Ying'er.

You've recovered, Your Highness.

Ji'er.

Look.

Today,

I finally meet you two.

Your Majesty.

Su Yi Jian, Kou Zhun, Pan Liang searched the mountain with Imperial Guards.

They found Duke Xiang.

Get the three brothers to come to the palace immediately.

What happened in the flood control in Hua Prefecture?

I want to hear from them personally.

An imperial edict.

Your Highness, Duke Chu, Duke Xu

are requested in the capital.

I want to bid farewell to Father.

I am taking Ying'er and Ji'er

away from the capital.

Duke Xu tried to slander you in front of the Emperor.

He is pushing all the blame

to you.

If you don't speak up,

and leave the capital without a word,

you can never clear your name.

I never expected

the fight between siblings could be so fierce.

I am here,

father.

Both of you are here

with different statements

on the situation in Hua Prefecture.

I don't want to side with anyone.

Yuan Kan, tell me,

whose idea is it to set up the quarantine camp?

It is my idea, father.

Only by isolating the patients we can stop the epidemic.

Who gave the order to burn down the quarantine camp?

I don't know.

Why did you rush to the quarantine camp?

That day,

Yuan Xi commanded the soldiers to quarantine the infected.

But there were many healthy folks among them.

The people's dissatisfaction led to riot.

So Yuan Xi ordered for the people to be killed.

That is a lie.

I only gave orders to maintain order in the camp.

To keep them in.

I never ordered a massacre.

Yuan Kan.

Why were you in the quarantine camp

together with the people?

I saw Liu E being chased by soldiers

inside the quarantine camp.

I was afraid she might get hurt.

So, I broke into the quarantine camp.

Liu E again.

You still can't let go of this woman.

Who killed Wang He?

And who ordered the burning of the quarantine camp?

I shall not ask about that.

Tell me, Yuan Kan.

I have asked you repeatedly to stay away from Liu E.

Why didn't you listen?

You still keep in contact with that woman.

Father.

I maintained my relationship with her because

she didn't do wrong.

To quell your resentment towards her,

she already left without a word.

Away from Dongjing.

When I saw her again,

I didn't want to lose her.

You ignored your own safety

because of a commoner.

You ignored your duty to the country.

Do you still remember who you are?

You are unfaithful and unfilial.

Please calm down, father.

Guards, lock him up in the Court of Judicial Review.

He'll be dealt with.

Your Majesty.

You should keep your temper down, Your Majesty.

Duke Xiang just recovered,

and you hurt him again, Your Majesty.

This shouldn't be the case between father and son.

What I hate the most is he refuses to see his mistake.

He deceived me.

There must be a misunderstanding.

You only listened to Duke Chu and Duke Xu's statements.

You didn't give Duke Xiang a chance to defend himself.

The fire killed innocent people.

Isn't that the truth?

He courted Liu E secretly.

Isn't that the truth?

I know you always protect Yuan Kan.

But do not advise me again

about what happened today.

What other matters do you have?

There is one matter.

I am not sure whether I should tell?

Please, tell me.

It's been a while

since you last saw the Empress.

If you go to her,

maybe you'll hear a different story.

Compared to Yuan Kan, Yuan Xi is even harder to handle.

Yuan Xi has valour but lacks strategy.

It's easy to get rid of him after the Emperor abdicated.

I can't kill my father to seize the throne.

Your father is an old fool. He should have abdicated.

Unless you are waiting for him to die of old age?

Evil son.

Father.

Please forgive him, Your Majesty.

You can kill me, Your Majesty.

But let Yuan Zuo go.

Aren't you afraid to die?

I shall grant you your wish.

I am afraid.

I am afraid.

Yuan Zuo.

Don't come near me.

I am scared.

Yuan Zuo.

Yuan Zuo.

He wants to kill me.

Don't come near me.

Something bad happened.

Duke Xiang is imprisoned by the Emperor.

What happened?

It's because of Liu E.

Liu E is back in the capital?

My brother told me

Duke Chu has gone crazy.

Empress Li was banished.

Everyone in the palace is panicked.

I wonder what happened?

No matter what happens,

even if the sky collapses,

we must rescue Duke Xiang.

Sister,

are you pregnant?

It was only a flood control project,

but it stirred up so many scandals.

Three princes.

None of them can make me feel at ease.

After what happened yesterday,

Duke Chu has been teetering between dementia

and mania.

He has not recovered.

Don't mention him.

After what he did in the Imperial Harem,

he is lucky

I did not order him to be executed.

Duke Xiang has been imprisoned for days, Your Majesty.

He has come to his senses lately.

Should I let him out today?

Do not mention him.

Yuan Kan has always rebelled against me.

How can I let him off so easily?

He shall be banished to Cangzhou Prison immediately.

He will spend his time in the prison.

When he comes to his senses,

I will let him come back.

Please don't do that, Your Majesty.

There's nothing I couldn't do.

I shan't wait until he disrespects his father,

and does as he wishes

before I could punish him.

