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 17]

Wait for me outside.

Father.

Come and sit here.

No need for the punishment of flogging.

Thank you, Father.

It has been years

since I came to Beiyan Pagoda last time.

I have heard from Mother

that you specifically asked people to build Beiyan Pagoda for her.

When it was built,

your mother was just pregnant with you.

It was my first time being a father,

and I was very elated.

On her birthday,

I asked her what she liked,

and she said she liked seeing the stars in the sky.

So, in my first year of reign,

I sent many people to build Beiyan Pagoda.

It was later that I noticed

your mother loved standing here

to gaze at the lights of the city.

Sometimes, I wonder...

how nice it would be

if time could freeze

at that moment.

At least, your mother and I would have been deeply in love.

And I would have been a good father.

Father.

You have always been a good father.

Rong.

You are a clever child.

You're cleverer than Chuan.

Chuan is still young.

So are you.

Yet, you are able to see things

in a clearer perspective than he can.

If only you were a boy.

Father, Chuan is actually a capable person.

Perhaps you lack much understanding of him.

Yes, Chuan is capable.

But he resembles me too much.

Rong.

There are many things out of my control and wishes.

I don't expect you not to blame me.

All I ask is that one day

when I am no longer around,

you can understand

that I truly hope

for you and Chuan to lead a good life.

Has Pei Wenxuan left Huajing?

Yes.

He will bring you

what you want, Father.

Very well.

Have a good rest here.

If you need anything,

just tell Fulai.

I knew Princess Pingyue would ask you to visit me.

So, what is it?

This list was written by General Qin.

They lost the battle at Huangping County

due to the lack of provisions at the front lines.

[Luo Juan, Tian Zhong...] These are the names

of the relevant officials involved.

The Princess wants their testimonies.

We can't do anything about the higher-ranked officials here,

so we have to start with the lower-ranked ones.

I'm at your service, as the Princess ordered.

She sure knows how to slack off.

Let's start with this man named Tian Zhong.

He's just a seventh-ranked official

in charge of the Ministry of War's accounts.

Being the lustful man he is,

he loves visiting brothels.

Find a good time

to knock him out, take him here, and tie him up.

Then, get another girl

to fake her own death

and make her lie down on his bed.

Are you going to set him up?

No, we're just scaring him.

I'll come with you by then.

We'll get his testimony

and promise to cover the murder up.

When we've got that on him,

it'll be easier for us to conduct our future work.

What about the others?

Everyone has a weakness.

We have 19 days.

Let's take them out one by one.

Why are you sighing, Your Highness?

I wonder where Pei Wenxuan is now.

Your Highness.

What are you worrying about?

Your Highness?

Your Highness?

Is everything fine?

Your Majesty.

Rong, have you realized your mistake?

What have I done wrong?

Did I thwart your plans

or seize your power?

You haven't been here in a long time, have you?

Father asked people to build this Beiyan Pagoda for you.

You haven't been here in some time, have you?

You used to be a loving couple,

yet you're both drifting apart.

Why?

That's because you only care about the Shangguan Family.

You isolated yourself from Father.

Father dotes on Consort Rou so much now

because she has tied her interests

along with Father.

But, I also know...

that you will never take sides against the Shangguan Family.

Still, please believe me when I say

that I wish my family could lead a good life.

This has always been something important to me.

Rong, you resemble your father too much.

Both of you like to mix emotions and power together.

There are times

when I don't even know if what you say

is true or fake.

In the court, you said

that it's for the country,

and now you're saying it's for family.

I don't know which is true and whether I should believe you.

I'm here today...

to pass a message from your uncle.

Pei Wenxuan...

He's dead.

Rong.

When you go against the stream,

you'll have to pay the price.

Stop being willful from now on.

Did you say...

that Pei Wenxuan is dead?

Was it you?

Even if it weren't us,

someone else would kill him.

Was it you?

No.

No?

Have you seen his dead body then?

I heard

that he fell into an abyss with no remains to be found.

That means you haven't seen his dead body.

Unless you bring his dead body to me,

I will never believe this.

Rong, as your mother,

I do not wish to see you widowed at a young age.

I'm going back.

Rong, a woman in the palace

should never pin her destiny

on a man.

Take care.

Your Highness.

Now that the Prince Consort is...

Nothing would happen to him.

They haven't found his body, right?

Find him first.

But...

But Her Majesty...

What is wrong with you?

Don't you know what kind of person Pei Wenxuan is?

How could he ever die like this?

Yes, Your Highness.

