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 21]

Your Highness.

Stop writing.

Your Highness, if you want to get divorced,

just do so as soon as possible.

If you want the Prince Consort to stay,

then go back early.

Why are you still here?

You're just too young.

Why do you care?

Your Highness, you're still very young yourself.

In fact, I'm a few years older than you.

Just listen to me.

Go back.

Your Highness, you've always been so decisive.

Why are you being evasive now?

You can't stay at the Inspectorate Office forever

and go through these documents until you die.

You still have to go back and meet him sooner or later.

Do you think

that I am now indecisive

and unlikable?

If I go back now,

this is the kind of person Pei Wenxuan will meet.

So what?

Anyway, Pei Wenxuan adores you.

And you also care about him.

Who said so?

Your Highness, before this,

have you ever fed anyone soup?

Have you ever attended to anyone?

Have you ever tried

to care about anyone else's feelings?

Have you ever cared

that someone might like you or otherwise?

Do you really not care about him?

Back when the assassins tried to kill you,

you told me to do nothing about it.

But when they tried to kill Pei Wenxuan,

you actually finished them off.

And now, even though it's too risky to kill Xie Lanqing,

but in order to warn them

and avenge the Prince Consort...

How dare you.

Your Highness, if you keep this up,

you're pushing everyone who loves you

and whom you love away.

Have you really thought

about how you want to lead your life?

I have thought it through.

I don't need anyone to care about me.

I have wealth and power.

I can keep anyone I like by my side

and ensure that the people I care about can live a good life.

That's what I want.

Also...

I don't need you to tell me

how I will live my life.

I understand.

You think that everything

needs a result.

Pei Wenxuan is trying to force me to give him an answer,

and now you're doing the same thing.

Yes, he's right.

I don't want to make any effort

while hoping that he could stay.

This is what selfishness is.

No matter how nice I treat him,

if I can't give him what he wants,

I'll need to make everything clear and keep nothing for myself.

What happened today is my fault.

I refused to see his feelings all this time.

That's why I always assume the worst.

Had I been more mindful,

I wouldn't have hurt him,

so I should be apologizing

and explaining everything to him.

I shouldn't presume that what I do is best for him

and assume that by doing so,

I can repay for what he has done for me.

I should give him whatever he wants,

and if I can't, I should tell him clearly.

Your Highness, why have you never thought

about being with him for real?

Your Highness, we've arrived.

Why have you never thought

about being with Pei Wenxuan for real?

Rong, remember

that in the face of power, all love and affection

are like dew on the morning grass.

It will be gone very fast.

I am a bit worried about her.

Who is she to you?

My childhood friend.

Your Highness?

Got it.

Your Highness, you're back.

You haven't gone to sleep yet?

I have a slight wound.

I'll need to get up at night and change my redressing.

I'm afraid I may disturb you,

so I'm planning

to sleep at the study starting from tonight.

I hope you'll approve my request.

It's getting late and cold.

Your Highness, you should get some rest.

I'm sorry.

In the past,

I didn't make myself clear to you.

I was being evasive.

It's my fault.

I let you down today.

It's my fault as well.

Your Highness, don't take it to heart.

Everything is my own decision.

Whether you accept it or not,

that's up to you,

and there's no right or wrong.

Today...

I must have offended you.

I hope you'll forgive me, Your Highness.

Have you really thought

about how you want to live your life?

Your Highness, you want a good life.

You don't want to live the way you did.

You want the Crown Prince to be happy.

You want a complete family.

You want someone who loves you and whom you love.

You want to be surrounded by children.

You want someone who you can rely on

and keep you company as you age.

Right?

Pei Wenxuan.

Can you...

Can you wait for me a little longer?

I know

I'm not very likable.

Especially when it comes to romantic relationships,

you could find me abhorrent.

I am unable to trust you

and even myself.

But that doesn't mean I can't feel your care and affection for me.

I didn't mean to hold off on giving you an answer.

I know how to show love well.

But I can do none of them.

I just can't

let my guard down completely and hand over my heart to someone else.

That's why I need

to constantly confirm that you won't leave.

Still, despite my flaws,

can you just...

Even if it's just a dream,

fate has brought us together

after so many tribulations,

so can you wait for me?

Please don't go.

Forget it.

You must find this ridiculous.

Don't take what I said seriously.

Just...

Just follow your heart.

