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 23]

Mr. Lin.

Miss Shangguan.

Have you talked to the guards who will be escorting him?

Yes.

They can't uncuff him now since they're still in the city,

but once they're out,

they will do so right away.

Her Highness said

that they would give you some decency.

Don't expect the Seven-star Sect

to send people to rescue you.

If they do so,

given His Majesty's temper,

and the fact that your sect

is involved both in killing and abduction,

he would not spare you.

So, you're here today

just to tell me that?

Her Highness has an offer for you.

It has to do with killing and fighting, like what you've been doing.

Would you like to utilize your talents on the battlefield instead?

So?

You will be banished to an army post.

It's different from exile itself.

You will be sent off to a distant land,

but those who are exiled have no future.

As for being banished to an army post, if you can get military merit,

you may atone for their sins

and even occupy an important position.

Mr. Lin, if you are willing,

Her Highness can work with you.

Once you earn military merit,

she will request His Majesty

to add your name to the Xie Family's pedigree,

so that you will become a good citizen instead of a criminal.

By then,

you can build a military career.

Do you prefer wandering around, hiding from everyone,

or becoming an accredited member of the Xie Family

and having a successful career?

Mr. Lin, give it some thought.

Does Her Highness trust me?

Whether she trusts you or not,

that is up to her consideration.

Mr. Lin.

You were bound by your mother's last wishes in the past.

But now,

you can make a better choice.

By the way,

Her Highness wants me to return this to you.

Miss Shangguan, please tell Her Highness

that I will accept

her offer.

Miss Shangguan, he needs to leave now.

Perhaps you can continue this conversation someday.

The Southwest is far and remote.

Take care of yourself.

Miss Shangguan, don't worry.

With your wooden cards,

I'll never feel bored.

Mr. Lin, it's a misunderstanding.

The wooden cards aren't for you.

Her Highness was there that day,

and I couldn't take them with me,

so I gave them to you for safekeeping.

Can you return them now?

Miss Shangguan, didn't you say

that life in the southwestern borders would be boring?

I'll keep them for now.

Don't worry.

I'll keep these wooden cards safe.

Set off!

Off we go!

Mr. Su.

Princess Huayue.

You're always busy with work,

but I heard you're taking the day off,

so I came to meet you.

You wouldn't be angry at me, would you?

Of course not.

I'm resting today,

so it's good to take a stroll.

I find the spring scenery pleasant

and comfortable.

I also need to practice playing some scores,

so I asked someone to prepare a guqin here.

But I just can't seem to get it right.

I've heard that you're good at playing the guqin,

so I'd like to get some guidance from you.

I'm flattered. I just have a slight knowledge of playing the guqin.

Don't be modest, Mr. Su.

No wonder you find it hard

to play these scores.

Why do you say so?

These scores are mostly describing

the overwhelming atmosphere of a war.

If you want to play these scores well,

you need to immerse yourself in the real situation.

Her Highness, you're an innocent lady who has never experienced a war.

It's hard for you to imagine such a scene.

What I meant was

that you've always been well protected.

You can cry and laugh whenever you feel like it.

You can be who you truly are.

It's fortunate for you

to have such a genuine disposition.

You can do so as well, Mr. Su.

You look exceptionally good when you smile,

but I rarely see you smile.

I'll ask my father to reduce your workload.

Her Highness, you have a kind heart.

You're so pure like a blank paper.

That's why you have a bright smile.

I hope you can always

lead a simple life.

Hope you can always enjoy such simple bliss.

I'm honored to receive

your blessing myself.

Besides...

I do think

that you're a really good man.

If you have time,

I hope

to learn more from you

so I won't be like a blank paper.

There's nothing wrong with being a blank paper.

Many people

spend their lives longing for

the innocence they once had.

That's right, you should smile more.

The weather is beautiful today.

Let's not waste such good time.

Let's begin.

Young Master.

We're almost done decorating, look.

Pei Wenxuan.

Look what these are.

Dumplings?

I made them myself.

Listen,

this is my first time making dumplings.

They look good, don't they?

They do.

Look at you.

You're getting flour all over your face, you little kitten.

Who's going to get me?

Slowly, Douya.

Don't make your sister trip and fall.

Time for dinner!

Mother, stop busying yourself.

Come and enjoy the reunion dinner.

Coming.

You've worked hard, my wife.

Not at all.

Here.

Come on, Father, Mother.

- Happy Spring Festival. - Happy Spring Festival.

Here's a toast to both of you.

Wish you a long life and a happy marriage!

- Very well. - Very well.

