Original subtitles

♪Dark night, teary moon, and cold blood♪

♪Have given my eyes reasons to fear light♪

♪Brightness and warmth, leaves me♪

♪Judging by intuition♪

♪Ah, love moulds me like the jade♪

♪Ah, entangled by these feelings♪

♪I will never be fazed♪

♪By how the world treats me♪

♪Break through and break free♪

♪How do you tell good from evil♪

♪I was once fragile♪

♪But the kisses of love healed me♪

♪My existence♪

♪Will never quell to the prickles of pain♪

[Till The End of The Moon]

[Episode 19]

Emperor Jin,

we will arrive at the Capital of Jing soon.

[Pavilion of Miraculous Mist]

[Ruyi Shop of Rouge]

[Ruyi Shop of Rouge] So, this is the Capital of Jing?

[It does look peaceful and prosperous]

[instead of being in great disorder.]

[My feet are worn out.]

[Tantai Jin, you are ruthless indeed.]

Xiwu.

Hold this for me.

[House of Treasures, Tianxiang Inn]

[House of Treasures, Tianxiang Inn] Qingyu, are you here to pick me up?

It has been a few days since we met.

So, you got yourself a job?

It's all because of that stupid Tantai Jin.

He insisted on making me his maid.

Xiwu, this is Jing Kingdom.

Do not address the emperor's name in public.

Why is there a wound on your forehead?

Follow me.

Someone prepared a surprise for you.

[Ye Mansion]

[Ye Mansion] The new batch of tea leaves

have already arrived.

Xiwu loved it when she was still at home.

That lass is a picky girl.

She only loves tea leaves that have just sprouted.

But it has been a long time since we heard from Miss Xiwu.

When will she come back?

Right now,

I'm picking out the sprouts.

This way, Xiwu can enjoy it when she comes back.

Father?

Miss Xiwu?

Miss Xiwu, why are you only back now?

Xiwu?

Xiwu!

Grandmother.

You are finally back!

Why have you lost so much weight?

And, you became tanner.

My precious Xiwu,

you must have endured a lot of hardships out there.

Miss Xiwu, you are finally back.

Grandmother, what's wrong with Father?

Get up!

Look who's back.

Xiwu?

Xiwu! You are finally back!

I missed you so much!

This is great!

Father, what happened to you?

You mean this? It's nothing.

Don't worry. I am doing fine.

I was just putting on an act.

Tantai Jin insisted on making me come out of retirement.

I told Zeyu to report to him that I was injured

and that I could only lie on the bed and drool all day long.

I acted like I was paralyzed.

Anyway, I won't come out of retirement anytime soon.

I did not need to tell you all of that.

You must be starving.

Come. Let's have our meal.

Wait.

-Come -Don't forget.

-Come. -You should tell your grandmother

and me

about what happened these few days.

We need to catch up.

Rebellious son!

[Ye Mansion]

The Ye family would have been massacred

without His Majesty's help.

Father, you were a mighty general back then.

But now, you are sitting idly by in our mansion.

Now, Father,

His Majesty is willing to bestow you with the Three Armies

so that you can come out of retirement and defend our kingdom once again.

Do you expect me to draw my sword against my brethren?

You may be able to do it, but I cannot do it!

I do not want people to criticize me after my death.

I, Ye Xiao, cannot accept that!

From now on,

I will break your legs

if you dare to step into this house!

[Xiang's Tavern]

Watch out!

You should not drink when you have external injuries.

Pian Ran.

You are a grown-up.

And you're seven-feet tall.

What's wrong?

Don't tell me you cannot survive without your grandmother and father.

My parents chased me out of the house

right after I acquired my form.

There's nothing to cry about.

I didn't cry.

You look even worse than crying.

Enough already.

I have finally returned to the wonderful capital.

I am in a great mood today.

Why don't we take a walk together?

What do you think? The night market in the Capital of Jing

is just as good as the ones in Sheng Kingdom, right?

Let's head there.

Please take a look. Top-quality fabric for sale.

Mister, what about buying one for your wife?

She…

He is a dummy.

I shall pick one on his behalf.

I assume these fabrics were woven with Sheng Kingdom's way of weaving, right?

That's right. Madam, you have sharp eyes indeed.

