Original subtitles

Jiang Li,

please don't blame me.

Your aunt is in their hands.

I...

I had no choice but to do this.

Don't blame me.

YONG'AN PAVILION

Did she drive you mad?

I did not touch her.

She is the bait to lure Xiao Heng.

We cannot afford any mishaps now.

I understand. But with the imminent battle,

you even have to deal with Xiao Heng.

Is he such a big threat?

He can endure what others cannot.

It naturally makes me wary.

Whether he knows that Xiao Minghan died because of me or not,

we must eliminate the threat early

to avoid any mishaps when my grand plan is about to succeed.

Rest assured. If Xiao Heng comes,

I'll ensure he doesn't leave my mansion alive.

That's good.

I'll go back and prepare for tonight first.

Do not let me down again.

YONG'AN PAVILION

All the secret guards are in disguise.

Except for a few left at the Duke's Mansion and Jiang Residence,

the rest are positioned at critical locations.

Good, make sure to guard these three defense lines well.

No one should be allowed in.

Even if imperial guards arrive,

do not let them in.

We are the last line of defense for His Majesty.

Yes.

My lord!

I deserve to die.

-Her ladyship is captured. -What happened?

I just finished interrogation.

Eldest Princess threatened Jiang Yuanxing

to lure her ladyship out.

The secret guards following her were also stopped.

We don't know her ladyship's whereabouts now.

But she must be in the hands of the Eldest Princess.

I'll mobilize a team of secret guards.

It's a diversion. We can't fall for it.

-I'll go alone. -No, it's clearly a trap.

If you fall into it,

who will command tonight's operation?

Rest assured.

I wouldn't miss such a splendid palace banquet.

You only need to act according to plan

and ensure His Majesty's safety.

With the imminent battle, how can the commander leave his post?

I'll save my granddaughter-in-law.

What? Am I not as good as my grandson?

Be careful.

Your Highness,

this is a special soup

Mr. Shen requested from the kitchen.

He said Your Highness has lost weight recently

and should take better care of yourself.

He finally gets it.

Why didn't he come personally?

Mr. Shen said he will come shortly.

YONG'AN PAVILION

The Eldest Princess sent me to get her. Open the door.

Yes.

You may go.

What are you doing here?

You previously asked if I wanted to kill you a second time.

Now, I'll tell you the answer.

Do you want to save me?

Yes, I'm here to take you away.

Wanning is truly pitiful.

She mistakenly fell for you.

She was the one who harmed me.

How did she harm you?

Everything was your choice.

You fear losing your life, your career,

your mother, and your sister.

I can understand. If you told me,

I wouldn't insist on staying by your side.

But I don't understand

why you would kill me with your own hands.

I was forced. Wanning forced me!

Xue Li.

Xue Li, don't act this way.

I'll go with you.

Really?

Take me to your home.

I haven't been there in a long time.

I'd like to see it again.

All right.

Sleep, Xue Li.

It'll be fine after you wake up.

Your Highness, what's wrong?

I'll get the imperial physician immediately.

Why isn't Shen Yurong here yet?

I'll send someone to find him right away.

Go and get me the antidote mint pills.

But the mint pills might not work.

I want to find him myself.

Hurry up and go.

YONG'AN PAVILION

Where are you going?

Are you going to kill me to save her?

YONG'AN PAVILION

I already drank the soup you sent.

I want a truthful answer from you.

What do you want to hear?

I once forced you to kill her.

I didn't expect that in the end, you'd still choose her.

Haven't I treated you well?

How could you bear to poison me?

My brother won't spare you.

Why wouldn't I dare?

Prince Cheng needs a reason to launch his attack.

His Majesty killed his sister, so he rose in anger.

On the day he rises in rebellion, the whole nation will mourn in white.

I've even thought of how the history books will record it.

He probably

has your eulogy ready too.

This is your fate.

All your life,

you can only be a pawn used by people,

discarded ruthlessly

when no longer needed.

Shen Yurong,

have you ever loved me?

You gave me this hairpin.