I also wish you a long and healthy life,

Wish our family

to be blessed with prosperity,

harmony,

happiness,

and peace.

- Very well. - There will be peace all year round.

So, I wish you

to be healthy and stay young forever.

Come on, Rongqing.

Come on, Ronghua.

You should always listen to your mother.

- Sure. - Sure.

Both of you have grown to be benevolent and loyal.

As your mother, I'm proud of you.

But when it comes to your marriages,

I've surveyed the unmarried ladies from all noble families

in the capital,

yet none caught your eyes.

Why so?

That depends on Ronghua.

I can't get married

before him, after all.

Why are you dragging me into this?

I should respect for seniority.

Oh my.

This kid...

Don't make me wait too long.

Come on, Father, Mother.

There will be many things

worth celebrating in the new year.

Here's a toast to you again.

You'll be the next one to get killed.

Ronghua.

Here's a toast to you two.

All of us

must value the present moment

and make each day count

in the future.

Let's make every day a happy day!

Happy Spring Festival!

Make every day a happy day!

For the sake of my family,

I won't let Li Chuan ascend the throne

and repeat the tragedy.

What a splendid dinner!

- Sit down. - Sit.

Skip the formalities today.

Let's all sit together and eat.

We're having dumplings

on this joyous day.

There are silver coins inside some of the dumplings.

Anyone who finds it gets a reward.

- A reward? - Really?

Dig in.

Let's eat.

Which dumpling is made by me? This one.

Eat this.

I want to eat the dumplings made by me.

I made this. Its stuffing tastes good.

Really, try it.

Fine.

Let me guess.

I'll have some beef.

Not mine.

Not this one.

Her Highness found one!

Congratulations, Your Highness!

What does this mean?

It means Her Highness is blessed with luck, right?

- Yes. - Yes.

What's wrong?

Give me some decency, please.

My teeth almost broke.

It's because you chomped down so hard.

And you even found the coin in the first dumpling you had.

Where's my reward?

Be patient.

Let's see what it is.

Let's see.

Your Highness, you...

That's so stingy.

Stingy.

See? Everyone's saying

that you're so stingy, only putting this little money in it.

You don't understand.

That's what they call fair and square.

That's how it is.

Besides, it's not so little

if you count the silver coin in your dumpling in.

Yeah.

Don't worry.

How could I not prepare a proper gift for you?

This is the real New Year gift

for you.

That's more like it.

Wait.

Since you're receiving a gift,

you need to say something auspicious, right?

- Yes. - Yes.

What auspicious words?

Stop it.

Well, Young Master,

this is not right.

You're not Her Highness's elder.

You don't have to give her that.

Come on, give it to me instead...

Are you saying that you are my elder?

Well, I was just saying...

Eat your dumplings.

Well...

Tong Ye is right.

You're not my elder. Why should I say any auspicious words?

Of course, you should.

You're not my junior,

yet you're my wife.

There's nothing wrong with saying some auspicious words, right?

- Yes. - Your Highness, just say something.

Your Highness, don't be shy.

How about let me teach you some?

Just repeat after me.

My dear Prince Consort, I love you so much.

I want to spend every Spring Festival with you...

Enough.

That's all you need to say.

Eat up.

Tong Ye has already taught you what to say.

Don't listen.

- Okay. - Okay.

Well.

I heard it! She said it!

That's enough.

We have a lucky start for this year now.

Come on, raise your glasses.

Let's celebrate.

- Alright, then we together wish... Wish everyone in the Princess's Mansion

can enjoy a lucky new year and a healthy long life.

- Happy Spring Festival! Stay healthy! - Happy Spring Festival! Stay healthy!

Come on.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

They're setting off fireworks outside.

- Let's go and have a look. - Let's go.

It's snowing.

Come on.

Look!

The fireworks look gorgeous in the snow!

They call this...

What a heavy snow！

A fall of seasonable snow gives promise of a fruitful year.

We sure have a lucky start this year.

That's what I was trying to say.

♪Waking up to the warmth of the sun♪

- So beautiful. - So beautiful.

♪Only wrinkles on one's sleeves♪

Rong.

I will give you a home.

It's not like the palace.

I will heal all the wounds in your heart.

From now on,

no matter you are the Princess or Li Rong,

you will always have me with you.

Pei Wenxuan.

I will try hard

to maintain this happiness forever.

♪I'm glad to have you in my world♪

♪By my side♪

♪We watch the moon and sun♪

♪We share the fate♪

♪We climb the high tower♪

Here you go.

Thank you.

