Original subtitles

Your Highness.

This letter is from the Chief Secretariat.

Return the letter to him as is.

Tell him that since he hurt my sister,

don't expect me to forgive him.

He said that this letter

is about Mrs. Jiang.

Bring it here.

MADAM JI MISSES YOU DESPITE HER CONDITION

PLEASE VISIT HER WHEN YOU'RE AVAILABLE

Shuran.

Shuran.

-"Shuran"? -Shuran.

Miss, you are so beautiful!

It's me, Shuran.

Don't you recognize me?

Let me put a flower on you.

What a beauty.

Shuran.

Who is he?

Father?

Are you here to see me, Father?

You came to see me?

I... I will give you a flower.

Let me put it on your head.

Chancellor Jiang,

what's the meaning of this?

Giving a carrot

and expecting I'd forget what you did?

This new house is much better than the ancestral shrine.

Here, there are flowers and plants which she likes

and maids who serve her patiently.

From now on, she will surely spend

her later years here without any worries.

You are so fierce, miss.

Li'er is also here today.

She hopes to speak with Your Highness face-to-face.

Li'er!

Consort Li, please have some tea.

Are you threatening me with my sister today?

Your Highness has misunderstood.

This is a gesture of goodwill.

After all, Your Highness already know

what my mother did before.

Now, my mother can enjoy this kind of life

all thanks to Your Highness.

Then what do you want from me?

I heard that it was Your Highness' idea to grant

my marriage with Shen Yurong.

You yourself said that you are both in love.

I just did a good deed.

Since Your Highness worries about my marriage,

I am naturally grateful for it.

I am just worried

that Your Highness will end up like my mother,

being treated as a pawn by the Eldest Princess.

What are you saying?

When Jiang Ruoyao knocked Zhou Yanbang unconscious,

I testified for Ruoyao.

Since then,

Ruoyao stopped listening to Mother.

Mother thought that I urged Ruoyao on,

so she wanted to kill me.

The Eldest Princess

keenly discovered this.

After returning to the capital to petition to His Majesty,

the Eldest Princess wants me dead.

My mother's intention to get rid of me ultimately gave the Eldest Princess

a chance to let someone else do the dirty work.

To survive,

I could only retaliate with all my strength.

That's why things ended up this way today.

You've washed your hands of what happened so well.

It doesn't matter if I am innocent or not.

What matters is the Eldest Princess is targeting Your Highness.

As far as I know,

granting marriage between Shen Yurong and I

wasn't Your Highness' idea.

Your Highness was coerced as well.

You...

What do you know?

I know that Your Highness is the same as I was in the past,

under threat by the Eldest Princess.

With her way of doing things,

if the root of the problem is not resolved,

she'll only coerce you over and over again.

Your Highness can consider it.

If Your Highness is willing to work with me,

I can help solve Your Highness's problem.

And my mother can also live peacefully in this small estate.

And we'll be even.

How does that sound?

Flower.

Your Highness,

I hope my daughter didn't offend you.

I finally know

why those who wanted to harm Jiang Li

all failed and paid the price in the end.

Chancellor Jiang,

your daughter is really something.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Shuran.

Chancellor Jiang,

Shuran is the most important person to me in this world.

We got to where we are today

by supporting each other.

Seeing that you have reconciled with Shuran,

my grudge against the Jiang family is now water under the bridge.

However, I can't forgive you

for driving Shuran mad.

Although my sister was wrong in the first place,

Jiang Li must pay the price.

There is no room for maneuver on the matter of granting the marriage.

On account of your kindness to Shuran,

I won't drag the Jiang family down.

I hope you understand the principle

of making a minor sacrifice to preserve what's crucial.

A parent should protect his child

and would never abandon her

to protect himself.

You don't know what's good for you.

PRINCESS WANNING'S MANSION

Your Highness,

Jiang Yuanbai brought Ji Shuran to a new house.

However, Consort Li did not waver.

Your Highness is very clever.

They'd only humiliate themselves

in begging Consort Li now.

Consort Li is an unreliable pawn after all.

Undue delay may bring trouble.

We shouldn't wait any longer.

