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[The Princess Royal]

[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel, "The Princess Royal"]

[Episode 20]

It seems that no one has sincerely confessed their feelings to you.

- Aren't you the same? - Of course not.

Many people had confessed their feelings to me before.

Who are you talking about? Su Rongqing?

No.

Don't overthink it.

They're just nobodies who think they're attractive

and want to offer themselves to me to gain a promising future.

Offer themselves to you? Did they have a death wish?

What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing.

I'm just so charming, you know.

Yes, you're so charming.

But I do wonder, how exactly did these people offer themselves to you?

Why are you asking about that?

I just saw in this book that the scholar went to great lengths,

even choosing a special place, just to confess his feelings. Was that really necessary?

It depends on whether they are attentive.

If they do, they'll go to even greater lengths.

If they don't, they might not even bother to say they like you.

So, what counts as being truly attentive?

When it comes to being attentive, you should just show that you really care.

How do I show that I really care then?

Do you remember that there were always peonies at my mansion every winter?

That was because Su Rongqing thought that

I liked peonies and didn't like plum blossoms.

So every winter, he cultivated peonies in the greenhouse.

At that time, I felt that maybe it was called attentive.

What's the use of planting peonies then? What you like is actually buttercups.

How do you know?

Have a guess.

I don't think I've ever told anyone.

Imperial Mother always taught me from a young age not to let anyone know what I like,

even if it's just a flower.

Your mother was right.

Dig in.

Your Highness, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to go out for a trip.

Have you chosen a place?

Not yet.

I've actually found a place with a nice view.

Shall we go there?

Where do you want me to go?

Butterfly Gorge.

Butterfly Gorge?

Why there?

Because the scenery there is nice.

Sure.

I've also wanted to go there.

Perfect then.

I think it's because I've been investigating the case recently,

this chest of gold was left at my gate.

Your Majesty, if I were a bit weak-willed, I might have fallen for their trap.

I dare not keep it to myself, so I've decided to hand it over to the national treasury.

Good.

Very good.

If it wasn't for this case, I wouldn't have known that our court officials, both civil and military,

are corrupt to such an extent, rotting from the inside out.

It seems I must perform a thorough cleansing.

Your Majesty, in this case, a total of seventy-eight officials are involved.

According to the laws of Great Xia, I recommend demoting forty-eight of them,

exiling twenty-three of them, and executing seven of them.

The full list is here. Please decide, Your Majesty.

I approve.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty, please think twice.

- Your Majesty, it's not advisable. - Your Majesty, please think twice.

Your Majesty, it's absolutely not advisable.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - The morning court is dismissed.

- Take care, Your Majesty. - Take care, Your Majesty.

Young Master, we've arrived.

Take a look.

Think about how to set up the venue.

Not bad.

I want to cover the entire gorge with fresh flowers.

- What are you doing? - I just want to see if you're having a fever.

- What do you mean? - You've just got the family fortune back.

Now you want to squander it like this?

Covering the entire gorge with flowers?

- Do you know how much that will cost? - All you care about is money, money, money.

Money is just a worldly possession, you know?

I do.

When I say cover the gorge with flowers, I want it covered with flowers. Just do as I say.

Miss Shangguan, everything has already been arranged in the back.

It's still early in the day. Let's hurry and find the next spot.

- I remember there's another one ahead. - Okay.

Miss Shangguan.

if I remember correctly, this matter was not notified to the prince consort.

Stop.

Unload the stuff.

Your Highness.

Have you mentioned setting an ambush at Butterfly Gorge with the prince consort?

What's wrong?

It seems like there's another group of people doing something else at Butterfly Gorge today.

Something else?

Do you know who's behind it?

I thought you already knew.

It seems to be the prince consort's people.

Prince Consort?

What are his people doing there?

We're not sure yet, but today, they've brought in a large quantity of flowers.

It seems they're setting up something.

A large quantity of flowers?

- Then lots of people may have noticed it, right? - Exactly.

I was worried about you going out,

but now, with what the prince consort has done today,

it has surely startled our enemies.

Pei Wenxuan is indeed smart.

He couldn't be deceived after all.

No wonder he wanted to invite me there.

I thought it was just a coincidence,

but it seems he was trying to send me a message.

The prince consort is a clever man.

