Original subtitles

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

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

PRINCESS' MANSION

It's okay.

Ms. Qin, I'm back.

Why didn't you tell me you came back?

My sister's wedding was happening.

I was thinking about going to you once it's over.

Ms. Qin,

everything in the army is under control.

You can rest assured. Your brother is all right.

You came back

a little steadier this time.

By the way…

This is the jade I specifically brought back from the border.

I asked craftsmen to carve it into this.

I want to give it to you.

Do you like it?

I thought you were steadier.

Yet you are indulging in pleasures again.

Come and tell me about what happened on the battlefield.

Let's go.

You bathed quickly.

Mrs. Pei, you're in bed. Where am I supposed to sleep?

You can sleep wherever you like. I'm too sleepy.

Why don't you come to bed too?

That's not appropriate.

Then forget about it.

You can sleep where you like.

Wait. You…

There are many people out there on this wedding day.

If I go out looking for a quilt,

I may be seen by others.

But I'll freeze to death sleeping here.

Whatever.

Right, I almost forgot…

Come back.

Come over.

Confess to me.

What do you want me to confess, Your Highness?

Tell me the truth.

Why did Su Rongqing come to fetch me today?

I thought you had something special to say.

After all, this is your wedding day.

I was just trying to please you.

To please me?

Did you do that on purpose?

You knew I was killed by Su Rongqing.

Yet you asked him to fetch me. Were you humiliating me?

Why does that sound so bad coming from you?

Am I that type of person in your mind?

In my mind…

In my mind, you're a saint. A real gentleman.

You're being a…

I won't argue with you.

I was thinking

your relationship with Su Rongqing didn't work last time.

Then maybe you can start over this time.

Why do I have to start it over?

On what grounds?

Don't you still care about Su Rongqing?

Never mind.

I would be lying to say I don't care.

However…

You and I are married now.

It's meaningless to talk about this anymore.

I know

you're afraid Su Rongqing will remain the same,

putting power and his family before you.

You're saying that you understand him and don't blame him.

But is that true?

If you really don't blame him, why not choose him from the start?

I'll be honest with you.

I talked with Su Rongqing before the wedding.

I asked him

if his wife's stance conflicted with the family,

who would he choose?

I'll stand with whoever is in the right.

You are right, Mr. Su.

I'll take my leave.

Mr. Su.

CENSORATE

Mr. Pei, what else do you need?

I still have one favor to ask.

I'm sure you know about my family situation.

On the wedding day, I don't want them to do anything for me.

So may I ask you to fetch the bride for me?

Mr. Pei, you jest.

Mr. Su, you should know

the Princess marrying me is expedient.

Our marriage is just a deal.

Then…

Why me?

I think

you want to protect the Princess.

But what identity should I use when fetching her?

How about my sworn brother?

Greetings, my sworn brother.

So Su Rongqing is not who you think he is.

He still cares about you.

And don't feel old all the time.

You look like an 18-year-old girl now.

At such a young age,

why do you refuse all the possibilities so easily?

Let me ask you something.

When Su Rongqing came to fetch you,

did you really not think

about marrying him for a moment?

Why should I tell you that?

To begin with, I don't know if what you just said

is true or not.

Even if it's true, we're married now.

One day when we get divorced,

even if I'm a princess,

the Su Family won't allow him to marry a divorced woman.

Rest assured.

I have drawn up a plan for you.

Wait here.

Mr. Qin

slew three enemy generals from their horses,

causing the enemy troops to be demoralized.

We then pursued the retreating enemies.

By the time we reached the canyon,

there was a whistle.

An ambush?

What happened later? How did you fight your way out?

Well, it will take me a long time to tell you about this.

This plan has four steps.

The first step is to know yourself.

You must first make your position clear.

Figure out what your feelings for Su Rongqing are.

The second step is to know your enemy.

We need to find out what Su Rongqing's feelings for you are.

Leave that to me.

I will get on good terms with Su Rongqing in advance.

The third step is to encourage the enemy.

We must let Su Rongqing know you and I are only allies.

He still has a chance.

The fourth step is the most important step.

To capture the enemy.

I will create some opportunities

for you and Su Rongqing,

so that there will be some interactions between you two.

With your capability,

Su Rongqing should be won over by you easily.

You've indeed arranged it well for me.

It's not I've arranged it well for you.

It's with your face, figure, temper, and personality,

all men in the world will be yours if you want.

A mere Su Rongqing won't be difficult.

You've been talking a lot.

Is that all true?

