Original subtitles

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

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

I heard you saved Princess Pingyue last night.

Why aren't you saying anything?

Your Majesty.

Please save my life.

What's going on?

Why would you say that?

Your Majesty.

It's only a matter of time before I die.

Who wants your life?

Your Majesty, you must've heard what happened last night.

While I saved Her Highness,

given the circumstances at the time, we spent the night alone together,

which is detrimental to her reputation.

Please punish me with the death penalty.

Well…

That's not severe enough to get you executed.

No.

There's another reason for my imminent death.

Explain yourself.

It was an emergency.

I should have come to you first, Your Majesty,

but Her Majesty summoned me first.

She wanted me

to hide the fact that I spent the night with Her Highness

and even wanted me to testify

that it was Yang Quan who saved the Princess.

You're worried the Empress might kill you.

If I may make a daring guess,

Her Majesty has long decided to form marital ties with the Yang Family.

What happened last night was an act put on for the Princess

to be impressed by Yang Quan who played the hero and saved her.

Yet I ruined their plans.

With how petty Yang Quan is

and how bodacious the Yang Family usually is,

the moment I get out of the palace gates,

I'll die.

Rest assured.

The Empress will not kill you for trifles like this.

Get up.

Your Majesty, do you really see the alliance between the Yang Family

and the Crown Prince as no cause for concern?

You are young,

but you know a lot.

Li Rong, are you determined to choose Pei Wenxuan?

Well, Mother wants you to choose Yang Quan.

He has control over the military forces.

But you must understand

that if the Yang Family is seen as aligning with the Crown Prince,

they won't have control over the military

for any longer.

Then why did you make Yang Quan a candidate for Prince Consort?

Tell me.

Why isn't it a trifle if the Yang Family allies with the Crown Prince?

Your Majesty, the Yang Family is reputable for guarding the borders for years.

Yet late last winter, when the enemies attacked again,

the Yang Family lost two cities in a row,

losing against 20,000 enemies with 50,000 soldiers.

Have you considered this?

The Yang Family has guarded the borders for years.

Why would they suffer such a disastrous defeat?

So you know why?

Please allow me to take a wild guess.

You knew that over the years,

the Yang Family

has been bribing the enemies with army rations.

The yearly battles were just a show put on by the Yang Family and the enemies.

Pei Wenxuan.

How many heads do you have?

You've got the nerve to say such things.

Your Majesty,

these people have wild ambitions.

If they seek connection with the nobles and mislead the Crown Prince,

it will endanger our nation.

If I chose Yang Quan,

Father would realize

that I'm after his family's control over the military forces

and want to betray him.

He may have secretly collected a lot of evidence

of the Yang Family's wrongdoings.

Then, when he deals with the Yang Family,

he'll deal with us too.

I see.

I think the Yang Family poses no threat.

And now is the best time to deal with the Yang Family.

Then what about the borders?

Force them to rebel.

In today's court,

there aren't many who would dare stand up against the Yang Family.

Pei Wenxuan.

If I make you my sword

to kill Yang Quan

as your betrothal gift to marry Pingyue,

would you dare to do it?

I don't understand.

We're both Father's birth children.

Why is he doing this to us?

Would things have turned out differently if I were not the Crown Prince?

Chuan.

I hope you can maintain

this purity always.

As for the others, leave it all to me.

All right?

You've made lots of efforts for me these days.

Your business matters a lot to the entire Yang Family.

We cannot afford a single misstep.

How was your meeting with His Majesty?

He said he'd consider it

and then just asked me to leave.

However…

He summoned Pei Wenxuan privately.

Her Majesty also summoned Pei Wenxuan.

I'm afraid

His Majesty, Li Rong, and the Empress

have all chosen Pei Wenxuan.

What should we do?

I did everything I could.

-Father-- -Quan.

Over the years,

our father and brother have led our people to fight battles on the border.

Meanwhile, I've stayed in the palace and painstakingly made

every careful move.

So the Yang Family could thrive like so,

earning our power in the Northwest.

I cannot just sit and watch everything fizzle into nothing.

Li Ming.

He has thoroughly humiliated me.

Wan.

What do we do now?

Since they'd like to choose Pei Wenxuan,

we'll just make sure

this person doesn't exist anymore.

Why do you trust Pei Wenxuan?

Anyhow, I don't.

You don't need to trust him.

Just trust me.

I won't harm you.

But…

I need your cooperation.

All right. I'll do as you say.

Good.

I should get going.

Pei Wenxuan should be almost done.

This is a nice sword.