You can leave if you want to.

Rong.

It's fine.

Rong, 10 years.

Or 20 years. Is that enough?

If it's not...

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

I can add another 20 years.

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

♪Memories flash back♪

I'm incredibly patient.

♪I am that solitary boat♪

I can wait for a long time.

♪Tossed about in the waves, unable to escape♪

You can take your time.

I won't get tired.

I won't leave either.

♪Guides me through the worldly remnants of old dreams♪

Because...

♪Wrapped in the wind's embrace♪

I've liked you

for a long time.

♪Hidden in my sleeves♪

♪No need to imprison myself in longing♪

I will wait for you.

Just move forward.

What do you see in me?

I have a foul temper,

and I'm always mean to you.

♪In this long and arduous journey♪

♪I'm fortunate to have met you♪

Personally,

I'm into someone with a foul temper.

I like someone who is mean to me.

That's why to me,

you're better than anyone else in the world.

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

This is so embarrassing.

I'm sorry.

How is this embarrassing?

I love seeing you feeling embarrassed.

That makes me happy.

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

What happened today is your fault.

Do you know how much those flowers blown up by you cost?

♪For with you, each moment is timeless♪

No matter how much they cost, you're using my money.

I haven't even blamed you

for spending money recklessly,

yet you're telling me how expensive they are?

Alright, let's put an end to this tiff.

Bundle up. You wouldn't want to catch a cold.

Come on.

Come on, let's walk you back to your room.

Mr. Su, whatever you have in mind,

you can just tell me.

Your Highness.

Do you want

to make Prince Su the Crown Prince?

Our country has always made the first son of the Empress the Crown Prince.

I wouldn't dare think of it.

Your Highness.

I think

since you're allying yourself with my family,

you should be honest with me.

You may assume

that no one knows your ambition,

but perhaps the whole world knows about it.

If we have your genuine support,

then on behalf of Prince Su, I name you

the future minister

who has the highest status among all the ministers.

Very well.

Now, there is something

that requires your help.

Your Highness, you may go to bed now.

Are you not going to go to bed?

Didn't you just approve my request to sleep in the study?

Why are you still standing here then?

No, I mean...

you should sleep early

since you'll need to attend the morning audience tomorrow.

Your wish is my command, Your Highness.

I'll take my leave.

What is going on?

I thought we talked it out.

Why does he still want to sleep in the study?

Men are weird creatures.

Your Highness.

There's something I forgot.

What?

♪We watch the moon and sun♪

♪We share the fate♪

Good night.

♪We climb the high tower♪

♪Then we light up a lantern somewhere♪

That scoundrel.

When did he learn such tricks?

♪History may repeat♪

♪I know you will be with me♪

Young Master.

I got you another quilt.

Cover your legs if you feel cold at night.

So, I have something

that I don't know if I should say.

Then don't.

What's wrong with you?

If I don't say it, it's going to stifle me to death.

Stop being angry with the Princess, will you?

Must you move to the study?

What if you infuriate her instead?

You should move back after tonight.

You know nothing.

This is called playing hard to get.

It's a strategy.

Strategy?

You do have much experience with strategies, don't you?

If your strategy fails,

you're going to regret it.

Just one night.

Enough.

Don't stick your nose into it if you know nothing.

Go and get this room ready.

There's nothing in this room.

Get this room ready?

Are you sure?

Of course.

Fine.

I'll carefully get it ready

for you to stay here permanently.

Let's see how many days you'll stay here.

This is infuriating.

Mr. Tong.

Jinglan.

How's the Prince Consort's wound?

Two imperial physicians have come to check on him.

They said he was fine

and just needed some rest.

That's a relief.

But I heard

that the Prince Consort is sleeping in the study tonight?

Yes.

Couples should have no overnight feud, right?

Yes, I agree.

I don't understand

why they are like this.

Right, I just remembered

that Her Highness put it this way.

She said it's called

"spicing things up."

How can a separation spice things up?

[Ministry of Justice]

Sir, we found him.

He's locked up in the Inspectorate Office.

Didn't you say

that he hid poison between his teeth?

Why is he still alive?

Don't worry, sir.

His life is in our hands.

Even if he's alive, he'll never babble.

What is it?

Sir, it's Mr. Su.

Greetings, sir.

Let's talk inside here.

What is it?

Are you worried

about the assassination attempt on Princess Pingyue?

