Original subtitles

ADAPTED FROM MO SHUBAI'S NOVEL, THE GRAND PRINCESS ON JJWXC.NET

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

Mr. Zhang, you are here too.

CUI

It's really been a while.

I heard the Princess is using the Spring Banquet

as a pretext for selecting a husband.

No wonder my young master

is paying so much attention to his appearance today.

-It's the Su Family's carriage. -It's Mr. Su's carriage.

The Su Family's carriage?

It's said he's handsome and charming.

We'll get to feast our eyes this time.

The Su Family is the second most prominent family in the capital.

PEI

-Is this the Su Family's carriage? -Yes, it is.

Mr. Su is indeed handsome and has an extraordinary temperament.

Please come down.

Let me see.

How do I look?

You look great.

-Mr. Su. -Mr. Su.

-Greetings, Mr. Su. -Greetings.

Why is he here?

He looks good in anything.

Look at his appearance, temperament,

and that carriage.

He truly is the finest gentleman in the world.

The finest gentleman in the world?

He's nothing.

TONG MENG

Your Highness.

Your Highness, wake up.

All the young masters have arrived.

Tell them to wait.

I want to sleep a little longer.

The Second Young Master of the Su Family, Su Rongqing, has also arrived.

Su Rongqing?

The Su Family did not provide a definite answer.

I thought he was not coming.

It's an invitation from Your Highness.

Of course, those young masters will show some respect.

Hurry up and help me get dressed.

Also, keep a close eye on everything today.

This Spring Banquet isn't just held for me.

Many people are waiting for a show.

Please rest assured.

Hurry.

Please wait here, sir.

It's okay.

I will wait here for Her Highness.

Yes.

Rongqing.

Back then, you were 18

and I was 20.

That year

is the most beautiful memory of my life.

From this day forth,

Su Rongqing is an honored guest of the Princess's Mansion

and should be treated politely.

Since we are seemingly in harmony but actually at variance,

let's set each other free.

We should seek his permission with His Majesty

for our divorce.

Your best ally can only be me.

You want a divorce?

Only if I die.

If this is a dream,

then what has changed

and what hasn't?

Previously, there was no Su Rongqing among the candidates.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Rumor has it that you are the finest gentleman in Huajing.

As I've seen for myself,

you truly deserve the reputation.

Your Highness, I'm flattered.

I appreciate the flattering words,

but it's all just playful banter.

How is it just banter?

Upon our meeting, I've found that you have an extraordinary temperament.

I think no one else in Huajing

deserves to be called the finest gentleman.

You didn't reply to me

which made me think you wouldn't come.

I'm honored

to receive your invitation, Your Highness.

It's just that I was hesitant.

He mentioned hesitancy.

So

is Rongqing already…

I was worried I might disturb you, Your Highness.

Since it's the Spring Banquet,

why would I worry about that?

I simply wish to enjoy it with everyone.

While young, you know no grief you could not bear.

Do you realize His Majesty already has someone in mind?

If you choose a noble family like the Su Family,

what awaits you

is either a marriage alliance in a faraway land,

or worse, being executed.

You've got some nerve showing up here, you scoundrel.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Your Highness, I wish you a year as bright as the moon

and an appearance as radiant as spring blossoms.

Spare the formalities.

Thank you for coming, Mr. Su.

How about we chat in the inner courtyard?

I planned to leave after just one glance at the 18-year-old you,

but I never expected

that you, at 18, would be so easily attracted by men's looks.

Rongqing.

The Rongqing in front of me has no knowledge of our past.

I saw an insect on your cuff.

It has already flown away.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Mr. Su.

Are you aware that I'm holding this Spring Banquet

for another purpose?

The young Rongqing is actually so shy.

Back then, due to our status, we had little interaction.

I never imagined he could be so charming in this way.

Mr. Su, you seem a bit nervous.

Why didn't I know you were so proactive back then?

Meeting Rongqing in advance this time is really great.

Your Highness. Mr. Su.

