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

[The Princess Royal]

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

[Episode 29]

Follow me, Your Highness.

You're here, Pingyue.

- Your Highness. - Take a seat.

Your Highness is considerate.

These snacks are my favorites.

Have some tea.

After you were betrothed, you hardly came to the palace.

I haven't seen you in a while and I've missed you terribly.

How is it after the divorce?

Thank you for your concerns, Your Highness.

I've been busy with my work in the Inspectorate Office.

Otherwise, nothing has changed in particular.

How wonderful.

I brought you here for a request.

A fellow countryman from my hometown studied hard for ten years.

He passed the autumn examination and became a recommended scholar.

He planned to sit for this year's spring examination.

Alas, someone stole his spot.

He traveled all the way to Huajing to air his grievances.

Since you work in the Inspectorate Office

and your imperial father recognized your abilities, I sent him your way.

Did you see him?

Oh, his name is Chen Houzhao.

It seems like you've met him.

Not at all.

Your Highness, this falls under the Minister of Justice's prerogative.

You should redirect him to them.

It's getting late. I should go.

Pingyue,

a secret will not remain hidden forever.

Be more discreet when you meet with your ex-spouse.

Your father shouldn't know anything about it.

I suppose I should send some women to Pei Wenxuan's way

in case he reconciled with Pingyue.

Tell Pei Wenxuan to stop meeting me.

We're being watched.

Also, change the guard posts in the residence, so that Cui Yulang can come to see me.

Yes, Your Highness.

Go.

My fellow officials, anything you'd like to add?

- I'd like to raise an issue. - Speak.

Princess Pingyue of the Inspectorate Office refused to accept a case,

and even expelled the plaintiff coercively.

There's no such thing, Your Majesty.

What did she do?

Please elaborate.

Chen Houzhao, a candidate, was ranked first in last year's autumn examination in Qingcheng.

He was thus recommended to attend this year's spring examination.

However, a local squire extorted him and took his candidature.

Therefore, he couldn't sit for it.

He came to Huajing to air his grievances and seek a legal remedy.

However, his grievance paper met a dead end in the Inspectorate Office.

Chen Houzhao was expelled by Her Highness via a boat.

Somehow, it sank the moment it left Huajing.

Chen Houzhao has been missing since then.

This is an egregious matter,

and I hope Your Majesty can launch an investigation.

Pingyue.

Anything you'd like to add?

I...

I've been framed.

Do you have any evidence?

I have eyewitnesses who can be summoned.

He did come to lodge a complaint, and I did receive his grievance paper.

But before I could launch the investigation, he left the capital.

How could you say that I forced him to leave?

Enough.

Official Wang is an important official.

He will not accuse you of wrongdoing lightly.

Pingyue, come to the Imperial Study after the morning court

to explain everything to me.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Greetings, Imperial Father.

Kneel.

Tell me. Why did Chen Houzhao go missing?

Is he dead?

I do not know.

I know what you're thinking about.

Answer me.

Why did you refuse to investigate the wronged candidate case?

The Inspectorate Office isn't for show.

Chen Houzhao's case reflects the basis of our talent-recruiting system.

Wang Houwen accused you of murdering Chen Houzhao.

- What do you have to say? - I did not kill Chen Houzhao.

This doesn't matter.

Just tell me.

Will you investigate the wronged candidate case?

I'd love to,

but... I'm...

too scared to do it.

Since you are scared,

what's the use of the Inspectorate Office anymore?

Forget about your position as the supervisor.

You will resign, and nominate Prince Su as your replacement.

- Imperial Father, Prince Su is... - Even if you don't resign,

no one will acknowledge that you're the supervisor of the Inspectorate Office anymore.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Stand up.

You had a divorce recently.

Use this opportunity to rest up and reflect upon yourself.

Thank you for your generosity, Imperial Father.

Your Majesty.

Please take care of the Inspectorate Office for the moment.

Zhenzhen, I hope this missive finds you well.