Many refugees from Sheng Kingdom came to our capital.

They wove these fabrics.

Look.

Although His Majesty is decisive,

he is a benevolent ruler.

Some of the refugees lost their homes

because of war.

But more of them came here as they were unsatisfied with

[Recruitment] Sheng Kingdom's strict political regiment.

His Majesty has already

[Grain Mill] issued an order to treat the prisoners of war nicely

and help the refugees out.

They were taught how to read, write, and weave so that they could make a living.

Excellent!

You are worried that you have made the wrong choice.

In my opinion, you do not need to feel this way.

After all, you know better than anyone else

how tyrannical the ruler of Sheng Kingdom is.

Once Sheng Kingdom wins the war,

the lives of the people of Sheng Kingdom will only get better and better.

I only decided to settle down here

because His Majesty wasn't a bad person.

Thank you, mister. Take care.

So, for generals like you who had surrendered to him,

maybe His Majesty will let you marry an official's daughter

when you contribute to the kingdom and make him happy.

Thank you. I have finally seen the light.

I spent a lot of my time trying to convince you,

yet you always dwell on the same thing.

But you were enlightened right away when I mentioned someone's daughter, huh?

Wait, I…

Enough. I was just trying to help you clear your doubts.

Foxes like us are loyal friends.

I heard that a group of acrobats from Sheng Kingdom is performing in front.

Let's go and take a look.

Okay.

Xiwu,

there are conflicts everywhere.

Men like them have no choices.

Both you and Bingchang got married to Tantai Jin

and Xiao Lin respectively.

You guys have no choice but to wander.

Your father could not cope with that fact.

Now that I have reached a certain age, I have straightened out my thoughts.

I just hope that the younger generations like you all

can stay safe.

I never expected us

to reunite in Jing Kingdom.

Bingchang is the only missing member now.

I hope Xiao Lin can protect her

and not let her suffer any grievances.

Miss Xiwu, you are overthinking it.

Even if Prince Xuancheng is gone,

plenty of men will

protect Miss Bingchang.

Hey, why do you sound so jealous

when we talk about Bingchang?

Did she offend you?

Is it her fault for being likable?

Miss Bingchang wasn't this popular back then.

However, the number of admirers

has increased considerably in the past few years.

I just thought it was strange.

Is that so?

Xiwu.

Zeyu. Is Father asleep?

It has been a long time since our family was this happy.

You had no idea.

Our trip here was hectic.

Aunt and the maids were scattered as they escaped for their lives.

The soldiers of Sheng Kingdom

were on our tails.

It was excruciating.

However, we were lucky that Tantai Jin dispatched a group of soldiers

to escort us.

That was how we were able to survive.

He gave us this mansion too.

So, Tantai Jin escorted you guys here?

That's right.

Our family would have been massacred

if we had to rely on that petty Xiao.

He also found physicians to treat our grandmother and father,

but Dad drove them away.

But in the past, you used to hit and scold Tantai Jin,

and I often bullied him too.

However, he didn't retaliate against our family.

Why is he being like this?

Yes. Why?

Girl, where are you going?

Taking a stroll in the Palace.

[Moreover, on my journey]

[I have encountered many civilians,]

[and they don't care about what the ruler's surname is.]

[They simply go wherever there is a livelihood.]

[You have great governing skills,]

[Not only do I like you and want to follow you,]

[but everyone else likes you and wants to follow you too.]

[I have also experienced the humiliation]

[of being dependent on others.]

[If I can prevent the people from experiencing such suffering,]

[as a ruler, I would be satisfied with my work.]

Your Majesty,

Maid Ye is here.

Let her in.

Yes.

Why aren't you bowing when you come to see the king?

Tantai Jin, thanks.

For what?

Thank you for the surprise you gave me,

for treating my family well,

and for providing a way out

for my brother and his subordinates.

Easy for you to say.

What?

Are you just going to say thank you and move on?

Is that enough?

You…

You asked me to show more gratitude than just words.

♪Your gaze, a little closer♪

♪Heart beats faster taking root in the void♪

♪The stars scattered in the sky♪

♪Quietly fall on your brow♪

[The soul-slaying spikes are formed.]

♪As my heart sets its direction time passes and deepens♪

♪Let the galaxy be my pillow and let the moon be my kiss♪

♪I want to enter your dreams♪

It's late.

