Original subtitles

The Eldest Princess' marriage is supposed to be a major event.

Why is it organized so sloppily?

Dingzhou suffered from a disaster.

The Eldest Princess wants a simple wedding for the people to know

the imperial family's heart is with the people.

Do you believe what the imperial family says?

We are wondering

if the Eldest Princess is carrying an illegitimate child.

It is not Mr. Li Jin's.

The Li family is just a cover.

It seems like the Eldest Princess's pregnancy is true.

The imperial family rushed their wedding

to stop people from spreading rumors.

I feel dizzy.

I feel so dizzy.

Eldest Princess, Prince Consort, please drink the crossed-cup wine.

Prince Consort.

Interesting.

How impetuous!

How dare you throw my wine away?

Meixiang, I'm tired.

-Yes. -Yes.

Prince Consort, didn't you hear what I said?

What's with your brother today?

It seems like he and Eldest Princess' affair has been covered up,

so he is feeling more relaxed.

Eat. What are you waiting for?

Yes. Let's eat.

Yurong, I heard

His Majesty has granted marriage between the Eldest Princess and Mr. Li.

What's your plan?

Can you still become the Prince Consort?

Prince Consort is just a title.

Is it that important?

What do you mean?

Eat.

DUKE SU'S MANSION

How do you feel? Better?

Xue Li, don't visit me so often.

I'm still alive. I'm already satisfied that I can see you

and Father.

Not only do I want to save you,

but I also want you to live well.

Xue Li, I heard people say

that the Eldest Princess is married. Is it true?

It's true.

Not to Shen Yurong?

It's a part of my plan.

Anyway, everything is going in the right direction.

That's great.

After your plan succeeds,

I want to return to Huaixiang with you.

I also want to visit Qiong Zhi.

I wonder if she has cleared her debts.

Do you still remember Qiong Zhi?

Of course.

Perhaps she has forgotten about me.

She still remembers you.

When I went to Luyang,

she was the one who told me that Father is still alive.

Why did you go to her?

When I first arrived in Luyang, I didn't know where to go

and thought of her.

She was grateful for your help.

She suffered and helped me find Father's whereabouts.

Did she ask you

why I didn't go to find her after that?

She cried badly when she found out you were dead.

How is she now?

She married a good man

and went to a faraway place.

No one will mistreat her again.

Good. That's great.

She's doing well now

and she still remembers me.

That's good enough for me.

The medicine is ready.

Xue Zhao, who are you carving it for? You're putting a lot of effort into it.

It's for my sweetheart.

When we first met,

I was a decent lady.

He must be very disappointed in me.

That's why he never sought me out again.

She married a good man

and went to a faraway place.

No one will mistreat her again.

I'm lucky today. I got a big one.

Xiao Heng, you can take a part of the credit.

How long are you going to do this? I'm dying from the heat.

Let's go. I'm almost done.

Thanks for accompanying me today.

It's rare for you to thank people.

What's the matter?

Only Jiang Li can thank you, but not me?

Are you still angry?

Why would I be angry with her?

She didn't offend me.

Besides, even if I am angry,

will you stand up for me?

No.

There you go.

When are you leaving?

Tomorrow.

Did the discussion fall through? Did my brother give you a hard time?

Not really. He only proposed some conditions.

Since Jiuyue returned to Great Zhao, she had no appetite.

It was like she became another person.

But ever since you came here,

it seems like she's energetic again.

Even if I'm dull,

it's hard for me

not to notice a girl's thoughts.

Xiao Heng, you know this.

Jiuyue

is the only family I have in this world.

I want her to be well.

What do you mean, Your Majesty?

A marriage alliance.

I hope you can be Great Zhao's Prince Consort.

You're the Emperor of Great Yan's confidant

and Jiuyue is my sister.

If you two get married,

we will become family.

No promise is more reliable than this.

Jiuyue is at an age suitable for marriage.

And as far as I know,

you are not engaged as well, Duke Su.

And with the current situation of our nation,

I think

this is a match made in heaven.

What did you say?

Naturally, I told him it would depend on you.

-If I say... -Jiuyue,

His Majesty wants to seek peace,

but Prince Cheng is totally different.

Prince Cheng is ambitious and belligerent.

Even if he rules Great Yan, he won't be satisfied.

When Great Yan and Great Zhao have a war,

-surely... -Stop.

You know I don't understand all this.

I'm sure

you know what I want to hear.

All right.

I'll tell you honestly then.

