Original subtitles

[The Princess Royal]

[Adapted from Mo Shubai's novel, The Princess Royal]

[on Jinjiang Original Network]

[This is a work of fiction.]

[Episode 8]

Pei Wenxuan,

it was you

who personally presented your beloved

to Chuan.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Take it easy.

Your Highness.

Ever since then,

from Crown Prince to Emperor,

Chuan has always favored her greatly,

and she, in turn, has not failed his love.

Even when Chuan was imprisoned later on,

she fought her way out alone with just a sword,

evading pursuers, climbing snow-covered mountains,

and journeying to the northern border,

returning with reinforcements.

In the palace, under great favor,

one not only receives love

but also sharp blades.

The second year after Chuan ascended the throne,

she gave birth to Li Ping,

but shortly afterwards,

she died in the palace.

Your Highnesses,

His Majesty has not eaten or drunk anything for several days now.

Chuan, always prioritize state affairs

and avoid being too emotional.

Your Majesty.

Go away!

Your Majesty, please don't be like this.

You can all leave now.

Calm down.

Qin Zhenzhen has already passed.

Rong.

Zhen has passed.

I know.

Chuan,

let her rest in peace.

Rong,

could we bury Zhen with the honors of an Empress

and inter her in my imperial tomb?

Your Highness.

Let's follow His Majesty's wish this time.

Chuan seems to have changed drastically,

becoming more and more aggressive.

The Crown Prince, once renowned

for his kindness and virtue in his youth,

has gradually stepped onto a path similar to that of our father,

resorting to militarism,

exploiting the common people,

and indulging in self-destructive behavior.

Our paths have diverged as he distances himself from me.

So this time,

I suppose you won't let her enter the palace.

Why are you so quiet?

It's up to you.

You mean

if I let you intervene, you will.

And if I don't want you to,

you won't.

Yes.

What's this supposed to mean?

I shouldn't have interfered back then

and I shouldn't now.

Everyone has their own web,

and this web can entangle others

if what they do exceeds their limits.

Any slight leaning towards one side

causes pain to those on the other.

She should have taken responsibility for her own life,

and outsiders' meddling is not a good thing.

Besides,

I have my responsibilities.

Now that I have agreed to marry you,

I will restrain myself according

to a husband's code of conduct.

Until the end of our contract?

Maybe.

If you had this insight earlier,

maybe

we could have grown old together.

Say,

with your forty years of life experience

and your current looks,

how many young women

would be attracted to you if you went out now?

Li Rong, be honest with me.

What did you think of me back then?

Actually, back then,

you were a good person.

You were just too stubborn

and couldn't let things go.

What made you say that?

Back then, you promised to take care of Qin Zhenzhen

and held yourself to the principle that a gentleman's word is his bond,

no matter the circumstances.

You were determined to help her.

You also thought you had feelings for her,

but then you suddenly fell for me.

This caused an internal struggle,

making you question

how you could be so fickle.

So,

your intentions were never the problem.

It was just that you couldn't let things go.

Are you saying

that back then you already knew

I liked you?

What else could it be?

If you didn't like me,

why would you treat me so well?

Back then, I was just shy.

I felt you liked me

but wasn't sure.

Besides, who could resist my charm?

What? Am I wrong?

Not exactly wrong.

It's just that besides not wanting to admit

that I could quickly fall for someone else,

there was another reason.

What reason?

I guess

liking you

would mean bowing down to royal power.

If I admitted I liked you,

it would feel like a form of surrender.

Li Rong,

I couldn't see myself clearly back then.

Since you understood everything so well,

why didn't you wait for me?

What you said is amusing.

I'm not a junk collector.

Why should I wait for you?

Can you please

be a bit gentler with your words?

So here's the thing.

In my entire life,

I've never truly hated Qin Zhenzhen.

For a woman,

hating her romantic rival

is simply feeling

like she doesn't stand a chance

in the competition for affection.

Thus, she wishes

the rival to be as repulsive as possible,

believing her beloved must be blind.

But I don't need such consolation.

I, Li Rong,

born of noble blood with imperial lineage,

though not strikingly beautiful,

hold renown in the capital.

Intelligent and well-versed in etiquette,

wealth and power are but embellishments to me.