I'll gift this to Pei Wenxuan on your behalf.

When he succeeds, he'll be your ally.

Halt.

Mr. Pei.

This is for you.

Consider it a token of thanks for saving my life.

I got it from the Crown Prince for you.

Do you dare accept it?

You've dared to give it to me.

Why wouldn't I dare to accept it?

I've also sent you some men.

Good luck.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Let's go.

Fu Lai.

Your Majesty.

If Pei Wenxuan succeeds,

ensure that he enters the palace and sees me immediately.

If he fails, get rid of him.

I've never seen him today.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I received a tip

that there would be a disturbance in the city today.

The Ministry of Justice

must capture the culprit as soon as possible.

-Yes! -Yes!

Sir, why did we come

-if it was dangerous? -Shut it.

You can disappear now.

Disappear?

Hide yourself well.

Your Highness!

Still no news from the secret guards?

Yes, Your Highness.

You'd better not die there.

How dare you kill me!

You colluded with the enemy, tried to kidnap the Princess,

and assassinated an official.

The Yang Family dared to do it all.

Why wouldn't I dare

to kill you then?

Sir! Are you all right?

We came under the Princess's orders to protect you, Mr. Pei.

I'm grateful for Her Highness's help.

I will visit another time to thank her personally.

No need, Mr. Pei.

Her Highness said you didn't need to do that.

Her Highness treats you so well.

Her Highness said

you could simply kowtow to her portrait three times

to thank her.

That wouldn't be appropriate.

She's asking me

to kowtow three times to a portrait?

No problem.

Sir, as the saying goes,

-a man's knees-- -Get me a brush.

Get me a brush.

All right.

I'm done kowtowing.

PEI WENXUAN KOWTOWS THREE TIMES

Mr. Yuan.

You can bring this back to Her Highness.

Yes, Mr. Pei.

-Let's go. -Much thanks!

All right, hurry. To the palace.

Why?

Yang Quan gave me a fright.

I'll lodge a complaint to His Majesty.

Sir, after getting to know the Princess,

you're getting more and more arrogant.

We should run away.

-Pei Wenxuan! -The Ministry of Justice. Great timing.

-I'd like to make a report. -Make a report?

Arrest them all!

-Yes! -Yes!

-He's arresting us. -Run!

Tong Ye, take this.

-I'm dropping the money! -Sir!

-I'm dropping the money! -Sir!

Please don't do this!

Please don't do this!

Move aside!

-Stop! -I'm dropping the money!

-Pei Wenxuan! -That's my whole year's salary!

-Let's go! -Move!

Your Highness.

There's news from the outside. It is done.

Yang Quan is still too impatient.

Head to the Imperial Study first.

Just say

I'll be presenting some flowers to Father.

Yes, Your Highness.

How is it?

We chased Pei Wenxuan all the way from the crime scene,

but we still lost him.

Intercept him at the palace gates.

-My condolences, Your Highness! -How dare you, Pei Wenxuan!

I'll bury you with my brother!

Inform the family immediately.

Evacuate Huajing at once.

Also…

send an urgent letter to my father at the border.

In addition,

send someone to keep an eye on His Majesty.

Report anything that happens to me immediately.

Yes, Your Highness.

Eunuch Fu.

Your Highness.

His Majesty is still discussing affairs with some ministers.

A moment, please.

No hurry.

Please get me a chair then.

I'll wait here.

I am familiar with your ways, Your Highness.

Thank you, Eunuch Fu.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Pei Wenxuan has arrived.

Bring him over.

-I'll inform His Majesty. -Yes.

I'll get going then, Your Highness.

Please do.

Tell them to set down another chair and a teacup.

Yes, Your Highness.

Mr. Pei, I'm from Hanqiu Palace.

You have been summoned.

Sir, I'll go back to see if there's some of my money left.

What for?

Stay here and wait.

Please wait here, Mr. Pei.

Mr. Pei.

Your Highness.

I just saw you leave the palace.

Why did you return?

Could it be that you miss me?

You jest, Your Highness.

I wouldn't dare.

It's just that something happened on the way,

so I came back to report it to His Majesty.

Scoundrel.

He's not only acting naive, but he's also acting innocent!

My father is still in discussion.

Let's sit and wait.

Serve the tea, Jinglan.

That should help Mr. Pei get over a shock.

Yes, Your Highness.

PRINCESS ROYAL

So she liked to read this kind of random book

long before she got married.

Your Highness.

Mr. Pei, His Majesty has summoned you.

Eunuch Fu.

What about me? I've been sitting here for a long time.