I will return it to you now.

Don't you just want to use me as a reason to start a rebellion?

I will give it to you.

But if the people don't believe

my brother killed me,

do you think Prince Cheng will protect you?

Then you'll be the sinner who killed me.

You wanted to kill me,

so I'll wait for you in hell.

Don't look at me like that.

I've already avenged you.

You were the one who killed me.

If you want to avenge me,

then

kill yourself.

I can't die.

If I die,

who will protect you?

I don't need your protection!

You're still thinking about Xiao Heng.

Listen.

He will die too.

What did you say?

Look at this.

COMMANDER OF THE LONGWU ARMY, GENERAL YANG QING

What is this?

With this plan, you'll be credited the highest merit.

Tell me, what do you want?

When your troops enter the city,

please hand me the fish talisman.

I want to kill

Xiao Heng myself.

So you hate him too.

To the bones.

You scumbag!

Go ahead and curse me.

You have every right to do so.

But after today,

please don't scold me anymore.

I will clean myself thoroughly.

Please don't despise me.

I will return everything to you.

Get some sleep.

Your Majesty, Prince Cheng, Consort Li,

and officials.

The Music Affairs Division composed a new marching tune

to welcome Prince Cheng's return.

Your Majesty, Prince Cheng, please listen to it.

HEAVEN'S AUSPICIOUS RESPONSE TO MONARCH'S HIGH VIRTUE

I didn't expect Your Majesty to compose a new piece for me.

You've dedicated yourself to Great Yan for so many years.

Your loyalty and bravery are exemplary in the Imperial Court.

I often tell the officials to emulate you,

not only for your achievements,

but also for your loyalty to the Imperial Court

and the people.

Only then can the people benefit.

Your Majesty is too kind.

A loyal heart is devoted to a wise ruler.

As long as Your Majesty remains benevolent,

blessing the people,

we will serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly.

Let's encourage each other.

May my benevolent heart last

and may you remain loyal and righteous.

HENING GATE

TAIJI HALL

IMPERIAL GUARDS OFFICE

Tonight, stay with me to guard outside the hall.

Don't let your guard down.

-Yes! -Yes!

Xu Zhi?

Commander of the imperial guards, Zhang Wei,

has been secretly trafficking weapons to the north

and plotting rebellion. Arrest him!

I planned to keep you alive for a few more days.

I didn't expect you to be so eager to die.

Take him.

You...

Xu Zhi,

I have long known you're General Xiao's spy.

The reason I didn't get rid of you earlier

is to make you believe

your plan was succeeding.

Zhang Wei,

do you realize this is treason?

You are just being short-sighted!

Once Prince Cheng ascends the throne,

I...

will be given merit for establishing his reign!

Take him away.

-You... Zhang Wei... -Move it.

Everyone, listen up!

When Prince Cheng gives the signal,

attack immediately.

All of you better stay alert!

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

LI RESIDENCE

This looks quite real.

She's really dead.

Are you crazy?

The Eldest Princess realized she was drugged

and misunderstood my intentions,

then killed herself in despair.

I couldn't stop her or explain in time.

Then what am I supposed to do now?

Proceed with the original plan.

We can't jeopardize Prince Cheng's great undertaking.

After it is done, I will personally confess to him.

Let's go

to the palace.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Do you have anything to say?

There's no turning back for you now.

Then wait for me to return.

Guard her well.

Yes.

Who dares to hurt her?

General Xiao.

Go and rescue Xiao Heng!

Shen Yurong took the fish talisman.

Tonight, the one the Longwu Army will kill is Xiao Heng.

I still have to save you first.

Step back! Unless you want to get splattered with blood!

General Xiao.

Mister.

We meet again.

Lai Biao?

Mr. Biao, he's here.

Why are you here alone?

Where is Xiao Heng?

Duke Su went to Great Zhao

and left a message for you.

What is it?

Duke Su said it is time.

You're just in time.

General, you should admit you're getting old.

Leave the rest to us.

Take her with you.

All right. I'll leave it to you young people.

