Original subtitles

[The Princess Royal]

[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel, The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]

[This is a work of fiction.]

[Episode 15]

Xun Chuan.

Cut off his arm.

Yes.

No. Please don't!

Slowly.

♪If the past was caught in the turbulent waves of the storm♪

Actually, having you hold my arm like this is really nice.

♪Will there be arms to hold me in this lifetime?♪

Are you stupid?

Why are you still joking around?

Don't you know what they are up to?

Don't worry.

Slowly.

Everything is as I anticipated.

What did you anticipate?

Did it ever occur to you

that if your second uncle had aimed to seriously harm you today

and have someone cripple you

before I could get there,

wouldn't your life be ruined?

♪Guides me through the worldly remnants of old dreams♪

Don't be mad.

I already told you,

this was all part of my plan.

♪Hidden in my sleeves♪

Why didn't you go eat with Su Rongqing?

I instructed them

not to bother you.

♪Lighting up the misty sea tower♪

♪Allowing you and me to dock safely♪

What's wrong with you...

Be gentle, please.

It hurts.

♪In this long and arduous journey♪

Pei Wenxuan,

why do you always put yourself on the line?

When will you realize

how important you are

and start taking care of yourself?

I'm hurting so much, so please stop talking.

Just let me lean on you.

♪That makes me willing to set aside my pride♪

♪Even if the world falls into my grasp♪

♪Your eyes would still captivate me♪

Don't worry.

♪I'll stay by your side till the end of time♪

I will definitely become stronger.

♪In this long and arduous journey♪

I will.

♪I'm fortunate to have met you♪

♪It is your tenderness♪

It's not I cannot bear to see you suffer.

♪That makes me willing to set aside my pride♪

I'm just annoyed that you've embarrassed me.

♪Your eyes would still captivate me♪

♪I'll stay by your side till the end of time♪

Listen up,

you're my husband,

so only I can bully you.

Understand?

♪May we stay together in dreams♪

Understood.

♪With the starry sky as our bed and our embraces as our quilt♪

♪Regardless of the seasons♪

♪We will journey through life together until the very end♪

Young Master.

Young Master,

would you two like to continue somewhere else?

Here. Hold him steadily.

Slowly.

♪For with you, each moment is timeless♪

Let's go.

Let's go.

Come on.

Is Her Highness not coming?

Having a big meal here just by the two of us

seems quite nice too.

Don't you think so?

Of course.

Cheers, Ronghua.

Cheers.

Her Highness's absence

can only be due to Pei Wenxuan, I guess.

Let the Imperial Physician handle it.

It's not helpful if you do it.

Can't you feel any pain?

Yeah.

I'm already used to it.

But it's my fault for letting you

suffer along with me.

It's good though that I'm injured.

My mother is easily swayed.

If we can persuade her to take our side,

we can take her to negotiate with my grandfather

and reclaim the inheritance

from my father.

Be gentle, please.

Pei Wenxuan,

you shouldn't push yourself so hard in the future.

Seeing you like this...

makes me feel bad.

Next time you encounter something like this,

at least let me know in advance.

Whether or not you have a plan,

it will give me some peace of mind.

You said I didn't consider others' difficulties,

but you, on the other hand,

care too much about others' difficulties.

I'll take it as a compliment, Your Highness.

I'm going to apply the ointment for you now.

I used to hear you say

that you didn't want to be like your father

and that he spoiled your mother too much

so she didn't understand anything.

If she can't learn to protect you,

why did she give birth to you?

Does she even deserve to be a mother,

leaving you to suffer out there on your own?

Alright, I won't say any more.

Watching you act like this

is frustrating.

Yes.

It's me who made you frustrated.

Ms. Wen is your mother.

Whether she is weak or incompetent,

she must fight for you at least once.

You can't always think of others

and make yourself suffer.

If you want something, you have to fight for it yourself.

Do you understand?

What if she's unwilling?

Then she can refuse.

Whether she wants it or not,

you have to give her a choice, right?

But I already know

which path is better for her.

Pei Wenxuan,

only the person involved

knows which path is better.

I will carefully consider

your words.

If you can figure it out, that would be best.