First, I must borrow your troops.

Second, I can't agree to the marriage.

Third, if you won't say yes to my first two conditions,

I'll await my death back home.

You said it would depend on me.

I want you to reject your brother, of course.

You wish! No wonder you accompanied me today.

It turns out you have an ulterior motive.

I can't believe this.

Why did I fall for a scoundrel like you?

Flattery is what a scoundrel does. Isn't it good to be honest with you?

Forget it if you won't save us. I'll await my death back home.

Come back!

This is the last time.

After this,

I don't care where you'd die.

Go away! All of you!

-Prince Consort. -Prince Consort.

What's wrong again?

Eldest Princess said the breakfast made her feel sick.

You may go.

-Yes. -Yes.

Your Highness, I heard them say

that the food doesn't suit your taste.

They make me feel sick.

My mother

prepared the food especially for you after she asked the physician.

There's a lot of variety.

It's normal if you don't like some of them,

but I don't think

you would hate all of them.

Every person has a different taste.

I find it disgusting.

Are you going to force me to eat it?

I wouldn't dare.

I'll ask the kitchen

to prepare some new dishes with various flavors

and send them to Your Highness.

Haitang, how is it?

-My lady. -Xue Li.

Xue Zhao?

Sit.

Why did you come out?

Duke Su is coming back.

I want to welcome him too.

I feel embarrassed to be cared for at Duke Su's Mansion

for so long.

How is Father today?

He is asleep.

Father is getting better.

He looked at me

and called my name today.

I felt so emotional that I almost cried.

I think Magistrate Xue will soon have a clear state of mind.

What's the matter?

Where are you going?

The meat is ready. It can be served after slicing.

We won't disturb you and my brother-in-law.

He's here.

You...

Who are you?

Who are you?

I'm asking who you are.

I'm Jiang Li, the Jiang family's second daughter.

The Jiang family.

Tortoise Jiang, right?

Tortoise Jiang?

Yes. He's timid.

Isn't he like a tortoise?

But his daughter

is quite energetic.

General, I was going to pick you up.

Why didn't you wait for me?

You don't want me here at Duke Su's Mansion, right?

Can't I visit my grandson's place?

General, you misunderstood.

His lordship hasn't returned yet.

I wanted to inform you

when he arrived.

Inform me?

My hair is grey from waiting. Is he back yet?

He doesn't want to see me, right?

I don't want to see him as well.

I brewed two extra jars.

You can have them.

I'm leaving.

Are you General Xiao Dachuan,

who helped the late emperor build the nation and achieved military merits?

Listen to that!

She is honey-tongued. She says nice things.

I like that.

I'm going back home.

Let me walk you out!

DUKE SU'S MANSION

My lord, you're back.

Wen Ji, get caned ten times.

I told you, irrelevant people can't enter the mansion.

Well...

You came back at the right time.

Leave them.

I'll let someone throw them out later.

-General Xiao... -I know.

He brings them yearly and I throw them yearly.

Why?

Are you sure my affair with the wine sender

is the first thing you want to talk about after not seeing each other for so long?

What's that fragrant smell from the yard?

Xue Zhao and Haitang prepared roast meat

to welcome you, Duke Su.

Is Great Zhao unwilling to lend troops?

They are willing to do it, but...

They want me to marry into Great Zhao.

Is that so?

Just go.

Yes. Then...

I think it's still not too late to agree now.

You haven't agreed to it yet?

I should find a fast horse for you then.

Li, do you want me to become

someone else's Prince Consort badly?

Duke Su, you must be joking.

I dare not tell you what to do.

If I agree to it,

you won't forgive me easily.

What makes you think so?

I just know.

Do you also know

that Wanning married Li Jin?

Did this not quite work out as you planned?

Yes,

but it's considered an unexpected gain.

Li Jin is arrogant and proud.

I'm sure he doesn't feel pleased

seeing Wanning every day.

The Li family seems calm on the surface,

but there's a storm brewing within.

Let's see who will take the blame when the drug loses its effect.

It's a nice move.

I learned it from you, Duke Su.

What about Great Zhao? Are you confident about it?

I used another way to let them lend us the troops.

There are no worries now.

When the time comes,

they'll fall into the trap on their own.

ETERNAL PARAGON

Mr. Shen, I've found

the ancient books about rare herbs that you want.

I've added bookmarks to the records too.

All right. I got it.

Let me know if you need anything else.