Looking at the sun and the moon, my yearning for you grows infinite.

Elder Sister told me you were having a great time in the Northwest,

and that you even won some battles by the front line.

I'm so glad to hear it.

Nevertheless, the battlefield is a dangerous place.

Please take good care of yourself.

I used to lament about my destiny.

But now, I realize that

I'm surrounded by a loving sister and you who miss me dearly.

I will be a coward no more for you.

Zhenzhen, do you remember the promise we made?

That one day, we would travel the world together?

To make this wish a reality...

I will forge on, no matter how perilous the path ahead is.

I hope that when we reunite,

I can hold your hands and call you Zhenzhen...

and not Xun Chuan.

I hope all is well.

Don't miss me too much. Li Chuan.

The crown prince is such a romantic.

How dare you sneak up on me?

You were so engrossed in your reading that you didn't notice we were approaching.

Jokes aside,

it seems like things have been shaky at the imperial court.

For a few months now, His Highness's funds have slowed down.

He must have faced many restrictions.

Regardless, we must be on standby.

When His Highness needs us, we will lend him our assistance.

If that ever happens, it will be the ultimate battle.

I have faith in His Highness.

Oh. If, one day, peace returns to the border and the imperial court,

what will you do?

I'll return to Jiulu Mountain,

and man my own garden.

I've lived there for many years.

That is my home.

- What about you, Eldest Brother Cui? - I...

You once told me about your mother's back story.

It's the reason why you aren't accepted into the Cui Family.

It has bothered you for many years.

I suppose you'll want to return to them.

In the future, we'll trade military feats for your family's acknowledgment.

Your Highness, this is the recommendation letter from the previous supervisor for Prince Su to take over the Inspectorate Office.

You may rest now.

Cui Yulang is so capable.

One trick and he delivers the Inspectorate Office upon our laps.

How come no one has noticed his brilliance before?

Mother, don't you think it's too good to be true?

Brother Cheng, you're overthinking it.

Cheng'er words makes sense.

Everyone in this world, especially those at the imperial court, has their own agenda.

We don't know what Cui Yulang wants at the moment.

However, he got us the Inspectorate Office, and thus, I shall acknowledge his ingenuity.

Regardless of his stances, he's a tool we can use. So we shall use him to our advantage.

Su Rongqing, Cui Yulang, or the Inspectorate Office make no difference.

Now that you have your father's support, the Inspectorate Office will be a lethal weapon.

It is a double-edged sword.

If...

If one day, it hurts us, what do we do, Mother?

Cheng'er, you have grown up.

You've learned to think before you act.

But sometimes, we just have to do it with the hope that it will bring forth the outcome we want.

If we don't try, we will never know the outcome.

Before one learns to swim, one must jump into the water.

Don't you agree?

As to how far we can go, only time will tell.

[Wenxuan's Abode]

So the Inspectorate Office has a new supervisor now?

It must be Li Rong's plan.

She let go of the office because His Majesty regarded her as a pawn.

If His Majesty did care about her, she wouldn't have lost her position this soon.

More importantly, she even nominated Prince Su as her replacement.

Prepare a robe for me. Make sure you steam it with incense.

Sure.

Young Master, are you meeting someone for business or love?

Don't give me the look.

Her Highness said it wasn't that you weren't allowed to see her.

But people are watching you.

How confident are you regarding my plan?

After this, while Consort Rou looks indifferent,

she has grown to trust me after I got her the Inspectorate Office.

Since everything is in order, I should get going now.

Go.

Jinglan, I'm tired. Prepare the bath.

Yes, Your Highness.

Hurry up. I heard echoes.

Me too.

Am I hallucinating?

Yes.

Hurry up.

- Never mind that. Come. - All right.

- What's going on? - Official Cui?

Cui Yulang?

What are you doing here?

Official Pei, what are you doing here?

I'm going home.

Me too.

What home, you fool?

Official Cui!

Official Pei.

