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 39]

Your Highness, did His Majesty give this jade seal to you?

Why the sudden sigh of relief?

I am naturally happy for His Majesty.

If His Majesty has entrusted this jade seal to you,

it means

His Majesty has let go of some concerns.

How so?

Actually...

His Majesty has always cared for you.

Though he hasn't shown

his feelings that much,

it has always been there.

He's always cared for you as a father.

Your Highness, this was just written by His Majesty.

He ordered me to give it to you.

[Princess Pingyue, Li Rong, will be Regent Princess Royal.]

What does he mean by this?

He trusts me?

Your Highness.

If it were any other day,

His Majesty wouldn't naturally trust you.

But perhaps His Majesty is willing

to trust the current you a bit.

Who

are you siding with?

Your Highness,

I am naturally loyal to His Majesty.

But if there are words that benefit you,

I will naturally tell you.

I want to be alone for a while.

Yes, Your Highness.

I shall take my leave.

It is quite high.

It is also a little cold.

[Changhe Gate]

They have concentrated their forces in the inner palace.

It seems they intend to start a battle in the inner palace.

Your Highness.

Mr. Su,

we shall be counting on you today.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

As long as the Xiao Family's troops are at our disposal.

Mr. Su,

as long as you ensure the throne belongs to Prince Su,

the Xiao Family's troops will follow your orders.

[Taiji Hall]

Kneel.

Li Rong, what are you doing?

Are you mad?

Father is seriously ill.

The Crown Prince is still injured.

Therefore, I am appointed as Regent.

Fulai,

announce the imperial decree.

Yes, Your Highness.

"I have recently fallen ill, with my limbs failing. The Crown Prince

is still recovering from injuries he got during the Winter Festivity..."

Charge!

"But the country cannot be without a ruler for a day.

Princess Pingyue, Li Rong,

known for her virtue and adeptness in court affairs,

is appointed as Regent Princess Royal

to oversee the state affairs in my stead.

Treat her as you would treat me."

Respected officials, the decree has been announced.

Please pay your respects.

Why are you standing there?

Go and take her down.

Your Highness, calm down.

You didn't kneel when hearing the decree. Are you rebelling?

Last night there was a palace coup. Without seeing His Majesty,

I dare not kneel.

Why not?

I'm afraid of kneeling to a traitor and dishonoring His Majesty.

The Crown Prince, Li Chuan,

brazenly led troops to surround the Imperial Palace last night,

deceiving you and holding His Majesty hostage.

I have come to His Majesty's rescue.

Please do not interfere, Your Highness.

Someone,

Her Highness is startled.

Bring her to take some rest.

Insolence!

The Crown Prince never entered the palace last night.

His Majesty is currently safe and sound.

You all are committing the crime of treason

by forcibly attacking the city.

Withdraw and accept your punishment!

The Crown Prince was not in the palace last night?

The Crown Prince went out of the city to recuperate from injuries.

Therefore, I was ordered to act as Regent.

Everyone, your whole families and clans

will be eliminated if you plot against His Majesty.

We may not pursue this crime today.

But you will be punished one day.

Li Chuan is not in the palace now.

His Majesty is even still alive.

Could our attack

on the Imperial Palace be ridiculous?

The charge of killing the Emperor

is questionable

when power is at its peak.

If power diminishes one day...

Mother.

it becomes the cause of one's family's annihilation.

Everyone,

I wish to speak with Princess Pingyue in private.

Could you make a room for us?

Since you have matters to discuss with Princess Pingyue,

we won't disturb you.

Everyone,

let's wait outside.

Cheng.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, Su Rongqing is, after all, a man.

What if he harbors ill intentions

towards you...

Prepare a pot of tea. And you may leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

Rou, the Crown Prince didn't make his move.

Now these noble families may have a change of heart.

No, they won't.

Once troops enter the palace,

no one can escape.

Mr. Su is inside

to buy us time to act.

Your Highness.

It seems there has been a misunderstanding.

Since His Majesty is unharmed,

the Crown Prince may not be rebelling.

