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[The Princess Royal]

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

[Episode 27]

Su Rongqing.

Hand over Hongde's son now.

Your Majesty, you have wronged me.

I don't know where you heard the news from.

Why don't you summon him here, so I can confront him directly?

Confront him? For what?

Hongde has already identified you.

As soon as his testimony got to the Remonstration Office, the office was burned.

I summoned him to come to the palace as a witness, yet he died on the way here, and it turned out to be suicide.

If it weren't because someone threatened him with his son, why would he kill himself?

Now that we're investigating the child's whereabouts, you're involved in this as well.

One incident could be called a coincidence.

But are there such things are consecutive coincidences?

Your Majesty, you are correct.

I also believe that this is not a coincidence,

but someone's trying to frame me.

- Your Majesty, I hope you will investigate the truth. - Very well.

I will investigate it now.

Someone. Take Su Rongqing away and put him in prison.

Your Majesty, Su Ronghua, the Deputy Supervisor of the Inspectorate Office, requests an audience.

Summon him in.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Rise and speak.

I dare not, Your Majesty.

Oh, no! He's here to take the blame.

- Imperial Father... - Your Majesty, please clear the others out.

The rest of you can leave now.

What? Do I no longer have the power to command you?

- Yes, Imperial Father. - I'll take my leave.

They say you're very close to your brother.

Today, I saw that that is indeed true.

Don't you feel guilty at all?

Your Highness.

Sometimes, we can't afford to feel guilty.

Some people tread on the path of despair.

So all they can do is to forge on without being overcautious and indecisive.

I used to believe people moved forward because they were forced to do so.

But, I've come to realize that we create our own paths.

If you don't move forward,

you will never know what kind of road lies ahead.

But what if...

ahead of you is a cliff?

Then, you'll have to see whether you're willing to continue walking, even at the risk of your life.

Then, are you willing to risk your life to continue on your so-called path?

Perhaps.

I'm doing nothing more than taking one step at a time.

Eunuch, please pass this memorial to His Majesty.

Yes.

You weren't like this in the past.

People...

all change.

You took action against me first.

Sorry.

I had no choice.

But, Your Highness, believe me.

I will never harm you.

Your Highness, I noticed that it's raining heavily, so I came to escort you.

Official Su.

Good to meet you here.

This is more than just a good meeting.

Official Pei, long time no see.

Your Majesty, please let me explain.

It was I who abused my position as Prince Su's former tutor to instigate Consort Rou

into framing the Crown Prince and Princess Pingyue.

You scoundrel!

What other tricks are you hiding from me?

Your actions only further prove that Su Rongqing must be involved in this.

Your Majesty, you may not know

that while I seem uninterested in politics, I am actually envious of my younger brother.

I drew Consort Rou over to my side because I wanted to gain a position in the imperial court.

So I can prove my worth as the eldest son of the Su Family.

You scoundrel!

Your Majesty, it was me who abducted Hongde's son.

On account of my family's loyalty,

and my service as Prince Su's former tutor,

I hope my merits can atone for my wrongdoings. Please spare me.

So, this is the kind of tutor I found for Prince Su.

Since it was you, why didn't you say so earlier?

I'm wrong.

Let me ask you this again.

Was it you or Su Rongqing?

It was me.

I dared not admit it,

but I couldn't bear to see my brother be wronged,

so I had no choice but to admit my guilt.

I hope you'll forgive me, Your Majesty.

Then, why did Hongde identify your brother in his testimony?

I didn't show my face when I met Hongde.

Perhaps Hongde guessed that I was from the Su Family based on something.

In Huajing, my brother is more famous than I am.

Perhaps Hongde guessed the wrong person.

Since he guessed the wrong person,

why did you set fire to the Remonstration Office,

and even commit murder? What was your intention?

Your Majesty, about the fire at the Remonstration Office, I don't know what happened.

As for Hongde's death, it was a misunderstanding.

I did tell Hongde that if anything happened, he must protect me.

But I don't know why he would kill himself on the way here.

Your Majesty, I just had a moment of stupidity.

As Prince Su's tutor, I naturally wanted the best for Prince Su and Consort Rou.

Even though you later appointed my brother to teach Prince Su,

I'm the only one who truly cares about Prince Su.

Princess Pingyue is the Supervisor of the Inspectorate Office.