Happy Spring Festival. See you.

Sir.

It's the Spring Festival.

Why are you walking around here alone?

I was with my family earlier,

and I felt happy so I drank a few more glasses of liquor.

Perhaps I drank a little too much.

That's why I'm taking a stroll to sober up.

You're a handsome man.

Are you married?

But there should be someone you adore, right?

There is.

Fate brought us here to meet.

I'll give you a lantern.

I wonder what she's like.

She...

She's witty, cute, and assertive.

She's brave and persevering.

No matter what happens,

she will always stay on her path.

Then, I'll give you a lantern with a rabbit pattern.

Here you go.

I hope that you and the lady you adore

can get married soon.

That sounds like an impossible wish.

You can't say that.

If you're serious about her,

you should fight for her.

When it comes to relationships,

the result is indeed important,

but more importantly,

don't leave any regrets.

Am I right?

You're right.

I'm not going to let anyone,

including myself, down.

That's right.

Thank you.

Wishing you a happy, lucky, and safe year.

Happy Spring Festival.

How generous of you.

[Jucai House] Small, small, small!

Place your bets!

- Small, small, small! - Small!

It's small again.

Small, three...

Big, then small...

What are you...

Mr. Su.

How did you sneak out today?

And how did you sneak out?

How do you know I'm here?

I'll tell you when you win. Small, all in!

Let's see.

Place your bets!

Look.

- Big, big! - Small, small!

The Princess is here.

Let's go.

These scoundrels.

Just ignore them.

Thank you for your hospitality.

No worries.

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

His Majesty has arrived!

- Greetings, Your Majesty. - Greetings, Your Majesty.

- Boundless fortune to Your Majesty. - Boundless fortune to Your Majesty.

- Long live Your Majesty! - Long live Your Majesty!

- Long live the Empress! - Long live the Empress!

You may rise, everyone.

- Thank you, Your Majesty! - Thank you, Your Majesty!

Do you know

why I hold this banquet

on the third day of the first month of each year?

The sage came up with the idea of self-cultivation

a well-managed family, the ability to administer the state,

and to bring peace to the nation.

I believe

that the highest form of governing a country

is the co-construction of family and country.

That would dispel any selfish thoughts,

which will unite everyone.

On this auspicious day,

I wish everyone in the world a bountiful year.

Wish everyone to live and work in peace and contentment.

Wish peace could reign throughout our lands and borders.

May our country enjoy abundance and happiness!

- May our country enjoy - May our country enjoy

- abundance and happiness! - abundance and happiness!

Start the banquet!

Your Majesty,

Princess Huayue and Prince Su would like to perform a score for you.

Young people do like showing off.

The dancers may leave now.

Fulai, summon Huayue here.

Princess Huayue, His Majesty is summoning you.

Father.

I heard you've prepared a score to perform

together with Prince Su

to wish all of us a happy new year.

For this occasion, I have specially prepared

a performance featuring the long-lost Battle Song of Pingchuan

for you and the ministers of the court.

It was Cheng's idea too.

He said we should

start the new year

by performing a sword dance

to celebrate

our last year's victories in the wars happened in the Northwest.

It can also showcase

the manliness we men of the Great Xia should have.

Great.

He's just 14 years old,

and he already wants to be a man.

Father, my swordsmanship improved tremendously last year.

My master said that I might be young,

but I wouldn't lose to a grown man.

Well.

So, do you think

you can defeat your brother, the Crown Prince?

My brother is good at reading and studying.

I admit that I am no match for him in this regard.

But when it comes to martial arts,

it's possible that I might win after all.

Did you hear that?

If you don't practice harder,

your brother is going to look down on you.

You're right, Father.

I'm sure that Cheng will grow up to be a formidable warrior

to guard our country's borders and dignity.

I will be playing the flute today.

This performance will be better

with the accompaniment of the guqin.

Mr. Su, if you don't mind,

can you play the guqin to accompany my flute

and perform this score for my father?

What do you say, Official Su?

Mr. Su?

You don't have to bother Mr. Su, Huayue.

Li Rong.

Actually, the Battle Song of Pingchuan

is not a long-lost score.

It's just that some renowned instructors

may not be willing to teach it to most of their mediocre students.

I once learned this score.

If you need an accompaniment,

I can help you with it.

Thank you, Rong. Please then.

Huayue, why don't you stand forward a little more?

Still, if you do,

you might fall off the stage.

By then, I'd be performing alone.

I'm sorry. Let's start.

Now that Her Highness is on the stage, Huayue is going to embarrass herself.

