Original subtitles

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

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Fine.

I can keep him alive,

but he can't escape punishment.

Su Rongqing will be subjected to castration.

I don't deserve your protection, Your Highness.

Your great kindness

is hard for me to repay in this lifetime.

You don't have to feel like you owe me.

Get up.

Have you…

thought about what you'll do next?

I…

I'm no longer a real man.

And I'm at a loss.

I'm at a loss about what to do next.

How about…

staying at my place?

What do you think?

And think about it,

he didn't leave when you let him go.

Why did he want to stay by your side?

Li Rong,

are you okay?

I did think about the possibility

that he'd want revenge.

No one can forget such an extermination, especially not him.

He was once the finest gentleman in Huajing.

I just didn't expect…

that our strong bond would still

fall victim to the palace intrigues.

I was too naive.

So…

he made the first move

and poisoned me with chronic toxicity, the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.

And then took over the power I held

with the guise of eliminating you.

We can't be entirely sure, though.

-Perhaps we're both wrong-- -That's enough.

I'll take it as the fact that I was killed by Su Rongqing.

Are you satisfied now?

I warned you

to stay away from him, but you didn't listen.

See what happened? You're suffering now.

You're happy to see me suffer, aren't you?

I didn't mean it like that.

Why do you always misunderstand me?

Right, seeing the Princess Royal suffer happens once in a lifetime.

How could I not be happy?

Then you're wrong.

After all, he served me for seventeen years.

I willingly accepted death at his hands.

And you… you're just an innocent bystander who got implicated.

What's there for you to be happy about?

Stop talking already.

The grilled fish is almost ready. Let's eat.

Here.

Take it.

But let me remind you, Your Highness,

your previous entanglements with Su Rongqing

would only cause some physical punishments.

But if you keep this up now,

you'll be risking your life.

Your Highness,

the flowers are particularly beautiful this year.

Mei Xiang,

do you know…

which flowers are the most flamboyant ones?

I don't know.

It's not the royal poinciana.

The thorny ones

are the most flamboyant ones.

MINGYUE PALACE

Why did you visit me late in the night?

Some major changes will happen outside,

yet you can still fall asleep?

Why don't you just cut to the chase?

As you know,

I've always lived alone in the Mingyue Palace.

Unconcerned with outside conflict.

Only you know

whether you're concerned or not.

I visited you tonight

to bring you a great gift.

I'm not sure if I can take it.

Prince Su holds His Majesty's favor.

Even the Crown Prince can't beat him.

As Prince Su's biological mother,

born of humble origins,

have you ever considered

how your brother, Xiao Su,

with his mere 20,000 soldiers,

could compete against the Crown Prince

and his mother's powerful Shangguan family even if His Majesty intends

to make him the Crown Prince?

You must be kidding.

This whole nation belongs to His Majesty.

If His Majesty has an intention to support my son,

then he no longer needs to fight for that position.

If not,

no one can usurp that position.

Is that so?

Even if Prince Su doesn't vie for power, the Empress and her kinsfolk

will certainly back the Crown Prince to fight for it.

My family presided over northwestern border

for three generations,

commanding the military forces.

With the support of my family's troops,

Prince Su's rise is inevitable.

You just came from the Empress's place, didn't you?

Your gift is too big for me to accept it.

Just by visiting you, the Empress will grow suspicious.

Given her nature, she's bound to make a decision.

So whether you believe me or not is no longer important.

Rou,

I'm leaving now.

Are you cold?

It's so cold…

yet you gave your coat to me.

How about…

I'm coming.

Why didn't you say it earlier?

Tell me.

Have you thought about…

going to see Qin Zhenzhen?

We'll talk about that later.

I thought nothing had changed,

but upon reflection…

before we were married,

you had nothing to do with Su Rongqing.

So there are still many unknowns.

We'll take it one step at a time.

I have a suggestion for you.

If you're going to intervene, do it early.

The palace isn't a good place for her.

Don't let her enter the palace.

I know.

But it's rare for you to say something nice.

You're funny.