The auspicious time is approaching.

You should get changed now.

Mr. Su, please wait in the garden.

I'll be back after I get changed.

Yes, Your Highness.

Sir.

That's the Princess.

You shouldn't look at her like that.

It could cost you your life.

Shut up.

Who said I was looking at the Princess?

Are you suggesting that you admire Mr. Su?

-Get lost. -Yes.

The Spring Banquet starts now.

Please welcome Her Highness.

-Greetings, Your Highness. -Greetings, Your Highness.

-Long live the Princess. -Long live the Princess.

You may rise.

-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.

Please be seated.

Her Highness says

that she wants to play

a different version of the game, passing the parcel.

In a moment, a hibiscus cup

will float down the stream in front of you.

When the drum is being sounded,

Her Highness will call out when to stop.

Whomever the hibiscus cup stops in front of must drink

and then present a talent.

Any of the six arts are acceptable.

Stop.

LU YU, SON OF MARQUIS NINGGUO

What talents do you possess, Mr. Lu?

I… I'm good at…

I'm good at eating eggs.

Mr. Lu's talent is indeed unique.

Bring over the eggs.

MINGYUE PALACE

It's so funny.

Mother, what kind of men has Father chosen for Pingyue?

If she ends up picking that fool, Lu Yu…

Huayue, regarding Pingyue's marriage,

your father has his own considerations.

If she marries a fool,

I'm afraid that when I see her,

I won't be able to help but laugh out loud.

Behave yourself.

With Pingyue's temper,

if you annoy her,

she'll definitely have a row with you.

Exactly. I want to make her angry.

When people get angry, they tend to make mistakes.

Once she makes a mistake, she'll be easier to deal with.

Your Majesty, these are all urgent memorials.

They are either proposals for marriage to Princess Pingyue

or related to affairs of the border regions.

Please give your comments.

Is the Yang family on the Northwest border demanding military funds again?

When was the last time this happened?

Your Majesty, it has only been less than a month.

The noble families all have their own fiefdoms.

And now that there's a war,

they're all asking me for money.

I might as well not read the memorials.

Let me guess what else is on the memorials.

These candidates probably all come

from the seven major noble families.

What if Pingyue

doesn't choose the one I want her to choose?

If I recall correctly,

the late emperor did the following with two disobedient princesses back then.

One was sent far away for marriage,

and the other was executed.

The son of the Su Family still attended the banquet.

Did Pingyue invite him because she doesn't know

or did she do it intentionally?

Stop.

Please bring a bow and arrows.

Your Highness, I apologize for any offense.

He's nothing but a pretty face.

Reward him.

This was carefully selected by Her Highness.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Li Rong.

You are playing with fire here.

Your Highness, His Majesty says

that he is preoccupied with state affairs and cannot meet you.

Thank you.

Wait.

Your clothes seem a bit worn out.

I have some fine fabric at my place.

I'll send it over to you another day.

Serving His Majesty

means you should be concerned about appearances all the time.

Yes, Your Highness.

I just want to see His Majesty briefly.

I won't cause any trouble for you.

Then please go back and wait for my news, Your Highness.

Thank you.

Send a message to the young master.

Tell him to win the favor of the Princess at all costs.

Yes, Your Highness.

It's a disgrace to the educated class.

It's no different from those male escorts in those pleasure houses.

YANG QUAN, CONSORT NING'S YOUNGER BROTHER

It seems like Li Rong

wants to test all the candidates for the Prince Consort

selected by His Majesty.

The game continues.

Stop.

I'm done here.

Let's go.

She's intentionally preventing me from showcasing my talent.

Her Highness wants to see you.

Li Rong is meeting with Su Rongqing alone.

No, I can't let this happen.

May I ask

what Her Highness has summoned me here for?

Her Highness has heard that you love reading.

This place houses only rare editions from the royal collection.

If you are willing to join the Princess's Mansion,

these will belong to you.

You don't need to answer immediately.

I have brought some refreshments.