All right.

Attack!

Attack!

They've already made a move.

Bring His Majesty out now.

I'll meet you at the back.

Your Majesty.

I've had a bit too much to drink and need to go to the restroom.

Your Majesty, where are you going?

Don't tell me you won't come back.

The performance is reaching its climax.

Why wouldn't I come back?

How about I go with you after the song finishes?

Prince Cheng, I'm still here.

How could His Majesty not come back?

Come on, Prince Cheng.

Let me toast to you.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

They'll meet you at the west gate.

Lu Ji will escort you.

You're not coming with me?

Prince Cheng is still inside. I'll cover the rear.

Tomorrow, I want to see you alive.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

The Eldest Princess is killed.

-The Eldest Princess? -What?

Who did this?

-Why would anyone kill her? -That's right.

What is going on?

Emperor Zhao Ye killed her.

The emperor killed the Eldest Princess!

Why would His Majesty kill the Eldest Princess?

-That's right. -How could His Majesty be behind this?

The emperor said your merits overshadow his,

and he can't let you leave the capital alive,

so he had his secret guards capture

the Eldest Princess as a hostage.

The Eldest Princess died from resisting.

I fought desperately

to bring her here to seek justice.

No!

Wanning...

Emperor Zhao Ye harmed his own kin,

disregarding benevolence and righteousness,

violating the heavens' law.

I ask everyone here to be my witness.

It is Zhao Ye who cannot tolerate me.

For years, I have led the soldiers in bloody battles,

not asking for any reward, only to protect the land.

But in return, I get Zhao Ye's suspicion,

siege, and annihilation.

Today,

he brutally killed my twin sister!

Nonsense!

How can you turn the Eldest Princess' accidental death

into a murder committed by His Majesty?

The Court of Judicial Review Minister should come and investigate.

-Yes. -Right.

Yes, we should find out the truth before making any conclusions.

You knew long ago

that Zhao Ye wanted to kill the Eldest Princess, didn't you?

You are an accomplice.

Guards!

Seize this vile person.

Zhao Sheng, are you rebelling?

-Let go of me! -Right.

-Let go! -Yes.

Rebel?

Today,

I will act on behalf of the heavens to seek justice

for the Eldest Princess and the fallen soldiers

and make Zhao Ye pay!

If anyone has any objections, speak now.

If you remain silent now but dissent later,

I will have you executed without mercy!

Seeking justice on behalf of the heavens?

You are coveting power

and plotting rebellion now.

I pledge to follow Your Highness

and avenge the Eldest Princess.

-I pledge to follow Your Highness -I pledge to follow Your Highness

-and avenge the Eldest Princess! -and avenge the Eldest Princess!

Soldiers, heed my command! Destroy Zhao Ye with all your might!

-Yes! -Yes!

Everyone, listen up! The Emperor is cruel and unrighteous

and killed the Eldest Princess.

Follow me to the palace to overthrow him immediately!

Commander, someone just sent a signal.

Zhang Wei has rebelled. Seize him!

Attack!

Zhao Sheng,

we meet again.

Kid,

your weapon is quite delicate.

It suffices.

How vicious.

After all, my father had a taste

of your viciousness firsthand.

I don't dare...

to be careless.

This is the sword your father once used.

It is a fine sword.

He and I once fought together against our enemies.

He taught me martial arts with this sword

and saved me on the battlefield with it.

Speaking of him, I miss him dearly.

If you truly miss him,

why don't you tell me

how you harmed my father eight years ago?

My father never guarded against you and trusted you completely.

Yet you plotted against him and betrayed him.

I saw him as a brother

and respected him as my master.

If he did not stand in my way back then,

I would be sitting on the throne

in the palace now!

After I capture you,

I will slaughter your 100,000 rebel soldiers

to avenge my father!

The fate of Xiao Minghan in the past

will be yours today.

Those who block me

will be killed!

-Attack! -Attack!

CAPITAL OF YAN

CAPITAL OF YAN

Who let him in?