Seeing you have come this far, he knows he can't stop you,

so he might as well help you.

If it succeeds, everyone will be rewarded.

What is it?

I know what you've done at Butterfly Gorge.

Your Highness, you mean...

I really didn't expect you to do that.

Is Her Highness keeping an eye on me all the time?

She already knows in advance.

Since you already know it, do you still plan to join me?

Of course. You've put in so much effort. I definitely will go.

But remember.

Make sure you do a good job.

With Her Highness's intelligence, she naturally knows what I'm thinking.

She didn't refuse.

Is this her way of showing me that she's accepted me?

Your Highness, I won't disappoint you.

I knew you understood me best.

I'm hungry. Let's go and eat.

Here. See if it's still hot.

Her demeanor suggests high expectations.

What if it's not what she wants?

Where is he?

- Jinglan. - Here.

Coming, Your Highness.

- You are awake, Your Highness. - Where's the prince consort?

Prince Consort woke up before dawn.

He specifically told me not to wake you up, hoping you could sleep a little longer.

Do you know how many people he brought out?

Prince Consort didn't say, but he looked quite mysterious.

Help me get cleaned up.

I didn't expect the prince consort to be so romantic, creating a sea of flowers.

Unfortunately, it's about to turn into a bloody romance soon.

Your Highness, with so many people with you, who would dare to approach you?

If I didn't bring so many people, they wouldn't dare to come near.

Your Highness, I don't quite understand what you mean.

Think about it. Given my current status, and the critical stage of the case,

if I don't take strict precautions around me, there will surely be a hidden move.

Compared to overt strength, covert arrangements are what truly intimidate those assassins.

- They are here. - Your Highness, this carriage won't be shot through, will it?

Don't worry. This carriage has been reinforced.

Arrows won't pierce through it.

Once they've exhausted their arrows, they'll surely charge out.

That's when we'll lure them into our trap.

Your Highness, get on the horse.

Go after her!

Hurry! Stop!

Hurry! Protect Her Highness!

Madam, they have already taken action.

Everyone get ready. Wait for my command.

Prepare to drop the rocks once Her Highness has passed.

Yes.

A'Ya, capture them alive!

Get ready to drop the rocks.

Drop them!

- Stop! - Stop!

Stop!

Pei Wenxuan!

Young Master, run quickly! Many assassins are coming from that direction.

Yes, let's go that way...

Young Master, don't run that way. It's dangerous!

Pei Wenxuan!

They've really spent huge sums of money on getting people to kill me.

They sent so many assassins.

Where are your people?

Young Master, watch out!

Protect Her Highness.

Set the fire!

Just hold on a little longer.

We're almost at the cave we had prepared.

It looks like Her Highness has succeeded.

Have the clothes been prepared for Her Highness and Prince Consort?

They were put in the cave beforehand.

Good.

You all stay here and guard the people we captured. I'll go meet up with Her Highness first.

- Yes. - Yes.

Come on.

I'll handle it myself.

Can you manage?

- Let me do it. - I'll do it myself.

Why did you risk your life to shield me earlier?

Did you think...

I would abandon you?

Do you still feel cold?

You should put on some more clothes.

When you're injured, you're definitely be sensitive to the cold.

What exactly is wrong with you?

Were you trying to tell me something just now?

What happened today...

was all arranged by you. Right?

Didn't you already know?

Don't be angry.

I know what I'm doing.

Just now, I split their people into two groups.

A small part of them is detained outside,

allowing Shangguan Ya to capture some of them and bring them back.

This secures the evidence of their assassination attempt.

I simply can't afford to waste any more time with them.

They keep making these kinds of moves from time to time, and I can't be on guard every day.

So, I lured them out to capture them all at once.

Can you please say something?

Using yourself as bait is too risky.

Please don't do this again in the future.

Got it. I won't do it again.

Just bear with it a little longer.

Shangguan Ya should be coming to get us soon.

Later, you should go back and treat your wounds.

He wore his hair down today.

He is also especially wearing the white attire I once praised.

It seems he had dressed up especially today.

Your Highness!

- I'm here. - Hurry. They are here.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness. Young Master.

- Are you all right? - I'm fine.

- Young Master, you... Are you badly injured? - How did it go?

Your Highness, we made a big success.

We captured twelve of them alive, including...

some from the Seven-star Sect.