So we just discussed

that everyone should

dismiss.

If there is indeed a misunderstanding,

we naturally should withdraw,

admit our error, and ask for punishment from His Majesty.

But we haven't seen His Majesty.

We don't know if what Pingyue said is true.

Now that we are in the palace,

why not let me go to Hanqiu Palace

to find out whether His Majesty is safe

or has met with misfortune.

What do you think, Mr. Gu?

Confirming His Majesty's safety is indeed necessary.

We will assist you in entering Hanqiu Palace.

Thank you.

Qian, guard the palace gate.

Prevent unauthorized entry and exit.

Yes, Your Highness.

Follow me.

Mother.

What do we do if Father is still alive?

He won't be alive.

Once we see him,

we'll fabricate that he has already been killed by Li Chuan.

What are you trying to do?

The Gu Family is not involved.

We do not know anything.

We really don't know anything.

You'd better watch your manners

or else the Su Family's master won't let you off.

Everyone, calm down.

As long as you cooperate,

we will not give you a hard time.

Let us go now.

Don't use any violence.

Close the door.

Let us go!

Young Master,

the Su and Gu Families' relatives are all inside.

What about the Wang Family?

They haven't been breached.

Did anyone escape?

The Wang Family has closed their doors and no one has come out.

What about the situation at the palace?

The palace gate has already been breached.

Troops from the Su and Xiao Families and several other noble families

have entered the Imperial Palace.

Su Rongqing,

along with Gu Zidao, Wang Dunmin, and others,

have also entered.

It's said the morning court has not been canceled.

How long did it take to breach the palace gate?

Less than an hour.

They breached the Imperial City in less than an hour?

It seems Li Rong didn't deploy defenses outside the city

but withdrew all forces back to the inner palace.

Given her temperament, such a move

only signifies one thing.

His Majesty isn't dead at all.

If so, the Princess withdrew

the troops back to the inner palace

to safeguard them.

She's waiting for the Crown Prince

to have a chance to coordinate with her

to launch a counterattack.

She is buying time for us.

Yes.

We can win this.

And we must win.

Mr. Pei, Xun Chuan's troops have arrived

and are going to attack the city.

Yuan Feiyu,

immediately take a thousand soldiers to the city tower

and coordinate with Xun Chuan to open the city gate.

You must act fast.

Also, inform Pei Xiao

that after taking the Wang Family's relatives to the Princess's Mansion,

guard the Princess's Mansion.

Await my orders.

Yes.

Tong Ye,

release all sky lanterns in the mansion.

The Crown Prince will understand my message.

Yes.

Also,

prepare incense and water and get the carriage ready.

I'm going into the palace.

Young Master, you are...

I'm going to fetch Her Highness.

Your Highness!

Shangguan Ya entrusted me

to come here to fetch you.

Her Majesty has been safely sent

to the camp by Shangguan Ya and Lin Feibai,

with strong guards ensuring her safety.

You don't need to worry.

It has been a while. How are you?

With it here,

I'm fine.

I'll take this mask from you.

Rong has been completely exonerated for the Qin Family.

You no longer need it.

She specifically instructed me

that Huajing is your home.

You should return openly

without needing to hide anymore.

Hongyu has finally returned

to Zhilan's side riding the wind.

Today is the time

for these two swords to fulfill their mission.

Let's go and join Shangguan Ya

and the fellow soldiers

to attack the city together.

Prepare for battle.

Let's return home safely together.

It's been a long time since I brewed tea for you.

It's a pity your favorite, Yinjian tea, isn't available today.

It's a pity.

Did you intentionally separate us from the others

just to catch up with me?

There are several questions I naturally want to ask you.

Your Highness,

is it still comfortable up there?

What do you mean?

You know...

that I only want to stop Li Chuan.

Since you are the Regent Princess Royal now,

is it necessary for Li Chuan to be the Crown Prince?

Your Highness,

I did not come for revenge.

Li Chuan can live.

But he cannot live under his own identity.

As the Regent Princess Royal,

once Li Cheng ascends the throne,

you can convict Li Chuan of plotting a rebellion

and ask him to live under a different identity.