CAPITAL OF YAN

General Yang Qing, commander of the Longwu Army, hear my command.

Open the city gates

and let the northern army in.

What did you say?

Are you going to defy military orders?

The fish talisman is here. Those who defy orders

will be executed!

Soldiers, listen up! Open the gates!

Let the northern army enter the capital!

Your Majesty,

just past the path ahead is the west palace gate.

General Xiao treated you well.

Why are you being a traitor?

Wise men submit to circumstances.

Following Prince Cheng is...

Zhang Wei is dead. Rebels, surrender immediately!

It seems like those from Great Zhao are useless.

Who said so?

Who says we are useless?

Weren't you supposed to intercept them outside the capital?

Outside the capital was just for show.

The elite troops are already in ambush.

Last time, we were beaten badly by him.

This time, he must not be able to return. Attack!

-Attack! -Attack!

Your Majesty, I am here to pick you up.

Li Zhongnan, you are my subject.

If you stop now, I will spare your life.

As your subject, if Your Majesty cooperates,

I will plead with Prince Cheng to spare Your Majesty's life.

Capture him.

Forgive me for being late in protecting you, Your Majesty.

Jiang Yuanbai.

Traitor, on your knees.

Jiang Yuanbai,

do you think you all can escape

by killing a few of my men?

Listen. Even if you kill me,

you won't be able to get out.

Prince Cheng's men have surrounded the entire capital.

We are colleagues.

Today, I'll give you a chance.

If you help me take down Zhao Ye,

I will put in a good word for you with Prince Cheng.

You will earn great merit

and won't lack wealth and honor in the future.

Li Zhongnan, I've had enough of you.

-You... -Capture him!

-Don't move. -You can't escape!

-Move it. -You can't get out!

Hurry up.

Your Majesty, forgive my rudeness.

You did well.

Leave him alive.

I'll leave this to you then.

Soldiers of Great Zhao, follow me! Let's reinforce those outside the capital.

-Yes! -Yes!

Imperial Guards, wipe out the remaining traitors in the palace with me!

-Yes! -Yes!

Attack!

Useless people! Where's the Longwu Army?

Why are they not here yet?

Secret Guards, hear my command! Defend this gate to the death!

-Yes! -Yes!

Why aren't you attacking?

Your Majesty must leave now. Come on.

Hurry.

Your Majesty.

How did it go?

We can still manage.

Chancellor Jiang,

please bring His Majesty to the Duke's Mansion first.

-All right. -My lord.

Your Majesty. The Longwu Army is heading this way.

If we can't stop them,

they will soon reach the Duke's Mansion.

I can hold them off.

My grandson!

I rescued your wife.

Be careful.

Shen Yurong has the fish talisman.

That man is crazy and wants to kill you.

Old man, take His Majesty to the Duke's Mansion first.

My lord, I will go with you.

Everyone, heed my order! Protect His Majesty.

Go.

Xiao Heng!

Where is he going?

He wants to draw the Longwu Army out of the capital.

What?

Is he trying to get himself killed?

My son has given me

an incredible grandson.

Do you have a bow and arrows?

Bow and arrows?

That man

only taught me archery.

Xiao Heng!

I've been looking for you.

You are actually bold enough to come here.

Release the arrows!

After him!

EAST GATE

Longwu Army, listen to my command! Kill Xiao Heng!

-Attack! -Attack!

Back away!

Xiao Heng, I didn't want to kill you.

But Xue Li has fallen for you.

Because of you, she doesn't even want to look at me.

Even when I gave her my heart,

she doesn't want it at all.

When you buried her on Qingcheng Mountain,

didn't you think this day would come?

Shut up!

Mr. Shen,

how afraid are you to face the past?

Xiao Heng, you're at death's door.

Yet you are still so arrogant!

Li said you're shallow.

I can see that's true.

You have no right to call her that!

You have your back to the wall.

After today, you'll never see her again.

Xiao Heng, no one can save you now.

It does not matter.

Archers!

EAST GATE

This is a fight to the death. There's no need to think about surviving!