This is a serious matter.

Do you have any plans?

I didn't expect

that these assassins would be so brazen.

As of now, I have no solution.

Sir.

Why don't we turn this disadvantage into an advantage?

Release Lin Feibai tonight.

Why should we release him?

Release him secretly.

I have an agreement with him.

An agreement?

What agreement?

You'll know when it's time.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

the Xie Family's butler visited Mingyue Palace last night.

I'm afraid they might team up.

Okay, I got it.

Your Highness, I'm still worried

that if we push them too hard,

most of the noble families might shift their allegiance to Prince Su.

Ya.

Do you know why my father dotes on Consort Rou?

He dotes on her so much

to leverage over my mother, actually.

No matter what mistake Consort Rou

or Prince Su makes,

my father would never abandon them.

And when he does,

there would be only one reason.

They're no longer useful as his pawns.

Your Highness, I understand now.

I'm going to release that bait now.

Get some rest.

When you release him,

return all his belongings

to him,

especially the jade pendant.

Yes, Your Highness.

Sir, we've received some news.

Go ahead.

The Xie Family sent someone to Mingyue Palace

to deliver a white jade hairpin.

A white jade hairpin?

Does it have any significance?

It's the trendiest accessory in Huajing lately.

A white jade hairpin?

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I heard you have something interesting to tell me.

That's right.

Lately, everyone in the city is enamored of white jade hairpins.

They're practically sold out now.

White jade hairpins are nothing new.

Why the sudden craze?

It was made popular by a top courtesan in Yizhou, who wore it on her hair.

Preposterous.

You may not know

that its price is even more preposterous.

How much does one cost?

I'm afraid my yearly salary can't even afford it.

Lately, there's been a plague in the Southwest,

and people are dying on the streets.

Yet, the people in the capital

would rather spend their money on something superficial.

We need to intervene.

Who's selling the hairpins?

Well...

What is it?

As an adviser,

you should dare say everything.

It's the Xie Family.

I want the Censorate

to discuss this issue tomorrow during the morning audience.

Yes, Your Majesty.

[Mingyue Palace]

Father, I don't understand

what I have done wrong.

Someone!

Lock this ignorant girl up!

Only release her when she realizes

the error of her ways!

Father, the hairpin is a gift...

Huayue!

Please forgive her, Your Majesty.

I have spoiled her.

Reflect on your wrongdoings, go!

Your Majesty, Huayue is still young.

It's my fault...

Do you take me as a fool?

Do you think this hairpin is really for Huayue?

Remember.

If you behave like those people,

I will never

visit your palace again!

Your Majesty, I won't socialize with the noble families again.

You'd better not.

Young Master, Her Highness

had some rest in the morning in the study,

then had her meal,

and later returned to her room.

Who did this?

It wasn't me.

Her Highness was here alone in the morning today.

This shows

that Her Highness is still emotionally unstable.

Did she invite me to eat with her?

No. You wish.

Eat with her?

Young Master, listen to me.

Stop playing coy.

Go and talk to her now.

You need to ease the tension...

No need.

It's all part of my strategy.

More strategies?

My current strategy

is to get a good night's sleep.

Come on, help tuck me in.

You can just be like this.

The coldness will help you come to your senses.

Pei Wenxuan is getting more and more impudent.

He didn't even come to say good night.

What is he up to now?

Whatever.

The security here is actually so lax.

I should find an opportunity to remind him.

I thought it was a cat scratching the windows,

so I got up to check.

I didn't expect to see

such a huge cat.

You are wrong.

It's a little wildcat that is nothing but ferocious.

You'd better be careful, Mr. Pei.

Your Highness, if you want me to go back,

you could have just said so.

Aren't you afraid of catching a cold, coming here late at night?

I couldn't pay you for those buttercups.

So you're still mad at me, aren't you?

I'm not mad.

But you're ignoring me.

I'm not ignoring you.

You are.

You'd rather sleep in the study.

That's because you told me

to wait for you.

So, I thought

I should give you some privacy.

I was also thinking

that I should let you decide

what our relationship should be like.

I'm fine with sleeping in the study.

It's just quite cold here.

Stop being sarcastic.

I finally understand

that you're just playing

hard to get.

You're putting on an act, aren't you?

Just to set me up.

How am I playing hard to get?

Everything I say is true

and comes from my heart.

They're all from your heart?

