Original subtitles

♪The tempestuous northern wind, the tempestuous martial arts world♪

♪Blades and bows drawn♪

♪What is youth without bravado?♪

♪With a wave of my hands, the world flows through my fingertips♪

♪Traveling the world with a damsel♪

♪The wind blows, the moon's reflection on the water♪

♪The night has been cut short♪

♪Who there is hiding in the shadow?♪

♪Oh, the long journey. Fate wills if we live or die♪

♪But let's give our shot at this world♪

♪Fight together as two♪

♪Right or wrong, I'll brave the storm, watching as things rise and fall♪

♪Black and White, as the drum sounds, it's for passion and justice♪

♪The fury, the wavering blades♪

♪I catch a glimpse of the divine beauty♪

♪How can we determine if the soul is flawless?♪

♪Let's see who can rule the world♪

=Who Rules The World=

=Episode 34=

Your Lordship, you have been terribly busy with court affairs lately.

It pains me

to see you tire yourself so.

I made some nourishing soup

to replenish and boost your health.

You're thoughtful, Baili.

Please have a seat and try it.

How does it taste?

It tastes just like it did back then.

Back then,

I was still a prince.

My late father wedded you to me.

This was the soup you made

on the first day you joined the residence.

You still remember, Your Lordship.

Of course.

I also remember

that one year, you insisted on coming along with me

to the hunting grounds during the autumn hunt.

You were almost run over by my third brother's horse.

When you returned,

you cried all night in my arms.

Oh, why does Your Lordship

only remember all the times I was a mess?

There was another time

when I caught a cold.

You didn't sleep or eat

for three days and three nights.

Do you still remember the first thing you said to me

when I woke up?

I said,

"I'm starving, and only now you're waking up."

That's right.

It was from that day onward

I started developing feelings for you.

I told myself

that I would treat you well.

I wish to be with you forever as well, Your Lordship.

You're here with me now, aren't you?

Silly.

Ju has suppressed the bandits.

Your Lordship's birthday banquet will be held soon as well.

Perhaps...

I think it is not yet the right time

to name my heir.

I...

understand.

Mother.

Ju.

Mother.

Wasn't it supposed to be another five days before your return?

You...

I heard you had fallen ill.

I came back in a hurry because I was concerned.

But I worried it would be against military protocol.

Hence I disguised myself.

Are you feeling better now, Mother?

My "illness" lies in my heart.

In your heart?

Did something happen?

You're all grown up now.

I won't keep this from you any longer.

They found out about what I did to Yige.

(Nux Vomica)

Your Highness!

What is the matter, Your Highness?

Someone! Quick!

Your Highness, the deed is done.

She is no more.

Feng Lanxi is collecting evidence.

He intends to testify against me in court before everyone.

I would rather take my own life

than let that happen.

I will absolutely not drag you down.

What do you need me to do then, Mother?

Stage a coup.

Have you ever considered

the consequences

if we failed, Mother?

Everything hinges on this one matter.

If I had not made the first move back then,

you would be without a mother right now.

Do you think

the title of Heir is firmly in your grasp now?

I tried to sound out your father,

but he refused to budge.

Besides,

you've been secretly building your army

for fear of any sudden changes as well, haven't you?

In the eyes of my father,

Feng Lanxi built the Fountain Abode.

He is outstanding.

I could never hold a candle to him.

Father is still in his prime.

If he changes his mind,

what can I use to fight against Feng Lanxi?

I've only been building my own forces

to protect myself.

You did the right thing.

We cannot wait for alms.

We must seize the initiative to gain power.

Mother.

I share the same sentiment.

Father's army has been sent to the south.

I think now is our best chance.

However,

I will need your help when the time comes.

You and I are of one heart.

Mother, I promise you

that I will not let you be aggrieved in any way.

Feng Lanxi wants to avenge his mother.

My life is yours to protect.

Your Highness, this is the list of officials

who plotted against Queen Yige.

(The 11th year of the Chunxi Reign, Liu Xian)

(Medical Bureau Record, Queen Yige suddenly fell ill...)

Duke Liang.

Today is Your Lordship's 50th birthday.