Do you want me to request a decree from His Majesty?

Why do I feel like

you are in a hurry to be granted marriage?

Naturally, I want to fulfill Your Highness' wishes at the soonest.

Yurong,

did Xue Fangfei teach you how to play the guqin?

She can't teach me.

She plays it so well.

You played a song together last time.

Why don't you two

perform for His Majesty, Consort Li,

and me again?

Why?

Won't this allow Consort Li to take advantage of the situation

and suggest granting your marriage to His Majesty?

There are many ways to push the granting of the marriage.

But I want to see

how two people who hate each other

can play in perfect harmony together.

Won't you be sad, Your Highness?

Did you ask

out of guilt?

If Your Highness wishes to see it,

I'll perform it.

Ms. Jiuyue gave this to me herself.

I didn't open it along the way.

Your Majesty.

Why did you suddenly come to the imperial study to see me?

Is something wrong?

I heard Your Majesty has been reviewing memorials the whole day.

That's why I especially brought you some dessert.

You are always so considerate of me.

Your birthday is in two days.

Have you decided on your gift?

Thank you, Your Majesty, for always remembering.

I don't want any gifts.

I just kept thinking about the time when the Zhao delegation came.

I caught a cold that day and was unable to attend the banquet.

I heard that Ms. Jiang Li and Mr. Shen

performed like a match made in heaven.

It's a pity that I have no chance to see it again.

What's so difficult about that?

Eunuch Su.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Relay my verbal order.

On Consort Li's birthday,

invite Ms. Jiang Li and Mr. Shen to attend the banquet.

Yes.

I also want to invite someone else.

Wanning was grounded during that time and missed out on the performance too.

Why not ask her to join us?

Sure.

I have the same thoughts.

-Jiang Li! -Jiang Li!

-Jiang Li. Are you all right? -Jiang Li. Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Stop pretending in front of us.

We know that Consort Li

wants to grant you and Shen Yurong marriage.

Why did you retract your testimony for no reason?

You fool, if it weren't for some unspeakable reason,

would Jiang Li retract her statement?

The situation is a little tricky now.

I'm thinking of a way.

Ye Shijie is here too.

He's chatting with Uncle Yuanbai.

What are they talking about?

Of course it's about your marriage.

Jiang Li!

My lord, aren't I awesome?

I found someone who hid herself so well.

My lord,

something's going on in the Jiang family.

Consort Li invited Jiang Li and Shen Yurong to her birthday banquet.

I'm afraid she wants to arrange their marriage on-site.

Which day is it?

After two days.

Just now, the scout also said

Chancellor Jiang invited Ye Shijie over.

What is he doing there at this time?

What? He invited Ye Shijie?

Yes.

Don't worry, Mr. Jiang.

I'll definitely help in this matter.

Good.

I'll take my leave then.

Great, Li'er is here too.

Li'er,

we were talking about you.

What about?

Shijie, tell her.

We know that Shen Yurong asked to be granted marriage to you.

I know you must be reluctant to marry him,

so I will see His Majesty

and say our families arranged our marriage before we were born.

His Majesty takes civil traditions seriously

and will certainly take back the order to grant this marriage.

That is to deceive His Majesty.

I've already coordinated with the Ye family about this.

We are not afraid.

Mr. Jiang has also agreed.

I trust Shijie.

This is the best option at the moment.

There's no need.

You don't have to worry about this.

We're just doing this to solve your urgent predicament.

If you don't want to marry me in the future,

we can break off the engagement.

Marriage is of great importance.

What's more, my reputation is already damaged.

I don't want to drag you down.

What if I say that I am willing to get dragged down?

But I am not.

We are really pressed for time and have no time to plan.

A message just came from the palace.

On Consort Li's birthday,

you and Shen Yurong are invited to the palace in celebration.

But no one else from the Jiang family is invited.

I think she wants to grant the marriage between you two

right before His Majesty.

That's why I asked Shijie to come over.

You can mull it over.

-At any time, I... -Ms. Jiang Li.

Duke Su is waiting for you outside the gate.

Since Duke Su is here, why didn't he come in?