Don't you like to hear nice things from me?

I didn't say that.

I'm just not used to it.

I didn't plan on saying so.

But I am a reasonable person.

Though it was more of a hindrance than a help,

I still appreciate you rescuing me.

I have made many mistakes.

I should be responsible for that.

Pei Wenxuan,

let's forget about what happened in the past.

Can you promise me that?

Let's not be enemies anymore.

Hmm.

Hurry! We must retreat before the Princess' reinforcements arrive.

-Yes. -Yes.

Your Highness, it's them.

-They're from the Yang Family. -Hold them back!

-Capture them! -Yes!

Your Highness, we should focus on finding the Princess first.

What are your next plans?

I…

I haven't decided yet.

What about you? What are your plans?

I don't want to live the way I did before.

Constantly surrounded by endless suspicion,

witnessing the brutality of Chuan,

and witnessing…

Su Rongqing lost his family.

What about you?

Do you have any regrets from before?

Prince Consort.

You're finally here.

Though you have been at odds with Her Highness for so long,

you both care for each other.

Just admit your mistake and apologize to her.

Please make up with her.

She won't understand.

I don't think so.

Her Highness is proud

and this happened for a reason.

People are out there saying

she stepped forward to take responsibility of the matter with Consort Qin

and help you out

because she was betrayed by her husband and had to save her reputation.

Actually, she just needs a way out.

If it were that simple, I'd do it. However…

Prince Consort, sometimes things are really that simple.

Or, maybe I should go and tell Her Highness you're here to see her?

No need.

It's my fault for mishandling things. I feel guilty towards Her Highness.

It's better…

not to disturb her.

Prince Consort, I have bad news!

What happened?

After His Majesty decreed to execute the entire Su Family,

Her Highness tried to save Young Master Su

by begging for mercy from His Majesty and accidentally spoke out of turn.

She has been sentenced to the punishment of flogging.

I'm worried she can't take it.

Please go and help her!

Take this.

Thirteen.

Fourteen.

Fifteen.

Stop hitting her!

Your Highness, just apologize to His Majesty.

Give up on Young Master Su.

If you keep getting beaten, you'll lose your life.

Why put yourself through this, Li Rong?

Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan.

I must save Su Rongqing.

There is indeed…

something I regret.

I…

In my life,

I was loyal to the court

and the people.

But I failed

the Princess Royal.

Your Majesty.

Speak up.

Something has happened to Princess Pingyue.

Pei Wenxuan.

Why are you so nervous?

I'm not nervous.

I'm just trying to think of how to prove my innocence.

What innocence?

I'm thinking about how to tell you

that I did nothing last night.

I know.

If you did something, I'd definitely feel it.

Li Rong, you're a princess. Can't you be…

a bit more reserved?

Why would I pretend to be innocent at my age?

-Let's go. -What?

-Not here. -There's nothing here either.

What are you doing, Pei Wenxuan? Slow down.

Come here.

Pei Wenxuan, how come I never knew you could be like a rabbit?

-Take this. -What for?

Cover yourself.

Wait.

Su--

What are you doing?

Don't keep reminding me

that he once killed me.

Don't overthink it.

It's not the time yet.

Now, the Su Family is of noble status,

upright and honorable.

The current Su Rongqing is a gentleman who never engages in factional disputes.

Besides, Yang Quan is the mastermind now.

Su Rongqing…

shouldn't be in any danger.

Mr. Su.

Haven't we already found her? Where is she?

Your Highness.

Judging by the situation,

someone should have stayed here overnight--

And just left not long ago.

Chuan.

Rong.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

But you, don't run so fast or it may cause a side stitch.

I'm okay.

I heard you were kidnapped.

I searched all night and couldn't find you.

Rong…

You didn't…

-Young Master, you… -Behave yourself!

-You scoundrel! -Your Highness!

-I'm going to kill you today. -Calm down.

Let go. I'm going to kill you.

Seems I'm still too polite.

-Bring me a sword. -Chuan.

You're the Crown Prince. Be calm.