Seven-star Sect?

Take them back for interrogation.

Bring the bodies back too, and investigate each one of them thoroughly.

Yes, Your Highness.

Jingmei, take Prince Consort back to rest and recuperate.

I'll handle these matters and return shortly.

No need.

Tong Ye, let's go.

Your Highness, we'll...

Young Master, slowly.

Your Highness, why does Prince Consort seem a bit upset?

Let's go.

Go.

Your Highness!

Hurry.

- Hurry up and move. - Go.

Keep up.

Move faster.

Your Highness, where did Prince Consort get all these flowers?

This is Pei Wenxuan's favorite guqin.

The buttercups that cover the mountain and his favorite guqin.

If he was only cooperating with me to lure the enemy,

why would he have bothered with such elaborate arrangements?

Your Highness, why are you still standing there?

Hurry up and go after him.

- Go after him? - He was clearly showing his love for you.

You, behaving like this, will only hurt him more.

Hurry and go.

Don't push me.

Pei Wenxuan!

Your guqin.

Since the strings of the guqin have been broken, then just throw it away.

You've kept this guqin for a long time though.

A little repair will make it usable again.

I've repaired it many times already.

There's no need anymore.

Your Highness,

I'd been preparing for a long time for today.

These buttercups...

I actually asked someone to cultivate them at great expense before our wedding.

They just weren't mature back then, and now they are.

As for the clothes... they're the ones you once praised in the past.

Everything was prepared according to your preferences.

I was afraid you might not like it.

Your Highness,

you should have told me.

I thought you knew already.

I thought with your keen mind and perceptiveness, you would have figured it out.

You'd just experienced an assassination attempt, yet I wanted to take you out.

I thought you had already secretly investigated me, so you were cooperating with me like this,

making a big show of bringing flowers here.

I really didn't expect you...

to lose your usual composure.

You are right.

I didn't understand before why you resisted love so strongly.

Now I see.

When there's someone in your heart, it's hard not to lose composure.

I noticed your unusual behavior before,

but I genuinely thought you were showing affection towards me.

Now it's clear that I lost my sense of proportion.

And I almost ruined your plans.

It's my fault.

But rest assured, Your Highness. From now on...

I won't lose my composure like this again.

Quarrel.

No quarrel. Quarrel.

Pei Wenxuan.

Who gave you the right to decide whether we're friends or not?

Now you don't want us to be friends, so we must do that as you wish?

You come and go as you please. Have you ever asked me?

Who do you think you are to act this way with me?

Yes, I have no right. I never had any right.

But, Li Rong, you never had me in your heart before.

I don't know how to get into your heart now.

Even if you don't have me in your heart,

does that mean I have no right to like you, accompany you, or pursue you?

♫ ...before I can have you morning and evening? ♫

Why are you so surprised?

Didn't you know this long ago?

♫ The roots of love grow in my heart ♫

You clearly know everything, but you choose to hide it. You pretend to know nothing.

Don't you just hope that I'll maintain our so-called friendship like before

and continue to treat you well?

You don't want to be with me.

But you can't bear to lose me as a talented person.

You also enjoy my kindness to you.

So, on the one hand, you want to be kind to me to keep me with you,

but on the other hand, you reject me when I get closer.

But let me tell you, Li Rong, feelings cannot be trampled upon like this.

You may not like me, but you must respect my feelings.

♫ Borrowing time to ask me ♫

As for today's matter,

if you cared even a little, you wouldn't have been completely unaware.

I couldn't guess your schemes.

It's not because I'm foolish.

It's because I prefer...

to believe that deep down,

you might genuinely want to have a day out with me in the same place.

But you, Li Rong, you clearly knew my actions.

You could figure out my intentions.

Yet deep down, you always suspect me of having ulterior motives...

rather than...

Rather than what?

♫ I only wish to be in your arms ♫

♫ Falling snow on our head signify our growing old ♫

Indeed, you have the upper hand here.

You still have other things to attend to. I'll take my leave.

I never disrespected your feelings.

I didn't intend to trample upon them either.

I...

I know...

♫ If the past vanishes without a trace ♫

♫ Please grant me a ceaseless passion in this life ♫

♫ Let me venture with you across all rivers and valleys ♫

♫ I'll only love you endlessly in this life ♫

Quarrel. No quarrel.