I'll start a search now.

Impossible.

Pei Wenxuan.

They said you died.

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

But you're not, right?

Pei Wenxuan.

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

I will wait for your return.

There will be a reward...

if you handle it well.

♪Tossed about in the waves, unable to escape♪

Take care.

♪Until a pair of hands♪

It's no big deal.

♪Guides me through the worldly remnants of old dreams♪

As long as you return alive...

♪Wrapped in the wind's embrace♪

♪Hidden in my sleeves♪

whatever you ask for,

I'll give it to you.

♪No need to imprison myself in longing♪

♪Eyes like flickering fireflies♪

♪Lighting up the misty sea tower♪

♪Allowing you and me to dock safely♪

♪In this long and arduous journey♪

[Pei Wenxuan]

♪I'm fortunate to have met you♪

♪It is your tenderness♪

♪That makes me willing to set aside my pride♪

♪Even if the world falls into my grasp♪

♪Your eyes would still captivate me♪

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

♪May we stay together in dreams♪

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

♪Regardless of the seasons♪

Young Master.

Pei Wenxuan's body has not been found.

As for Princess Pingyue...

Go ahead.

According to the people inside,

when Princess Pingyue learned

about the Prince Consort's death,

she changed into plain clothes and did not sleep for the night.

Pei Wenxuan wouldn't die that easily.

Since his body has not been found,

it's possible that he's still alive.

Get someone

to search for Pei Wenxuan now.

Your Highness, let me help you freshen up.

His Highness is here to visit you.

Why is he here?

Pei Wenxuan is not dead.

I don't need them to condole with me.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

the Princess

does not want to see you.

Fengming.

Your Highness.

Pass this letter to my uncle.

Your Highness, if Princess Pingyue knows about this,

she would not allow you to do so either.

Just do as I say.

Yes, Your Highness.

I heard Pei Wenxuan is dead.

So did I.

So, this is a good opportunity

for you to get close to Princess Pingyue.

But, I feel...

that Pei Wenxuan wouldn't die so easily.

Why don't you send someone to verify then?

Ronghua, here you go.

Rongqing.

In my opinion,

if Pei Wenxuan were dead,

His Majesty might not stop you from marrying Princess Pingyue.

Why do you say so?

That's because he thinks

you may work for Consort Rou,

which means you may work for him as well.

But, do you think

he would believe this?

That's not up to him to decide.

If Princess Pingyue lost,

he would need to win

over anyone who may work for him.

Muhong.

Young Masters.

Send Princess Pingyue a gift on my behalf.

Yes, sir.

My dear brother, you have finally wised up.

I'm glad to see that.

Ronghua.

Have you got any news?

Get me some Buddhist Scriptures.

Yes, Your Highness.

Pei Wenxuan.

They all said you died

but I don't believe them.

That's why I'm writing a letter to you.

You'd love to know what I'm writing, right?

If so,

please stay alive

so you can read my letter.

This is the first letter.

Speaking of which...

this is my first time writing a letter formally.

How lucky of you.

[Yongzhou State Office]

I am the garrison general of Yongzhou, Mei Qinghai.

Greetings, Mr. Cui.

Why did you hand over the records to them?

He had Princess Pingyue's

and the Inspectorate Office's tokens.

I simply couldn't say no.

Fortunately, Pei Wenxuan fell off a cliff.

Even if he took it, it's useless now.

Stay alert.

Yes, sir.

Sir.

I'll take my leave.

[To Uncle. Sincerely, your nephew Li Chuan]

He's trying to give up his position as Crown Prince to threaten me?

Very well.

What a good son our Empress has.

Your Highness.

Second Young Master Su wanted to give you this.

Return it.

Yes, Your Highness.

Young Master.

This is the third time she's returned your gifts.

Keep giving.

Yes, sir.

Miss Shangguan.

Well? I've brought the person here.

Good job.

Is there any news about Pei Wenxuan?

It's already been seven days.

Your Majesty, we have not received any news yet.

What about Pingyue?

No news either.

And the Crown Prince?

None either.

They really can keep their equanimity.

Your Highness,

your handwriting looks more and more like the Prince Consort's.

I was wrong, Your Highness. Please punish me.

You didn't say anything wrong.

Get up.

But, Your Highness,

even though the Prince Consort is gone...

He's not gone.

It's been 10 days.

Listen.

He's not gone.

If you say something like this again,

just leave my mansion right away.

Yes, Your Highness.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

Pei Wenxuan.