I'm going to believe it.

You don't have to believe me, but you must believe in yourself.

Right.

What you just said makes perfect sense to me.

I'm totally enlightened.

How about this?

Since you've thought so much for me,

starting from today, I'll find the right one for you too.

You and Ms. Qin were separated by fate then.

Now, you have another chance.

Don't you want to muster up the courage to pursue her?

-No need. Ms. Qin and I were-- -No.

You thought so much for me.

How can I not make plans for you?

-No, I-- -If you keep rejecting me,

I will start wondering

what your real purpose is for setting me up with Su Rongqing.

You have a point.

It's just our top priority now is your relationship with Su Rongqing.

I am in no hurry to get with Ms. Qin.

Then Su Rongqing and I can also wait.

-Fine. -Then go to sleep.

Stop wandering around.

Sleep here,

so no one will find out.

You and I are really funny.

After 20 years of ups and downs…

we are a couple, but not a real couple.

We are allies,

but not exactly real allies.

We tease each other, while wishing the best for each other.

I'm sure there's no one like you, on the wedding day,

making plans for the bride's relationship with someone else.

What kind of relationship do you think we have?

I told you before.

I was hoping you could be happier on your wedding day.

If you don't mind, you can think of me as an older brother.

No.

I don't want to find myself a sworn brother.

Then suit yourself.

However…

you and I should be able to count as best friends by now.

Besties?

-What do you think? -No.

Bestie.

-Bestie, my bestie. -Okay, stop. Don't gross me out.

Good night, my bestie.

It's dawn.

I was too focused on talking about the war.

I didn't notice it had been a whole night.

It's my fault.

No.

I was just too involved in the conversation.

Since my father died in the war and I stayed in the capital,

it has been five years away from the border.

Please forgive me if I talked a little too much.

I'll take my leave soon,

so as not to be seen by others and be misunderstood.

It doesn't matter.

If you still want to know more, I'll just keep telling you more.

One day, we may also go to war together.

Ms. Qin, you can also find a place to show your martial arts.

Ladies in Huajing take slenderness as a symbol of beauty.

People practicing martial arts for years like me

are often seen as vulgar and indecent.

Do you also think so?

Of course not.

There is only one person in Huajing who can be called brave and valiant.

Who is that?

Qin Zhenzhen.

Your Highness does know how to comfort others.

I'm leaving. See you around.

Ms. Qin.

I'll ask the porter to escort you out through the back door.

If you want to see me, don't use qinggong.

The guards around me are martial arts experts.

I wouldn't want my people to hurt each other.

Who are your people?

General Qin is like a brother to me.

Of course, you're my people.

Then I'm leaving.

I'll walk you out.

Lately, Mother has been talking about

making Shangguan Ya the Crown Princess.

I just want to ask her what she thinks.

You can rest assured.

I know Shangguan Ya very well.

There were only a few places she used to go.

If she isn't home,

she must be at some tea party or poetry society.

It's easy to find her.

Your Highness, I'm so sorry.

But my lady was invited by the Jiwen Poetry Society today

and has gone to the tea party.

Since she is at the Jiwen Poetry Society, I'll just meet her there.

Your Highness, please feel free to do so.

Call me if you need anything.

See?

Do you know her well?

Of course.

After she married into the Eastern Palace in the past,

I made friends with her. I know her well.

You know her well?

Then what kind of person do you think she is?

We often talked about everything together.

She's a person who's sensible and always behaves herself.

She has an elegant taste and graceful manners.

Though…

there were a few moments when she was less elegant,

overall, she was still too sensible.

JIWEN POETRY SOCIETY

Ms. Shangguan?

She didn't come here today.

She didn't come?

Since Ms. Shangguan Ya moved to Huajing,

she's only been here once.

But Shangguan Ya said to me

she used to be here before she got married.

Forget it.

You're never a good judge of character.

Today, the Princess has an urgent matter with Ms. Shangguan.

I wonder if you could do us a favor

and tell us where Ms. Shangguan likes to go normally.

Come over.

Ms. Shangguan's whereabouts are unknown to us.

But I heard Ms. Shangguan has been seen

carrying a pass to Jucai House next door.

You might go there and have a look.

Ju…

Jucai House?

The gambling house?

That girl must be lying.

Shangguan Ya is the most typical young lady of noble families.

Would she go to a place like that? Impossible.

Let's not waste time.

We are already here. Let's just go and have a look.

Besides,

Heaven has given us another chance.

Shouldn't we go through something different?