For a woman like myself,

the question shouldn't be why I didn't wait for you,

but rather

why I should.

Even if you are handsome,

I wouldn't allow myself to be so blindly infatuated.

You should know

that some wounds, once inflicted,

are hard to heal,

especially for one born into royalty,

with stringent demands

for fidelity.

[Hanqiu Palace]

The foreign enemy's large army is approaching the border,

yet the Yang Family insists on disarming and returning to the capital.

They clearly intend to embarrass me.

Your Majesty, the actions

of the Yang Family are indeed inappropriate.

If the Yang Family withdraws their troops,

which of you, my dear ministers,

is willing to step forward and fight on my behalf?

Crown Prince, can you?

I...

Your Majesty,

currently, our troops are facing successive defeats, and morale is low.

The Crown Prince is young and lacks practical combat experience.

Sending him to the front lines

will not only fail to win the trust of the soldiers

but may burden us further.

I am asking the Crown Prince.

Are you the Crown Prince?

Forgive me, Your Majesty. I've overstepped my authority.

Crown Prince, answer me.

I...

My knowledge

in military matters is limited,

and doubt my ability to handle such a task.

If you can't handle such a task,

then I think your time as Crown Prince may soon come to an end.

Father is pressuring me.

Uncle.

Chuan.

I'm heading to battle

without soldiers or funds.

Can you provide some assistance?

Your Highness, you may be unaware

that if you go to the front lines now

and achieve victory,

His Majesty will ensure Prince Su claims military glory.

Xiao Su is already stationed at the border,

and your involvement would aid him.

However, should you fail,

His Majesty will likely not favor you again.

Therefore, whether victorious or defeated,

now presents a crucial opportunity

for Prince Su and his loyalists to ascend,

while for us,

it poses only risks with no benefits.

Given the two evils,

I have no choice but to go.

And I must win the battle.

This is our best option.

Your Highness is right.

The Shangguan Family and Your Highness are in the same boat.

We will surely lend our full support.

Thank you, Uncle.

Lin, we're here.

- Greetings, Young Master Qin. - Please don't.

Your Highness, this makes us uneasy.

I am thanking you both on behalf of the soldiers guarding the border

and the people of the Great Xia Dynasty

for coming down the mountain to help.

With your talents as commanders,

this recognition is well deserved.

I am most flattered.

I heard Your Highness is setting out for battle tomorrow.

Do you have any arrangements for the two of us?

Wait a minute.

Are you just going to stand here

and discuss things like this?

Thanks for reminding me, Zhen.

My bad.

Your Highness, please.

Please.

I have yet to thank you for your help.

By the looks of it, everything is in place now?

Yes. I'll set off tomorrow.

So soon?

This is...

This sword is named Zhilian. [*orchid]

It was forged by my father and me back in the day.

Now, I give this sword to Your Highness,

hoping that you can use it

to fulfill your and my father's wishes

and bring about a peaceful and prosperous era.

The ancients say

that true friendships are like the orchid.

I will not disappoint your expectations,

even if it means dying on the battlefield.

What I anticipate is a hero,

not a martyr.

I hope that Your Highness, while protecting the myriad of subjects,

will also take care of yourself.

Otherwise, everything will be in vain.

May you both return alive.

But we have no swords.

Didn't His Highness give you anything in return?

I...

[The Ministry of Justice]

Rong.

When did you start doing exercises for wellness?

I can even perform the Five Animals Qigong.

Watch closely now.

Don't laugh.

No, I mean

when did you start learning the things

that the Grand Empress Dowager liked to do.

Okay, it's never too early to start exercising to keep fit.

You did a good job.

I just felt

that it was too stuffy inside the prison,

so I came out to get some fresh air.

So?

Is there's anything you'd like to tell me?

Father issued a decree today,

appointing me to oversee military affairs in the Northwest.

Did that person go?

He did.

They split into two groups for the trip.

I've secretly prepared their undercover identities.

Good.

Once you arrive,

find the Yang Family's account books immediately.

Got it.

Don't worry, I'm here.

Does Pei Wenxuan treat you well?

If he doesn't treat you well while I'm away...

I don't need him to treat me well.

I can take care of myself.

Now, don't worry

and don't waste any more time. Hurry up and go.

If I don't make it back, you...

What are you talking about?