This concerns Ms. Jiang Li.

Ms. Jiang Li, please go outside to talk to him.

What's the meaning of this?

Father, I'll go out for a moment.

Where are we going?

To the palace.

Why are we going to the palace?

I'll ask His Majesty to grant us marriage.

Duke Su,

look at the situation now.

Please stop joking.

What's this?

The confession of the palace maid involved in Consort Xian's death.

You found her so quickly?

My men

aren't like the useless people under Wanning.

Where is the maid now?

I hid her.

I had someone disguise herself as that palace maid,

so they're not alerted for now.

So,

we are going into the palace to meet Consort Li now.

You are the one who is going to see Consort Li.

I'm going to see His Majesty.

Why are you seeing His Majesty?

To ask him to grant me marriage.

Can you visit the palace at will?

Who brought you in?

That does not matter.

Your Highness should be worried about this instead.

ZHANG MANNI'S CONFESSION

UNDER CONSORT LI'S THREAT, I PUT VOODOO POISON IN CONSORT XIAN'S FOOD

Where did you get this?

I told you before.

I can help solve your problem, Your Highness.

Can Your Highness trust me now?

I have truly underestimated you time and time again.

Who is your backer?

That's not what Your Highness should be concerned about now.

What exactly do you want?

I am different from Wanning.

I won't threaten Your Highness with this.

I am just begging Your Highness to stop being Wanning's puppet

and stop interfering with granting marriage.

Then I will return this maid to Your Highness.

Even if I don't mention it,

do you think Wanning will just give up?

What happened between you and Mr. Shen

is pushed to the cusp of public opinion now.

Even without my help,

Wanning will also take advantage of the situation

and make it happen.

I've been planning this for a long time.

I'm just one step away now.

I need a favor from Your Highness on your birthday banquet.

What is it?

Xiao Heng, don't go too far!

I've gone too far?

When Shen Yurong asked to be granted marriage,

why didn't Your Majesty refuse him?

Isn't it just a marriage? Why are you so worked up?

Your Majesty knows clearly that I like Ms. Jiang Li.

What would I do now?

Everyone knows about them in the Imperial Court.

I don't want their families to be embarrassed.

This is the best solution!

-Has Your Majesty made up your mind? -Xiao Heng,

I advise you to drop this matter.

I'll go ahead!

BENEFITTING THE PEOPLE

What did you do just now?

Why do you look so tired?

Nothing.

I just had a quarrel.

You're really the first person

to quarrel with His Majesty.

You look relaxed.

Did you two reach an agreement?

Consort Li agreed to help me.

Help you with what?

I won't tell you yet.

Even if you suppressed Consort Li,

on her birthday,

if Eldest Princess personally asks to grant your marriage,

how would you reject it?

Even if the marriage is granted,

it'll take at least a month to prepare for the wedding banquet.

In one month,

I can make them

cancel the engagement themselves.

That's not a good idea.

-It's just in name. -Even that won't do.

Tell me, can't you serve me in the future anymore?

We'll have a lot of time together.

I feel particularly uneasy today.

I don't feel comfortable seeing you either.

In that case, I shall excuse myself.

Your Highness, Duke Su requests to see you.

What a rare visitor.

Didn't you say that he personally

went to pick up Xue Fangfei at the prison?

Yes.

Make yourself scarce.

Duke Su, you wouldn't be here for no reason.

Why did you come here today?

If Shen Yurong cannot become a Prince Consort,

won't it be a pity, Your Highness?

If I want something,

I can retrieve it at any time.

Ordinary people can't compare to Your Highness' magnanimity.

I've always been petty.

Naturally, I won't give away the person I like.

Are you referring to...

What will it take to cancel the granting of Jiang Li's marriage?

Duke Su, you're truly dedicated to her.

But I lost a lot of things because of Jiang Li.

How can you compensate them?

How much have you lost? I will pay you back.

I want a lot of things.

You can't afford them.

Is this enough?

AUSPICIOUS, GOOD, KIND, GENTLE

What a coincidence.

Ms. Jiang Li, you're also invited.

It's all thanks to Consort Li's generosity.