The enemy is relentless. They've sworn to fight till the end.

It has been a long journey coming here.

Both sides have been at a standstill for half a month.

Our attacks have not been successful.

The soldiers are getting exhausted.

What we need to do now is to raise the soldiers' morale.

Your Highness.

I have an idea that can improve the soldiers' morale,

but that would require you to do something.

Your Highness.

This is the Battle Song of Pingchuan.

It is a famous ancient score

that can uplift the listeners' spirits.

If you can perform the score personally,

you'd be able to boost the soldiers' morale.

Let's begin.

Soldiers!

Princess Pingyue is here!

She's here with a message from your families,

your wives and children!

Our brave warriors will enter this battle,

defeat the enemy,

fight till the end

and return with honor!

Fight till the end! Return with honor!

- Fight till the end! Return with honor! - Fight till the end! Return with honor!

Your Highness.

You still remember the times when we were together after all.

Fortunately, this jealous scoundrel didn't get the suona.

Official Gu.

As the Minister of Rites,

do you know whether the Battle Song of Pingchuan

is meant to be played like this?

Your Majesty.

The original score

is not played in such a way.

The earlier ensemble

with Princess Pingyue on the guqin,

Princess Huayue on the flute

and Official Su on the drums

is the traditional and proper way.

Now that the Prince Consort is joining with the erhu,

this is an innovative performance.

It doesn't sound bad though.

The addition of the erhu

gives the score an exotic feel.

Brilliant.

Mr. Su.

Wenxuan's erhu performance was truly amazing.

Indeed.

But Rongqing's drum performance was awesome too.

Princess Pingyue's guqin skills have greatly improved.

The Prince Consort's erhu accompaniment was fantastic.

You played the flute well, Huayue.

That was a splendid guqin performance.

It was obvious that you really wanted to show off.

So were you.

Had the musician not held his suona tightly,

we might have been playing funeral music.

If I do get a suona,

I'm going to play a score

to celebrate a happy marriage.

Brilliant!

Today, we have witnessed a marvelous performance of the guqin,

the flute

and the drums.

As for the erhu,

it was exceptionally wonderful.

However, what delighted me the most

was Prince Su's sword dance.

He looked like a true warrior.

This is how our country's men should be.

What do you think, everyone?

Crown Prince.

Today, your siblings

played a score and danced

to celebrate the new year.

As the Crown Prince,

what do you have to say?

Unlike them, I am not well-versed in performing arts.

All I can do is to focus on the state's affairs

to share your burden

and improve the people's welfare.

How pleasing to the ears. Sweet words indeed.

You may leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

Why are you sitting here all alone?

What brings you here, Rong?

It's getting stuffy in the hall. I need some fresh air.

Did they pour you too much liquor?

Let me peel a tangerine for you.

Of course, they didn't.

No one would dare to make me drunk

if I don't feel like it.

I just didn't feel like staying there.

Chuan.

No matter what you do,

you have my support.

Don't make yourself upset.

Rong, tell me the truth.

Am I really unlikable?

It's the Spring Festival, and he kept embarrassing me

in front of the ministers.

Rong, is this fair?

It's not.

Rong.

Honestly, I've considered giving up

on being the Crown Prince.

But since the Qin Family's decline,

I began to regret it.

You were right.

I need to be strong to have the right to choose.

Don't worry, Rong.

The embarrassment I had today

won't stop me from growing stronger.

Rest assured, I know what to do.

Don't let anyone know we've been talking here for so long.

I need to go.

This is the price of growing up.

Mr. Su.

I may need your help in the future, so I would like to thank you in advance.

Mr. Su.

We'll take our leave, Mr. Su.

We'll take our leave.

Mr. Su, here's a toast to you.

Here's a toast to you, Mr. Su.

That's enough for today,

or else I'd get drunk.

Then we'll have a drink on some other day.

Alright, I'll take my leave.

I'll take my leave.

Mr. Su.

Aren't you going to have another cup of liquor?

Mr. Pei, I've had enough liquor.

I have other things to attend to.

Mr. Su.

It's rather inappropriate to covet my wife

in front of everyone.

We're of the same age.

It's time for you to get married.

Besides, we're sworn brothers.

You helped me fetch the bride at my wedding back then.

I have never forgot your kindness.

How about let me find you a suitable lady?

Pei Wenxuan.

Your Highness, what took you so long?

I'm getting sleepy.

Let's go.

Your Highness...

Mr. Su.

If you really have something important to say, we can talk some other day.

My wife and I have other things to do at home.