She is in a high position and powerful. She's also the crown prince's sister.

They're inseparable.

This was what Consort Rou worried about.

That's why I came up with this plan.

Both you and Consort Rou are imbeciles.

Why did I empower Pingyue?

Without her, would your family dare take on such power as the Shangguan Family?

They would muster the entire clan's strength to support the crown prince.

Can you?

Pingyue has been fighting for power against the noble families, whether they seem genuine or not.

Now that the position once held by the Shangguan Family is vacated,

I can appoint my own people to replace the noble families.

This is the result.

Why was she so worried?

It's fine if she's worried, but why are you worried too?

Is this how you're helping her?

Your Majesty, I have realized my mistake.

I was too near-sighted to understand your intentions.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Forget it.

I think that you are not suited to remain in the imperial court.

Leave now.

Thank you for sparing me, Your Majesty.

You shouldn't have come today.

What would you do if I didn't come?

Rongqing,

although I don't know what you're up to,

don't forget that I'm your elder brother.

You're not on this path alone.

However, there are some paths that are destined to be tread alone.

When I reach the end, if I die there,

if you are willing, I hope you'll collect my dead body.

Rongqing, what nonsense is that?

Brother,

can you promise me something?

Stay out of my business in the future.

Today's incident cannot happen again.

I will walk alone on my own path.

I will bear my own sins.

Brother.

If you want the best for me,

please mind your own business.

As for the rest, leave them to me.

Brother, go home now.

You should grab a drink with Shangguan Ya.

When the time is right, you should propose to her.

Official Su, you need to leave the palace now.

Eldest Young Master Su. [Zhengwu Gate]

You didn't get flogged? Congratulations.

Are you here to laugh at my misfortune?

I thought you'd finished staging your act. And His Majesty didn't punish you.

So, you're here to pick me up because you care about me?

You're wrong. I'm not a person who'd feel bad for others.

It's fine. I'm good at this. I can teach you.

To be honest, I brought some liquor.

Are you interested in joining me to go up the mountain to watch the sunrise?

- Watch the sunrise? - Yes.

What? You're not interested?

No. Of course, I'm interested.

Besides, how could I bear to let you go up the mountain alone without someone to protect you?

I didn't realize before that you're good at saying caring things.

Let's go.

Your Majesty, I know you don't trust anyone now.

Since you don't, why don't you give it a try?

Give what a try?

Try to test...

all the doubts you have in mind.

What is it? I've been watching you be spaced out for a long time.

You feel bad for him?

Feel bad for whom?

You're so boring. Why would I feel bad?

I was just thinking that everyone is doing fine now,

so why is the past repeating itself?

What went wrong?

Your Highness, only saints can remain pure in a tainted world.

But most people, like you and me, are just ordinary people.

Have you committed any evil then?

I am but an ordinary human.

But whenever I had any evil thoughts, I would think about you.

I don't know why, but even when I hated you the most,

I didn't want you to look down on me.

Why?

When we first met, you were such a wonderful person in my eyes.

I want to be the light in your eyes, not a dark shadow.

Your Highness, actually...

It's fine.

As long as you can maintain your conscience, I will support you.

In fact, I was feeling apprehensive about Hongde's matter today.

However, you wanted me to confront Su Rongqing, so I went.

That's because I knew you'd plan everything out.

Because you were there, I felt safe.

Pei Wenxuan...

I can accept both good and evil.

But I'm quite happy that you can fulfill my anticipations...

that are almost like a dream.

Let's go back. I'm tired.

Coming.

[Mingyue Palace]

Mother, I'm afraid Hongde's case will implicate us.

Yes, I share your concerns.

However, as long as your uncle remains stationed at the borders, we still have hope.

Your Highnesses.

Your Highness, Second Young Master Su sent a verbal message to say

that you and Prince Su can pin all the blame on First Young Master Su.

He still doesn't understand His Majesty enough.

What His Majesty wants isn't shifting blame.

My dear officials.

Do you have any objections to this year's list of staff mobilizations in the court?

Your Majesty.

What are your thoughts?

Your Majesty, I have little talent and learning and am inexperienced.

I've found it tough to fulfill my duties as a minister.

Therefore, I implore you to select another official to replace me.

What is he up to this time? If he doesn't do it, who would?

Since Official Su is resigning voluntarily, I shall not make things hard for him.