Ms. Jiang Li, you're really lucky.

I'm a little envious.

His Majesty has arrived.

Consort Li has arrived.

-Welcome, Your Majesty, Your Highness. -Welcome, Your Majesty, Your Highness.

There's no need for courtesy.

-Thank you, Your Majesty. -Thank you, Your Majesty.

Today is Consort Li's birthday.

She doesn't want an extravagant banquet,

so I invited all of you here.

Consort Li keeps telling me

about the performance of Minister Shen and Ms. Jiang Li.

Can the both of you

perform together again today?

I am extremely honored.

I am willing to play for Her Highness.

Good.

I have also invited Wanning here today.

She made a scene in the Imperial Court before

and I had her grounded to reflect on herself.

Today, I invited her here

in the hopes that everyone

can get along amicably.

Of course, Your Majesty.

Naturally, I'll take the high road.

That's good.

Let's have some food first

and start the performance later.

Mr. Shen, Ms. Jiang Li,

please wait here.

When you look at me,

other than disgust,

there's a hint of love mingled with hate.

I didn't know

that you have no self-awareness at all.

Self-awareness?

What about myself should I be aware of?

Do you know that if you insist on going against the Eldest Princess,

things won't end well for you?

Why are you marrying me then?

Do you want to use me again to please the Eldest Princess?

You still don't trust me.

I once trusted you.

But what happened?

Is your trust only reserved

for a man like Xiao Heng?

If I have the same background as him,

I wouldn't have to do this.

Will you believe me

if I say I can also trade the Longwu Army for you?

Is this enough?

Is this the fish talisman of the Longwu Army?

Since you know it, I need not explain further.

If you give me that,

the nation will have a new ruler.

I don't care who rules the nation.

I only want her.

It turns out you didn't know.

Now that I have told you, you can feel at ease.

Starting tomorrow,

no one will mention granting the marriage again.

Even if His Majesty brings it up again,

I will refuse it.

After all,

that's the fish talisman of the Longwu Army.

I'm very curious.

If His Majesty knew that Xiao Heng handed over the Longwu Army

for a woman,

would his punishment be confiscation of possessions

or nine familial exterminations?

Your Majesty.

Mr. Shen and Ms. Jiang Li are ready.

Let them begin then.

If His Majesty knew that Xiao Heng handed over the Longwu Army

for a woman,

would his punishment be confiscation of possessions

or nine familial exterminations?

You really know how to fool around.

Although I am not an expert in the guqin,

I've heard a lot of good tunes.

Ms. Jiang Li,

do you think Consort Li and I

don't deserve to hear your music?

Forget it.

Previously, Ms. Jiang Li and Mr. Shen rehearsed daily,

so the performance must've been excellent.

Today, it was my sudden wish

for them to perform.

Nevertheless,

I can consider my regret of missing

the alliance banquet fulfilled today.

Come on.

Let's drink.

Eldest Princess Wanning rarely visits the palace.

This Nv'erhong wine is especially prepared for you.

Try and see if it's to your liking.

Mr. Shen,

you have seen Ms. Jiang Li

-win first place -Here.

in the School of Integrity.

Do you think

her performance today is the same level as before?

From what I know about Ms. Jiang Li,

she can play much better than this.

Maybe Ms. Jiang Li's focus

is elsewhere.

Is that so?

Then who is Ms. Jiang Li thinking about?

Is he more important than His Majesty and Her Highness?

Your Majesty, Your Highness Consort Li,

Your Highness,

please forgive me.

I was indeed distracted today.

It's true that I am thinking of someone.

Then let's hear it.

I am thinking

about Xue Zhao, the son of Magistrate Xue

who was rescued from Huaixiang before,

I heard he was found.

Come to think of it, it was Eldest Princess who inspired me.

Eldest Princess always said that I am Xue Fangfei before.

She said that Xue Fangfei is not dead,

so that gave me an idea.

I wondered if Magistrate Xue's son have survived too.

That's why I asked Duke Su to help find him.

Before coming today, Duke Su told me

that he found him.