Official Pei, Official Cui came for a serious meeting.

Let's not fight here or we'll alert the guards.

A serious meeting?

I misunderstood you.

- Is your eye all right? - No! I'm fine. It's a misunderstanding.

Official Yuan, why don't you see me off first?

Are you sure I didn't hurt you with that punch?

Talk to you next time, Official Pei.

Official Pei.

Didn't you say that you were going home? By climbing the wall?

What are you implying? Come down now.

Where is Her Highness?

Make them leave.

Her Highness doesn't need you anymore. You're dismissed.

I'll stand guard here.

- Noted. - Noted.

I snuck in here.

What are you doing here?

I miss you.

Still, I must remind you to be extra vigilant.

Consort Rou is keeping a close watch on us.

I know. I took precautions when I came over.

No one followed me.

Oh, you have done a lot of things recently.

All that to let Consort Rou run the Inspectorate Office?

You must be exhausted.

I'm fine.

His Majesty asked you to nominate Prince Su?

Don't be upset. It's a trivial matter. It'll be over soon.

You came tonight because you thought I was upset that I lost my position,

and that Father asked me to nominate Prince Su?

Is that why you came?

It's not just that.

I punched Cui Yulang by the wall just now.

I received emotional damage.

Shouldn't you offer me compensation?

What compensation do you want?

What about this?

Like what?

Like this?

Not enough.

♫ A dream, like a trance, takes me through the seasons ♫

Like this?

It is still not enough.

♫ Only wrinkles on the sleeves ♫

♫ A little later, you'll wave at me ♫

♫ Following the cool breeze ♫

♫ I enter your line of sight ♫

♫ A phoenix tree stands tall in the courtyard ♫

♫ With a brush, painting the beautiful scenery ♫

♫ Lightheartedly chatting about the vast world ♫

♫ In all my extensive travels, I'm glad to have you ♫

[Taiji Hall]

Last night, I received a memorandum from Pingyue.

She resigned as the Supervisor of the Inspectorate Office,

and nominated Prince Su as her replacement.

I thought it was a great idea.

What do you think, my fellow officials?

They are very calm. It seems like this is part of their plan.

Your Majesty, may I know why Princess Pingyue resigned from her position?

Prince Su is young.

He might not be able to excel in this role.

Official Shangguan, while Brother Cheng is young, he is a prince.

He should be involved in political affairs.

Running the Inspectorate Office will be a good exercise for him.

Imperial Father, I've been feeling under the weather lately.

I cannot serve you for the moment, and I ask for your forgiveness.

It's all right.

You are a woman, after all.

Retire and nurse your health back.

Your Majesty, Prince Su is simply too young.

It might be dangerous to appoint His Highness in such an important position.

You're right.

You know what?

Consort Rou will assist Prince Su in tandem.

Your Majesty! Consort Rou is just a consort.

She cannot meddle in politics.

Pingyue has been handling political matters, and she has performed masterfully.

Were it not for her ailment, I'd have loved to let her continue.

Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty. - What's the hurry?

- I have bad news. - Speak.

A group of scholars and some other men occupied the palace entrance.

They claimed that their candidatures in the spring examination had been stolen,

and they wanted justice.

What is happening?

These scholars said that they were recommended students who passed the provincial exams.

By right, they should have come to Huajing to sit for the spring examination, but someone took their spots.

Therefore, they came to Huajing to voice their grievances to Your Majesty.

They are now kneeling outside waiting for a word from you.

- You may leave. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Who among you would like to handle this case?

Your Majesty, I can handle this case.

Official Pei, you only became the Vice Minister of Personnel recently.

You might not be experienced enough for a case like this.

While I am certainly inexperienced, my motivation makes up for it.

I come from a modest background.

It hurts me to see that the opportunities these scholars should enjoy were stripped from them.

I beseech you to let me handle this case.

I will make sure that justice is served.

You're too young.

Even if you have the aspiration, you might not be able to handle it.

I agree with you, Your Majesty.