I remember the first time I met you.

It was in the Imperial Study.

You and Chancellor Su knelt together at the door of the Imperial Study

to dissuade my father from the Northern expedition.

You said

that members of the Su Family

devote all their lives to the people and the state.

Then, let me ask you,

are the nobble families today

a good thing or a bad thing

for the people?

The Northern expedition back then was indeed an impulsive move.

But back then, if it wasn't

for the exploitation and corruption by the noble families,

the military provisions and funds would have been enough for the expedition.

The southern floods were indeed caused by the Northern expedition,

which depleted the national treasury.

But if it wasn't for the prosperity of the noble families

and their exemption from taxes,

allowing local officials backed up by the noble families

to evade taxes,

the treasury wouldn't have been so empty.

You said that as an emperor,

Li Chuan shouldn't exclusively favor one woman.

But Su Rongqing,

if you truly love someone,

wouldn't you feel hurt

being with someone else?

But he is a ruler.

All pain must be endured.

Even so, it must be meaningful.

If his endurance pleases the noble families

rather than the people,

what's the point?

You've always blamed everything on Li Chuan.

But today's situation isn't solely

one person's fault.

According to you,

is it all the fault of the noble families?

But are there no corrupt and greedy people

among the commoners?

Are there no factional struggles among them?

This is human nature.

What does it have to do with the noble families?

You all say that the noble families are at fault.

During years of disasters,

the Su Family provided relief.

The Su Family's descendants fought on the battlefield during times of war.

What did the Su Family do wrong?

You said that in the harem struggles, Li Chuan was not at fault.

Does that mean Shangguan Ya is wrong?

Does that mean my elder brother is wrong?

Their entire lives had been ruined in this palace.

Li Chuan treated them like this

just for his own selfish desires.

Why can Li Chuan act willfully

while they have to live in despair for a lifetime?

Just because they are not the Emperor?

Your Highness.

If the noble families are at fault,

does the imperial family have no guilt?

But who exactly brought them into the palace?

Actually, you just don't want to admit it.

We were born sinful.

How can there be such a thing as being born sinful?

Good or evil,

crime or punishment,

it depends on what one person does.

The Su Family, a prestigious family for a hundred years...

What is your so-called prestigious family

based on?

People in the world love fox fur coats.

But foxes wouldn't appreciate it.

They only give a little food to the fox

and claim they're doing it a favor.

That's a lie.

Let's not deceive ourselves or others anymore.

I understand your stubbornness.

Your heart is with the light,

yet you dwell in darkness.

You refuse to acknowledge your identity,

so you can only distort the truth.

Rongqing.

I also went through so much to finally understand

that my whole life should be dedicated

to my righteousness.

May you find your original intentions

and forever be your own person.

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

Your Highness.

♪Spring flowers fall like snow♪

There's no turning back.

♪Who will notice the longing?♪

I have lost everything.

♪Love and hate are intertwined♪

♪Life and death are like mirages♪

I cannot turn back.

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

♪Few lifetimes of encounters and reunions♪

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

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

Speak no more, then.

♪You are the final sanctuary of my soul♪

Let me make tea...

for you since it's our last time drinking tea together.

♪In the rush of the wild wind♪

♪Even if it's rare in the world♪

♪My affection for you is yet to be expressed♪

♪I hold love, letting fate♪

♪Push me once again♪

♪Toward a dream with you in it♪

♪I fear I might let you down♪

♪I hold love♪

♪So what even if I miss it again?♪

♪For the deepest yearning♪

Thank you, Your Highness.

♪I endure the pain when brushing past you♪

♪I hold love with an oath♪

♪That's the only way to live my life without you♪

♪In this world, I can't help but long for you♪

♪Yet I can only admire you from a distance♪

Tian Sheng!

Capture them! Capture them!

Stop them!

Sir,

we found the Princess.

Guard here. I will go and catch Li Rong.

Wait, what's going on?

Protect the Princess!

Young Master, bad news!

The Crown Prince is leading an attack on the city.