I wish that all Your Lordship's vision will be realized soon.

May you rule the world and your wise reign become a lasting legacy.

I hope it is as you say.

Isn't it about time for Feng Ju to return to the capital?

A letter came from him yesterday.

He said he would return to the palace before noon.

The Emperor of Dadong just passed away recently.

(Respect and Esteem)

The banquet must be a muted affair.

I've already made the arrangements.

Some time ago,

I sent people to purchase Reishi from Imperial City.

(Respect and Esteem)

They said they saw Marquis Yongping there.

He went to the Imperial City?

He is the late emperor's nephew.

I think he probably only went to pay respects to his late uncle.

He didn't even say if he would return for my birthday banquet.

He has been out there for so long.

Yet, he thinks of his uncle, who is thousands of miles away.

It would seem he is closer to the Imperial Family, after all.

Your Highness.

Are the people outside the city ready?

Yes, Your Highness.

Once the banquet begins,

they will raid the capital

and head straight to the palace.

Good.

What about the evidence I had you prepare?

I've prepared them as well.

All the evidence

will point to Feng Lanxi.

It all comes down to this.

There is no room for mistakes.

Understood.

This time,

I want everyone to know

that I

will be

the one to have the last laugh.

Your Highness will get what you desire.

How dare you, Feng Lanxi!

Are you trying to revolt?

How dare you take me captive!

I am the duke!

Twenty-one years ago, on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month,

heavy rain poured in the capital of Yongzhou.

You, Minister Wang, the then Noble Consort Baili,

the current Minister of Revenue, and Vice Minister of War,

conspired

to use the Nux Vomica

to kill Queen Yige.

Lies and slander!

Is that so?

Do you recognize this, Duke Liang?

This was the secret letter the then Noble Consort Baili

sent to you back then.

You ordered them to get rid of it.

But your subordinate

secretly kept it

to protect themselves.

Duke Liang.

Do you know why I brought you here now?

Then you can present your case and testify directly in court.

Why did you bring me here?

Are you planning to execute me yourself?

Yongzhou was weak at that time.

It needed the support of the Imperial Family.

My mother tried her best to mediate between both of them.

It was a boon for Yongzhou,

and she did not pose a threat to any of you.

Why did you plot against her?

Queen Yige was a member of the Imperial Family of Dadong.

(Room of Serenity)

At the time, we used her to cement our ties with the Imperial Family.

After that, Yongzhou prospered and reached its peak.

So long as she is alive,

Yongzhou will forever be tied down

by the declining Imperial Family.

We would never be able to conquer the world.

If she didn't die,

there would be no doubt

as to who would become the Heir.

Was my father aware

of all of this?

As subjects,

we need only carry out our duties.

We do not have to report everything

to His Lordship.

Did you hear everything, Official Zhang?

Yes, Your Highness.

Duke Liang is suspected of plotting against the late queen.

It is a crime equivalent to conspiracy to commit rebellion.

Every word he said has been recorded.

Your Highness!

Have mercy, Your Highness!

If you admit your crimes and plead guilty in court,

I can spare the lives of your family.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Terrible news, Your Highness!

Prince Ju intends to revolt.

What?

According to the Fountain Abode's findings,

the unrest in the south wasn't caused by bandits.

It was all Prince Ju's ploy.

The "suppression"

is only a sham.

These bandits are the troops

he has been raising in secret.

Zhong Li,

go and get Du Xian.

Bring Duke Liang with you.

Be on standby.

Yes, Your Highness.

Come on.

All those men and horses.

Such an extensive migration.

Did the cities along the way not notice anything at all?

These people

came all the way from Zhangcheng and Xiaocheng.

If they were promised favors and rewards,

the governors

would just keep one eye shut.

What's more, the person giving the orders

is the destined heir of Lord of Yongzhou, Feng Ju.

Your Highness,

this is a matter of utmost urgency.

We must head to the palace

and alert His Lordship at once.

Let's go.

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

I ran into Zhao Hai,

the head of the Royal Army, on my way to the palace.

For some reason,

the Royal Army was replaced by the city defense garrison.

Are the men of the city defense garrison Minister Wang's?

Exactly.