I'm thinking

that when Xue Zhao regains consciousness, we can ask him

and help Mr. Shen

find the person who harmed his father-in-law and brother-in-law.

Great.

In this case, let Duke Su handle it.

If this is useful to the case later on,

you will gain merit for this.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

But it's a fact that I got distracted today.

I am willing to perform another tune

with Mr. Shen, "Huaixiang Ditty".

A tune that has not been rehearsed

should not be presented to Your Majesty.

Mr. Shen should be very familiar with "Huaixiang Ditty".

If you've forgotten it because of leaving home for too long,

why don't you just be an audience?

That sounds good.

A local ditty

should be more interesting than a grand and serious song.

Get started then.

Yes.

"Huaixiang Ditty".

Dear, you're feeling homesick.

I'm reminded of the time I first met you.

Do you still remember?

How can I forget it?

Did you give the Longwu Army

to the Eldest Princess for me?

You found out?

-This is the method you spoke of? -Yes.

No one mentioned granting the marriage today, right?

The fish talisman is so important.

How can you give it away so easily?

Didn't I say I have a solution?

You are talking about what you asked from Jiuyue?

You already know about it.

Then why did you give away the fish talisman?

I just guessed it.

But I don't know what exactly it is that you want.

We have to find a way to retrieve the fish talisman quickly.

I've never seen you this panicked.

This is not about me, it concerns you.

Does this mean

I am very important to you?

Xiao Heng!

All right.

Actually,

handing over the fish talisman is just a part of our plan.

"Our"?

Who?

His Majesty and I.

What exactly is going on?

Wanning's backer is Prince Cheng.

Prince Cheng has always been eyeing the throne.

As long as he stands,

His Majesty can never be at ease.

In the past eight years, Prince Cheng achieved many military merits up north,

winning the hearts of the people.

Many children in the north today do not know His Majesty,

but only a few do not know Prince Cheng.

Prince Cheng is establishing his prestige this way,

gradually establishing a good image of a brave and caring leader,

so he can legitimately recruit troops.

Isn't Prince Cheng afraid of overshadowing the Emperor?

Maybe that's his intention.

And if His Majesty suppresses Prince Cheng for this reason,

His Majesty would be seen as a leader jealous of talents,

unjustly punishing a decorated subject.

If that happens,

Prince Cheng would be justify to have an uprising in the north.

In the past eight years, Prince Cheng has been recruiting troops in the north,

and Wanning has been garnering support in the Imperial Court and gathering money.

In the Imperial Court, Li Zhongnan's faction

also willingly serves the two of them.

They're corrupt and lawless.

These people are like bones in His Majesty's throat.

He can't pull them out or swallow them.

Left to their own devices,

the forces in the north will shake the nation sooner or later

and every official will be afraid of them.

If Prince Cheng launches a coup then,

the local army

might turn against us to protect their families and themselves.

His Majesty and I were unable to find an opening before.

Until you appeared.

Me?

Am I that important?

All this while,

most of the things you wanted to do aligned with my goals.

Keep the Li family from controlling the Ye family.

Destroy Huaixiang's private gold mines.

Even Xue Huaiyuan's case

gave His Majesty a reason to weaken Li Zhongnan.

Originally, because of Shen Yurong,

you have driven Wanning into a corner.

I just didn't expect that Wanning would have Xue Zhao

and request the granting of your marriage.

So His Majesty and I also set up a scheme.

Are you crazy?

How dare you hand the Longwu Army's fish talisman to the Eldest Princess?

Huaixiang 's private gold mine is gone.

We also destroyed most of Li Zhongnan's salt and iron business in the south.

Li Zhongnan is gradually losing power.

It's difficult for him to find new ways to make money for Prince Cheng.

How long does Your Majesty think Prince Cheng is willing to wait?

If he doesn't rebel,

he'll only keep asking for food from the Imperial Court,

draining the Treasury.

If Your Majesty refuses him,

he'd even have a reason to rebel.

When that time comes, the north will be plunged into misery and suffering.

People will be displaced.

And the treasury of Great Yan

will be emptied because of this battle.

So?

For the ancestral worship next month, Prince Cheng will return to the capital.