My lord, the remaining soldiers of the Palace Security Office

were banished to the borders according to your orders.

However, one of them wanted to live

and provided information.

He was in charge of guarding of the Palace Security Office's armory.

He once heard someone saying

that the Palace Security Office received

more weapons than requested three months ago.

However, the extra weapons

did not pass through his hands.

Weapons are distributed uniformly.

Each unit sends a request,

the Bureau of Provisions approves it,

and a document is sent to the arsenal.

They'll distribute the number according to the document.

If extra weapons were received and not stored at the armory,

that means the extra weapons...

Prince Cheng took them.

Prince Cheng is gathering soldiers and horses recently.

Weapons are controlled items.

Then not only is the Palace Security Office not controlling it for His Majesty,

it's also peddling weapons for Prince Cheng.

That means there is a traitor in the Bureau of Provisions too.

I checked.

Cao Bin verifies Palace Security Office weapons at the Bureau of Provisions.

My lord, do you want to go to the Bureau of Provisions?

Let's arrest Cao Bin directly at his residence.

Yes.

Dear, wake up!

Dear!

Dear, wake up!

Dear!

We are late again.

They're never tired of using this suicide for fear of punishment trick.

Dear!

There are traces of burnt paper here.

What did Cao Bin burn before he committed suicide?

This is Cao Bin's will.

He admitted to colluding with the Palace Security Office

in verifying the extra weapons.

However, he didn't mention where the weapons went.

They are lies forged meticulously.

Duke Su.

My lord, he's Director Huang from the Bureau of Provisions.

Director Huang,

you are quite well-informed.

Are you here

to protect your subordinate?

Please don't speak nonsense.

I just found out what happened and rushed here.

Your subordinate colluded with the Palace Security Office

and sold weapons privately.

Do you know about that?

Of course I don't.

The Vice Director is the one who verifies weapons receipt.

Cao Bin verified the weapons for the Palace Security Office.

I never expected

the Palace Security Office to bribe him.

Apart from the Palace Security Office, what other units

did he verify weapons for recently?

I think it was the Imperial Guards Office.

In that case,

the weapons receipt at the Imperial Guards Office

is also problematic.

I also just found out

that Cao Bin took all the documents in the bureau

related to the Imperial Guards Office and Palace Security Office.

He said there seems to be a problem and wanted to verify them one by one.

So the documents should the items

burned in the fire bucket.

When the Imperial Guards Office claims weapons from the arsenal,

is there any record?

Yes. Every time weapons leave the arsenal,

the arsenal would record it.

Wen Ji, go with Director Huang

and retrieve the records for the Imperial Guards Office.

Yes.

Director Huang, let's go.

My lord, are you suspecting that the Imperial Guards Office also...

Since Cao Bin was bribed,

we need to check it too to eliminate future problems.

Should we inform General Xiao?

After all, he promoted the Imperial Guards Office's commander, Zhang Wei.

I don't even inform His Majesty in investigating cases.

Why should I inform him?

Yes.

LI RESIDENCE

Your Highness.

Where are you going?

Do I need to tell you where I'm going?

I'll accompany you.

Are you going to keep an eye on me?

I dare not. I'm just afraid that if anything happens to the baby

when Your Highness goes out,

we can't bear the responsibility

How dare you curse me?

Your Highness, if you insist on refusing my company,

I won't force you.

I just hope you return soon, Eldest Princess.

I went through all the ancient books, but found nothing.

I heard you're the most knowledgeable in the capital, Physician Wang,

so I'd like you to help me find out

whether this medicine exists.

If you can find it, I'll reward you handsomely.

Don't worry, Mr. Shen.

-I will do my best. -Yurong.

Her Highness is here.

Your Highness, if you need something, just ask Yurong to go to you.

Why did you come here in person?

This is such an honor for the Shen family.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Mrs. Shen,

I have something to discuss with your son.

I don't want anyone to disturb us.

Yes.

I also hope no one finds out

about my visit to Shen's Residence.

Your Highness has never visited Shen's Residence.

Let's go, Mr. Shen.

This way, please.

You came here as soon as you married into the Li family.

People might gossip.

Gossip?

I already did as you say.

Are you still afraid of gossip?

I'm just afraid that Mr. Li will hold a grudge against me

if he finds out.

Let's see if he dares to do that.

Forget about him. You, on the other hand,

are walking around when you are pregnant.

If something happens,

what will I do?

Don't worry.

I'm fine now, right?