Have you been well?

Today, they told me again that you died.

I know this is impossible.

Given your wits,

as soon as you left the capital,

you must have formulated a plan.

Maybe you've planned all this.

After all, the dead are the safest.

Jinglan?

Any news?

Then, why are you here?

I'm just here to take a look around.

If only the Prince Consort were still around.

Her Highness wouldn't be so sad now.

What are you saying?

My young master must be still alive.

He's just on a long journey.

He'll be back in a few days.

Yes, that must be the case.

The Prince Consort has always

been blessed with good luck.

I'm sure he will be fine.

Let me help you with it.

Well,

for now, no news is the best news.

Yes.

I watched my young master grew up.

Everyone describes him as handsome and talented.

I've heard that a million times, and it's nothing to me.

Still, there's one thing about him...

that impresses me the most.

What is it?

Well,

since his childhood,

he has always done what he has said.

He never broke his promise.

It's not easy for the Prince Consort...

to keep all his promises.

So, since he promised to return,

he would.

Moreover,

this was a promise he made to the Princess.

Father, please make the call.

How should we deal with Wenxuan's assets?

What do you think, Liming?

The Princess's Mansion hasn't sent out an obituary.

Since they haven't sent out an obituary,

that means the news has not been finalized.

Both the Shangguan Family and the Su Family have spread the news.

They all said

that Wenxuan died.

He's not dead.

Even now,

do you still look forward to his death?

I'm here today with a message

that should put an end to your frenzy.

Even if Wenxuan were dead,

I myself

would do the needful.

Pei Wenxuan.

Jinglan.

Your Highness.

Any news about Pei Wenxuan yet?

Your Highness, the Qin Family's members will be executed tomorrow.

General Qin Lin will reach the capital today.

Pass a message to Xun Chuan.

Tell her to bring General Qin Lin and the others

to the Princess's Mansion.

Yes, Your Highness.

- Long live His Majesty! - Long live His Majesty!

His Majesty has ordered that Princess Pingyue's Mansion

will be responsible for watching over Qin Lin and the others.

Understood.

Release them.

Miss.

General Qin, it must have been a tiring journey.

Please board the carriage.

[Princess's Mansion]

You may leave.

General Qin.

Princess Pingyue wants you to rest here

while she handles everything else.

Thank you, Miss.

If you need anything, just tell the servants.

Okay.

Then, I'll take my leave.

Miss.

Princess Pingyue...

Do not worry, General Qin.

Her Highness has put her future on the line.

I'm sure that the Qin Family

will have their names cleared tomorrow.

I wanted to ask...

that since you're working for the Princess,

I heard that the last place my sister visited

was Princess Pingyue's Mansion.

They said she died...

General Qin.

She's fine.

Rest assured.

Now that I recall, when I left back then,

her stature looked just like yours.

Your sister is blessed with good fortune.

Just rest assured, General Qin.

I'll take my leave.

Your Majesty, are you worried

about how Pingyue will clean up her mess

if she doesn't have any evidence?

So, in your opinion,

if Pei Wenxuan couldn't return,

how would this mess be cleaned up?

Your Majesty, you love throwing me the hard questions.

I haven't figured it out yet.

But, I do know

that you wouldn't want Pingyue to leave the capital.

You're not answering my question.

If the Prince Consort were really dead,

Pingyue would become a widow.

She can still stay in the capital with her in-laws, though.

So, who else do you think

is still capable of protecting Pingyue?

There is someone,

but that depends on Pingyue's attitude.

Xu!

You may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

As the Empress,

you must never

allow anyone to notice that you're anxious.

Sit down first.

How can I not be anxious?

Tomorrow is the day.

Pingyue is my daughter, after all.

I don't want her to leave the capital.

We tried to persuade

and stop her.

What happens eventually is a result of her own choices.

Xu.

You need to do something.

Just wait.

Wait for the Qin Family's end

and Pingyue's end.

Did you know that the Crown Prince sent me a letter?

He threatened me

that if Pingyue is exiled,

he will give up the position as Crown Prince.

Does he lose his mind?

No, he can't do that.

He can't do that.

Xu!

Do not worry, Your Majesty.

The Crown Prince and you are not the only ones

who don't want her to leave the capital.

There's only one day left.

Sirs, there is still hope.

You need to trust Mr. Pei.

The Princess wants all of you

to eat and rest well.

She will handle the rest.

Right.

We need to have faith in Princess Pingyue and Mr. Pei.

Come on, let's dig in.