Your food is here, Your Highness.

Thank you.

I heard a rumour today,

something strange happened in the palace.

What strange thing?

Your Highness,

I heard Duke Chu went crazy.

But the reason isn't clear.

Some say

the Emperor drove him insane.

Others say

it was because he was too traumatised

by the fire in Hua Prefecture.

The people are only guessing.

Why did he become crazy suddenly?

Please forgive me,

but you shouldn't believe these rumours.

Everyone in the capital is talking about you.

They said you are innocent,

and that it was you who alleviated the flood.

I know about this, it is only right to say so.

I hope His Majesty will release you in no time.

Don't worry.

When father learns the truth,

he will release me.

Everyone knows

Duke Xiang saved Hua Prefecture.

Why should he be punished for that?

His Majesty has given his order.

The imperial edict is issued.

He can't simply change it.

If Duke Xiang is banished to Cangzhou,

I must go to Cangzhou too.

If I go to Cangzhou,

can I come back again?

Liang'er.

Why are you drunk again?

What else can I do?

Duke Xiang has been banished to Cangzhou.

At the end of the day,

it's all your fault.

How could it be my fault?

If you can be favoured by Duke Xiang,

he won't make the mistake today.

You are being unreasonable.

Since you married into Duke Xiang's Residence,

Duke Xiang never looked at you.

Liang'er.

Useless.

Yes, I am useless.

I was unwilling to marry Duke Xiang.

Before I married him,

Duke Xiang was already in love with Liu E.

Lady Guo was no match for her.

What else can I do?

Can't you plan something?

Duke Xiang

is a person of loyal and righteousness.

If he can be tricked easily,

he is not Duke Xiang.

Ridiculous.

Your Highness.

Lord Kou.

His Majesty has decided.

No one can dissuade him.

Everyone knows Duke Xu is ambitious.

Why does the Emperor still believe in him?

If the Emperor insists on banishing you to Cangzhou,

Duke Xu will be the Crown Prince

naturally.

The government will be in danger.

Song will be in danger.

His Majesty has always been clever.

Why couldn't he see the situation?

If father can't differentiate good and evil,

right and wrong,

then I will give up.

Perhaps I'll be happier in Cangzhou Prison

than in the Imperial Palace.

You mustn't think like this, Your Highness.

Even if you are willing to leave,

loyal ministers in the government

will not agree to it.

At this point,

nobody can change Father's mind.

Your Highness.

His Majesty is angry

because of Liu E.

I think,

maybe you should admit your mistake in front of His Majesty.

Apologise.

Let Liu E leave the capital temporarily.

It's a temporary measurement.

I am an honest man.

It is clear that father couldn't tolerate me.

Liu E gave birth to our son.

She is my family.

I can't abandon them.

If I must have both of them

to follow me to Cangzhou Prison,

I will do it too.

All right then.

If you are not willing to compromise,

I understand.

If His Majesty insists

on sending you to Cangzhou,

I will quit from my position,

and follow you to Cangzhou.

Ping Zhong.

This thing happens because of me.

You needn't do this.

Please take care of yourself, Your Highness.

Be patient.

I will think of a way to rescue you.

Ping Zhong! Ping Zhong!

Qing Yi is pregnant.

She will give birth to my grandson soon.

Duke Xiang mustn't leave the capital at this point of time.

Congratulations, Lord Guo.

Congratulations, Duchess Xiang.

Thank you, my lords.

I can only depend on all of you

to rescue Duke Xiang now.

You are too polite, Duchess Xiang.

The three of us have sought an audience with the Emperor in the Imperial Study.

But His Majesty was very angry.

He didn't want to see us.

I don't understand, Lord Guo.

If Duchess Xiang is pregnant with the Emperor's grandson,

and His Majesty has always wanted a grandson,

when His Majesty hears about the news,

wouldn't he pardon Duke Xiang?

Why don't we inform His Majesty?

His Majesty is always suspicious.

If we tell him Qing Yi is pregnant now,

His Majesty will think that

Duke Xiang is threatening him with his grandson.

It is not worth it.

You are right, Lord Guo.

I didn't expect

the Emperor would be so furious.

As if being locked up wasn't enough,

they had to send him to Cangzhou Prison.

If Duke Xu is named the Crown Prince,

Song will be in danger.

But no matter what,

Duke Xiang mustn't sit and wait for his doom.

Madam.

Madam.

I am afraid His Highness can't come to see you.

Why?

Duke Chu and Duke Xu took credit for the flood control.

He offended the Emperor.

He will be banished to Cangzhou Prison.

He almost died in the flood control.

He finally made it back to the capital.

Why is Duke Xiang being punished for his work?

Duke Chu and Duke Xu lied to the Emperor.

His Majesty doesn't know.

He has always been resentful towards Duke Xiang,

that's why His Majesty punished Duke Xiang again.

After all,

it's because of me.

Madam.

Let's not discuss why he is being punished.