Do you know why I summoned you here?

It must be about choosing consorts for me.

I'm glad you understand.

I have promised your uncle

to make Ya the Crown Princess.

What do you think?

Since you have decided,

why bother asking me?

Don't you like Ya?

We've barely met.

There is no liking or not liking her.

That's easy.

I'll arrange for you to meet sometime.

Mother.

Can I not get married so soon?

It is…

not up to us.

I promise you

that as long as Ya is the Crown Princess,

I'll help you with any other girl you like.

JUCAI HOUSE

Open the door.

How do you feel being here for the first time?

Do you come here a lot?

I don't come here a lot.

It's dirty, stinky, and messy here.

How could Shangguan Ya come here?

You know nothing. Just look.

I never should have trusted you.

-The girl looks pretty. -Don't touch her!

-How dare you! -Come and play with me.

Go away.

-This is my wife. -Hit him.

Do you see the token? Take him away.

-All right, let's go. -Hit him!

-Knock it off. -Let go!

Gosh.

My wife.

This is my wife.

My wife.

You really enjoy holding me like this, huh?

Don't you forget what we're here for.

To protect my wife.

What did we come here for?

Look for Shangguan Ya.

Yes, where is she?

Make your decision now.

-Big. -Big.

Everything you buy today is on me.

Everyone, eat and drink as you please.

Shangguan Ya?

Instead of paying for what you buy, I'll give you the money!

-Bravo! -Bravo!

Go get the money! Go!

Shangguan Ya, stop!

-Slowly! -Move!

-Be careful! -Thank you.

Make way! Move!

No. You go down there to get her and I'll go after her.

Be careful.

Stop looking, man.

-Stop right there. -Make way! Move!

-Shangguan Ya, stop! -Why did she bump into me?

Why bump into me?

Are you blind?

-A beauty fell from the sky. -Thanks, I'm flattered.

Take this, mate.

I won them. They'll bring good luck.

Don't tell people you've seen me.

What? Not enough?

Did you just see a girl dressed as a man?

I didn't.

Look at this.

Take a look. It's a bargain.

Mr. Su?

Your Highness, why are you here?

Did you see a girl dressed as a man?

I did.

She went that way.

Wait, I'll come down. Catch me.

Li Rong!

Are you okay?

Why were you yelling? You scared me.

I…

What's wrong with you?

Inducing Her Highness to jump from such a height?

Can you make up for it if anything happens to her?

-I… -You can't blame Mr. Su.

I wanted to jump down and asked him to catch me.

She is a princess, you're a subject.

How can you allow her to do that?

Mr. Pei, you said it yourself.

She is a princess, I'm a subject.

How can I refuse her words?

You're still quibbling, huh?

I do the right things. Why do I need to quibble?

Why are you so worked up on the other hand?

Are you worried that Her Highness might hurt herself,

or did you get jealous because she asked me to catch her?

-Are you questioning me-- -Stop it.

Let's catch up another day, Mr. Su.

Let's find her first.

Over there.

In the basket.

-Are you okay? -I'm okay.

Mr. Pei, why did you come back?

I want to apologize to you.

That's not necessary.

Your Highness!

-Your Highness… -Let go.

There's nobody in here.

You think I'll believe that? Come out.

Or I'll throw you into the river.

What do you want? Why are you messing with my basket?

Ms. Shangguan, rest assured.

We didn't come to catch you for the Shangguan Family.

What?

Mr. Su, help me.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

Greetings, Your Highness.

What His Majesty does is all right with me.

He insists on burying Qin Zhenzhen with the honors of an empress.

You know he is always like a child.

You are very mature and sensible.

Don't take it to heart.

I don't fancy His Majesty to begin with.

So there's no reason to take it to heart.

From the moment I entered this palace,

I was destined to embark on a road of no return.

It's the case for Qin Zhenzhen.

It's the case for me too.

Ya.

As for His Majesty…

Since I entered the palace,

I knew I was living for the Shangguan Family.

My life is like walking on thin ice.

What else can I ask for?

Let's talk somewhere else.

Mr. Su, you're handsome and righteous.

I now know you do live up to your reputation.

I've heard that you are the role model for ladies of noble families.

Seeing you in person today…

You really are unique and special.

I'm flattered. I'll see you soon.

Though…

Ms. Shangguan, rest assured.

Since I took your money, I'll do my part.

No one except us would know about this.

Mr. Su, you know customs and are a man of honor.

That's very nice of you. I like it.

Are you done yet?

-I'm leaving. -Take care.