After all,

I can't protect you forever.

I'm fine, Ronghua.

Rongqing,

It seems I should take you out for drinks more often.

You have been suppressing your emotions

and behaving yourself at home for too long.

If it's what I experienced today,

then one time

is more than enough.

Why are you looking at me?

You are pretty.

Smooth talker.

Your Highness,

what kind of a person do you think I am?

What do you mean by that?

Never mind.

I guess you are tired.

You just want me to praise you, right?

No.

You learn everything so quickly.

I remember the first time you did my eyebrows,

it was all crooked.

But within a month,

you even knew how to do makeup.

The first time you did my hair,

you pulled so hard which was so painful,

but after that,

there wasn't a hairstyle you couldn't do.

If I'm good to you in any way,

you respond with ten times the gratitude and joy.

To be honest...

whether as a husband, a friend,

or a family member...

if everyone were like me,

nonchalant about everything,

and letting everything go easily...

life would be a bit boring.

Anyway,

you're truly wonderful.

You just don't realize it yourself.

Now, I know.

What is it?

My back hurts.

What should we do then?

What are you doing?

Your back hurts...

It hurts. Don't move.

I don't want to let go anymore.

♪May time itself ask me♪

♪How many glances does it take in a lifetime♪

What do you mean by you don't want to let go anymore?

♪To be blessed with your highs and your lows?♪

♪I've cherished every second of my life♪

♪Embracing your joys and sorrows♪

♪Serenely♪

♪Allowing the flower of love to bloom♪

You want to keep holding me like this?

♪I thought capturing your heart meant forever♪

♪Yet, it turned out to be as fleeting as autumn♪

♪Without you♪

♪Even the hustle and bustle can still feel lonely♪

♪Even if past moments vanish without a trace♪

It's alright.

I know

you must feel horrible today.

Keep holding me if you want to.

It's okay. Well,

I'll sleep now.

Your family will definitely complain about me tomorrow

during the morning court.

♪Let me face trials and tribulations with you♪

♪Let us bathe in love's endless grace♪

♪Even if past moments vanish without a trace♪

♪Grant me a ceaseless passion♪

♪Let me face trials and tribulations with you♪

Your Majesty,

here are the memorials for you to go through.

The ones on top are from the Pei Family

who accuses

Her Highness of being overbearing

and the Inspectorate Office of being unjust.

Down below are the memorials from the noble families

stating

that Her Highness did not respect her parents-in-law.

They have also

[The Classic of Filial Piety] sent a carved copy

of the Classic of Filial Piety,

asking you to hand it over to Her Highness.

They are kind of thoughtful.

Pingyue went to the Pei Family,

and now the entire Huajing knows about it.

Your Highness.

Mr. Su.

Yesterday...

Yesterday, my brother and I left right after we finished eating.

It was no big deal.

Don't worry.

Yesterday, I indeed had an urgent matter come up.

I will treat you some other time.

Your Highness,

there's no need for that actually.

Given your sensitive status now,

it's best we limit our interactions

to avoid stirring up gossip among the ministers.

When I agreed with my brother yesterday,

I didn't know you would also come.

So,

if I had known, I wouldn't have agreed.

That's good then.

I won't keep you any longer.

I'll take my leave.

Take care, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

I didn't mean what I said just now.

Everyone,

do you have any important matters to report today?

Father,

you must seek justice for me.

What justice do you want me to seek for you?

Tell me about it.

Yesterday,

Mr. Pei sent for my husband to return to Pei's Mansion,

claiming that my mother-in-law was seriously sick.

My husband rushed back in worry,

but as soon as he got there,

Mr. Pei's men beat him up.

Your Majesty,

what Her Highness said is far from the truth.

Since the Prince Consort married Her Highness,

he has never returned home to visit his mother.

Lately, my sister-in-law has been unwell

and asked the Prince Consort to come back many times,

but he ignored her every time.

Initially, we hoped to persuade Wenxuan

to return to the right path

and carry out his filial duties to his mother.

But Wenxuan not only refused to listen

but also injured some servants.

He even threatened that he had Her Highness's support

and no one could touch him.