Official Pei is inexperienced.

But since this is a serious matter, why don't we let the Crown Prince handle it?

Official Pei can assist His Highness.

What do you think, Official Pei?

He's trying to do Chuan'er in.

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is busy.

He will eventually delegate the task to his subordinate.

If you can let me handle this matter, I will do my best to resolve it.

I agree with Official Pei.

Imperial Father, it is not a very serious matter.

The imperial examination is an educational assessment.

Compared to the disasters or conflicts by the border, it is insignificant.

Official Pei is a fourth-ranked vice minister.

He has more than enough power to handle this case.

Why don't we let Official Pei handle this matter?

I beg to differ.

The imperial examination is the system by which we select future officials.

It is of paramount importance.

Someone abused the system on a national level.

If the crown prince doesn't come and address the issue, our subjects will not be appeased.

- I beg to differ. - Your Majesty.

Why don't you let Prince Su handle this?

This is a ruse to get rid of the crown prince.

Why is she so eager?

Your Majesty, I heard that Princess Pingyue nominated Cheng'er as the Supervisor of the Inspectorate Office.

While Cheng'er is young, he wants to reduce your burden too.

If none of you can come to a consensus regarding this matter,

why don't we let Cheng'er use this as practice?

I will accompany him to meet with the victims to hear their plea.

Wise words, Consort Rou.

Prince Su is part of the imperial bloodline.

If he's running the Inspectorate Office, he is the best candidate to handle this affair.

- Wise words, Consort Rou. - Wise words, Consort Rou.

- All hail Prince Su. - All hail Prince Su.

This is decided then.

Consort Rou is digging her own grave.

You may air your grievances to Prince Su.

He will make sure that your plea is heard.

Your Highness, I am Wen Xingzhi.

We have three demands.

One, identify the culprit behind our stolen candidatures and give us an explanation.

Of course.

I came with Prince Su for this matter precisely.

Two, establish a palace examination this year, invigilated by His Majesty,

so that no one can abuse their power and cheat the system.

Three, establish the imperial examination as the sole means to enter public services,

and abolish the traditional nomination by prestigious families, for a fairer system.

How preposterous!

Great job.

Likewise.

You scoundrel.

Isn't this too much to avenge the loss of my position?

Your Highness, you're here today

so you must have made the decision to help poor scholars like us.

We have been studying for decades,

and we shoulder our family's hopes to earn a governmental position.

To pay for my tuition, my father refuses to treat his sickness or eat any rice.

I finally became a recommended student, yet my decade-long dream was destroyed within a night.

Prince Su and I promise to get to the bottom of this.

However, the appointment of government officials has nothing to do with this.

How is that so?

Official Pei.

The leader, Wen Xingzhi, is your man, isn't he?

What are you talking about, Official Su?

I don't understand.

The Imperial Examination is set up to recruit more talented people.

Yet the imperial court is filled with members of the elite families

who collude with one another.

Insolence!

The palace entrance is no place for such baseless accusations from you wet-behind-the-ears!

Guards!

What are you doing here?

You want to kill us to silence us?

Your Highness, is this the justice you promised us?

Back off.

Gentlemen, this is a serious matter.

Please stand up.

We'll handle your cases one by one.

When, Your Highness?

Are you planning to forget it after you calm us down?

Truth be told,

I, too, come from a modest background.

When I was little, Father sold me into the palace for two silver taels.

I have suffered like you have.

In fact, as a woman, I might have suffered more than you did.

Therefore, do not fret.

I will give you justice even if it costs my life.

I will handle your case one by one. This is not an empty promise.

Please believe me.

Stand up, please.

Official Pei, I work for Eunuch Fulai, and I came bearing a message.

His Majesty wants to see you.

I shall see His Majesty at once.

Your Highness?

Speak.

Just speak frankly.

His Majesty wants you to submit the official seal of the Inspectorate Office.

Thank you for your trust.

Please give us some time. You will hear from us soon.