Mr. Shangguan.

I sincerely want to marry Shangguan Ya.

Please allow me.

Su Ronghua without the Su Family

is just nothing.

Father.

Please allow it.

Ya.

Someone, lock Shangguan Ya in the back courtyard.

My heart belongs to someone else.

I don't want to be the Crown Princess!

If you leave with Su Ronghua,

the Shangguan Family

will be the biggest laughingstock in the Great Xia.

Unexpectedly, the two of them

met each other again in this way.

JUCAI HOUSE

Ms. Shangguan.

You must be of marriageable age now.

They've arranged a marriage for you.

Didn't you know?

Why do you still come to such a vulgar and messy place?

I know.

So what?

You'll marry my brother,

the Crown Prince.

So that's why you came to see me today.

Do you want to talk to me about His Highness's marriage?

Yes.

I've heard that the appropriate one

to be the Crown Princess from the Shangguan Family is you.

Seeing me like this today,

you must be very disappointed.

But that's okay.

If you are not happy with me,

the Shangguan Family has many other girls

for you to choose.

It's not that I'm unhappy with you.

I just want to say

there have been three empresses from the Shangguan Family.

-Aren't you scared? -Of what?

What happened to the Yangs

can serve as an example for the Shangguan Family.

As a daughter of the Shangguan Family,

since I was a child,

I've been ready to sacrifice myself for my family.

Besides, the Crown Prince may not lose.

Sacrifice yourself for the family?

Right. If you enter the palace,

you can't visit places like Jucai House anymore.

But it's not my decision to make.

I'm just taking my chances before their decision

to have as much fun as I can.

Rich or poor, a life with only freedom and joy

is just an illusion.

No one can force it.

All right.

About seeing me here today,

I hope you won't tell anyone else,

especially the Shangguan Family.

Your Highnesses, I'll take my leave.

Su Ronghua was the man Shangguan Ya loved before.

After she marries the Crown Prince, should I tell Li Rong about it?

What are you thinking? You haven't said a word.

I am thinking

our priority now is to stop His Highness from marrying Shangguan Ya.

But now it seems we don't have to do that ourselves.

Yes.

I may not be sure with the old her.

But seeing her being so free now,

I am pretty sure that we can make it.

Watching Huajing from the Phoenix Tower.

The land is so beautiful, attracting the dragons.

Phoenixes build homes in the imperial family.

Phoenixes build homes in the imperial family.

It will flourish still in the fourth generation.

The fourth generation?

This nursery rhyme is saying that the Shangguan Family

will have a Crown Princess for the fourth generation.

"Flourish still in the fourth generation.

Watching Huajing from the Phoenix Tower.

The land is so beautiful, attracting the dragons."

I am not dead yet.

Someone is already trying

to make me give the throne to that puppet of the noble families.

You are the most noble person, Your Majesty.

Don't let those people irritate you.

It's not worth it.

The Shangguan Family has been in control

of the court and the harem for so many years.

Is that still not enough?

If the Crown Prince insists on the marriage with the Shangguan Family,

I'll have no choice but to get rid of them.

He is the Crown Prince after all.

Now he hasn't got any consort yet.

Even if it's not the Shangguan Family,

other noble families might also be thinking about it.

In five days, it'll be the Double Seventh Festival.

We can take the chance

to gather all the noble ladies in the palace

to get to know them.

One day, when it's time to find him consorts, we'll be prepared.

What do you think?

You are very thoughtful.

You'll assist the Empress and get it done then.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Take care, Your Majesty.

Consort Rou taught people to sing that song

and instigated His Majesty to host a banquet,

hoping to keep Ya down and pave the way for her niece.

It's nothing but dirty tricks.

I won't allow her to get what she wants.

Besides Ya,

we need to pick more girls who can help Chuan.

Mother, you must give up on your dreams.

The Yang Family controlled the military, so Father got rid of them.

The Shangguan Family

controls the court and the harem, which is even more dangerous.

The Yang Family is a perfect example.

Without the Shangguan Family,

how could he have ruled the Great Xia?

How can he be so ungrateful?

Because Father did not forget about it,

he wouldn't want his power to fall into others' hands.

But why are you so sure

that your father will win and the noble families will lose?

The noble families have never lost in the conflict

with imperial authority for a century.

He who wins the noble families wins.

He who loses the noble families dies.

I've made up my mind.

You should say no more.

Now, we have to stop Consort Rou's niece.

Rong.

I'll stop here.

I'm tired.

Rong, I'm tired.