How about this?

We'll vacate the position of the Minister of Justice for now

and allow the vice ministers to run the ministry together.

If there are any difficult decisions to make, you may report directly to me.

Report directly? That means His Majesty is skipping over the Minister of Justice

and directly taking over the Ministry of Justice!

What do you think, Official Su?

Wise decision, Your Majesty.

Does anyone else have other opinions?

As for the rebuilding of the Remonstration Office,

the Ministry of Rites should expedite the project.

Before the Remonstration Office is rebuilt, we cannot pause our official matters.

After some thought, I have decided to build a grand secretariat to temporarily replace the duties of the Remonstration Office

to allow officials to review and sort the memorials in there to share my burden.

Pei Liming. Su Minzhi. Shangguan Xu.

I will need the three of you to spare some time every day to review and sort the memorials.

If you are busy with your regular work, you may inform me beforehand,

and I will find another arrangement.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

The three of them practically can represent all the different power factions in the current imperial court.

I guess that's fair.

However, the three of them are burdened with their regular duties,

so other than them, I hope to select a few more officials for this task.

I have not decided who to select yet. We'll discuss this in the future.

The three people chosen today are not the crucial part of Imperial Father's plan.

It's the people that will be appointed later.

A remonstration office that can be monitored by Pei Wenxuan

is not better than a grand secretariat that will benefit Prince Su's future.

I know I have committed a stupid act and brought much disaster

by letting someone take advantage of me.

To stop others from gossiping, I am willing to be demoted.

You're not that stupid.

At least you've realized your mistake. I'll spare you from the demotion.

Why are you crying if you've realized your mistake?

I know that you will chastise me for saying this,

but my feminine intuition tells me

that Pei Wenxuan and Pingyue show love and care for each other in every action.

Therefore, my guess is that they're scheming something together.

Pei Wenxuan claims to be on your side,

but I believe that he's overtly agreeing but covertly opposing.

The Prince Consort from the Pei family is handsome and has high moral qualities.

Princess Pingyue is as radiant as spring flowers.

Despite being a perfect match, their marriage won't end up good.

Due to their conflicting personalities, their marriage is impossible to sustain.

Therefore, I have approved Pei Wenxuan's request, for an amicable divorce.

Official Pei, please receive the decree.

I accept your decree. Thank you, Your Majesty.

I shall return now.

Take care, Eunuch Fu.

Take care, Eunuch Fu.

Young Master, you're so smug.

You're out of your mind. You've lost Her Highness just like that.

This is so vexing.

It's over now?

Yes, Your Highness. You haven't lost any of your wealth or power.

But you've lost me.

All you know is venting your anger on me.

Must you leave in such a rush?

You... I...

The prince consort is so heartless. He wouldn't even stay a second longer.

- He's leaving overnight. - What a cold-blooded man.

Young Master, think again. If you leave now...

Pei Wenxuan! You can't go!

Your Highness!

You...

Look at her...

What are you doing? Do you hate me that much?

Don't go. I'll ask imperial father to cancel the divorce.

No need.

I married up.

Don't even harbor that thought.

Young Master, how could you say that?

Her Highness has treated you so well. She's never let you down.

I've been so nice to you! How have I let you down? Tell me!

Look at the way she's crying! It's so pitiful!

- Exactly. - Let me tell you. Although Her Highness's temper is...

- What's wrong with my temper? - What's wrong with her temper?

Let's not talk about that now.

It's just... If you leave now, you'll never have any opportunity to return.

That's enough. Are you coming or not?

Pei Wenxuan, don't go.

- You... - Speak up.

- You... - You...

I need to go.

Pei Wenxuan!

He...

Go! All of you, leave!

Out of sight, out of mind! Leave now! Leave!

Pei Wenxuan!

Let them go! Don't let them come back!

- We sing while drinking... - How much time has passed?

We hold hands and watch the light of the early morning sun...

As if the Immortals have appeared in front of us!

Look! The sun is out.

Come on!

How beautiful.

A'Ya,

tell me the truth. Why did you come to keep me company?

Su Ronghua,

congratulations on leaving the dark and embracing the light.

You are the light in my heart.

Since the first day I met you...

you've always been my light.

Young Master Su,

are you confessing your love for me?

You'd better be careful.

I'm going to chase you recklessly.