Your Highness.

Mr. Su.

Li Chuan's men have already started attacking the city

before we manage to take over the palace.

What should we do now?

Someone! Tie Li Rong up

and hang her up at the city gate.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Stop!

Mr. Wang.

She is Princess Pingyue.

Su Rongqing,

at a time like this,

do you still want to engage in these romantic pursuits?

Do not forget.

It was you who urged us to collaborate with Consort Rou.

If we fail this time,

both our families and clans will be executed.

Do not lose your senses.

Mr. Wang, there is no need to be angry.

I will go with you.

Your Highness.

The enemy soldiers are nearly occupying the Imperial City.

Consort Rou has led the Xiao Family's troops

to the inner palace.

We are outnumbered.

So we are not their match.

So long as we are still alive,

we've still got a chance to win.

Your Highness, we are willing to die...

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

do not go outside.

Li Chuan won't give up on attacking the city now.

He doesn't have many troops.

He can't spare anyone to rescue you.

If you become their hostage,

you will definitely die.

Thank you.

But...

I do not want to owe you.

Your Highness.

Please report this.

Pei Wenxuan requests an audience with Her Highness, Princess Pingyue.

If not allowed,

if I may ask Mr. Su, Mr. Gu,

and Mr. Wang,

do you miss your family?

Pei Wenxuan!

How dare you!

Sir, Madam is...

Sir, the young master and others are...

Archers, prepare!

- Calm down! - Calm down!

Lower your bows!

Lower your bows now!

Don't do anything rash!

Calm down!

[Hanqiu Palace]

Attack! Charge!

Charge!

Mother, what do we do now?

Pei Wenxuan,

what did you do to my family?

♪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♪

Greetings, Your Highness.

♪Allowing the flower of love to bloom♪

Why did you come back?

♪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♪

Either I die with you...

or I take you home.

♪I'd follow you with no hesitation♪

♪Ready to surrender everything to this sensation♪

♪Even if past moments vanish without a trace♪

♪Grant me a ceaseless passion♪

What did you do to my wife?

♪Let me face trials and tribulations with you♪

♪Let us bathe in love's endless grace♪

You cunning scoundrel!

Are you here to boast

and buy time?

♪How many glances does it take in a lifetime♪

Leave it to me.

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

Everyone,

I'm not here today

to be your enemy.

Instead, I'm here to help you out.

Help us out?

What do you mean?

Right now, all your heads are already on the chopping block.

Today I come to offer you all a solution.

So you may die with your bodies intact.

Pei Wenxuan, stop spouting nonsense.

You are all traitors who put our country in danger.

You are guilty toward the ruler

and the people.

The Crown Prince has already led the troops into the city.

If you surrender now, there's still a chance for survival.

Or else even if all of your families and clans are exterminated,

it is not enough to pay for the price.

Pei Wenxuan, don't waste your efforts.

Surrender now.

Su Rongqing.

You're truly stubborn.

When there's a way out, you refuse to take it

and insist on a path to death.

Everyone,

speak frankly.

The reason the Crown Prince left the palace earlier today

and I have held your families hostages

is because someone leaked your plans

to me beforehand.

Who?

Su Ronghua, the young master of the Su Family.

Pei Wenxuan.

You're lying.

Am I lying?

The Su Family is a noble clan.

For a hundred years, they've never meddled in royal disputes.

Would he participate in such things?

Everyone,

do you really believe Su Rongqing can represent

the Su Family?

He absolutely cannot.

You're struggling in desperation

and speaking nonsense.

Mr. Su.

Pei Wenxuan, continue.

Su Rongqing poisoned Mr. Su and obtained the patriarch token.

Su Ronghua hurried to Tianshou Pass overnight

and persuaded the Su Family's general

to assist the Crown Prince in clearing out the rebels to show loyalty.

Today's rebellion

is only Su Rongqing's intention alone.

Everyone,

do you really want to risk the entire clan's lives

to listen to him?

Why don't you listen

to me?

Surrendering now is still possible.

How do we surrender? Withdraw from the palace?