Your Highness,

-Her Highness and I… -I don't want to hear your explanation.

Take it up to Father and Mother back at the palace.

Let's go back.

Your Highness.

Scoundrel, stay away from my sister.

Rong, get on my horse.

Sure, whose horse would I ride if not yours?

Your Highness, if you don't mind,

you can ride my horse.

Alright, thanks.

Your Highness, are you alright?

The Su Rongqing of the past

never had such interactions with me.

Not Li Rong

nor Li Chuan.

He called me a scoundrel.

I'm not going to let him get away with this. I…

He's the Crown Prince.

Young… Young Master, are you alright?

Mr. Pei, please.

Let's go, Young Master.

Rong.

Everyone in the court knows Father dislikes me

and is always looking for a chance to depose me.

Yet he still tries to get close to me.

Do you think the Yang Family is out of their minds?

Not at all.

They're very clever.

Father wants to deal with the Yang Family,

and our Shangguan Family is the foremost noble family.

Of course, they'd want you to be on their side.

Well, they could be a bit nicer.

How could they just kidnap you directly?

I guess they didn't really want to kidnap me.

They probably just wanted to scare me, then play the hero to rescue me.

How despicable. Pei Wenxuan is even better than them.

-By the way, Rong… -Yes?

Pei Wenxuan…

Did he kiss you?

Pei Wenxuan is a kind gentleman.

He wouldn't do that to me.

-Rong, you have to promise me one thing. -Go ahead.

Even if you get married,

I still have to be the most important man in your heart.

-Your Majesty. -Get out.

She didn't want to see you when she was alive,

even less now that she's dead.

-Your Majesty. -Get out!

What are you doing?

Your Majesty.

You served Consort Qin today.

You deserve to die.

Your Majesty,

I have been loyal to Consort Qin since I became her maidservant.

Why is she dead while you are still alive?

-Please spare me, Your Majesty! -Li Chuan, what are you doing?

Have you lost your mind? You are the Emperor!

Get out!

Get out of here!

Such a beautiful smile.

This is what I must protect in the future.

Rong, what are you murmuring?

I'm saying you're foolish.

The Princess and the Crown Prince are really close.

Such a strong bond is rare in noble families.

They grew up together.

The Princess also values family ties.

By the way,

I heard that you and your brother are also quite close.

I misspoke.

This is just our second time seeing each other.

Mr. Pei, how do you know that?

Everyone knows it.

The Su Family has been a noble family for eight generations,

and respecting kinship is valued by your family.

So I won't be wrong.

By the way, Consort Ning paid a visit

to Mingyue Palace and Qionghua Palace last night.

It seems she was concerned about the Princess's marriage.

Does the Crown Prince know?

Yes. I have already informed the Crown Prince.

But I think you should also be aware of this.

Mr. Su, why are you going to great lengths to help me?

Princess Pingyue is known for her virtues

and I also wish her well.

If the Princess needs to choose between you and Yang Quan,

then I would bet on you.

Why is there hidden meaning behind his words?

Could it be that he also…

I'm flattered.

The Princess's marriage should be decided by herself.

I'm a mere eighth-ranking official. I dare not aspire for more.

Greetings to the Crown Prince and Princess Pingyue.

Eunuch Shan De,

weren't you supposed to be attending to Mother?

What brings you here?

Her Majesty heard

that the Crown Prince and the Princess had returned,

so she sent me here specifically to wait for you.

Her Majesty said

Your Highness had a tiring night and should go rest.

I will escort the Princess and Young Master Pei

to meet Her Majesty in Qionghua Palace.

The Empress wants to see me?

Rong.

It's alright.

Your Highness, your palanquin is ready.

Let me escort you to change into clean clothes

before meeting Her Majesty.

Your Highness, please come this way.

Young Master Pei, please.

Mr. Pei.

Have you figured it out?

Not yet.

Well, you don't have much time left.

Just wait here. Come inside when you're summoned.

Okay.

Greetings, Mother.

I wish you longevity, Mother.

I heard you spent a night with Pei Wenxuan last night.

Yes.