Feng Ju is plotting a rebellion.

Prince Ju?

He already had this in mind

when he was gathering his troops.

But

the majority of the capital's troops

have been moved out.

It's impossible to recall them

in such a short amount of time.

Prince Ju's men

have already entered the capital.

What should we do now?

The closest city

that can help us solve this

is Yancheng.

The Feng family's army fought with my ancestors at the northern frontier.

After that, they were stationed

at Yancheng as a secret army.

All for the sake

of rescuing the capital in time

for an event such as this.

Father is in the palace right now.

It isn't possible to retrieve

the commander's tally for the Feng family's army.

I'll have to trouble you

to head to Yancheng personally.

I'll go with Qiwu.

I'll protect her.

All right.

Be careful.

Yes, Your Highness.

Official Zhang.

Come with me to the palace.

Yes, Your Highness.

I wish you a blessed birthday, Father.

Long live the Lord.

Long live the Lord.

Everyone.

Yongzhou owes its prosperity

to all of you.

I raise a toast to all of you and Yongzhou.

Thank you, Your Lordship.

Chang?

Report!

Your Lordship, the city is under siege.

What? Under siege?

(Yongning Palace)

There is a large number of soldiers

heading to the capital right now.

We estimate at least 30,000 in number.

Whose flag do they carry?

The flag of Marquis Yongping.

Marquis Yongping, Feng Lanxi?

Go and find out more!

Yes, Your Lordship.

Your Lordship, does Marquis Yongping intend to force you to abdicate?

This is a revolt!

Men!

Where are my men?

Wang Zuo! What is the meaning of this?

Your Lordship.

This is to protect Your Lordship

and everyone else here.

Your Lordship, there is something unusual about this.

Why would Marquis Yongping send his troops to the palace?

It doesn't make sense at all.

He invaded with troops.

He must be after the throne.

Would someone like that

blatantly show off their flags?

How can we be sure that it is him?

Your Lordship, this matter requires further consideration.

Your Lordship.

This is not the time to discuss this.

Marquis Yongping came prepared.

The capital is short of military forces.

I fear our chances of success are slim.

I am willing to assist you, Father.

The city is surrounded by the army.

I am willing to break out of the city and seek reinforcements.

I believe that is our best option.

However, I will require your commander's tally

to seek reinforcements, Father.

Your Lordship, this is a matter of grave urgency.

You mustn't hesitate.

Your Lordship! You mustn't hesitate!

Yuan Lu.

Bring me the commander's tally.

Your Lordship...

Go.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Ju.

You know the weight of this tally.

Know well what you should

and shouldn't do.

I will not let you down, Father.

Your Lordship, Ju is but a prince.

The commander's tally alone might not...

Father.

If you do not name me as your heir,

I'm afraid

this tally won't be put to much use.

Yuan Lu.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Draft the decree.

The traitorous Feng Lanxi attempted to stage a coup.

Prince Feng Ju defended the nation loyally.

He shall be crowned my heir.

Thank you, Father.

Who is revolting?

I ask that you investigate the matter clearly, Father!

Seize him!

Wait!

You've got some guts to show your face here

after leading your army to revolt, Feng Lanxi.

Who exactly is the one

plotting a rebellion?

And who owns the 30,000 troops outside?

Surely, you know the answer, Feng Ju.

You have come so far,

and you are still trying to turn Father and me against each other?

Official Zhang!

Your Lordship.

I have already obtained evidence

that proves the rebels

were acting under the command

of Prince Ju

with the intention to frame Marquis Yongping.

Zhang Zhongge!

To think

even you have been bought off by Feng Lanxi.

Minister Wang, I serve His Lordship.

I will not be bought by anyone.

I can't say the same for you.

You replaced the Royal Army with the city defense garrison today.

What exactly were your intentions?

I did this for His Lordship's safety.

Your Lordship,

(Rebellion Operation) I have the proof in my hands.

Please examine it.

- Bring it... - Evidence?

You guys must have made it up.

Your Lordship will know if this evidence is true

once you examine it.

No need to waste time.

Defeat the enemy by capturing the leader.

Seize Feng Lanxi, and the city will be freed.

Get them!