Whether you can hold my hands forever will depend on your performance!

I won't let you go.

Since you have nothing to report, court is dismissed.

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

Your Highness.

I have a prescription handed down by my family that can relieve swelling.

I've tested that it's useful and effective.

Thank you, Official Cui, for the medicine.

Rongqing.

Let's go home.

Investigate these people.

If they refuse to confess, just arrest them.

Yes, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness and Miss Shangguan.

Your Highness, I'll be off to work.

Give me your resignation letter.

Your Highness, you knew what I would do?

I'm not dumb.

This is good for you, though.

If you continue working in officialdom, no one knows how your future may be.

I shall not see you out.

Let's meet again someday.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Although Rongqing may have gone astray lately, he has never thought to harm you.

I hope you will not bear a grudge against him.

I won't bring personal grievances to matters of the court.

Wise words, Your Highness.

Your Majesty, Consort Rou is waiting outside with a bowl of soothing soup.

Let her in.

Your Majesty.

I personally made some soothing soup for you.

Please drink it.

Why are you still kneeling? You may rise.

I am punishing myself.

I admit to being no match for another.

I need to remember this lesson.

It's good that you know.

Your Majesty, you may have forgiven me, but I cannot forgive myself.

I know that I have little talent and learning, but I am loyal to you.

I am a sword at your disposal, and I'm definitely more obedient than Pei Wenxuan.

Wherever your sword points,

that's where I'll go.

Bring the soup here.

Fulai.

No need for that.

[Princess's Mansion]

Your Highness, here's another freshly boiled egg. Let me replace that one with this.

All right. Help me roll it on this side.

It's hot.

It was so embarrassing at the court today.

My heavenly beauty has been ruined by Pei Wenxuan.

Exactly. It's all that scoundrel's fault.

When did you come here?

Sister.

I...

If you need something, just say it. If not, just leave. This is not a good time to meet.

Sister, it's not like I haven't seen how you look in the morning.

See, you look better than you did in the morning.

- Really? - Yes.

Just roll your face with the egg a while more, and you'll be fine tomorrow.

Say it. What brings you to me?

Given my understanding of Pei Wenxuan, he certainly has something planned for this.

At worst, you can remarry him later.

I know you fancy him.

Otherwise, given your temperament,

you wouldn't have run across the whole street just to chase his carriage.

But seriously, Sister, your stamina is great.

Wait.

Who ran across the whole street chasing his carriage?

You.

It's spread all over. Everyone in Huajing knows.

If I must say, an amicable divorce is better than the two of you getting into danger.

So, don't be too upset.

Who said I'm upset?

I'm absolutely delighted. I feel fantastic now.

Delighted?

Why were your eyes this swollen from crying then?

Here's the truth.

Your Highness, here's some chili powder from the Shu area.

They're bound to make your eyes become swollen.

I haven't had any of it yet, but my eyes are already becoming swollen.

That's what it is? Then I'm relieved.

All right, get to the point.

If you have spare time, gather some information for me.

About what?

Check whether the chief examiner for the imperial examination has already been decided.

It probably has been decided.

But it shouldn't have been this soon. It's weird this year.

Minister Wang said that this year's examination is particularly important,

and he even requested directly to Imperial Father that he wants to be the chief examiner.

A minister volunteering to be a chief examiner?

Who would dare go over him?

So, even though it's not formally decided yet, the result is almost certain.

Sister, stop thinking about that Pei Wenxuan.

If you can't get rid of the old, the new will never come!

I'll bring you out someday.

- If you see anyone you fancy... - That's enough.

Don't worry about my business.

What about you?

What's going on with your marriage?

Me? I don't care anymore.

They can choose whomever they want.

Guess what happened?

Imperial Father and Mother secretly decided not to pick someone for me for now.

They're not picking someone?

No.

Your Majesty, the empress is here.

Don't you want to know why I'm here?

To speak up for Pingyue?

No.

Since the focus of all our problems is on the future crown princess,

staying in this stalemate is not a solution.

Besides, our Shangguan Family has already given up on the consort position.

Given up? On what condition?

Chuan'er must not marry anyone related to Consort Rou.

Sure, I can promise you this.

How very decisive of you.

No matter how many issues I have with the crown prince,

I still hope that he can have a crown princess worthy of him.

Very well.