Where... Where is Young Master?

Young...

Rongqing, you've met your match.

Official Pei indeed put a lot of effort into it.

That sea of flowers was arranged by him for Her Highness.

Judging by today's situation, Her Highness doesn't seem to appreciate it.

You still haven't let it go, have you?

I only know that Pei Wenxuan is not suitable for Her Highness.

How do you know?

Young... Young Master.

Young Master. Come on.

What happened to you? Come on, Young Master.

Your Highness.

Did you two have a falling out?

Bring all the bodies back. Take the ones alive back for interrogation.

Yes, Your Highness.

Find the best craftsman to repair it.

Yes, Your Highness.

Let's go.

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

Official Su. You two came together.

Since when did the Inspectorate Office and the Ministry of Justice have such a good relationship?

I thought you were on your day off, Eldest Young Master Su?

I heard that something happened to you, so I came to assist.

I heard you were attacked and the Ministry of Justice must investigate thoroughly.

You two arrived at just the right time.

You didn't come until everything was settled.

Quite the timing, isn't it?

Miss Shangguan, there's no need for such sarcasm.

You and the prince consort have both been attacked one after the other.

The Ministry of Justice is willing to continue assisting in the investigation.

As for today's assassination attempt, I can only offer a reminder.

Your Highness, please be careful in all things, and seek verification cautiously.

Thank you for the reminder. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly.

If you need assistance, be it representing myself, the Su Family,

or the Ministry of Justice, I will ensure your safety.

Thank you.

[Inspectorate Office]

Your Highness, this person was determined to die.

There was even a poison sac hidden in his mouth, which was already removed.

All his belongings are over there.

This is...

It's actually you.

You're Lin Feibai, the Deputy Sect Leader of the most elite assassin organization

in the martial world, the Seven-star Sect.

They've even hired you. They are really sparing no expense.

No wonder they were so bold.

It turns out that they are determined to ensure my demise today.

Sect Leader Lin, I want to have a proper chat with you.

In a moment, if I take the cloth out of your mouth,

don't try to bite your tongue and kill yourself.

Otherwise, I'll have to lead an attack on Qinqu Mountain

and wipe out the Seven-star Sect to get to the bottom of this.

The last thing an assassin organization wants is for its base to be discovered. Right?

Don't worry. If you cooperate with me, I'll pretend I don't know anything.

- How do you know? - How I know is not important.

What's important is that you'd better cooperate with me.

Revealing the information about the employer is taboo in your line of work.

Therefore, I won't ask you to testify or expose you.

You just need to tell me everything you know.

And what happens after I tell you?

If you use the information I gave you to find the culprit, I'm dead anyway, aren't I?

Not necessarily.

You could give me a hint and I'd follow the lead as if I discovered it myself.

Then, I'll give you a chance to break out and escape.

Once you're back, you can tell your brothers to relocate.

Is there such a good thing in the world?

Do you think I'm that naive like a three-year-old child?

There are conditions, of course.

It was also your people who attempted to assassinate Pei Wenxuan before, wasn't it?

Whoever ordered you to assassinate Pei Wenxuan,

use the same method to kill that person for me.

Once it's done, have someone disguised as an ordinary person to make a deal with me.

I can sell you a piece of land from my fief.

Of course, you won't need to pay for it.

It will just be a transaction on the surface.

Once you've moved your base from Qinqu Mountain to my fief,

I can guarantee your safety.

This matter will be known only to you and me, and no one else.

Xie Lanqing, the Minister of Justice.

Will you still carry out the assassination?

Yes.

Imperial Physician Wang, how is my young master?

His Highness suffered sword wounds. It's deep and bleeding profusely.

As a result, he is currently unconscious.

Fortunately, it did not hurt his internal organs.

But he still needs some time to rest and recover.

- That's a relief. Thank you. - You are welcome.

Confess now. Let's get it over and done with. It's better for everyone that way.

Why are you staring at me?

I remember you.

You're the one who stuffed cloth into my mouth.

I won't talk to you. Get someone else.

You want someone else, huh? All right, I'll do it.

Go ahead and talk.

I've heard the Seven-star Sect's specialty is the Seven-star Darts, right?

If I chop off your fingers, can you still aim at the target so accurately?

I dare you.