You have recovered your skills?

Afraid now?

Please read this, Father.

Father, you mustn't fall for his lies!

This is all part of his scheme!

Silence!

How dare you, Feng Ju!

Father, I...

Your Highness.

Since your plot has been exposed,

there is no turning back.

Your army is seizing the city outside,

and you have us to support you here.

What are you afraid of?

Don't tell me you want

to return the military power that is in your possession.

You mustn't let everything be in vain.

Father.

I had only wanted

to procure the title of Heir

and gain control over the military.

But I can't be blamed

for what happens now.

Lanxi.

Seize this insolent bastard for me!

Yes, Father.

Do it!

You said one should capture the leader to defeat the enemy.

Seize him, and the city will be freed.

Isn't that right?

Defend the main hall!

Charge!

Report!

Your Lordship,

apart from the main gate of the north,

all other gates have been broken.

The rebels have advanced into the palace.

Feng Lanxi.

My army is outside.

Even if you manage to capture me,

do you think you can still get out of this?

Your Lordship need only issue an order

for the execution of the criminal, Feng Lanxi,

and Prince Ju and I

will solve this crisis.

The fate of Yongzhou

still lies in Your Lordship's hands.

Wang Zuo,

I have always treated you well.

Why are you doing this?

Because he is the most well-hidden spy

sent from Jizhou.

Am I right, Minister Wang?

As expected of Marquis Yongping.

You even found me out.

Minister Wang, you are a spy from Jizhou?

Your Highness, I did do this to help you.

If Your Highness could inherit the throne,

Jizhou could form a non-aggression pact

with Yongzhou.

You heard him, Feng Ju.

You have been deluded!

Father,

I have never allowed myself to be deluded.

Now that it has come to this,

I might as well make all of you realize this.

The reason why I did all of this

is because of Feng Lanxi.

Feng Lanxi,

you are just too good.

Even though you've been expelled from Yongzhou,

should you decide to come back someday,

there is no way for me to compete against you.

If I don't do this,

I will be trampled under your feet for the rest of my life.

Father,

you shouldn't think

Feng Lanxi came back just to save you.

The reason he came back without notice

is that he was investigating something.

And he must keep that thing

a secret from you.

Because he suspects you as well!

What is it, Lanxi?

I wish to prosecute Queen Baili for conspiring with Minister Wang,

Duke Liang, and the others

to poison and assassinate the late queen.

I have evidence and witnesses.

I ask for your wise judgment, Father!

What? Is that true?

Lately,

I have been investigating and collecting evidence.

Because this concerns not only matters of the harem

but also court affairs.

I wanted to secure sufficient evidence

before reporting the matter to you.

You make it sound so sensible.

But in actuality, you just suspected Father

of being involved in your mother's murder as well.

I harbored no such thoughts!

You killed Yige?

How could I become queen if she was alive?

And how could my son become the Heir?

Your Lordship, now that it has come to this,

you should just abdicate.

Archers!

You have been blinded by greed.

As a prince,

you attempted to revolt!

How can you do this

to all the innocent warriors who died protecting Yongzhou?

Die, Feng Lanxi!

For your selfish ambitions,

you disrupted peace and caused unrest.

You have disgraced the world.

It is time to make you come to your senses!

Ju!

Ju! Ju!

Ju! Ju...

You can't kill me, Feng Lanxi.

Neither would you dare.

- Because... - Because if you died,

someone outside

would set off the explosives you planted.

Father.

I've disposed of all the gunpowder

around the palace at Lanxi's request.

Great.

I will give you credit and reward you well, Feng Chang.

Even so,

I doubt you guys can handle

the troops outside the hall.

The leader of the rebels has fallen!

Surrender now!

Put down your weapons!

Come with me to the hall.

There are wounded soldiers here.

Leave this to me.

All right.

Your Lordship, sorry for being late to protect you.

The leader of the rebels has been executed on the spot.

The rebels have surrendered.

Great.

Seize Feng Ju, Baili,

and the traitor, Wang Zuo, immediately!

Father.

I have brought Du Xian and Duke Liang.

The evidence and witnesses are all here.

Please make your decision, Father.

Your Lordship! It was him!