Later, Her Highness led troops to barge into our Mansion

and took the Prince Consort away.

Before leaving, she even broke the arms of two servants.

Her Highness is so overbearing and arrogant.

She disregards all propriety.

Yet now she's here, falsely accusing us

and sullying our Pei Family's name...

Insolence.

From what I can tell, it was you who started it first.

May I ask, Mr. Pei,

according to the etiquettes of our dynasty,

you should get the imperial family's and Princess Pingyue's permission

before punishing the Prince Consort. But did you do that?

Enough!

This is all just your family's affair,

yet you bring it to the court and argue here.

What about the imperial family's reputation?

You hit the Prince Consort

and then Pingyue saved him.

What more is there to argue about?

Your Majesty,

Her Highness has just established the Inspectorate Office...

Are you done yet?

Regardless,

Pei Wenxuan is my son-in-law

and part of the imperial family.

Do not mention this again.

I have heard that three administrative divisions

have been dry for a long time, possibly leading to a severe drought.

Everyone, quickly devise a solution.

Rou,

is it really appropriate for us

to head out like this?

Madam,

First Young Master is in need \ of your support right now.

Please think it over.

Okay.

Let's go.

Your Highness.

Do you have no qualms

about lying so blatantly today?

That's the question I want to ask you.

Whether it's a lie or not,

a mother teaching her son is a matter of course.

But it's inappropriate for you

to break into a minister's mansion.

Why didn't you say this to my father earlier?

You didn't dare utter a word in the hall just now

and now you're here to criticize me.

If you're so justified,

go ahead and tell my father.

Your Highness,

you're being too overbearing.

Go and complain about me then.

If you really can't stand it...

then hit me too.

Your Highness, you are...

I really like your how you look

when you all can't stand me but can't do anything about it.

I won't dwell on this matter today

but mark my words...

you'll apologize to me someday.

You may all leave now.

I have a case to handle.

Your Highness.

The court of Great Xia won't allow you to act so insolently

without facing the consequences.

I will go to the Imperial Study to see His Majesty now.

If you are not severely punished today,

I will throw myself to death at the Shoulong Pillar

to protest.

I'm going too.

Me too.

We all will go.

Great,

I was planning to let it slide,

but you've all insisted on challenging me.

The Imperial Study?

Fine.

Today, it's either you

or me being carried out.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Princess Pingle unlawfully barged into Pei's Mansion without cause.

Your Majesty, I urge you to punish her severely.

A princess who disregards the law

and acts overbearingly and recklessly

must not hold a key position in the Inspection Department.

Father, I implore you to severely punish

Pei Lixian and Pei Liming.

They deceived their sister-in-law,

mistreated their late brother's son,

seized their deceased brother's property,

and assaulted the Prince Consort, thereby offending the sovereign.

Such shameless,

ruthless, and cunning individuals

must not be tolerated.

Your Majesty.

Father.

Your Majesty, please see the truth.

Father, please see the truth.

[Hanqiu Palace]

Your Highness,

sirs,

His Majesty has said

that this is a family matter of yours.

So please, everyone, return to your duties.

How can it be a family matter when Her Highness

is the head of the Inspectorate Office?

If Your Majesty doesn't seek justice for me today,

I will kneel here

until I die.

Didn't you say you would end your life?

Mr. Pei, you should stick to your word.

I'm not going to argue with a woman like you.

You can't even win an argument with a woman.

It seems you have no reason on your side.

You might as well run headlong into a pillar and save your reputation.

Eunuch Fu, please inform His Majesty

that if he does not severely punish the princess,

we will not leave here today.

Eunuch Fu, please also tell Father

that if he does not seek justice for my husband today,

I won't leave either.

Your Highness,

please stop making a scene.

They are the ones making a scene.

Please just convey what I said to Father.

[Princess's Mansion]

Wenxuan.

Mother.

How are you?

I'm fine.

Take a seat.

Slowly.

I'm alright.

Wenxuan.

About last night's incident,

you must be blaming me,

right?

Do you think your second uncle wants to harm you

and treats you poorly?

Mother,

it's not what I think.

It's just the way things are.

Could there be any misunderstanding here?