- Prince Su and I... - Here you go.

will relay this to His Majesty immediately.

Ask Cui Yulang to see me later.

You're telling us to declare war on the noble houses.

You want to kill us!

What is happening?

Why is reform being raised here?

I believe this is the perfect opportunity... for Prince Su.

Did you know this would happen, Your Highness?

No.

What did you tell Consort Rou?

After His Majesty's accession, he is often restricted by the noble houses,

and he has long wanted to get rid of them.

His Majesty has anticipated the current circumstances for many years.

I believe it provides the best opportunity to win His Majesty's heart

and to eliminate the crown prince.

It's easier said than done.

It is not convincing enough.

Even I think that it's too far-fetched.

Then, I told them this.

It's very simple.

It all depends on whether His Majesty will turn to Consort Rou or not.

If he comes to her and supports her, it means His Majesty wants her to do it.

If not, I told Consort Rou and Prince Su

to voice their difficulties in front of His Majesty, and ask for a reappointment.

It will minimize the damage done to Prince Su.

However, the task will fall on Pei Wenxuan.

Your logic is sound.

Consort Rou cares too much about His Majesty.

If His Majesty consoles her, she will take up this challenging task for him.

I know what to do now.

I should take my leave, then.

Jinglan, tell Wenxuan that I'm coming over.

Yes, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highnesses. [Inspectorate Office]

Prince Su. Consort Rou. Should I recuse myself?

You are the Deputy Supervisor of the Inspectorate Office.

You are to assist us. Stay here and hear their plea.

Yes, Your Highness.

Ask them to come here one by one to recount their story.

You may start.

Your Highnesses, I am Chen Qimai from Jiangshan County.

Wen Xingzhi, you may voice your grievances to Prince Su and Consort Rou.

Consort Rou, Your Highnesses, my exam candidature was stolen.

While it seems trivial in nature,

poor scholars like us hope to use this issue to reform the official selection process. That will really benefit commoners.

While commoners can serve the government through the current system,

the position assigned to us is insignificant at most.

I must say, Official Pei's plan is ingenious.

Remember Lin Feibai? [Qingmei Restaurant]

The illegitimate child of the Xie Family?

Yes, he's serving the military by the border, and has won many battles. He's returning soon.

If he is allowed back into the Xie Family, one can say that he has rewritten his destiny.

It's not going to be easy to rejoin the Xie Family.

After Xie Lanqing passed away, his third brother, Xie Chunhe, took over the family.

Xie Chunhe looks affable, but in reality, he's a vicious man.

When Xie Lanqing was still alive,

Xie Chunhe was the mastermind behind the Xie Family's many plans,

including the plan to assassinate Her Highness.

He did it?

Many years ago, I was once Xie Chunhe's gaming partner.

We played card games for ten days consecutively, and I had never lost once.

He, as a gambler, exposed his violent temperament.

He flipped the table, hit his attendant, and slapped his maid.

I couldn't stand the sight of it, so I left right away.

I am the Eldest Young Master of the Su Family, so he wouldn't harm me.

Later, I heard that the attendant and the maid who dealt cards disappeared.

You mean...

Xie Chunhe is a ruthless man.

In the Qin's case, the Xie Family suffered a loss from Her Highness.

Knowing Xie Chunhe, he will return twice the humiliation.

What's on your mind?

I was thinking...

I was thinking that you won Xie Chunhe for ten consecutive days.

You always won too when we played together.

Do you have a trick or two?

Of course.

I knew it.

Tell me.

You want to know?

Don't be cryptic. Tell me already.

This is my trick.

- This is... - My lucky dice.

I've been keeping it by my side. As long as I have it, I win every gamble.

Is it that powerful?

The office has met a new supervisor.

The future will only grow more unstable.

I don't know what the future holds, but one thing is for sure,

Her Highness and you will need luck on your side.

Here. Take this.

May the odds be in your favor in the future.

I'll gladly accept it.