You will definitely come back.

I'm here

and I'll always protect you.

Do you believe me?

I do believe you.

Wait for me to come back.

After I return, I'll protect you.

Okay, I'll wait for you to protect me.

Go now.

I'm leaving.

Miss Qin,

Young Master Qin and Mr. Cui

have already set out with the vanguard troops.

I know.

When I bid them farewell earlier,

they told me

that you had urgent matters to discuss with me.

I have something to give you.

What is it?

This lamp was made by me personally.

The fireflies inside

were also caught by me recently.

This is for you.

Thank you.

Your Highness, you must stay safe.

You must return home safely.

I'll return home safely.

Your Highness.

Lift up your heads.

Where is Ronghua?

Still not found?

Lounging around all day, idling away, and engaging in gambling activities,

he's truly a disgrace!

It's infuriating.

Father,

calm down.

That older brother of yours

doesn't look like a gentleman from a Noble House at all.

Father,

my brother enjoys a carefree life.

You should let him be.

If you don't mind,

you can rely on me

whenever there's something important coming up.

I am willing to do everything I can to assist you,

alleviate your worries, and solve your problems.

If only your elder brother

had half of your qualities.

Father, you shouldn't say that.

My elder brother and I have different aspirations.

I only wish for peace and happiness for our family,

with each person living their preferred life

and having their dreams come true.

Recently, you seem quite preoccupied

with Princess Pingyue's affairs.

I understand what's on your mind,

but currently, His Majesty's suspicion towards the Noble Houses

led him to appoint those four individuals for the princess.

Father,

things are achieved through hard work.

We don't need to rush anything.

I know what I'm doing.

Good.

That's good.

You've always been a sensible child who knows your limits

and understands when to advance and when to retreat.

These days, Tuoba Yan seems to have vanished into thin air.

We've searched all over Hua Jing,

but there's no trace of him.

Useless.

All of you are useless.

Now that Li Chuan has gone to the front lines

to supervise the troops,

and Li Rong's case remains undecided,

His Majesty is probably determined

to completely eradicate my Yang Family.

Your Highness,

if that is the case,

why not send word to the head of the family

and ensure that the Crown Prince

never returns from the battlefield?

[City Lord's Mansion]

His Highness is weary

from the trip.

You may all leave now.

- Yes. - Yes.

Your Highness, we are about to take over the Yang Family.

What are your plans moving forward?

Of course, we must first repel the enemy troops

before capturing the Yang Family.

However, the Yang Family is cunning.

I'm unsure how to get a hold over them.

It seems to me

that we should wait for them to fall into our trap.

Since the Yang Family is collaborating

with the enemy and betraying the country,

we might as well use their own tactics against them.

Uncle, after careful consideration,

I've decided to accompany you back to the capital.

No, you must stay here.

Since the Emperor has sent the Crown Prince over,

that means he wants to help Xiao Su in taking over the Northwest.

Our Yang Family is probably not safe.

That's why I need you to stay here,

and use the enemy's hand to eliminate the Crown Prince.

The Great Xia actually sent a fair-skinned scholar like you here?

Shut up.

General Qin.

Kill him.

[The Ministry of Justice]

Your Highness, His Highness

dealt a heavy blow to the enemy in his first battle,

annihilating thousands of them and achieving a complete victory.

Aren't you happy for His Highness?

No, I am very happy.

Your Highness,

this is a popular novel of late.

You can take a look later.

Also, I've prepared some refreshments for you.

I'll leave them here.

Your Highness, if there's nothing else,

I'll take my leave.

Mr. Su.

Thank you.

Why so generous today?

No snarky remarks?

I'm busy. I have no time for that.

I have some refreshments here.

But I guess you probably won't have time to eat them.

Heed my command.

Kill!

- Kill! - Kill!

Report.

Your Majesty, the frontier reports

that His Highness has stabilized the front lines.

That's great.

[Hanyu Pass]

Charge!

- Charge! - Charge!

Report.

His Highness pursued the enemy for three hundred li,

captured three cities in a row,

and achieved a complete victory.

Great.

Wonderful news!

Follow me.

The goods are here, where's the money?

I'd like to ask you first.

Where's the money that was paid for

with the blood of our fellow countrymen?

You're from the Great Xia.