When you have decided,

you can go to the pavilion on the lake to meet Her Highness.

That was quite some fun I had today.

Usually, it's women who go to great lengths to please men.

But today, watching those men down there,

trying their best to win my heart

and showing off in front of me, is quite entertaining.

Your Highness.

What are you talking about?

You see that Yang Quan?

It's as if "pick me" is written on his forehead.

-Go make a pot of tea for me. -Yes, Your Highness.

What's wrong?

Earlier, Mr. Pei stopped me

and said something.

What did he say to you?

He said

if you insist on choosing Mr. Su,

you'll end up in either of the following.

One is to marry to a distant land,

and the other is…

The other is execution.

Does Pei Wenxuan think I'm stupid?

But it's unexpected

that at such a young age,

he has such insight.

He's quite talented.

But it's a pity that he offended me.

Mr. Lu.

Her Highness wants to see you.

She summoned Lu Yu.

It seems she's heeded my advice.

-Mr. Cui, have I… -Cui Yulang is lascivious by nature

and won't catch Li Rong's eye.

How wonderful!

Your husband-to-be will be a handsome scholar.

But…

if she really chooses Lu Yu,

how will the people in the palace think of her?

She's such a proud person.

It's almost like sentencing her to death.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Why are you here, Lu Ting?

Sir.

Master asked me to send you a message.

It's… It's all wet.

What…

What should I do now?

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Do you mind if I help my young master get changed first?

Go ahead.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness, bad news.

Major General Yang got into a fight with Shangguan Yu,

the young master of the Shangguan Family.

They're forcing me to show up.

Your Highness.

I heard Mr. Lu fainted as soon as he left his residence.

I guess he won't come back then.

Li Rong.

Li Rong.

-Your Highness. -Li Rong.

You have to get justice for me.

Only Mr. Yang would dare to hit him.

-Yes. -Take him away for treatment first.

Yes, Your Highness.

You… You ignoramus!

Major General Yang.

Are you implying that my hospitality is inadequate?

Your Highness's hospitality is impeccable, of course.

Since it's impeccable,

why are you causing such trouble?

I just wish to have a few words with Your Highness.

Go ahead.

I come from a military background

and am not skilled in fancy words.

But Heaven bears witness.

My desire to marry Your Highness is sincere.

Did you say "Heaven bears witness?"

And you say you don't use fancy words.

They are such fancy words

that I don't even know if I'd ever use them.

Yes.

Right.

If you agree to marry me,

I'll grant you

whatever you desire in this world.

I give you my word.

I didn't know that you were so capable.

I command 30,000 soldiers from the Northwest troop.

They are at Your Highness's disposal.

How dare you!

-Your Highness. -You have quite the nerve, Yang Quan.

Do you think the 30,000 soldiers stationed in the Northwest

work for your family?

I wouldn't dare. I--

Major General Yang.

You should leave now.

Major General Yang.

Please.

Ask Mr. Su to head to the pavilion on the lake.

He's probably finished reading the books.

Yes, Your Highness.

Tell that scoundrel Pei Wenxuan to go there too.

I noticed that you don't seem to like Mr. Pei.

You haven't even glanced at him today.

So why…

Pei Wenxuan.

See what I'll do to you.

Back then, you claimed that you were forced to marry me.

I think you've racked your brain for this.

Your Highness, Mr. Pei has arrived.

Greetings, Your Highness.

What's the meaning of this, Your Highness?

It's rare

to meet a kindred spirit.

When we were outside just now,

I didn't get enough of Mr. Su's show.

So I invited him to play the qin here.

Mr. Pei, why don't you also immerse yourself in the music?

Jingmei.

-Bring him a futon. -Yes, Your Highness.

Mr. Su, your qin skills are indeed remarkable.

I'm flattered, Your Highness.

Your Highness, it's getting late.

I'll take my leave now.

Mr. Su, please stay.

I have something more to discuss with you.

Pei Wenxuan, I won't allow you to slander Rongqing in the slightest!

Li Rong.