However, if I continue to stay at Li Residence,

it'll be dangerous.

Were you mistreated at Li Residence?

He wouldn't dare.

However, I don't feel good there.

I'm so annoyed.

I'm sure you threw a tantrum again.

I only broke a few bowls

and Li Jin dared to give me attitude.

Who does he think he is?

It must be tough for you.

Why aren't you taking me away if you know that?

The day Prince Cheng succeeds

will be the day we get engaged.

But I want to remind you, Wanning.

No one would treat you like I do.

So you must control your temper.

Don't act bossy towards Li Jin.

He was born with a golden spoon after all.

He never experienced such grievance before.

For the baby's sake, you must consider the bigger picture.

Living peacefully during this time

is the most important thing.

All right. I got it.

So long-winded.

Hug me.

Yurong,

what should we name our child?

You must be a part of the child's name.

I hope her life can be calm and peaceful

and as pure as snow.

Shen Ningxue.

I'll call her by her pet name.

Little Xue'er.

All right.

As long as you listen to me,

Little Xue'er

will surely grow healthily.

IMPERIAL GUARDS OFFICE

Duke Su, I wonder

why you are here.

Can't I come to visit

for no reason?

Of course you're welcome here.

However, I see

that you've been busy with the Palace Security Office case.

You shouldn't have time to visit.

I didn't expect you to pay attention to the Palace Security Office case too.

This concerns the attempted assassination of Great Zhao's princess,

which shocked the capital.

It's hard not to know the case.

I heard the case is going to be closed.

It's closed,

but not really.

We realized the Palace Security Office

bribed Cao Bin, who performed verification at the Bureau of Provisions.

He obtained extra weapons from the arsenal

and sold them privately.

Something like that actually happened?

Apart from verifying weapons

for the Palace Security Office,

which unit do you think Cao Bin

verified recently as well, Commander Zhang?

Duke Su, please don't worry.

We received weapons according to the regulations.

We store whatever weapons we receive.

We won't bend the law for selfish ends!

I requested the records of the Imperial Guards Office

from the Bureau of Provisions' Director.

If there are no problems,

I want to verify it

for the sake of fairness.

Of course.

Xu Zhi!

Yes.

This is Xu Zhi, our administrator of weapons here.

Greetings, Duke Su.

There's a problem at the Bureau of Provisions.

He wants to verify the weapons of our unit.

You must coordinate well with him.

Yes.

Duke Su. This way, please.

Guards,

send my verbal message to General Xiao

and tell him I want to meet him.

Yes.

Duke Su, please take a look.

This is the document when we request weapons

from the Bureau of Provisions.

This is the receipt after getting the weapons.

Lu Ji.

Yes.

There are two copies for every document.

One copy is sent to the Bureau of Provisions

and we keep the other copy.

The numbers match the records from the arsenal.

Can I keep these documents?

Just take them.

However, please return them when you're done.

IMPERIAL GUARDS OFFICE

My lord,

it seems perfect on the surface as if they prepared for this.

Cao Bin burned the documents in a hurry,

so we can't rule out the Imperial Guards Office getting extra weapons.

However, the records match.

That means...

Extra weapons were brought out, but the records were tampered with.

My lord.

We learned from the Bureau of Provisions' Director Huang

that the Military Weapons Bureau produced more weapons

than what was distributed by the arsenal.

That means Cao Bin did collude with the Imperial Guards Office

to tamper with the records and distribute extra weapons.

Make arrangements.

Arrest Xu Zhi.

Yes.

Why would Xiao Heng investigate the Imperial Guards Office?

For the Palace Security Office case,

it is found that they colluded with the Bureau of Provisions

to smuggle weapons,

so he suspects that our unit is involved as well.

General.

You know Duke Su's temper.

He'll do everything

to investigate what he thinks is true.

Moreover, his interrogation methods are ruthless.

So I...

Did you come to me because you don't want him to keep investigating?

No.

My unit is not afraid of any investigation.

But he needs evidence

to investigate.

If he arrests my subordinate

without evidence and punish him,

I won't let it slide either.

You helped me advance in my career before,

so I thought about it

and figured I should inform you in advance

to avoid any misunderstanding.

I won't tolerate him

if he acts unreasonably.

I'm relieved to hear that.

Your Highness is back so late. Where have you been?

I...

No one will treat you like I do.

So you must control your temper.

Don't act bossy towards Li Jin.

He was born with a golden spoon after all.

For the baby's sake, you must consider the bigger picture.