You should go back to go to bed.

What's wrong?

Don't you have to wake up for duty tomorrow morning?

Yes, Your Majesty.

No problem, Your Majesty.

Leaving now.

♪I carefully trace the lines of your palm♪

♪Just believe that it's the right time♪

Ye Xiwu,

I've never seen you so happy before.

You are happy because of your family,

but not me, aren't you?

I…

I guessed so.

In fact, you don't have to go to such lengths

to please me by enduring

hardships and humiliations for them.

[My spikes…]

Get back!

Don't bother me anymore.

I said, get back!

[Men's hearts are so unpredictable.]

[Regardless of whether Little Devil God can feel love]

[or how guarded he is,]

[I cannot give up.]

[Why did I throw a tantrum last night?]

[Ye Xiwu's reunion with her family brought her joy,]

[and wasn't that what I wanted to see?]

[Even if the reason for her joy was not related to me,]

[why would I…]

From Shangyuan City to Kou City.

Did you keep that in mind?

Yes.

Baiyu,

I remember that you have a mother and a sister

at your home in the Yiyue tribe,

right?

Yes, Your Majesty.

You should go home and visit them.

You Majesty,

do you not need me anymore?

That's not what I mean.

I'm just allowing you to take a leave

and reunite with your family,

or if you prefer,

you can bring them back to Jing Kingdom.

From now on, all Moonshadow Guards will have the same privilege.

Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.

I'm just not sure why

you suddenly became interested in this matter.

[Thank you for treating my family well.]

No reason. You are excused.

Yes.

Family…

Ye Xiwu, you are now a maid to His Majesty.

There are so many rules and customs in the palace.

Have you learned them all?

And how do you have time to read novels?

I don't want to learn. I can't remember anything.

What the hell are those rules?

No talking, no moving,

no burping, no farting.

I have more important things to do.

What things?

Making Tantai Jin fall for me, of course.

Don't tell me that

you are reading the romance novels for…

Of course!

I have memorized all the lines of the stories,

so you can wait and see me perform perfectly.

What the hell is this?

This is the wishing lantern I personally made.

Would you like to release it together tonight?

Wishing lantern?

Is it some kind of psychic sorcery?

Not a sorcery.

It's a romantic gesture.

Just imagine,

two people releasing lanterns together under the moonlight,

making wishes

and watching the lanterns slowly disappear into the night sky

while silently hoping for a bright future

and expressing their feelings for each other.

It's so beautiful.

In other words, it's useless.

Right?

Nian Baiyu,

drag her out.

Yes.

Miss Xiwu, please go.

[Little Devil God,]

[I have been here playing for 6 hours,]

[so please come and talk to me.]

[I can chat so much with you, from sentimental things]

[to life philosophy.]

[Hurry up.]

What?

His Majesty complains that this is too noisy,

and you have been constantly playing off-key.

If you still haven't played enough,

I will send you out of the city so you can play until dawn.

You can come back after you have enough fun.

No need. I'm done.

Bye.

Your Majesty, the morning drizzle is cold.

Shall we go back?

You've been standing here for a long time.

It will be time for the morning court soon.

What are you smiling about?

Your Majesty.

Nothing.

The music she played was awful.

♪Your gaze, a little closer♪

[According to the novels,]

[the more powerful a man is,]

[the more a girl should maintain her dignity]

[and not follow his rules.]

[Ideally, she should even scold him face-to-face]

[in order to get his attention.]

♪Let the galaxy be my pillow and let the moon be my kiss♪

Miss Xiwu.

Get out of the way!

Tantai Jin, who do you think you are?

Just because you're a ruler of a country

with the power of life and death and good looks,

you think you can dictate to me?

Although I'm just a maid

I also have my dignity.

♪We are devoutly opening the door of our hearts♪

♪Wishing to see only one person in this lifetime♪

♪Only hoping to be moved♪

♪Not to be afraid♪

♪The mark on my heart don't ask whether it's worth it♪

♪Just believe that it's the right time♪

♪Just believe that it's the right time♪ Why is it not working?

Tantai Jin is so cruel.

I can't believe he told the Maid of Discipline about this.

Your Majesty,

do you really dislike Miss Xiwu?