If Duke Xiang is guilty,

you mustn't stay in the capital.

I have prepared the carriage.

You must leave the capital immediately,

to avoid further trouble.

No, I am not leaving the capital.

But Lord Kou and Lord Wang

are helpless too.

What can you do to rescue Duke Xiang?

Your Majesty.

Duke Xiang has always been upright, he...

He was blinded by Liu E,

and rebelled against me.

You want me to give Yuan Kan another chance?

About the flood control in Hua Prefecture,

there are many unclear doubts.

Many unclear doubts?

When Yuan Kan is sent to Cangzhou,

can't we still find out the truth?

Do you want me to reconsider?

Your Majesty,

please pardon Duke Xiang.

You are Duke Xiang's in-laws.

Such blatant favouritism.

How will we answer to the public?

Don't argue anymore.

I am Duke Xiang's in-law.

You are also a minister of Song.

You distorted the truth

for your own benefit.

Duke Xiang is grateful to Your Majesty.

He always has you in his mind.

When Duke Qin tried to usurp the throne,

Duke Xiang put down the rebellion

without any regard for his own life.

Liu E sacrificed herself to protect His Highness at the critical moment.

He has enough merits to redeem himself,

he should not be banished to Cangzhou.

I have made up my mind.

There's no need to argue.

You may disperse.

Su Yi Jian the Civil Official is here.

Your Majesty,

Su Yi Jian the Civil Official seeks an audience.

His Majesty is having a discussion with the ministers.

Su Yi Jian is only a Civil Official.

He isn't allowed here.

Your Majesty,

Su Yi Jian was with Duke Xiang in Hua Prefecture.

He knows everything.

Please grant him an audience.

If that's the case,

let him in.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Come in, Su Yi Jian.

Your Majesty.

What do you want to tell me?

Your Majesty.

Liu E is at the palace gate,

seeking an audience with Your Majesty.

How brave of her.

I was about to interrogate her.

And here she is.

Let her in.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Ask Liu E to come in.

Who is Liu E?

I am Liu E.

His Majesty asks for you.

Please come with me.

Thank you.

[I have decided when I came out.]

[If His Majesty insists on punishing Duke Xiang,]

[then I will do whatever it takes]

[to dissuade His Majesty.]

[I'm willing to die]

[to protect Duke Xiang.]

[This is the only way]

[to rescue Duke Xiang.]

Your Majesty.

Do you admit to your sin, Liu E?

Your Majesty.

Whatever I did,

it didn't involve Duke Xiang.

I plead guilty to all the sins.

Please pardon Duke Xiang.

Good.

Bewitching the prince,

deceiving the emperor.

These are felonies according to the law of Song.

Whose child are you holding?

Your Majesty.

This is me

and Duke Xiang's son.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Song has an heir.

Long live the Emperor.

Long live the Emperor.

My grandson is smiling.

You have an heir, Your Majesty.

Yuan Kan.

Yuan Zuo.

No.

You are a ghost.

He is a ghost, father.

He wants my life.

Take him away.

He is a ghost. He's after my life.

He is here to take my life.

You must save me.

Burning the quarantine camp,

taking the lives of hundreds of people.

I already knew

who gave the order.

There is justice in this world.

Between you two,

whoever is the culprit

should kill himself with this sword in public

to appease the people.

Father.

[You disappoint me.]

[There will be disaster if virtue is not matched.]

[This phrase describes you well.]

Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi.

Your Majesty.

I had no intention to force my son to take his life.

I only wanted him to tell the truth.

Your Majesty.

I didn't expect

Duke Xu to have such an aggressive personality.

I am sad too.

Please don't be too sad, Your Majesty.

You must take care.

Ting Mei is dead.

De Zhao is dead.

Yuan Xi is dead.

Yuan Zuo is crazy.

Everyone I know

is dead.

Am I really

such an unscrupulous Emperor?

Please calm down, Your Majesty.

Please take care of yourself.

Lower the palanquin.

Zhao Pu.

Your Majesty.

Zhao Pu.

I am here to see you.

It is a great honour

to have you as my Prime Minister.

I am old.

I can't assist you anymore.

With Duke Xiang as the Crown Prince,

Song will enjoy peace for many years to come.

Amongst the ministers,

who can assist him?

Lu Duan.

He is a cautious and loyal man.

With Lu Duan's assistance,

the Crown Prince will bring peace and prosperity to the country.

Ji'er.

Today, your father

is named the Crown Prince.

Are you happy?

A decree by the Emperor.

Duke Xiang, Zhao Yuan Kan,

you have demonstrated filial piety and diligence in government affairs.

By God's will, you are hereby conferred

the title of Crown Prince.

You'll be known as Zhao Heng and will reside in the Eastern Palace.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Long live the Emperor.

Please stand.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

From today onwards,

you are the Crown Prince.

You are now in charge of the country.

Do not disappoint me.

Do not disappoint the people.

I will remember your advice, father.