Take them down!

All of you, stop!

Such audacity! We are the Yang Family.

I am the Crown Prince of the Great Xia, heir to the throne.

The Yang Family has been caught selling weapons privately,

colluding with enemies, and committing treason.

The evidence is conclusive.

Take them back to Huajing immediately

and await judgment.

Have you finalized the list for rewards?

Yes.

Some are loyal to the Noble Houses,

some to His Majesty,

and some

are just pawns used by His Majesty as diversions.

Alright,

mix them together and send them to the capital

to seek rewards from His Majesty.

Yes, Your Highness.

Make way.

[The Censorate]

Please make way.

Tuoba Yan?

I thought he was dead.

Who are you?

Why are you beating the drum?

What is the matter?

I am Tuoba Yan,

here to accuse the General's Manor of the Yang Family

of embezzlement, abuse of power, treason,

framing innocent civilians, and ordering assassinations.

Come on. Let's go in.

What a Crown Prince.

After just a few victories,

he thinks he's invincible.

Gathering support and forming factions,

he even dares to seek rewards and recognition.

He sure is my good son.

With frequent reports of victories from the border,

seeking recognition now

is a common practice to boost the morale of the troops.

Your Majesty, please do not be angered and harm your health.

Pei Wenxuan.

Wake up.

Time to get moving and get to work.

Your Highness,

His Majesty requests that you and Mr. Pei enter the palace

to assist with the investigation.

Your Highness, I have brought your attendants

to serve you.

May they come in?

Mr. Su, that's very considerate of you.

Come in.

Mr. Zhao.

His Majesty has decreed

that Mr. Pei can have an audience directly.

Judging by Pei Wenxuan's expression,

he's likely up to something.

Your Highness, is there nothing you would like to say to me?

No, I'm not interested.

But I have a few words to say to Your Highness.

I knew it.

Go ahead then, or you might go crazy.

I really am going crazy.

Maybe you'd like to remain quiet.

I think this Su Rongqing has ulterior motives towards you.

Is that so?

That makes me happy.

No, Li Rong.

I'm telling you seriously.

Don't you think Su Rongqing

is being overly friendly towards you?

That day at Tuoba Yan's mansion,

he even pretended to be drunk

and asked if you would consider him.

Don't you find it strange?

Pei Wenxuan,

do you know what the greatest difference

between you and Su Rongqing is?

He is more ruthless than you.

Family, honor, and legacy.

These are the lifelong burdens he carries.

Faced with such a burden,

he has been taught from childhood to exercise restraint,

remain calm,

endure pain,

and not exhibit the emotions you might anticipate.

Li Rong, oh, Li Rong.

After all these years,

you're still so adorable.

- Greetings, - Greetings,

- Father. - Your Majesty.

You may rise.

- Thank you, Father. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

Pingyue.

Pei Wenxuan.

Yes, Your Majesty.

A few days ago, someone accused you

of murdering the wealthy merchant Tuoba Yan.

However, recently, Tuoba Yan appeared alive

and went to the the Censorate to file a complaint,

alleging that the Yang Family had sent people to assassinate him.

Do you know much about the details of this case?

After I initiated

a thorough investigation of the Yang Family,

someone covertly wrote a letter

mentioning

that the Yang Family has been colluding with the enemy

and betraying the country for many years.

That's complete nonsense.

But the secret letter also states

that to secure their own status, the Yang Family

had long ago reached agreements with foreign enemies.

Over these years,

most of the reports of victories, big and small,

were actually deals where the enemy took money

and put on acts in collusion with the Yang Family.

How dare you!

Kneel!

Father.

I heard

that in Huajing,

there is a foreign merchant named Tuoba Yan

who has repeatedly purchased cultural relics from the Yang Family.

Upon investigation, it was discovered

that the relics sold to Tuoba Yan by the Yangs

were priced far above market rates,

showing that they are not normal transactions.

It seems this matter reached the ears of Concubine Ning,

prompting them to eliminate evidence

by murdering Tuoba Yan

and framing me and Mr. Pei.

Meanwhile, Yang Ye,

upon learning that his family members in his residence were trapped,

devised a plan to assassinate the commander on the front line

and then submitted his resignation, threatening Your Majesty.

You're talking nonsense!

Nonsense?