Fine.

No, I'm wrong.

From your heart?

They're not.

I'm so happy

that you came here to see me.

I'm sleeping here

so that you would care about me.

If you want me to go back,

just tell me,

and I'll go back for your reputation.

For my reputation?

Come back with me then.

All right.

Quickly.

They look like Young Master and Her Highness.

I must be getting really sleepy.

It's so comfortable to sleep here.

I need to ask you something.

Huayue got slapped by my father yesterday.

Was it your doing?

I only told him

about the skyrocketing price of white jade hairpins.

The Xie Family owns a white jade mine in Kunzhou.

They have jade shops everywhere,

most famous for their white jade hairpins.

However, it's not easy to get one.

Not only do you have to be wealthy,

but you also have to have a high status.

Given Consort Rou's family background,

even if Huayue

can afford to buy one,

the Xie Family might not sell one to her.

That's why

my father's slap wasn't just meant for Huayue,

but also Consort Rou.

More importantly,

my father is getting suspicious of Consort Rou,

that she might be colluding with the noble families.

Your eyes are filled with your admiration of me.

That's not admiration.

I'm just thinking that you're as witty as a devil,

and that's very unsettling.

You're unsettled by that?

Mr. Pei, what other secrets do you have

that I don't know?

Pray tell.

I've got lots of secrets that you don't know.

Ms. Shangguan.

You may leave now.

They will change shifts with you.

But Mr. Su ordered us to stand guard here.

He must be mistaken.

It's just a regular change of shift.

Don't you want to rest?

Thank you for your concern.

Let's go.

Your Highness, it's time to get up.

I guess you don't have to.

What's going on?

I was careless.

I forgot to tell her not to wake me up today.

Your Highness!

Your Highness, bad news!

Your Highness, please forgive me!

I don't want to come in,

but my young master is missing!

He may have run away! We need to go and find him now!

What's all that yelling for? I'm right here.

Who's that?

Why is there a man talking here?

It's your young master, Pei Wenxuan.

Sorry for disturbing you!

Can't believe him.

I took the blame for you this time.

You should give me credit for that.

Sure, I will.

All right, let's get some more sleep.

You can still sleep?

I'm so sleepy.

Let's sleep a while more.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

- Mr. Pei. - Mr. Pei.

The Prince Consort is taking over

the military provisions and funds case as His Majesty has commanded.

Cooperate with the Prince Consort

like how you usually cooperate with me.

- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.

- Yes, Mr. Pei. - Yes, Mr. Pei.

By the way, while you were investigating,

didn't Su Ronghua try to stop you?

The Su Family wouldn't do something reckless,

including Su Ronghua himself.

Actually, I don't understand

why you're so confident in the Su Family.

Do you know...

when I first met

Su Rongqing?

Look, Father.

I've got a bamboo dragonfly. It can fly!

I want to have wings when I grow up

so I can fly to the most beautiful places in the Great Xia!

Your Majesty, Mr. Su is here.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You may rise.

Your Majesty, I implore you to rescind your command

and not to start a war in the North.

I, Su Rongqing, hope that you would rescind your command too, Your Majesty.

Let the war end so that the people can rehabilitate.

You may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Fulai.

Bring the children out to play.

I need to talk to Minister Su.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Go.

Why do you come to visit my father?

Because he wants to conquer the northern lands,

and I have to stop him.

But Father said

that the war is to beat the bad people up.

Why do you want to stop him?

We have already reclaimed our lost territorial lands,

and if the war continues, we'll be invading other nations.

If we win,

the credit goes to the Emperor.

However, the Emperor's achievements

will be achieved by the lives of the common people.

The South has been experiencing three years of drought.

The people are suffering.

Rather than starting a war to conquer foreign enemies in the North,

I hope we can implement policies that benefit the people,

ensuring that the common people won't suffer from hunger.

Aren't you afraid

that my father might flog you

or even kill you if you provoke him?

What's so scary about death?

The Su Family

has always lived and fought for the country.

Actually...

But...

it's not them who are evil

but the intentions of others.

A big family like theirs

is bound to have someone who harbors an evil intention.

Still, I will hold them in respect.

They've got their bottom line,

and it will be fine if I don't cross it.

Mr. Tong.

Jinglan, you scared me.

I don't understand.

When Her Highness and the Prince Consort

just got married,

they were such a sweet couple.