I also hope that you can live a happy life,

but you mustn't choose Su Rongqing.

You may leave now.

Mr. Pei, I have heard

that you are the youngest and most favored candidate

in the royal selection in our nation's history,

with unparalleled wit and strategies.

Today,

I have truly known your capabilities.

I'm flattered, Your Highness.

Jump into the lake.

Your Highness.

I don't quite understand.

You tricked Yang Quan into hitting Shangguan Yu.

What's wrong with you?

Give it back! That jade pendant is from my mother!

Give my jade pendant back!

Then you lured Lu Yu away.

When see your young master, tell him to pretend to faint.

You did all this

so you could become my husband, didn't you?

If you want to be my husband,

then why has this small grievance gotten the better of you?

How does Your Highness know that I want to be the Prince Consort?

Drop the act.

Why else would you be here?

I've already investigated

your background and situation

with the Pei Family thoroughly.

Becoming my husband

is precisely a great opportunity

for you and your family to turn things around.

It seems Your Highness has misunderstood.

I just want to help…

Right.

I seem to be meddling too much.

Even if you wanted to,

there would be no chance now.

I already have someone I fancy.

Who are you referring to, Your Highness?

He's right in front of you.

Mr. Su.

Do you like those books?

Would you like to have them?

-Please think twice, Your Highness. -Mr. Pei.

I'm talking to Mr. Su here.

It's not your place to interrupt.

Your Highness.

I just don't want you

to ruin your future due to a sudden impulse.

That's quite audacious of you to meddle in my affairs.

I'll do whatever I like.

It's my own path and my own choice.

Mr. Su.

If Your Highness doesn't mind,

I would like to request to marry you.

Guards!

I'm astonished at how scheming you are at such a young age.

Throw him into the lake.

-Yes. -Your Highness.

So you were picking the spot in the lake to fall into?

How about

we talk like this?

I quite enjoy the position

where you're lower than me.

Pei Wenxuan.

You'd better know your place.

Right now, I can throw you into the lake,

And later, if I wish,

I can make you drown here.

From now on, whether you get to live or not

depends entirely on my mood.

So think carefully about what you say and do.

Do you understand?

The Pei Wenxuan now is just a young kid,

who's just 20 years old.

There's no difference between bullying him and bullying a child.

Enough of this.

-Fish him out. -Yes, Your Highness.

Mr. Su.

About what I just said…

Your Highness, please don't.

Rongqing, here you are.

What's the matter?

Rongqing, if you really can't stand this,

I can divorce Pei Wenxuan.

Your Highness is of noble status.

I am but a humble sinner. I dare not request so.

What is it?

You don't like

those books?

Your Highness, please forgive me.

Before leaving, my father repeatedly instructed me

to only attend the Spring Banquet and not get involved in anything else.

If you don't want those books,

they will become someone else's tomorrow.

Your Highness.

Those books are too precious.

I am but a humble man with little influence.

I'm unworthy of possessing them just yet.

I should have realized this earlier.

The Su Family has always been neutral and avoids marrying the royal family.

Su Rongqing currently doesn't really get to choose.

I understand.

You may leave now.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

If one day in the future,

I am able to…

Mr. Pei, don't think

I'm throwing my weight around.

I'm teaching you how to behave properly.

You're lucky it's me who you're facing.

If it were anyone else from the Royal Family,

with your behavior today,

you would have been fed to the dogs.

Thank you, Your Highness.

You've achieved your goal.

You're the only candidate left

for the Prince Consort.

Get Mr. Pei a change of clothes and have him cleaned up.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What do you want? Tell me.

I have heard

that Princess Pingyue is holding a Spring Banquet

with the intention of selecting a husband.

My younger brother, Yang Quan,

has followed my father into battle since childhood

and has earned numerous merits.

He might be a suitable match for the Princess.

The Yang Family is a lineage of generals.

Instead of focusing on how to win battles at the border,

you're now concerned with the Princess's marriage.

You're right, Your Majesty.