Are you happy to see her being punished?

Or what else?

I…

I think although Miss Xiwu is silly,

she is quite cute.

Who said she isn't?

Shut your mouth!

This month, the Firewing Army has consumed 24,000 catties of rice,

1,300 catties of green grass,

and 500 catties of dry hay.

They have also slaughtered 50 whole oxen and 90 whole pigs.

The army's appearance is improving, and their discipline is good.

However, there have been two brawls occurred.

How did you deal with the demon beasts involved in the brawls?

They refused to change their behavior, so I ate them.

Great.

This month,

you can forget about having days off.

Tantai Jin,

how are you so inhumane?

What? Do you want to disobey my orders?

Tantai Jin, you are the ruler of the country,

and the whole Jing is yours.

You don't need to rest,

but we staff need it!

I've been working without rest for 80 days!

It's only 80 days. Calm down.

I have an opportunity just for you.

Go deal with the demons on the west end,

and then I'll give you half a day off.

We demons have dignity, too.

You're expecting me, a demon, to catch other demons?

You're now a leader of Jing

guiding the Firewing Army.

You're responsible for protecting the people.

Understand?

Yes, Tantai Jin. Loud and clear.

I'll be on my way.

You better keep your word. Half a day off.

Write your report once you're done. Run along now.

Just you wait.

I'll escape as soon as I get the antidote.

It's been 80 days?

Miss Fox!

W-Why are you sneaking around?

You scared me!

Pian Ran, my dear friend,

I've tried all the tricks in the book.

Can you teach me a couple more?

Those tricks should be enough for you to deal with His Majesty.

Just repeat them again and again.

It's not! I want him to really like me.

How much more is that?

At least I should impress him nine times.

What a specific number of times.

I just want him to like me more.

Better yet, fall in love with me.

Come on, Pian Ran. Help me out here.

You really want to learn from me?

Then we'll need some real moves!

-General Ye. -Ah!

P-Pian Ran…

There's a bug on your ear.

I'll help you blow it away.

Okay, it can't hurt you now.

You can go.

See? That's how men are like.

You get up close to them,

and their brain freezes.

I'll pass.

Tantai Jin might feed me to the tigers.

You won't take my advice?

Well, it's your loss.

Come on.

Help me come up with something else, please?

Xiwu, what are you the least good at?

What am I the least good at?

I'm the least good at…

I'm really bad at cooking.

Yes, that's it!

Let me tell you,

the way to a man's heart

is through his stomach.

You can just cook for him.

Even dogs won't eat what I cook.

It's not about the taste, but your heart.

You must feed him with your own hands,

every day, every meal.

That will double the results with half the work.

And the worse it looks and taste,

the better.

Are you serious?

Have I ever lied to you?

Go on, get to it!

I'm a busy woman you know.

Tantai Jin, I finally found someone to get back at you.

Wickedness befalls the wicked.

Wait till you get a taste of Ye Xiwu's awful cooking.

Baiyu.

What does this character mean?

It's pronounced as "tao",

to describe river surging water.

Baiyu, why don't you go get some rest?

What "Huh?" Just go.

Okay.

What are you reading?

An ancient book of the Yiyue tribe.

No wonder. I can't read a single character of it.

What are you doing?

This character looks so strange.

It's like a worm crawling out from the earth.

What does it mean?

It means to sprout.

What about this one?

To smelt.

And this one? Kill two birds with one stone?

It means…

It means…

You don't know either?

Should we get Nian Baiyu to come back?

I think he might know better.

It means "love".

Oh, that's it?

What's there to be shy about?

What are you doing here at night?

Can't I come just to see you?

Are you hungry?

Get out.

Come on, at least take a bite.

I spent so much time and even burnt my hand.

Ye Xiwu, serves you right.

Don't cook if you can't.

But I wanted you to like me.

Give it to me.

This is the first time

I actually cooked for someone.

I hope you won't mind my lack of experience.

I'm sure I'll improve with practice.

Does it taste really bad?

Not really…

[Looks like I screwed up again.]

[I need to try something else.]

Just spit it out.

I won't cook anymore.

Why?

Why won't you cook anymore?

Persistence maketh a man.

Besides,

I don't think it tastes that bad.