It used to be against Father.

Now that Father is gone, I have to fight the noble families,

try to defeat the enemy,

and learn to scheme against others.

I can't trust anyone.

Rong.

I'm really tired.

If you're tired,

go and rest today.

No, it's not like that.

Rong.

In my heart,

there is a beast deep inside.

The beast in Chuan's heart.

When exactly does it appear?

Is it now?

But who feeds it?

What are you doing standing here all by yourself?

None of your business.

You don't like me coming, do you?

No.

It's good you're here.

What happened to you?

Got picked on in the palace?

Who can pick on me?

Why did you hit me?

I wanted to.

You…

You can be nice to other people.

But you always hit me.

You need to get rid of that bad habit.

I suggest you look for reasons in yourself when there's a problem.

Why don't I mess with other people, but just you?

Tong Ye.

I didn't hear anything.

Is that so?

Help me up.

PRINCESS'S MANSION

Your Highness, you asked for me?

When Her Highness was in the palace today, did she argue with the Crown Prince?

Not really.

They just talked for a while.

It seems that His Highness is still not willing to get married yet.

But after Her Highness talked to you,

she became much happier.

Don't tell Her Highness what I said to you.

Your Highness, it's…

Just do it.

Yes, I understand.

Your Highness, you are secretly caring about Her Highness.

No, don't read too much into it.

All right, I'll prepare some soothing incense.

I'll go to Her Highness in a moment.

You may leave now.

Yes.

Let's play one round.

Okay.

Did Consort Rou give you a hard time again?

Consort Rou proposed to Father to host a banquet

to choose the Crown Princess for Chuan.

Father has agreed.

I'm just worried

she would take this opportunity to ask Father

to make her niece the Crown Princess.

Such a small thing made you worry so much.

That's not like you.

In fact…

there's one thing I can't figure out.

Before,

why do you think Chuan became like that?

He was already the Emperor.

He wiped out the noble families and pacified the North.

He had everything he wanted.

But why was he still…

in so much pain?

Just because Qin Zhenzhen died?

Can love for one person last so long?

Li Rong.

Do you know why His Highness

insisted on unifying the North?

Because the constant wars caused the people to suffer a lot.

That's one of the reasons.

What about the other reasons?

He didn't tell me.

He told me.

Do you remember Princess Yunyan?

Of course.

That was a long time ago.

That was the eighth year of the Xuanzhi Era.

There were constant wars between the North and the Great Xia.

To keep themselves safe, the noble families

chose to have peace negotiations.

They had Princess Yunyan married off to the North.

I remember the Great Xia

gave them 20 million silver taels,

500 maids,

cattle, horses, silks, and satin.

But unexpectedly,

after only one year,

Princess Yunyan died there.

Your father told the public

that Princess Yunyan died of illness.

But everyone in the palace knew

that Princess Yunyan died in the enemy's harem.

Why are you suddenly telling me this?

Your Highness, why do you tell me this?

You don't know.

The day we knew Princess Yunyan died,

my sister was only ten.

She stayed up all night and kept asking Mother

if one day,

she would be like Princess Yunyan

who was married off to the North and died there.

It was decades ago.

I don't even remember.

But His Highness remembers.

From that moment on, I told myself

that if I took the throne one day,

I would conquer the North,

bring the enemies to their knees, never daring to offend us.

So his idea of conquering the North

formed so early.

Thus,

you and His Highness

are not the same people, essentially.

You are rational.

But his every move is driven by emotion.

He wanted to conquer the North and fight the noble families.

It was to protect the people and his family.

Unfortunately,

although he got what he wanted,

he had already forever lost what he originally wanted.

Do you think he'd be happy?

Didn't he just lose…

Didn't he just lose Qin Zhenzhen?

He lost his mother,

his wife,

you, and himself.

Even with the whole country in his hands,

there was no point to that.

How did he lose me?

Time changed more than just His Highness.

It also changed you and me.

Those who abandoned me shall not stay.

Let bygones be bygones.

If you lose this one,

just start over again.

Who said I lost?

If you go out in the future,

let me pick you up.

Why?

Aren't you glad that I picked you up today?

A little.

That will do.

Whenever you go out, I'll come to take you home.

So you can have company on the way home.

It wouldn't be so boring.

Tell me the truth.

Are you going to ask me for money again?

Li Rong.

You're that type of ungrateful…

All right, you have my permission.

Before you and I go our separate ways,

pick me up every day.

Go to sleep soon.

You can find everything in your dreams.