Your second uncle told me...

Mother,

it's not so much what he said,

but what he did.

I've never dared to tell you this.

When Father passed away years ago,

I was ambushed

on my way back from Luzhou.

Ambushed?

Yes.

I later found out

it was Second Uncle's doing.

You...

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Because it wouldn't have helped.

I know you well.

When I returned that year,

there was no one by your side anymore.

If you had known about it and tried to do something,

you would have been targeted by them.

Instead of that,

it's better

for you to not know anything

and live a peaceful life.

When Father was still alive,

he often reminded me

that as men...

we should shoulder

responsibilities

and strive to make those around us live a better life.

If they are not living a good life...

we should be the ones to be blamed.

And it's evident

that Father fulfilled his duties.

He spent his whole life taking care of you.

You didn't have to do

or think about anything.

Later, Father told me

to take on his responsibilities

and continue caring for you.

And I've always seen this

as my own battle.

Whether I win or lose...

I shouldn't disturb you.

Then why bring it up now?

Did I end up harming you...

and leaving you no way out?

That's not it.

It's because someone

told me...

that I should allow you to make your own choice.

Father took all the responsibilities

upon himself

but never let you choose.

So, Mother,

this time...

I want you to make your own choice.

Young Master.

Young Master.

Madam.

Young Master,

Second Master led many ministers

to kneel at the door of the Imperial Study, demanding punishment for Her Highness.

She, in turn, knelt there too,

insisting on punishment for Second and Third Masters.

They've been kneeling there,

deadlocked, for quite a while now.

Get the carriage ready.

I'm going to the palace.

Yes.

Mother,

come with me to the palace.

As you wish.

[Hanqiu Palace]

Did you manage

to remember what was said earlier?

Give me those bloodstained clothes.

I'll clean them for you.

Over the years,

I haven't really taken good care of you.

I'll get you a few new outfits later.

When you're facing Her Highness,

you should pay more attention to your appearance and manners.

Okay.

That umbrella and his outfit

are exactly the same as they were in the past.

♪May time itself ask me♪

♪How many glances does it take in a lifetime♪

♪To be blessed with your highs and your lows?♪

♪I've cherished every second of my life♪

♪Embracing your joys and sorrows♪

♪Serenely♪

♪Allowing the flower of love to bloom♪

Rongqing.

♪I thought capturing your heart meant forever♪

♪Yet, it turned out to be as fleeting as autumn♪

♪Without you♪

♪Even the hustle and bustle can still feel lonely♪

♪I'd follow you with no hesitation♪

♪Ready to surrender everything to this sensation♪

♪Even if past moments vanish without a trace♪

Bring my mother there.

I need to go over there now.

♪Grant me a ceaseless passion♪

Wenxuan.

Where are you going, Wenxuan?

♪Let me face trials and tribulations with you♪

♪Let us bathe in love's endless grace♪

♪May time itself ask me♪

♪How many glances does it take in a lifetime♪

♪To be blessed with your highs and your lows?♪

♪I thought capturing your heart meant forever♪

♪Yet, it turned out to be as fleeting as autumn♪

♪Without you♪

♪Even the hustle and bustle can still feel lonely♪

♪Even if past moments vanish without a trace♪

♪Grant me a ceaseless passion♪

♪Let me face trials and tribulations with you♪

♪Let us bathe in love's endless grace♪

♪All the transient glories will pass♪

I'm here now.

You should get up.

♪I only wish to be in your arms♪

♪May the falling snow witness our journey to old age together♪

No.

I must not lose out to Mr. Pei.

♪I promise to love you and never let go♪

I've brought Mother along.

If you're intent on confronting us in front of His Majesty,

keep kneeling.

If you still care about your reputation,

meet me at the ancestral shrine tomorrow night.

Let's talk about it with our clan members.

Don't make a scene here.

♪Grant me a ceaseless passion♪

♪Let me face trials and tribulations with you♪

Please tell my mother

to go straight to the Princess's Mansion.

Yes.

♪Let us bathe in love's endless grace♪

Your Highness.

♪Even if past moments vanish without a trace♪

Hold this.

Let's go.