Then, they started sleeping in separate rooms.

But now...

I don't understand what's going on.

This is probably their strategy.

The harder it is for them to meet,

the more they long for each other.

So, should we just pretend that we don't know anything?

Of course, we have to.

Your Majesty, Princess Pingyue hired an assassin to kill me!

Please seek justice for me!

Do you have any evidence?

Fortunately,

I was blessed by your grace

to capture the assassin.

I have solid evidence!

Summon Pingyue here now!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Is everything going well with the Prince Consort?

Yes.

Send some pastries over to him.

Sure.

Tell him not to exert himself. You may go now.

Your Highness, bad news!

What is it?

Lin Feibai failed and was captured.

What a pity.

Your Highness, you need to come up with a plan now.

Xie Lanqing will definitely make a big deal out of it.

Prepare the evidence that shows

how they tried to kill me.

Your Highness, I don't understand.

Why did you order Lin Feibai

to assassinate Xie Lanqing?

He's the Minister of Justice.

It's hard to get him killed.

Now that Lin Feibai is caught alive,

if he gave you away,

and given the fact that you're already in so much trouble,

even His Majesty might not be able to save you.

You're planning to threaten him with your knowledge of his stronghold?

But Lin Feibai is no fool.

Would he actually be threatened by that?

He's the one who sees me as a fool,

scheming against me with Xie Lanqing.

There are many possibilities for this assassination.

Given how cunning Xie Lanqing is,

he'd prepare a backup plan.

Since you know that,

why did you tell him to kill Xie Lanqing?

I only have two choices.

If I believe him,

I'll fall into their trap.

But if I don't,

I'll never be able to trap Xie Lanqing.

By ordering Lin Feibai to kill Xie Lanqing, I've actually

offered Xie Lanqing an opportunity to accuse me of that in the court.

And by doing so,

he'll have to come out from the dark.

That gives me the chance to sink my fangs into him.

So, your fangs are...

Really?

Absolutely.

[Hanqiu Palace]

Greetings, Father.

Skip the formalities.

Minister Xie said

you sent this assassin to kill him.

Do you plead guilty?

Father,

I'd like to ask him a few questions.

Permission granted.

You said

I ordered you to kill Mr. Xie.

So, please tell me

how I found you

and how I ordered you to do so.

I am an assassin for hire.

Half a month ago,

Your Highness came to me with a painting

and hired me to kill a high-ranked official.

Although Your Highness was wearing a veil

and I couldn't see the face,

I could remember your voice.

You've got sharp ears.

What happened next?

Then, I followed my employer's request

and went to Butterfly Gorge to kill the man in the painting.

Then, I was ambushed

and thrown into prison

in the Inspectorate Office.

It was there

that I saw the Princess.

After hearing the voice, I knew

that you were the one

who hired me to kill Mr. Xie.

I immediately realized

that Your Highness staged this whole show.

Your Highness knew I was a capable killer,

so you asked me to kill Mr. Xie.

Otherwise,

you'd accuse me of assassinating you, then have my head chopped off.

Nice story.

Looks like he's prepared.

Is he speaking the truth?

Father, I'd like you

and the other officials here

to observe this man and Mr. Xie.

Don't they look rather similar?

After taking a closer look...

They do look quite similar.

What do you mean?

Father.

Here's the truth.

Half a month ago, I received a threatening kite

with the word "stop" written in red.

That same evening,

someone tried to assassinate the Prince Consort.

Your Majesty,

Her Highness ordered me to investigate this item.

[Stop] We found out that the red ink used

comes from a stationery shop in the capital

called Huiming Shop that caters to the nobility.

I've investigated

their recent accounts for this half year,

and the Xie Family is one of their customers.

Of course,

this fact itself

is not enough to prove

that Mr. Xie is related to this case.

The situation back then

was that the enemies were in the dark while I was in the open.

It was impossible to defend effectively.

That's why I planned to draw them out

by announcing that the Prince Consort

and I would be out on an excursion.

We set up an ambush at Butterfly Gorge,

using myself as bait,

and we caught a group of assassins alive,

which included this man.

Upon investigation,

this man is adept at using Seven-star Darts.

He is the Deputy Sect Leader of the top assassin organization

in the martial world, Seven-star Sect.

During my investigation,

I found something on him.

What are you doing?

Why are you scared?

Don't you want to know the truth?

♪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♪