[Fox was right.]

[The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.]

[It worked just like magic.]

[He can't even taste how awful it is.]

If you like, I can cook for you again tomorrow.

Sure.

Here are two more dishes. Try them.

Maybe you'll like them better.

[The Soul-Slaying Teardrop is heating up.]

[Miss Fox wasn't lying after all.]

I'll leave you to it then.

[If there's a will, there's a way!]

[I'm gonna gather all the spikes I need.]

Your Highness, this is the demonic elixir just crafted by our warlocks.

Your Highness!

Why is it so easy for Tantai Jin to refine demonic elixir,

yet so difficult for me?

Perhaps we are simply built differently to one another.

But Your Highness is as much a mortal

as Tantai Jin is.

You're no different in nature.

So…

If Tantai Jin can master the Firewing Army,

then so can I.

Fu Yu.

Pay a visit to our allies for me.

Allies?

I'm not the only one

who wants Tantai Jin dead.

Don't give yourself away since Emperor Sheng is already suspicious.

Yes, Your Majesty.

General Ye,

I knew when I was a hostage in Sheng

that Xiao Yi is one to doubt others.

He even distrusts Xiao Lin,

his only son.

The Sheng has suffered heavy casualties since the beginning of the war.

Xiao Yi must be feeling extremely anxious by now.

If I push him further now,

he will be determined

to exhaust his troops

and become a burden to Xiao Lin.

Am I despicable for doing so?

All is fair in war.

The sooner we end the war,

the sooner our people can live in peace.

General Ye,

since you grew up in court,

who do you think is the far superior between the Sheng's princes

and me?

Feel free to speak at ease.

In terms of strategy and wisdom,

Your Majesty is inferior to none.

But since Xiao Lin and his brothers have been educated well

by knowledgeable scholars,

Your Majesty may be inferior to them

in terms of state affairs.

Nian Baiyu.

At your service.

Summon all great scholars in the nation

to give me lessons starting tomorrow.

Your Majesty,

these old scholars

have served the Jing nation all their lives.

They can be obstinate.

I'm afraid they won't come.

Those who disobey shall be sentenced to death.

Your Majesty,

are you absolutely certain?

Only to scare them.

Will do.

If there are no objections,

let the lessons begin.

Your Late Majesty!

Your Late Majesty!

I've been faithful all my life, yet I shall lose my loyalty today!

I would rather die than be dishonorable!

Are you okay, sir?

Your head certainly is hard.

You must have mastered the Iron Head.

Nian Baiyu.

Serve the gentlemen some refreshments.

We can start classes once this gentleman has cried enough.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Tantai Jin!

You vicious monster!

You've oppressed the loyal commoners murdered your brothers and taken innocent lives!

You are an outrage to the gods and people!

Heaven forbid!

Well said. Well said indeed.

If what you say is true

that I am so unfaithful, unfilial,

ungrateful and unrighteous,

then maybe you should educate me

and make it a great achievement

to pass on to your descendants.

Y-You… you make my blood boil!

What should we do?

I'm so infuriated I could die!

We've let His Late Majesty down.

Y-You're killing me!

From the emperor to the masses,

cultivating ourselves is inevitably the root of everything.

If the root is ungoverned, all of which that follows shall be chaos.

Resentment by whom respect is shown and respect by whom resentment is shown

can never cease to exist.

Our ancestors who illustrated virtue throughout the kingdom,

had to first govern their own states.

In order to govern a state, they first had to manage well their homes.

In order to manage their homes…

I'm sorry!

Why are you stopping? Go on.

Yes, Your Majesty.

From the emperor

-You too, go on. -to the masses,

If the root is ungoverned, all of which that follows shall be chaos.

Watch it.

His Majesty's work relief policy

is simply wonderful!

Now the government policies are arrived out effectively.

His Majesty merely applies what he learns immediately.

Before, Tantai Minglang's severe laws

made the people boil with resentment.

Now they've been abolished by Your Majesty's order.

His Majesty has decreed that as the neighboring nations of Jing and Sheng

were once unified with the same streets and same books,

yet due to the tyrannical rule in Sheng today

their people have taken refuge in Jing,

local officials must welcome the refugees kindly

without exceptions.

Anyone from the Sheng can settle down in the Jing.