Miss Shangguan may not dare. But if you ask me...

Stop!

- Tell him to go out. - Wasn't it you who wanted to get someone else?

Not anymore. Tell him to go out and I will confess.

You should have talked earlier.

Official Su,

very impressive.

Please.

You want me around when I'm useful to you, and when I'm not, you kick me out, huh?

How heartless. Truly heartless.

All right. He's gone. Can you confess now?

Young Master, you are awake.

- I'm fine. - So, how do you feel?

I'm fine, really.

Is Her Highness back?

Not yet.

Um, do you want something to eat?

- You've been asleep all day. - No need.

I'll wait for Her Highness to return and eat with her.

Also, don't tell Her Highness too much about my injuries.

You may go and rest for now.

[Inspectorate Office]

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

- Are you not leaving yet? - Your Highness.

It's getting late. You should go back early.

Today's situation is unusual.

Official Su, if it's not too much trouble, please escort A'Ya home.

I shall heed your order.

Your Highness, you should also return home soon.

I'll go home after I finish dealing with these matters.

Su Ronghua, I really can't figure this person out.

We all know why you are here at the Inspectorate Office.

But by escorting me home today, you're showing others that you are on the same side as us.

Miss Shangguan, I don't always intend to oppose you.

I have my own sense of right and wrong.

When I think others have crossed the line, I'll support you.

And when I think you've crossed the line, I'll support others.

Don't you have your own stance?

Of course, I do.

But my stance is based on my own sense of right and wrong,

with no concern for royal authority or noble families.

Is that so?

Finally, there's a chance like this.

I won't discuss such matters with you.

Miss Shangguan, your concerns today are something related to Her Highness. Right?

Why not talk to me about it?

In fact, even if you don't say it, I know.

As for those buttercups all over the mountains today,

Official Pei must have spent a lot of effort on preparing them.

But Her Highness was setting an ambush there.

Obviously, neither of them knew each other's plans.

The relationship between Official Pei and Her Highness seems quite delicate.

Are you thinking that Her Highness cares for Official Pei,

and Official Pei cares for Her Highness, so why is their relationship so tense?

Su Ronghua, it's not appropriate for you to gossip about Her Highness.

Don't you want to know the answer, Miss Shangguan?

It's because she cares.

The more Her Highness cares about something, the more she dares not touch it.

Why would you say that about Her Highness?

Do you know her well?

Her Highness and Pei Wenxuan are different.

Her Highness comes from the imperial family.

She has been taught that between spouses, there are only formalities.

Love is like the moon in the sky and flowers in the water, all but an illusion.

Pei Wenxuan appears gentle and modest but is actually very assertive.

If he wants something, he plans meticulously and fights for every inch.

Especially in matters of romantic relationships, he won't give up until he achieves his goal.

Her Highness has indeed always been passive and rarely takes the initiative.

That's because she's afraid.

Her Highness sees love as both solemn and sorrowful.

She's afraid of losing control in relationships,

so the more she cares, the more she fears.

Are these all your guesses?

They are not my guesses. Someone told me all that.

- Who told you? - You don't need to know who told me.

I'm just trying to clarify things for you.

You don't need to ask any further.

But I feel Pei Wenxuan and Her Highness are not a good match.

The relationship that Her Highness wants cannot be provided by Official Pei.

So Her Highness will be afraid.

Therefore, stop worrying about them.

Let things happen naturally.

Whether they are a good match isn't for you to decide.

Miss Shangguan.

You should go back by yourself.

Subtitles and Timing brought to you by the Royal Troubles Team ⚜️ @viki.com

♫ Who gazes up at the sky? ♫

♫ Who gazes up at the sky? ♫

♫ In the night's piercing winds ♫

♫ Why is she singing? ♫

♫ The wind caresses the hills ♫

♫ The wind causes ripples in the water ♫

♫ Moonlight graces passing souls ♫

♫ Her pace slows ♫

♫ As she walks the long path ♫

♫ Memories are forgotten and recall again ♫

♫ Gazing idly as the clouds pass ♫

♫ She holds a red candle ♫

♫ Traversing the thick fog, unafraid ♫

♫ Life can be bitter sometimes ♫

♫ Experience it and carry on 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 moonlight reflects in her eyes ♫

♫ In her gaze, an unwavering faith remains ♫