♪Let me face trials and tribulations with you♪

Put me down.

You are injured.

Pei Wenxuan.

I'm fine. Let's go.

♪Let us bathe in love's endless grace♪

Ms. Wen is a pushover.

She's definitely in cahoots with Wenxuan already.

Mr. Wen!

Mr. Wen!

♪Only if today were like the past with a serene sunset♪

♪Spring flowers fall like snow♪

♪Who will notice the longing?♪

♪Love and hate are intertwined♪

♪Life and death are like mirages♪

♪I look into your eyes when thinking of where I belong in this life♪

What are you looking at?

I feel

that he looks the same as he was

when he held the umbrella for me back then.

♪Will your love be rekindled when you turn around?♪

♪Will we have a chance if I let go of all my fears?♪

♪You are the final sanctuary of my soul♪

♪I hold love in empty hands♪

Your Highnesses.

♪Even if it's rare in the world♪

♪My affection for you is yet to be expressed♪

Wrap yourself up.

Don't catch a cold.

♪I hold love, letting fate♪

Let's go home.

♪Push me once again♪

Set off.

♪Toward a dream with you in it♪

♪I fear I might let you down♪

Here.

Hold this.

What are you doing?

You'd feel warmer this way.

I mean, why do you always want to hug me lately?

Because we are really close.

We are already sleeping in the same bed.

Why suddenly care about this?

Besides,

you know how cold you feel.

So why make yourself suffer?

Then what about last time?

I was feeling upset last time.

So I might have offended you.

But you gave me the permission, didn't you?

You said yourself

that we are besties.

Or do you have feelings for me?

I don't.

My bad.

Let go of me.

Your Majesty.

All of these memorials are about the Inspectorate Office.

How many are there now?

Your Majesty,

there are exactly 150 of them in total

and they all request the removal of the Inspectorate Office.

Go tell Pingyue

that if she can't find solid evidence soon,

her Inspectorate Office will cease to exist.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Mother.

Greetings, Your...

Please rise.

There are no outsiders here.

You're an elder.

There's no need for such formalities in the future.

Please take a seat.

Mother.

Yesterday at the Pei's Mansion,

I was disrespectful towards you.

That wasn't my intention.

I was just very upset.

Please forgive me.

Thank you, Your Highness.

In the future, when there are no outsiders,

you can actually call me Rong or Pingyue.

Rong.

You two have a seat too.

I thought about it carefully.

Over all these years,

I've indeed been kept in the dark,

being aware of nothing.

From now on,

whatever Wenxuan wishes to do,

feel free to proceed.

I'll give you my full support.

Mother, you are even stronger than I imagined.

Over the years...

I've been incompetent.

I hope it's not too late for me...

to take on the responsibilities of being a mother.

Mother,

it's never too late.

Just relax and rest assured.

[Eastern Palace]

His Highness has gathered everyone here

to seek support for the Inspectorate Office.

Your Highness,

I've served under you since I was eighteen.

And it's been a decade.

My loyalty is beyond question,

as I'm sure you know.

Yet, I fear

the unchecked growth of the Inspectorate Office

could someday threaten your reign.

What if I told you

that I initiated the establishment of the Inspectorate Office

and it would make it work for me?

Your Highness,

can you truly guarantee that Princess Pingyue

will obey your every command?

After all, even Mr. Shangguan Xu

doesn't seem to have her respect now.

Since I've chosen Princess Pingyue as my ally,

I'm confident she is fully aligned with me.

We must rely on the Inspectorate Office

to pave a new path forward.

Your Highness.

What exactly is this path?

Whether from humble origins or noble families,

as long as they uphold fairness,

integrity, and justice,

ensuring that all people have enough to live on

and depend on,

they are all with us on the same path.

We must unite these people

to forge a new path

for our generation.

But can we truly make

what you just said come true?

As long as it's in our hearts

and we strive for it,

I believe it will be realized someday

in the future.

- We pledge - We pledge

- to follow you unto death. - to follow you unto death.

Let's split up and go after him.

Yes.

Is it hurting again?

These people are really ruthless.

I'm fine.

Okay.

However,

enduring this beating was worth it.