Why does he get an audience first?

Mr. Pei said he had urgent matters.

What urgent matters could he have?

Bring them both in.

Your Highness, Mr. Pei.

Please.

Your Majesty.

Wenxuan.

-Greetings, Father. -Greetings, Your Majesty.

Rise.

Why are you here, Pingyue?

I guess I'll come later then.

You're already here. Stay.

Come here first.

Pei Wenxuan.

Haven't you left?

Why did you return?

Your Majesty.

Right after I left the palace, I was ambushed by Mr. Yang.

In a panic,

I accidentally…

I killed him.

What did you say?

Who… Who did you kill?

Mr. Shangguan.

Mr. Pei is just a young man and he just went through such a mishap.

If you scare him like that,

-how can he explain what happened? -But…

Mr. Pei.

Don't be afraid. Take your time and explain it.

Who did you kill?

Your Majesty,

I killed Yang Quan, the Second Young Master of the Yang Family.

You…

What exactly was going on?

Mother.

Greetings, Mother.

Do you know Yang Quan has been killed?

Yang Quan has been killed?

Good riddance.

He dared to try to kidnap my sister.

If only I got my hands on him first.

Now's not the time for saying such things.

I received the information

that your sister's secret guards were also involved.

Looks like…

she has chosen Pei Wenxuan as her consort.

That's…

Why didn't she discuss it with me first?

She acted without considering the greater picture.

It will cause trouble.

But I have faith in her choice.

So long as she's happy.

Do you know about this?

Even if you do, you must pretend you don't.

You must remember this.

Your Majesty.

I am well aware of my wrongdoing.

Although Mr. Yang had ambushed me,

I know

how much the Yang Family has contributed to the Great Xia.

Moreover,

the war is ongoing.

Even if Mr. Yang wanted to kill me,

for the sake of the nation,

I should not have retaliated.

But Your Majesty,

it's true that I only committed such a grave mistake

because I didn't want to get killed.

Even death cannot atone for my offense, Your Majesty,

I deserve to die.

But I just want to let you know

before something bad happens.

Disaster is going to fall upon our Pei Family.

Pei Wenxuan.

You reckless fool!

The Yang Family has long commanded the troops at the border.

Even if he did commit a crime,

the punishment must be calibrated.

We're having wars at the border.

If we aggravate the Yang Family,

who could we send to fend off our enemies? Tell me!

You fool.

You've caused great trouble!

Pei Lixian.

Please calm down, Your Majesty.

This deed was done by Pei Wenxuan, this ignorant fool, alone!

The Pei Family knows nothing about this, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Why are you so jittery?

You are an official of the Great Xia.

Yang Quan tried to assassinate you.

If he's killed, so be it.

There's nothing to fear.

But Your Majesty,

the borders…

Would the Yang Family revolt?

They hardly put up a fight

when the enemy invaded.

They've utterly shamed the Great Xia!

50,000 soldiers failed to hold off 20,000 enemies.

Yet they dared to kidnap the Princess in Huajing

and assassinate a court official!

The Yang Family seems to think I'm dead!

-Please calm down, Your Majesty! -Please calm down, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Wins and losses are commonplace in war.

With the enemy's sudden assault,

even the Yang Family was taken by surprise and caught off guard.

With the Yang Family still at the frontlines,

-we should-- -Enough!

I have decided to pursue these two cases.

The Yang Family has humiliated the imperial family to this extent.

Not only will I pursue the cases,

but I will also pursue them thoroughly!

Gentlemen.

Is any of you willing to investigate them for me?

Very well.

Very well indeed!

All of you are intimidated by the Yang Family.

In that case,

Pei Wenxuan,

since you already have the guts to kill him,

I'll ask you to investigate these cases.

Do you dare to do it?

Your Majesty, please don't.

Wenxuan is still but a child.

-He isn't fit to take on such major cases! -Did I ask you?

Answer me.

I am willing to share your troubles, Your Majesty.

Good. From this day on,

you'll be an investigating censor at the Censorate.

Investigate the Yang Family alongside the Ministry of Justice.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Please allow me.

Pei Wenxuan said it himself

that he was a victim in the case.

If he investigates the case, I'm afraid--

Then we'll give the case to you, Mr. Shangguan.

What do you think?

Father.

Why don't you allow me to be the chief judge

and Mr. Pei to assist me instead?

After all, this started because of me.

If we wish to investigate the Yang Family,

my rank would be suitable as well.

Anyhow, a suitable candidate has not been selected.

Isn't that so?