But as for my brother…

I've said it before.

The Princess's marriage is her own decision.

Whomever she chooses will be her husband.

Your Majesty.

My family may have made many mistakes.

But I hope Your Majesty can consider

the years of service I have rendered

and give the Yang family another chance.

What?

Have I ever said I would do anything to your Yang Family?

Sit down, then talk to me.

Whatever you want to say,

just say it.

Your Highness, I think

you already know what I want to say.

What's with your attitude?

What?

Do you think the Royal Family

is not good enough for you?

Not at all.

I come from humble beginnings,

and may initially rely on Your Highness.

However, as a dignified man,

I also aspire to be the one who is worthy of you, Your Highness.

This way,

when Your Highness is weary,

you can have someone to lean on.

And I won't be just a burden

living off you.

You're just trying to leverage my influence

to strengthen yourself.

There's no need for these high-sounding words.

Men like you will say anything

when ingratiating yourself

with powerful people.

Mr. Pei.

As the Prince Consort,

you are holding the Crown Prince's secondary consort.

You should be punished.

I heard Consort Qin got into trouble,

-so I came to help-- -He came here following my order.

How can anyone despise him

and slander him?

You have feelings for her?

I…

I am a bit worried about her.

What's your relationship with her?

Childhood friends.

Does she know that you still care for her?

If she does,

why did she call off the engagement?

My father passed away because of illness.

Back then, I was sidelined by my uncle

and not entrusted with any major tasks.

It was her relatives who canceled the marriage.

-So we-- -So you two

loved each other but couldn't be together,

and I ended up being a hindrance?

Your Highness.

Bring over the citrons.

Your Highness.

Citrons will give me rashes if I eat them.

Is it that serious?

Take this dish away.

And tell the chefs

to stop making any dishes that contain citrons.

-Yes, Your Highness. -Eat it.

Your Highness.

If I consume citrons, I'll get rashes all over my body.

You still have to eat it.

That's my order.

I've just eaten something,

so I'll eat it later.

Eat it later then.

Since I have plenty of time,

let's play a game of Go.

Get the Go board.

Yes, Your Highness.

Playing as black, the star point opening.

She hasn't changed at all.

So his Go strategy has always been like this.

Dealing with the 20-year-old Pei Wenxuan,

I don't need to give full play to my abilities.

Well.

I'll give him a little leeway,

so he won't be as embarrassed.

The 18-year-old Li Rong still plays poorly,

but she's always been arrogant and mischievous.

Why are her tactics

the same as the ones she used when she was 38?

Why are his strategies the same as when he was 40?

Li Rong may seem arrogant and spoiled,

but she actually acts very methodically.

She doesn't pick a fight for no reason.

However, when I first met Li Rong,

she humiliated me in front of Su Rongqing.

Guards. Throw him into the lake.

-Yes, Your Highness. -Your Highness.

Back then,

the 18-year-old Li Rong wasn't like this.

I remember the 20-year-old Pei Wenxuan was more or less immature.

On the day of the wedding, though he appeared calm on the surface,

I could see from his eyes

that he was in a state of panic.

Your Highness.

But now, when Pei Wenxuan sees me,

he's not just calm and composed.

He looks at me like he knows me very well.

This Go game

turns out to be the final one we played before living apart

and it was unfinished.

That unfinished game

was a stalemate.

I just don't want you

to ruin your future due to a sudden impulse.

No wonder he dares to talk back to me like this now.

No wonder she knows that citrons will give me rashes.

It's either him being truly audacious…

-Or… -Or…

-He has lived an extra 20 years. -She has lived an extra 20 years.

-If so, -If so,

-everything would make sense. -everything would make sense.

Li Rong hated me to the core before.

Last time, it was her order that had me killed.

The fact that she could control the urge to kill me immediately

shows her extreme forbearance.

Fortunately, I have no intention of getting entangled with her again.

Let me ask you again.

Why did you stop me

from choosing other men?

I…

-I… -Because you feel guilty

of what you did to me.