Him!

We were deceived and taken advantage of

by him!

He deserves to die!

Your Highness,

you jest.

I wouldn't have been able to add fuel to the fire

if you hadn't wanted the same.

It was you!

You!

You wanted me to poison Yige!

From the beginning,

it was you who dragged me down.

Once Feng Lanxi got the evidence,

you exhorted me to stage a coup!

It was you! It was all you!

Enough!

Do you not even feel

the slightest bit of guilt towards Queen Yige?

Your Lordship, everything is my fault.

Ju is innocent.

He recruited troops, raised an army,

and invaded the capital of Yongzhou.

He was forcing me to abdicate the throne earlier.

How could he possibly be innocent?

Father.

I have nothing else to say.

I feel gratified today.

All these years, I've been so meek

and careful before you.

I don't even dare to let out a breath.

If I made even the slightest mistake,

I would have to endure your wrath.

I've had enough

of a life like that.

You are my son.

Everything I did was for your own good.

For my good?

I'm afraid I can't endure your "care".

Look at your other son.

He did everything for you.

And what did you do for his "good"?

You rendered his martial arts skills useless

and chased him out of Yongzhou!

All because he was too capable.

You were afraid he would take the throne from you!

Nonsense!

You can discuss and debate the rules and laws

of a relationship between a father and a son

and a lord and his subject.

But those can never justify committing murder and a rebellion!

Feng Lanxi,

you are too sanctimonious.

I refuse to believe

that you've never wanted

to put everyone beneath you!

To make all of those

who mocked you, wronged you,

shamed you, and persecuted you

submit to you!

And

this father of yours who never showed you any care.

All he cares about are his throne and power.

He even suspects his own sons!

If he cared about you in the slightest,

it wouldn't have taken you until now

to find out the real reason your mother died!

And you never hated him?

Are you finished?

Take him away!

Take all of them away!

Mother.

What took you so long, Eunuch Yuan?

Ju has returned to get ready.

I'm ready as well.

Eunuch Yuan, this must be the royal decree.

"Today,

Queen Baili

and Prince Feng Ju

conspired with Prime Minister Wang Zuo and committed treason.

Queen Baili poisoned the late queen, Her Highness Queen Yige.

Her crimes are unforgivable.

She shall be given white silk to end her life.

Prince Feng Ju will be relegated to a commoner.

That is all."

Is there a mistake, Eunuch Yuan?

This is supposed to be a decree that names Ju as His Lordship's heir.

Please end your own life,

Your Highness.

Mother.

Father showed grace.

He allowed me to see you one last time before I left.

It appears

that he still cares about us.

I think it's not a bad thing

that I didn't become

his heir.

At least I'm free of worries.

What do you think?

Mother?

Mother?

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Greetings, Father.

Rise.

Come forth.

Sit here.

Come on.

Last night,

I couldn't get a wink of sleep.

Did you sleep well?

I

dreamed of Mother.

I wronged your mother.

I didn't show you much care either.

It's to be expected if you hold grudges

against me.

I have never held a grudge against you.

I know

that you are not just my father.

You are also the ruler of Yongzhou.

You are needed by too many.

I understand.

Sometimes,

you are too understanding.

So much

so that I feel like there is a distance

between us.

Never mind.

Now,

you are the only one who chould be my heir.

In the past,

I wanted to have everything in my grasp.

But in the end,

everything slipped through my palms.

I have decided

to entrust my throne to you.

♪Like the dissipating fog, you become clearer♪

♪Like the hawk that soars freely, you reject the shackles♪

♪Your white silk is as light as a feather and yet it moves my heart♪

♪Ripples come at me but I don't want to dodge♪

♪Wind is just the outline of the cloud♪

♪Black is the lock of the White♪

♪Night is when the Day sleeps♪

♪You are a part of me♪

♪Right or wrong, don't worry about the why♪

♪Pain or joy, they are from our obsession♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Let tears run dry♪

♪Let's stop in another place♪

♪Let love sever all happiness and sadness♪

♪And pierce through the vicissitude of life♪

♪With a merry start, don't worry about a sorrowful end♪

♪A full moon will be more intertwined♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