Your Highness.

You suffered so much when you were with Pei Wenxuan back then.

Do you really want to suffer it again?

Why did you join the Inspectorate Office?

My brother wanted me to come,

so here I am.

But personally,

I'd love to see what Her Highness and you are up to.

Everyone is busy fighting and struggling

in the palace.

I hate those hypocrites.

But, you and Her Highness are unlike them.

You're the rare kind of people who'd go against the flow of things.

That's why

I want to see

why you set up the Inspectorate Office.

Tell me.

Why did you join the Inspectorate Office?

Perhaps like what you said,

I also want to live like a human.

I want to be useful.

I want to provide my family with some irreplaceable value.

A more important value

than getting married for political gains.

This is the only way for me

to remain as Shangguan Ya.

As a woman,

your path is more difficult than mine.

Well, let's drop the subject.

Let's have a drink. Cheers.

Su Ronghua.

I went to you today

not to rant and complain.

I just like to gamble,

have a drink,

and mess with you.

The fact that you want

to gamble and drink with me

shows that I've left a good impression on you.

Maybe

it's because we're both a different breed.

A different breed?

That makes you and me the same breed.

Who wants to be the same breed as you?

Come on.

We're going to drink to our hearts' content tonight!

I wonder which gentleman

would marry a woman like you.

I wonder which lady

would marry a man like you.

Let's make a pact, then.

If we can't find anyone compatible,

let's just live together for the rest of our lives.

Good idea!

Cheers!

Live together.

Cheers!

Your Highness.

Why is there an influx of outsiders in the capital lately?

Probably

for the imperial examinations.

The imperial examinations?

But it'll be held in two months.

Why come here so early?

You didn't know?

They don't just assess your examination answers.

You can also submit your essays

to the examiner in advance.

If they like it,

even if you don't perform well in your examinations, you can advance

to the final imperial examination with your submitted essays.

How do the ordinary candidates

make sure that the examiners

get to read their essays?

By submitting them along with their examination scripts?

That's exactly

why they're here

in the capital so early.

The candidates will submit their essays

to rich and powerful families who are interested in their work.

If they like the essays,

they would recommend them to the examiner.

I guess it's not easy

being a commoner.

You think so too?

If you get a recommendation from those in power,

the examiner might give you some extra points.

That makes it even harder for a commoner

to become the top scorer.

The rich kids don't even need to take the examinations.

They already have their family's backing.

Take Su Rongqing as an example,

when he was 12 years old,

he was already joining his grandfather in the imperial court.

However,

commoners could only become officials

through the imperial examinations.

Yet, they still have to contend

with proud and rich ones from the noble families

who are backed by power and wealth.

With an unfair system like this,

it'd be hard for the country to search for true talents.

Change is necessary.

Your Highness, it's not easy for commoners to become officials.

If we do encounter someone with talent,

we must foster them as best as we can.

You've really grown up.

[Su's Mansion]

[In search of talents]

[Recruiting talents] Recruiting talents?

Even Su Rongqing, the top talent, is recruiting talents?

Anyone who gets his recommendation

is bound to become an official.

Hurry.

I also look forward to reading your essays.

My mansion always welcomes knowledgeable talents.

Everyone.

[Ability to appreciate a person's character and capability]

Today, we will be discussing

the ability to appreciate a person's character and capability.

Feel free to give your opinions.

- Good topic. - Yes.

I believe that the one with the ability

to appreciate a person's character and capability

is able to develop the talents to their full abilities

and motivate people to do their best.

I think it's also important to be open-minded

and can win people by virtue.

Those who can appreciate talents are wise men themselves,

but more importantly,

they should be able to accept those who are more talented than they are.

This is the true art

of knowing people and making the best use of them.

[Tian Licun]

Well said.

Even I have learned a thing or two.

Father, you're here.

- It's Mr. Su. - It's Mr. Su.

Everyone, this is my father,

the current Right Chancellor of the court.

- Sir. - Sir.

Good.

Good.

We didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Su.

This shows that they are committed to recruiting talents with sincerity.

He's an important minister in court.

Just seeing him in person is worth the trip.

If I fail, I can retake the examinations next year.

Can I report someone cheating?

Would we get sentenced for doing that?

Not at all.

I am entrusted by His Majesty and the people

to ensure the system's impartiality.

The imperial examinations are to recruit talents for the country.

Of course, we do not tolerate cheating.

- Awesome! - Awesome!

A true gentleman indeed!

Everyone.

If you have a case to plead,

you may stay back after our discussion.

♪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♪