What's your plan for your marriage?

May I ask what you think

should be done, Mother?

You have your ideas in mind.

Don't you, Mother?

I…

I'd like to hear your thoughts first.

I wish you would marry Yang Quan.

What has the Yang Family promised you, Mother?

Military power.

You're driving Chuan into a corner.

It's your father who's driving us into a corner.

Do you know why he wants to get rid of the Yang Family?

It was to bring Prince Su's uncle

to the position of Lord of the Northwest.

He wants Prince Su control the military forces. He is only fourteen…

Yet he's already been appointed as a prince.

Now, your father even plans to let this young boy

have control over the military forces.

Mother, please calm down.

I'm not sure what you've heard,

but now that Chuan is the Crown Prince,

Father can't do anything to him as long as

he isn't caught in any wrongdoing.

But you want me to marry Yang Quan.

Father has always seen the Yang Family as a pain in the neck

and likely has something on them.

When the time comes,

Chuan will have to bear the wrath of Father.

If we have command over the military forces,

what does it matter

even if Chuan is at fault?

Mother…

Have you ever considered me?

You keep talking about having control over the military forces

and the position of Crown Prince.

May I ask, Mother…

In this marriage,

have you ever thought, even for a moment…

about me?

Given our status,

we don't have the freedom to choose.

But aren't we making a choice now?

I've already spent a night with Pei Wenxuan.

You know…

that I do have a choice.

So…

You want to choose that pretty boy who can offer you nothing?

There is something he can offer.

His status could bring me peace.

Father won't have to be wary of me anymore.

He just can't offer what the Yang Family offered you, Mother--

No…

He can't offer Your Majesty the authority to command the military.

In your heart, my marriage

is merely a bargaining chip and…

I am just a pawn.

Whose happiness, preferences, and well-being don't matter.

Since Your Majesty has always seen it this way,

why not make it clear?

You don't regard me as your daughter but merely a weapon in your hand.

You…

How can you accuse me like that?

Do you not have a heart?

Just because I'm asking for your cooperation for once,

you're belittling me like this?

How about I ask for your cooperation for once too?

What difficulties are you facing?

Tell me.

And I will solve them.

But this time…

You need to see yourself as my mother.

Not the Empress.

You're blinded by jealousy now.

Later, you will understand why we must stay away from the Yang Family.

Chuan shouldn't get control over the military forces from the Yang Family.

I will make arrangements in the future.

While my marriage…

can be a bargaining chip,

it should carry more value.

Mother…

You're not cut out to be a politician.

Leave these matters to me and Chuan.

As for you…

You only need to do one thing.

Do you even know what you're saying?

I've thought this through.

All I need from you…

Is for you to truly be a mother.

I just want to survive.

And Chuan needs to survive.

What did the Yang Family…

threaten to do?

If they rebel…

they will make Chuan the mastermind.

Your father has always been trying to dig up dirt on Chuan and your uncle.

I see.

Don't worry. I'll handle it.

If you want to summon Pei Wenxuan, then go ahead.

I'm going to Chuan now.

Your Highness.

Do you think…

we should marry again?

Are you feeling sorry for me?

The side hall has been tidied up.

You can have a good rest there later.

What's wrong?

Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness.

But I'm not worthy of it.

Rongqing.

Don't degrade yourself like that.

Do you think…

I am any different from you?

I once believed Father doted on me.

But in the end…

I was just a pawn he used to manipulate the noble families.

I thought Mother always had my best interests at heart,

but she'd rather abandon me than the interests of the Shangguan Family,

I believed that man

was sincerely devoted to me.

But he…

He was caring for another woman.

I thought the brother I helped to the throne would respect and value me,

but he didn't hesitate to punish me

to suppress the noble families.

I am also all by myself now…

And living a life full of suffering.

I'm exhausted too.

Your Highness, there are ways to help you out.

I don't need to feel sorry for you.

You are probably different from the Princess

I used to know.

Starting over and knowing each other again

might not be a bad idea.

You do make a point.

Then let it be so.

But I cannot tolerate Your Highness's honored guest.