If that's so, I'll take my leave.

[Su Mansion]

Young Master, why do you seem upset?

Other than the First Young Master's involvement,

isn't everything going according to your plans?

Xiao Rou was stupid enough to antagonize us.

You mean...

My initial plan was to make it impossible for Pei Wenxuan to be an official

so that he can only be the prince consort.

My aim was to reduce the Princess's Mansion's and the Inspectorate Office's expenditure,

but she...

made the princess get a divorce.

By reducing the Princess's Mansion's expenditure,

you are restricting the development of the princess's military strength?

Your Highness, both the Northwest and Southwest have sent letters.

Tell me the details.

There is no direct confrontation at the Northwest now.

The enemy only strikes a particular city once in a while and scrambles off immediately.

Qin Lin has been sent to the front lines to guard the cities alone.

He has recruited the commoner people from the cities whose food was stolen by the enemy.

Together with his direct associates, he has almost ten thousand people under his command.

But now, their biggest problem is funding.

He is requesting your help to gather more funds as the current development has reached a bottleneck.

Funds again.

And the Southwest?

The Southwest has had several large-scale battles.

Lin Feibai has been rising through the ranks quickly,

but they have also encountered problems.

He needs money to bribe his superiors for his promotion.

Is there nothing unrelated to money issues?

And the divorce? How's the investigation going?

We have discovered it was Su Rongqing. We don't know about what, but he had a secret conversation with His Majesty.

His Majesty then issued a decree to reduce the Inspectorate Office's expenditure

and make Qingzhou submit half of its tax revenue to the palace to support the military in the north.

Then, who made His Majesty change his mind?

Consort Rou.

Xiao Rou is short-sighted.

Only Su Rongqing knows the Princess's Mansion's weakness.

How about this?

Go and talk to Cui Yulang. Just ask him

if he still wants to proceed with the matter he mentioned to me before.

Yes, Your Highness.

The roses bloom amid the termites' nest.

They ask where you come from...

What are you doing here, sir?

Have I done something wrong, and you're here to take me to the Inspectorate Office?

Her Highness wanted me to ask you

whether you want to proceed with the matter you mentioned to her before.

Princess Pingyue?

Official Cui.

Then, please ask her this on my behalf.

If I agree to do as she says, will she keep me safe?

Anything else you want to ask her?

Another thing is...

Once the plan succeeds,

is she really willing to help me investigate a case to seek justice for my friend?

Anything else?

If Her Highness agrees to all that, just give me the word.

I'll have my day off in three days.

I will reserve a private room on the top floor of Deshun Inn, and wait for Her Highness.

By the way, before that,

tell Her Highness not to let the prince consort know about this.

Compared to the prince consort, I am just nothing.

I hope Her Highness can show some care to me.

Care?

That Cui Yulang. Why did he mention the prince consort for no reason?

He even wants you to show some care to him?

He's crazy.

Why would I go wherever he says?

Tell him to wait for me at Qingyue Restaurant in three days.

Okay, I know.

I must say, Her Highness knows how to have fun.

Her Highness also mentioned something else.

What is it?

Tell him to stop harboring wild thoughts all day.

Act decently. I have no interest in him.

[Wenxuan's Abode]

Tong Ye.

What is it, Young Master?

Go to the Princess's Mansion and ask Qinglan and the others

if the princess has any plans on her day off.

Report to me afterward.

Young Master, you shouldn't have...

I will gather the information you need!

Your Highness, Brother Tong said the prince consort wants to meet you.

But I've made an appointment with Cui Yulang.

What should we do?

How about this? Send someone to tell him that I have something to do out of the city today,

and that I'll meet him next time.

Tell him it's official business, and not to take it to heart.

What business would she have on her day off?

They didn't tell me that exactly.

Young Master, why don't you rest up at home today?

No way.

My intuition tells me something is fishy.

Your Highness, we're being followed.

Let's change the location.

Send someone to tell Cui Yulang to wait for me at Luwei Pavilion.

Find a place to stop later so we can all get some rest.

Yes, Your Highness.

All right.

Given Li Rong's usual tactics, that carriage must be empty.

Wait for me here.

[Qingmei Post]

I'll go inside alone.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

How much more flamboyant can you be?

She's here to meet Cui Yulang?

I should have had him killed with my sword that day.

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 ♫