[Beiyan Pagoda]

I, Su Rongqing, would like to request an audience with Princess Pingyue.

Your Highness.

Young Master Su is here.

Greetings, Your Highness.

The Qin Family will be executed today.

Why are you here

instead of watching the execution?

I've heard that you will be leaving Huajing today,

so I'm here to visit you.

Before your departure,

may I play a game of weiqi and have some tea

with you?

Mr. Su, you're bidding me farewell

so early in the morning.

I wonder why you're so certain

that I'd lose this time.

Your turn.

That person...

He's dead.

You must not show the evidence

that has been gathered by your men.

Why not?

There are too many people on the list.

If you show the evidence...

I'm afraid you'd die before leaving the capital.

You know who are on the list?

Yes.

I thought...

you wouldn't tolerate such evil acts.

As for embezzling military provisions and funds,

no matter whether it's me, my father,

or Mr. Shangguan,

none of us can tolerate it.

Is that so?

However, this is not something

that you should deal with.

It should be handled in-house.

If you were to investigate this,

you would be putting the noble families

at huge risk.

That's why the noble families cannot authorize you

to handle this case.

I didn't expect you...

to tell me all that so straightforwardly.

Even if I don't tell you,

you know all this, don't you?

So, you're here today

to show off.

You're showing off that I have lost to you.

The Inspectorate Office has died on the vine.

His Majesty has no reason

to establish a second Inspectorate Office.

You're no longer at risk now.

Happy now, Mr. Su?

I'm here today with a question.

I hope you can give me an answer to it.

I wonder what other questions

I can answer for you.

Your Highness, you're making enemies with the noble families.

Is it for...

Mr. Pei?

What a pity.

Here comes the Supervisor of Decapitation!

I thought the Qin Family were wronged.

Why are they still going to be executed?

It's not just the Qin Family.

The Princess who was trying to seek justice for the Qin Family

is being exiled from the capital today.

After all, no one can go against the noble families.

Miss, when should we take action?

A while more.

The Princess has ordered

that we shouldn't take action until we have to.

Your Majesty.

The criminals from the Qin Family are at the execution site now.

We have solid evidence against them,

while Princess Pingyue

has not presented any rebuttal evidence.

Therefore, Your Majesty, please give the command

to execute the Qin Family, who have betrayed the country

and embezzled the military provisions and funds

to serve as a warning to the others.

Your Majesty, I agree

that the Qin Family should be executed immediately.

Your Majesty, please give the execution command now

in accordance with the court's principle.

- Your Majesty, - Your Majesty,

- please give the execution command now - please give the execution command now

- in accordance - in accordance

- with the court's principle. - with the court's principle.

- I agree! - I agree!

Why do you ask that?

There's something I'd like to discuss with you.

Go ahead.

The noble families are directing their anger at you,

and they're aiming to banish you from Huajing.

I have a plan

that would protect you.

I wonder

who is capable of turning the tide.

I...

I ask for your hand in marriage, Your Highness.

Will you marry me?

Your Highness.

Over the past few days,

you kept sending gifts to me,

assuming that Pei Wenxuan is dead,

am I right?

What if I said

that Pei Wenxuan's death

gave me some courage and hope?

In the past, I'd been in love with you,

but because of my family's stance,

I dared not express my feelings for you.

His Majesty wouldn't have allowed you to marry into my family either.

Until now, I've finally realized...

that if I miss this opportunity,

I will miss you forever.

I want to live for myself this once.

The biggest regret in my life

is missing you.

No matter whether we are a couple or allies,

our destinies are intertwined.

Your Highness.

I missed you once,

and I don't wish to miss you again.

That's enough.

Fulai, prepare the decree.

I, Pei Wenxuan, show my greetings to you, Your Majesty.

He's really hard to kill.

Pei Wenxuan?

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Long live Your Majesty.

That's enough. Get up.

Pei Wenxuan, aren't you sick?

Your Majesty,

Princess Pingyue must have told you

that I was feigning illness while secretly leaving the capital

to thoroughly investigate the Qin Family's case.

Continue.

I left the capital secretly,

but I found that someone was following me,

so I set up a trap

to fake my own death

in order to fool them.

That's how I managed to reach the Northwest

to thoroughly investigate the case.

Now,

I have obtained evidence that can clear the Qin Family's name.

Therefore, Your Majesty, please send someone

to the execution site to halt the execution.

Fulai.

Send someone to the execution site

and stop the execution.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

The Prince Consort is back!

♪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 lengthy 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♪