This is his chance, but also our opportunity.

Spell it out.

Hand over the Longwu Army and entice him into rebelling.

Instead of rising in rebellion in the north,

let him force you to abdicate.

If the Longwu Army is in our hands,

he will be cautious.

But once we hand over the Longwu Army,

it would be like exposing our vulnerability to him.

He will surely grab this opportunity.

This is a narrow gain.

For your revenge, for a woman,

you want to treat me as a pawn too?

Your Majesty, if I only wanted revenge

and cared not for the people and the nation,

why would I endure until now?

How would you defeat him?

Do you still have any aces after handing over the Longwu Army?

What about my safety?

Great Zhao.

Great Zhao is my trump card.

If you can think of that,

can't the Eldest Princess do the same?

Wouldn't she realize that handing over the Longwu Army is just a bait?

That's why I have to pretend like I am blinded by love.

This is the only way

to make Wanning accept the Longwu Army without a doubt.

Are you

blinded or not?

I'm thinking very clearly.

Prince Cheng already has strong power.

No matter what we plan,

a fatal blow has the potential to injure both parties.

Your Majesty has trusted me for eight years.

Please trust me for one last time.

I will use the lowest price in exchange for the greatest victory.

How should I cooperate with you then?

Put on an act.

How should I do that?

Xiao Heng, don't go too far!

I've gone too far?

When Shen Yurong asked to be granted marriage,

why didn't Your Majesty refuse him?

Isn't it just a marriage?

Why are you so worked up?

Your Majesty knows clearly that I like Ms. Jiang Li.

What would I do now?

Everyone knows about them in the Imperial Court.

I don't want their families to be embarrassed.

This is the best solution!

Has Your Majesty made up your mind?

Xiao Heng, I advise you to drop this matter.

I'll go ahead!

GOVERN PEOPLE, SERVE THE HEAVENS

Good acting.

I'll deduct the things you broke from your salary.

I see.

You could have forged a fish talisman and given it to Wanning.

Why risk it with the real deal?

Don't underestimate Wanning.

With her capability,

she can tell whether the fish talisman is real or not.

Then not only will we fail to lure Prince Cheng out of his den,

but we might also alert them of our plan.

Will Great Zhao really send reinforcements?

This is the second thing that I want to tell you.

I'll head to Zhao for a few days.

When are you setting off?

In a few days.

Before you go,

I'll put on a show for you.

Send some people to keep an eye on Eldest Princess's Mansion.

I have told you my secret.

What about you?

In front of you,

I've long stopped hiding anything.

I already know

that you fancy me.

But do you know

that I fancy you?

Yurong.

You keep saying that you hate Xue Fangfei,

but why did I see something completely different

at the imperial banquet?

You've misunderstood, Your Highness.

I was wondering if the fish talisman might be a scam.

After all, Xiao Heng is full of tricks.

Handing over the fish talisman now

is very fishy.

This is the difference between you and Xiao Heng.

You can kill Xue Fangfei just to stay alive,

but Xiao Heng can die for Xue Fangfei.

Your love is far behind his.

Now, you're still talking to me about the fish talisman?

Do you still want a marriage to be granted between you two?

Or are you angry with me

because the fish talisman ruined your plan?

I abide by your decision, Your Highness.

I dare not do so.

You just dare not

or will not?

Tell me.

Can't Your Highness deduce

my sincerity?

Shen Yurong,

why are you unwilling to give up on her?

I don't understand what's so good about her.

She wanted to pull her bow and kill you at the palace banquet.

Now, she plotted to ruin your life at your residence.

You are so cheap,

you still can't forget her.

From the day I killed her,

aren't I already a shameless person?

Your Highness forced me to become such a person.

Have you regretted it now?

Why don't you dare answer my question?

Have you been lying to me?

I never thought about deceiving Your Highness.

It's just that even I myself

can't tell which words I say now

are true

and which are false.

I'm tired.

Your Highness must be tired as well.

I'll come again another day.

Shen Yurong, I dare you.

Do you want me to send the entire Shen family to the guillotine?

If that pleases Your Highness,

do it.