Nor can I accept your beloved, Mr. Pei.

It seems we have reached an understanding.

Then, let's settle our marriage.

Let's put up with each other for now.

After a couple of years, when you hold more power,

we can get a divorce.

Then, we can seek revenge and settle grievances.

What do you think, Your Highness?

Alright, let's make do for now.

But if you want to marry me, you'll have to show your capabilities.

If you're not capable, I won't marry a useless man.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

I will certainly ease your burden.

Then I'll wait for your good news.

Wait.

What now?

I'd like to ask Your Highness for a small favor.

Tell me.

Please prepare a lavish carriage for me.

What?

Greetings, Your Majesty!

Long live Your Majesty!

I summoned you to the side hall.

I assume you understand what this implies.

You seem somewhat weary.

I have prepared clean clothes for you.

You should return now.

Do you have any grievances?

Your Majesty, if I withdraw,

what will happen to the Princess?

That's not for you to worry about.

What if I wish to worry about it?

What are you implying?

Currently, the Yang Family is like a fish out of water

and is merely putting up a struggle.

But if the Crown Prince aligns with them, it will drag His Highness into trouble.

In your opinion, what should be done now?

Your Majesty and the Crown Prince only need to do one thing.

Once I leave the Qionghua Palace,

block any information about my appearance in the palace

and my time with the Princess last night immediately.

I have already done that.

But why do you want me to do this?

Your Majesty,

His Majesty has many eyes and ears in the palace.

Nothing you do can be hidden from him.

Now.

I can only gain His Majesty's trust if you are against me, Your Majesty.

You're just a minor eighth-ranking official.

Why are you willing to be embroiled in royal intrigues?

If not for ambitious dreams, why not retire and return home?

Aren't all those in the court striving for the same thing?

Then why choose the Crown Prince?

I…

I cannot bear to see the Princess be humiliated.

You adore my daughter?

I'm eager to assist and protect…

Your Majesty and Her Highness.

Mr. Pei, please.

Ultimately, there is no way out of this for me.

Wait.

This isn't the path to leave the palace.

It's to the Imperial Study where His Majesty is.

I assume His Majesty…

has already heard about what happened at the Qionghua Palace

and is summoning me.

I am Fu Lai, an attendant by His Majesty's side.

His Majesty wants to meet you, Mr. Pei. Please follow me.

Eunuch Fu Lai.

Do you know why His Majesty is summoning me?

Mr. Pei, I'm sure you know why.

Please wait here for a moment.

Major General Yang?

I'm curious about why you are here today.

To seek a marriage alliance.

I'm afraid that you may get upset.

The marriage might have been set in stone.

What do you mean?

Don't you know why I turned back last night?

It… It was you last night?

Exactly.

I was fortunate indeed.

Not only did I rescue the Princess from you

but also spent the night alone with her.

You're asking for trouble.

Do you intend to resort to violence in front of His Majesty?

His Majesty is a wise ruler.

You have no reason to be resentful.

Perhaps you should return to the northwest.

I hear the jade and silk there are particularly fine.

Jade and silk are used for funerals in the northwest.

You dare curse me?

Sorry to let you down.

But I was the designated Prince Consort, to begin with.

His Majesty wanted me to return immediately after the hiccup last night.

You've served as a stepping stone to pave the way for me and the Princess.

Yang Quan, Pei Wenxuan, enter the hall now!

I, Pei Wenxuan…

I, Yang Quan…

-… wish Your Majesty well. -…wish Your Majesty well.

Rise, Pei Wenxuan.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I, Yang Quan, wish Your Majesty well.

What are you doing here?

Your Majesty,

I have come today to seek a marriage alliance.

Oh? Who do you wish to marry?

I am fond of Princess Pingyue.

Your Majesty, please grant our marriage.

Pingyue is my eldest daughter

and her marriage is no trivial matter.

Let me think about this further.

Pei Wenxuan, come walk with me in the garden.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

Major General Yang is still kneeling.

Rise.

If you have nothing else to say, you may leave now.