May our kingdom be in peace and stability!

Tantai Jin! You've gone too far!

I will make you pay!

Your Majesty.

A woman has presented a token.

She has a proposition for Your Majesty.

This is a relic of the Jing's royal family.

Let her in.

Your Majesty.

Tantai Minglang has lost his power.

What can he do for me?

Has Your Majesty ever heard of the puppeteering spell?

My master has mastered the craft

to build a Puppet Army.

All we need now is men.

What we have most in Sheng is men.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

In time,

I guarantee this Puppet Army

will be the answer to all your troubles.

[These are Yiyue tribe's occult arts,]

[Your Majesty needs to practice more]

[to enhance your power.]

Tantai Jin has been working so hard lately.

He toils away from day to night.

Even the clothes on his body have become loose.

I should make more good food to keep him fit.

Tantai Jin.

Nian Baiyu,

drag Ye Xiwu out of here.

♪A thousand words♪

♪Are hesitant in my throat♪

♪Like snow flakes sinking in a cup♪

Neither has is shrunk,

nor has it grown.

Should I be spending more time

with the Little Devil God?

When is this going to end?

♪I wear on my wrist♪

♪A bright frost blade♪

Are you going to hang yourself?

♪I decide my life♪

How can I make Tantai Jin admire me more?

I guessed it.

You just showed yourself before him.

That wouldn't work.

From tomorrow on,

you can just stay away from him.

That's man.

If you ignore him,

he will care you more.

Will I seem mean for that?

Are you trying to cheat him or fall in love with him?

I…

I certainly don't mean it.

But I have to make him admire me.

The more, the better.

So, that's it.

Just take my words.

♪Not to die alone♪

When will I gather all nine?

[Or let me try what Pian Ran said.]

[Retreat to advance.]

[Maybe it will work.]

♪How lucky we are♪

♪Since we can meet♪

♪A kiss is more worth than everything♪

♪We are all involved in♪

♪Who can remain unaffected♪

♪My flush of love in heart♪

♪Could you hear it♪

What's the matter Your Majesty call me here?

And when can I

have that half-a-day off?

I call you here today

to consult you about something.

If you well answer it,

you can have a day off tomorrow.

Okay, spit it out.

In this world,

what can make you feel so embarrassed?

Just spit it out.

Ye Xiwu hasn't served me for two days.

Oh? You miss her?

Ye Xiwu is a royal servant

and is fed by the court.

Shouldn't she fulfill her duties?

Then you should reach her, not me.

I'm off, and I'm busy.

Halt!

She told me a few days ago

that she likes me.

That's why she cooked for me day after day.

Now since she's been absent,

does that mean she doesn't like me anymore?

Very likely.

I thought…

I thought she liked being around me.

My God.

You bad men…

You men

are just too self-absorbed, don't you?

Let me ask you,

if you want her to be like a mom

who likes you and serves you everyday,

then what have you done for her?

What gifts have you given her?

How many sweet words have you expressed to her?

See? This is the problem.

But, there is always a way out.

So, what should I do?

If she's absent from you,

you can go to seek her, right?

Don't you really like her?

I…I can…like her.

[Till The End of The Moon]

♪A mortal's heart is like gazing up and suddenly the moon has waned♪

♪The earthly life is like 3,000 flowers covered in a snowstorm of tears♪

♪Pity is like holding a butterfly while on the brink of death♪

♪Enlightenment is like washing our memories in muddy water♪

♪Never to be seen again♪

♪I've seen whispers of love blossom beautifully♪

♪While weeping eyes murmur in their sleep♪

♪Overwhelming affection leads us to the brink of destruction♪

♪Within an embrace holds endless dread♪

♪I loved you to the end of the world and back♪

♪I believed in love at first sight♪

♪After plucking all my black feathers♪

♪My faith in love as flawless as the moonlight♪

♪Listen to how the flowers respire♪

♪Just like the people of this world♪

♪No matter how far I travel come rain or shine♪

♪The moonlight shines like my armor♪

♪I admire how you came etched with scars♪

♪Determined to live as gentle as you could♪

♪You got rid of all your black feathers♪

♪And learned to love all you resented♪

♪Frail lives with our heads in the clouds♪

♪Woo-ooh, let's make it count♪