Let me ask you then, Mr. Yang.

In enemy camps, where the climate is harsh

and swords are mostly made of bronze,

why are there reports from the front lines

indicating

a large number of weapons of our Great Xia

during the attack process?

Your Majesty, please take a look.

Your Majesty,

the account books in the past ten years from the Northwest front lines,

the Ministry of War's ledgers,

and Tuoba Yan's records

have all been reconciled.

Coupled with Tuoba Yan's testimony and others',

it's sufficient to prove

that over the years, the Yang Family,

disregarding both Your Majesty and the welfare of the people,

colluded with the enemy to deceive our Great Xia.

For such grave crimes, the Yang Family cannot be allowed to remain.

Yang Ye,

do you have anything else to say?

Whatever Your Majesty says,

that's what it is.

Concubine Ning,

how about you?

With things having come to this point,

what's the point of Your Majesty

asking these questions?

Whether the Yang Family is guilty or not

is entirely Your Majesty's decision.

When Your Majesty needed the Yang Family,

they had fought at the borders for half their lives.

Now, when Your Majesty finds the Yang Family in your way

and wishes to support Prince Su,

you accuse the Yang Family of colluding with the enemy and deceiving the throne.

Ridiculous.

It's utterly ridiculous!

How audacious of you, Yang Wan!

So you still remember that my name is Yang Wan?

The Yang Family has achieved great military feats,

and I, Yang Wan, am renowned

as a loyal and heroic woman across the seas.

Yet now,

I and my kin have become your cast-offs.

Back then, our Yang Family must have been blind

to have let me choose you!

How insolent!

I'm insolent?

You have driven me to this point

and won't tolerate my defiance?

Let me tell you all.

The fate of my Yang Family today

will be yours tomorrow.

Get this madwoman out of here!

Li Rong, you fool.

He has long wanted to depose Li Chuan.

None of the men he recommended for marriage

are good.

He wishes you dead

and wants to marry you off to some distant land!

Yet you still respect him and love him.

You can't see through your heartless father.

Kill her.

Kill her for me!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

May your Li Family

all die miserable deaths!

I'll kill you.

Wan!

Let go of me!

Take her out.

Let go!

Wait.

Father,

please ask them to fetch a stretcher and a white cloth.

Let's at least give her a dignified exit.

Yang Ye,

do you plead guilty?

I

plead guilty.

The entire Yang Family is to be arrested

and transferred to the Ministry of Justice.

Considering their ancestors' merits,

they shall be granted a dignified death.

Give him the poison.

Thank you,

Your Majesty.

Don't!

Do you know what you are doing?

It's not easy to be someone else's sword.

General Yang.

Do you know what you're doing?

I've read the poems from your youth

where you vividly described

leading troops on a white horse, wielding your sword northward

to sweep through Tian Pass and repay the nation's grace.

Do those verses still resonate with you?

So, someone still remembers these.

One person alone cannot clean up the muddied waters.

Officials protect each other and their relationships are complex.

Young Master Pei, you come from a humble background.

The Pei Family has worked

for generations to reach where they are today.

You understand this truth better than I do.

The aspirations of youth soar high,

but in the end, we often find

that the words of elders hold true.

Mr. Pei, let's part ways here.

There will come a day

when you will understand

the meaning of my words.

What's the point of talking

to a dying man?

Only a dying person

will tell you why they are dying.

You will then know

how to avoid dying like that

and how to help others

avoid dying like that.

♪Who gazes at the sky from afar?♪

♪Who gazes at the sky from afar?♪

♪In the night's chill breeze♪

♪What is she singing for?♪

♪The wind caresses the hills♪

♪The wind causes ripples on calm water♪

♪Moonlight graces passing souls♪

♪Her steps get slower and slower♪

♪She's trod a long path♪

♪Memories lost then found♪

♪Gazing idly as clouds roll by♪

♪She holds a red candle♪

♪To brave the thick fog♪

♪Life can be bitter sometimes♪

♪Experience it with grace♪

♪Like a fleeting dream♪

♪Like a fleeting dream♪

♪Neither warmth nor cold will last♪

♪Like a fleeting dream♪

♪Like a fleeting dream♪

♪The moon is reflected in her eyes♪

♪In her gaze, the unwavering faith remains♪