If by simply withdrawing from the palace can avoid punishment,

won't everyone in the world follow suit?

So, what are you suggesting?

Consort Rou previously issued an edict,

which was also His Majesty's wish.

I think,

why don't you follow His Majesty's wishes

to pay taxes and tribute

and completely abolish the system of Royal Selection,

relying only on the imperial examination to select officials?

This would also give His Majesty a way out,

not punishing all of you.

Wouldn't everyone be happy, then?

Mr. Su, earlier you said

Consort Rou was deceived

by the Crown Prince and Pei Wenxuan's plot.

I have always harbored doubts.

Now it seems

you have a sharp and cunning foresight,

with deep and far-reaching plans.

Pei Wenxuan,

you are indeed eloquent.

Mr. Su,

what exactly is the Su Family's stance?

Shouldn't you clarify?

My brother did not flee overnight

as Pei Wenxuan claimed.

On the contrary,

he is currently on his way with troops to support us.

What is the Su Family's stance?

Have you all not known this after so many years?

Instead of listening to his one-sided words here,

why not go out of the city gates to see what's going on?

I will stay here

and meet everyone after obtaining the posthumous decree.

By then,

I will surely give you all a satisfactory explanation.

That would be ideal.

Let's go.

Someone!

Take Pei Wenxuan down!

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

I dare you!

Believe it when I say this.

If Her Highness and I perish here,

I'll have you all buried

with us.

You won't ignite the fireworks

in your hands.

Is that so?

Because you're not that kind of person.

Well, you've misjudged me.

For Her Highness,

I can do anything.

You have family.

So do I.

All right.

Please keep your word, then.

Attack!

Protect Her Highness!

Pei Wenxuan.

Pei Wenxuan, let me out!

Pei Wenxuan!

Su Rongqing!

Su Rongqing, stop this madness!

Su Rongqing,

the Su Family troops won't come.

Stop now.

I can spare your life.

Your Highness.

Please remember what I said.

As long as Li Chuan doesn't ascend the throne,

the posthumous decree will never be presented.

If Li Chuan does ascend the throne, he will surely reform.

Your Highness, stay still

and avoid getting hurt from this conflict.

When I speak of reform,

it is for the stability of the nation to prevent unrest.

But if you support Prince Su's ascension,

the chaos in the Great Xia will never cease.

Your Highness, you must not reform.

Your Highness,

as long as you reform,

there will be thousands of people like me in this world.

Su Rongqing.

Do you know what you're doing?

You are the root of chaos in the Great Xia.

You are the evilest one in this world.

You can still turn back.

You just...

You just can't face it.

The past is the past and a new life is a new life.

Why do you keep dwelling on the past?

Su Rongqing.

This is a new world now.

I am the new Li Rong.

Why can't you be

the new Su Rongqing?

Su Rongqing.

Pei Wenxuan!

Pei Wenxuan will be fine.

He will live well.

He will definitely live well.

Everyone,

what are you doing?

General Xiao,

we only need to get the posthumous decree now.

We would like to return home first to check on our families.

After Mr. Su gets the posthumous decree,

we'll meet again.

I think you are abandoning my sister

and running off yourself.

What are you saying?

If you're sincere,

then you should live and die together with us.

You mean to say

that you plan to imprison us in the palace

and tie us together with Consort Rou?

Yes!

If you want to leave today,

there are only two ways.

Leave with the Xiao Family alive

or be carried out from here as corpses.

You should know what is good for you.

I don't believe he dares kill anyone.

Charge!

I dare!

Report!

Ms. Shangguan,

a large number of troops are coming.

Could it be reinforcements from the Wang Family?

Shouldn't we withdraw first?

No,

those who retreat will be executed.

Prepare to fight.

Yes!

Don't worry.

I've already explained it to my cousin.

I'll lead the troops to reinforce first.

He'll inform the family to let Qin Lin through.

[Taiji Hall]

Your Highness.

Where is Rong?

Please rest assured. Her Highness is all right.

I will go and check on her.

Guard here.

Yes, sir.

Attack!

♪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♪