I went back to my mansion to pack up some things.

I remember your mansion and Shen Yurong's residence

are in two different directions.

You followed me?

Your Highness is still my wife in name right now,

yet you openly

went to another man's house.

If someone saw that and asked me about it,

may I know

how I should explain it?

Li Jin,

don't speak to me in a sarcastic way.

It's a blessing for the Li family to have me as a daughter-in-law.

After all, this is a collaboration.

If you sincerely help me,

I will reward you well in the future.

If you cause me trouble here,

sorry,

I will come for the Li family to take revenge.

I dare not cause you trouble.

I just want to protect you

and your child.

After all, if news of you and Shen Yurong

spreads to the public,

all of us will be embarrassed.

Who does he think he is?

I would've ripped your mouth if it wasn't for my child!

Your Highness, please calm down. Your baby is more important.

If I don't deal with him, he'll walk all over me.

Hello, Xu Zhi.

It's you?

What do all of you want?

Didn't I give you all the documents?

You can check the inventory and compare them.

Do you think that after Cao Bin committed suicide

and burned some documents,

we won't be able to find out about

the tampering and forgery of records?

I didn't take extra weapons.

There's no overage.

We've investigated the Bureau of Provisions.

The Imperial Guards Office distributed extra weapons.

How do you know they didn't sell it privately?

Very good.

You're being stubborn?

Don't blame me for not being lenient with you then.

Don't!

My lord.

How is the interrogation?

He still won't talk. Let's lock him up for a night.

I think he will confess tomorrow.

Keep interrogating him.

-I can't wait until tomorrow. -Yes.

Sir!

Zhang Wei, the Imperial Guards Office Commander,

is leading his men to surround this place.

DUKE SU'S MANSION

Commander Zhang, what is the meaning of this?

If you want to visit,

you shouldn't bring so many men.

Visit?

I'm not that close to you, Duke Su.

You took my subordinate without giving me an explanation.

I want you to hand him over in an hour.

What if I don't hand him over?

Try me.

Stay put, all of you!

What's going on, Zhang Wei?

General,

I told you before.

If he disrespects me, I'll have no choice but to do this.

You must hand over my subordinate today.

Commander Zhang, you are so anxious.

Are you afraid that Xu Zhi might expose you?

You...

All of you, freeze!

Zhang Wei,

show me some respect.

I'll return him to you within one day.

General,

thank you.

Retreat!

DUKE SU'S MANSION

DUKE SU'S MANSION

Release him first.

Confining an Imperial Guards Office staff

and torturing him.

You've become lawless.

I'm working according to His Majesty's orders.

You've overstepped, my grandson.

The Imperial Guards Office's case should be investigated by the Three Offices.

I will send Xu Zhi to the Three Offices for investigation.

You can investigate with them,

but you can't investigate privately and torture him.

Does this matter

concern you?

Come on. Let's talk inside.

You can speak here.

Goodness.

You've become so arrogant

after you left my tutelage.

Eight years ago, my father died bizarrely, but you didn't investigate.

Now, I want to investigate someone you promoted, and you came to save him.

Do you know what you're doing?

Your father's death was an accident.

Release him first

and come home with me to discuss.

I no longer have a home.

Shut the door.

DUKE SU'S MANSION

Unapproved arrest, detainment, torture.

Can't you change your methods?

The Imperial Guards Office is the imperial army,

not literary officials who are scared of you.

This is the result if you can't suppress them.

Why didn't Your Majesty say

that all these years, they only dare to report me after the fact?

Save it.

The whole incident is clear to me.

The Bureau of Provisions and Imperial Guards Office might be both problematic.

Why didn't you choose an easier method but go for the hard way instead?

Can't you learn from your grandfather?

It seems like he submitted one as well.

He did submit one.

He's the only one who pleads for you.

Zhang Wei surrounding your mansion

is the talk of the town now.

Many people don't like how you act first and report later

and arrest and torture people without evidence.

So now, everyone is using the Imperial Guards Office's case

to complain about you.

Every one of them is reporting you.

How can I protect you?

Isn't that great?

You can see the factions in the Imperial Court at once.

Public opinion turns lies into truth.

Release him first.

-Go home and rest for a few days. -How can I rest at a time like this?

This is the time when you should go back and rest!

You'd easily break if you're too strong. There's a limit to everything.

It's time to reflect on yourself.

I've issued an imperial edict.

Stay at home and reflect for two days.