Thank you for the lucky dice.

A toast to you. Cheers.

[Wenxuan's Abode]

Where are you going?

Sir, there's a...

Your Highness!

Your Highness, when did you arrive?

Young Master, Her Highness is here.

You must have waited for a long time. Let me get you some water.

The horse cart is ready. We can leave whenever.

I'm not leaving.

No?

Right. We're not going anywhere.

I'll ask them to leave.

I came because I have some questions for you, Official Pei.

What are you doing?

Sorry, I made a mistake.

Yes. I want to reform the system.

I know Su Rongqing wants to use this case to put the crown prince in a difficult situation.

And knowing His Highness, he will accept the case.

But regardless of the outcome, he will come out with a loss.

Therefore, I told His Majesty about this case in advance.

We discussed and agreed to use this case to launch a reform.

Utterly ridiculous!

The demands you asked them to make today

cannot be achieved for at least the next few centuries.

- Get up. - No.

Unless...

Unless you stay here tonight.

- I want you to get up now. Do not talk back. - No.

Get up.

Do you truly think that after our divorce, whatever happens to you will not affect me?

If Consort Rou didn't show up today, would you have accepted the case?

Fine. If you handled it well, then all would be good.

What if you didn't? What would happen?

Have you forgotten how difficult it was for you and Chuan'er to launch the reform?

If you corner the noble houses and they fight back, what will happen to you?

Your Highness,

all the great changes in this world come with a price.

What price?

Your life.

Are you my tactician or my cannon fodder?

Does your life mean nothing?

I didn't say I was sacrificing myself.

If you don't care about your life, why did you become my spouse?

I'm still alive right now.

I don't care if you're currently in danger or not.

Did you talk to me before you took the risk?

Do you think that your survival doesn't matter to me now?

That I don't care about you?

I'm asking you questions.

Listen up, Pei Wenxuan.

Your life isn't just yours.

You're my husband, the father of my future child.

Even for the sake of us, you should have told me everything.

Do not laugh.

If you can't do that,

I...

How annoying!

Rong Rong.

Rong Rong. It is fine.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

If you die because of this, what do I do?

Don't worry. I'll be fine.

I won't do this again. I won't make you worry.

I'll tell you everything.

Don't be mad.

How did you come in here?

Now is not a great time for this stupid question.

How did you come in here?

There. Like this.

You climbed the wall?

- But the next plot... - I bought it.

Go back then.

You don't want me to stay?

I'm joking.

I'd love it if you could stay over.

But I thought about it, and I realized that I had made a mistake.

If you stay over, you're awarding my mistake.

An intimate time should also be a romantic time.

It shouldn't be mixed with other matters.

Besides, you're right, Your Highness.

We're not allies.

I am your spouse, and the father of your child.

Moving forward, I will tell you everything in advance, and discuss it with you.

Good.

I'll go back then.

Be careful.

I am very nimble.

See you.

Be careful.

Worry not, Your Highness.

His Highness has retired to his chamber.

Official Su?

Come in.

Your Highness.

I will leave after posing my question.

May I know who suggested you to handle the case today?

Someone did advise me, but it's what I want to do too.

So it's your idea to cross the noble houses?

Your Highness, Prince Su and you have barely secured your position in court.

Even Princess Pingyue is reluctant to handle the case.

Yet you volunteered so eagerly.

You might have been tricked.

That's all I want to say.

Take care, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

If I may speak frankly, Young Master is right.

I know that. But what can I do?

I took the case in public.

I thought that while I did not work at court,

many people from a similar background to mine might support Cheng'er.

I was hoping to gain more standing with this endeavor.

If these disgruntled scholars make another scene,

Cheng'er's reputation will be irreparably damaged.

It's not difficult to resolve their disputes, but we are powerless to launch a reform.

I believe we must implicate Second Young Master Su in this.

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

♫ Who gazes up at the sky? ♫

♫ Who gazes at the sky from afar? ♫

♫ 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 ♫