Look,

you and Her Highness are inseparable now.

That's so nice.

If they had beaten you harder,

wouldn't your relationship be even...

What are you saying?

Alright now.

Please focus on your work.

[Pei Wenxuan] Be sure to protect my sister well.

I'll handle things

in court.

It's time for us to take action as well.

Mother,

make sure to put on a good act later.

Mother,

follow my lead later

and be careful.

Okay.

- Greetings, Your Highness. - Greetings, Your Highness.

- Greetings, Elders. - Greetings, Elders.

What's going on?

The Prince Consort's greetings to you

are equivalent to my greetings to you.

You've forgotten what I said?

Mr. Pei,

aren't you going to show greetings to my husband?

Your Highness,

Second Brother caught a cold yesterday.

Please forgive him.

So you've caught a cold.

Let me summon the Imperial Physician to take a look at you.

Someone.

No need.

Wenxuan,

what are you trying to do today?

Grandfather,

my intentions are simple.

I have turned twenty

and started my own family and career.

I am considered an adult now,

so there's no reason for other elders

to continue taking care of things for me.

Besides,

even if I can't manage the inheritance

left by my father,

it should be my mother who can handle it on my behalf.

How could I trouble

other elders to do it?

Your father was the most promising child in our family.

His legacy naturally belongs to you.

However, your recent actions...

have been impulsive.

You've caused so much trouble,

which has provoked many noble families.

You need to discipline yourself.

Indeed. What he said is right.

You're all right.

I haven't achieved much yet.

However, I do have some influence

in the Censorate.

In the future,

I hope you can all support me more in the official circles.

Of course.

Today, I'd like to clarify my stance.

I am a member of the Pei Family,

no matter if it's in the past or future.

Moreover,

I am already married to Princess Pingyue.

Our Pei Family

is firmly tied to Her Highness.

Elders,

instead of courting favor with those noble families,

why not wholeheartedly follow His Majesty and Her Highness?

If so, we don't need to fear the threats from the noble families.

- Yes, that makes sense. - Yes, that makes sense.

- Right. - He does have a point.

Grandfather, please make a decision.

Initially...

Initially, when this matter was entrusted to me to handle,

I mentioned to you

that there might be disagreements in the future.

What did you say back then?

You said Wenxuan was just a child

and not that kind of person.

But what now?

Forget it.

Such utter nonsense.

Initially, you told me

that Wenxuan was still young

and needed to go back to his hometown to mourn for his father.

I was in poor health

and you were afraid I'd be tricked by others,

so you asked me to entrust the property

to you to manage.

I don't even want to mention

all the mess you've caused.

But now,

Wenxuan is the Prince Consort

and has returned.

It was so humiliating for me

to ask you for money,

and yet you refuse to repay me.

How can you be so shameless?

You...

Second Uncle.

My mother's intention

isn't to blame or doubt you.

I know you have our best interests at heart.

But I really am in need of money.

You've been deceiving me all along.

I trusted you so much,

yet you lied to me like this.

How many wrongs have you done to my son?

I've treated you like a younger brother,

yet you've been so heartless.

It's not like that.

Please let me explain.

I don't want to hear your explanation.

I already know everything.

What do you know?

I know you actually tried to kill him back then.

But that's not my focus today.

I'm only here

to ask for the money back.

What are you doing?

I'm telling you

that this is Wenxuan's money.

You must return it to us.

What a shrew!

How can you call me shrew?

You heartless and deceitful person.

If it weren't for Lizhi back then,

could you be who you are today?

Think carefully.

If it weren't for him pleading for you

at the Ministry of Revenue

and using his connections,

would you have this position today?

Have you forgotten how you kneeled before him,

promising to treat Wenxuan like your own son?

You despicable and ungrateful creature!

I didn't say I wouldn't return it...

That was a bit much.

I'm simply taking care of it on his behalf.

A bit much?

But you've done well.

Pei Wenxuan

has so much on his plate right now.

Can he handle it all?

And you,

do you think you can take charge of it?

I'm genuinely trying to help,

so I take care of it on his behalf.

I don't care...

Mother.

Watch my performance now.

♪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♪