But you're also a victim in this case, Your Highness.

Then let's get Mr. Su Rongqing to supervise the case.

Isn't he from the Ministry of Justice?

I've long heard Mr. Su is a righteous and upstanding man.

If you're still worried, Right Chancellor,

why not ask Mr. Su to be the chief judge?

You jest, Your Highness.

My son is still young.

He can't handle such a big case.

That's why I'm asking him to supervise.

What do you think, Uncle Xu?

I think

Your Highness has a point.

Father.

At this juncture,

we are out of options.

Do as Pingyue said.

Affairs of the court are not trivial matters.

Pingyue will stay.

The rest may leave.

-I shall take my leave. -I shall take my leave.

Mr. Pei.

Your nephew is a good one.

Uncle Lixian, Uncle Liming.

You've got something.

You're being so bodacious now!

You're pitting yourself against all of the noble families!

You're too rash.

The entire Pei Family might get implicated!

Lixian.

This is no place to talk.

Let's talk at home.

Head home right after you tie up the matters in the palace.

This concerns the whole family's survival.

You will be punished accordingly!

Father.

Pingyue.

You interacted with four men this time.

No,

it's just three now.

How do you feel about Pei Wenxuan?

I…

I feel that…

he's a good man.

He could be of use to you in the future too, Father.

It's just…

It's just that Mother…

All you need to consider

is whether you like this man.

You don't need to care about other things.

Why are you crying?

Father.

I just don't know.

We're a family, but why can't we just be simple and happy?

-You and Mother-- -No need to ask about your mother and me.

Treat it as if you know nothing.

Pick someone you like.

I'll always respect your choice.

However,

You and Pei Wenxuan

spent a night alone together.

That pretty much

makes you his woman.

As I see it,

Pei Wenxuan is a good choice.

He's smart

and also good-looking.

If you marry him,

you won't suffer.

Go back and think about my words.

After we close the case about Yang Quan,

I'll betroth you to him.

As you wish, Father.

Your Highness.

There is something else I must see to.

I shall stop here.

As for the rest of the path,

Mr. Pei shall be escorting you.

His Majesty is much more committed to the act than me.

His acting was convincing, I must say.

He ordered me to kill Yang Quan as a betrothal gift to marry you,

but he looked like he knew nothing.

You dare gossip about my father?

Why?

Are you not happy with doing his bidding?

Do I have a choice?

Let's cut to the chase.

After we conclude the case,

I intend to propose letting the Crown Prince handle

the affairs of the Northwest.

If he manages to find his foothold,

there's no need to worry about the military power.

But what if he fails?

You'd even bet on something like that?

How brazen.

If I'm not that brazen,

would I dare to marry you?

That's true.

Marrying me is not that easy.

It's perilous.

The task itself isn't.

You're the perilous one.

And you're the one who begs to marry me!

Yes, you're right.

I'm the one who begs to marry you.

There is something

I'd like to ask you.

Go ahead.

Just now, at the Imperial Study,

you requested Su Rongqing to supervise the case.

What's the meaning of that?

How would you like Su Rongqing to supervise the case?

Are you going to summon him daily and see him while investigating the case?

Or are you going to keep him by your side,

so you can investigate together all the time?

You…

Do you see me as a hindrance to your investigation?

All right then.

You can investigate this case alone with Mr. Su.

Why do I even need to be here?

Can you be more pretentious?

Look, what's this?

What?

Your pettiness.

I won't deny that I'm petty.

But you're pretty thick-skinned yourself, Li Rong.

How old are you already?

Su Rongqing is at his best years.

Give up on netting yourself a younger guy.

Why? Does being called old make you upset?

Do you think you're young?

You have a tainted heart.

I don't want to talk to you.

I'm just kindly reminding you

not to let him sabotage our plans.

He's ruined you before.

If you allow him to do it again in this life,

then you're foolish.

Even so, it's none of your business.

We'll get divorced in two years anyway.

Pei Wenxuan, if I kill you in this life,

it won't be because of someone's instigation.

Head back on your own. I won't see you off.

You…

The Yang Family will probably leave the city tonight.

I need more men.

All right, I got it.

I'll arrange for it.

Your Highness, why did Mr. Pei leave?

He's insane.

Let's head back too.

It's time to clean up our own mess.

-Mr. Wen. -Master.

Is Rongqing around?

I haven't seen him.

Father.

Rongqing.

Great timing.

What happened in the Imperial Study…

I've heard about it.

May I know what's your plan for the Yang Family, Father?

We're not trying to save the Yang Family,

but all the noble families.

By orders of His Majesty,

we are here to arrest the traitorous Yang Family!

-Arrest them! -Yes, sir!

Your Highness, it's not like that!

It's not like that!

I'm being wronged!

Your Highness, we found these silver taels in her room.

They're not mine!

-Your Highness, they're not mine! -You must not know it.

Silver taels of the noble families have their own special marks.

Why did you betray me?

General Yang promised

that he'd make me his concubine

after he married Your Highness.

Please spare me, Your Highness!

Please spare my life, Your Highness!

The worst thing a woman could do

is to pin their hopes on men.

Spare me, Your Highness!

-Your Highness! -No need to kill her.

Send her to the nunnery

for the rest of her life.

Understood.

Your Highness…

Your Highness.

-Your Highness. -Your Highness.

Your Highness.

It's all done?

Don't tell me you haven't slept the whole night.

Thanks to you,

I haven't slept at all, actually.

Looks like my men need to improve their strengths.

They spent so much time arresting these few people.

Exactly. If this continues, unless you offer to help,

I'd be breaking my back.

They left in batches.

It took some time to get all of them.

Why don't we round them up today?

It'll make the hearing easier.

You can decide. Let's talk after the court session.

Just a word of reminder.

Mind what you say. We don't know where he stands.

-Greetings, Your Highness. -Your Highness.

Mr. Su, Young Master Su.

I'll leave you to talk.

Enter the hall!

Mr. Pei.

I'll get going first.

See you after court.

Your Highness, please.

Please.

Li Rong.

One day, I will walk by your side

and protect you.

Your Highness.

An edict from His Majesty.

Your Highness is not a court official. As such, please wait to be summoned.

Your Highness, I can't enter

while you're not going inside.

Could it be that you're waiting especially for me?

That's right.

I am waiting especially for you.

We'll be partners for a long time after all.

Since we're partners, allow me to rest a little here.

Cover for me, won't you, Your Highness?

You'd better not push it.

His Majesty arrives!

-Boundless fortune to Your Majesty! -Boundless fortune to Your Majesty!

-Long live Your Majesty! -Long live Your Majesty!

Please rise.

-Thank you, Your Majesty! -Thank you, Your Majesty!

The Northwest sent a secret letter.

The Yang Family has embezzled army rations for years

and colluded with the enemy.

I wish to conduct a thorough investigation.

What do you think, dear ministers?

Your Majesty.

The Yang Family has guarded the borders for years.

They have won many battles.

If you convict and punish them over some baseless rumors,

I fear it may devastate our soldiers at the borders.

I implore Your Majesty to consider it carefully.

I second.

You can lie against me.

That way, you won't fall.

They are valiant in battle and illustrious in their contributions.

All the glory they gained in battle

is from being in cahoots with our enemies.

They deceived and offended me,

kidnapped the Princess, and assassinated an official.

Is that enough to put them to trial?

Your Majesty, such severe crimes

require indisputable proof before a case can be made.

Otherwise, it will be hard to convince the people!

Convince the people? Sure.

Bring them in.

Princess Pingyue, Pei Wenxuan.

-Please enter the hall! -Time to get up.

-Greetings, Father. -Greetings, Your Majesty.

-You may rise. -Thank you, Your Majesty.

Pei Wenxuan.

What do you have to report?

Just go ahead.

I am lodging a case against the Yang Family.

After failing to marry the Princess, they kidnapped her.

And after they failed, they tried to silence me.

Your Highness, would you be my witness?

Of course.

Your Majesty, the Yang Family is illustrious in war.

They might be haughty,

but you shouldn't just listen to Mr. Pei's one-sided story.

You claim that it's just my one-sided story.

Do you mean the Princess's words

cannot be trusted as well?

I was there.

Mr. Pei spoke nothing but the truth.

Even if Yang Quan did kidnap the Princess and assassinate Mr. Pei,

Yang Quan is Yang Quan.

He cannot represent the whole Yang Family.

Mr. Pei, how could you lump them together?

That is right. Yang Quan and the Yang Family

are two different matters.

How could we lump them together?

But if not backed by the Yang Family,

would Yang Quan dare commit such atrocities?

There's a song in the Northwest.

"Xia has two emperors, Yang of the North and Li of the South."

Rumors along the borders say they sell weapons to our enemies.

Pei Wenxuan.

This is the imperial court.

How could you use a folk song as court evidence?

If the rumors are indeed true,

you're just allowing those haughty and domineering people

who deceived His Majesty

to be respected by the people,

which would be a joke for millennia to come.