Original subtitles

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

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

What are you thinking about?

I might need

to trouble you with a favor.

When you say it like that, it can't be something good.

Could you arrange a meeting

for Su Rongqing and I?

HANQIU PALACE

You want me to arrange a meeting for you and Su Rongqing?

What?

Can't you do me this one little favor?

Aren't we besties?

Time and place?

If you're unsure, I can also help you with that.

Then recommend a place to me.

How about the roof of Tingfeng Restaurant?

You can enjoy the moon and breeze.

It's pretty classy.

That sounds great.

Then I'll meet him at Tingfeng Restaurant tomorrow.

Drinking with him at dusk will be delightful.

You wish.

That place is so popular that you must book a month in advance.

With Su Rongqing…

You can just meet him at a tea house.

Why go somewhere classy?

That's not right.

-Your Highness. -Su--

Mr. Pei.

His Majesty requests your presence.

How dare you walk ahead of me.

Your Highness, we just received a secret report.

Ms. Qin has appeared at the Princess' Mansion.

-Let's go. -Please think twice.

If you go now

and the noble families learn you care about Ms. Qin,

their actions against the Qin Family will be further intensified.

Father.

What I lack now is an official position.

You want power?

How much power do you want?

That depends on what you want her to do, Your Majesty.

Tell me

what you can do for me.

If I truly give you power,

can you hold onto it?

That's what I'm here for.

After all, I am her husband.

It seems you two have plans already.

They're all in the memorial I presented to you, Father.

All right.

Let me think about it.

You can take Pingyue back now.

-I shall take my leave, Your Majesty. -I shall take my leave, Father.

Come on, let me carry you.

How sure are you?

Judging by His Majesty's attitude, it should be no problem.

I'll direct all the issues to myself

and make him think it's all my idea.

That way,

he won't consider you too clever

and will trust you more.

You're really smart.

Could you stop hitting my head?

What's the problem?

Don't do it here at least.

Can't you wait until we get back?

I prefer doing it here.

Is there a problem?

Your Highness, Eunuch Fu has arrived.

Eunuch Fu.

Greetings, Your Highnesses.

What brings you here?

Your Highness.

His Majesty has approved your memorial.

However, we still need a pretext.

His Majesty said

if you could come up with a reasonable pretext,

you can establish the Inspectorate Office

and he'd grant you three more counties as your fiefs.

Currently, His Majesty has given you

a double-edged sword.

Be careful not to put yourself

in danger.

I understand.

Thank you, Eunuch Fu.

Greetings, Your Highness.

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

MEMORIAL TABLET OF NOBLE CONSORT ZHENJING OF THE QIN FAMILY

Who placed this sword here?

I did.

Your Majesty,

it does not conform to propriety.

I've made it clear that no one is allowed to touch it!

Your Majesty.

Since you and the Empress have already seen her…

Someone.

Close the coffin.

As for you,

Huajing is not a good place for you to stay.

And it's not good for you to marry someone from a noble family.

After establishing the Inspectorate Office,

I will use extreme measures to investigate the Qin Family's case.

I need a skilled martial artist to assist me.

Do you want me to be that person?

Yes.

But once we make our move,

the noble families will make reprisals.

They won't dare to come after me directly.

But they will target my men.

So, after the Qin Family's case is settled,

you'll have to leave Huajing.

I will send you to the Northwest.

The Yang Family has fallen,

and the Northwest is in chaos.

I need you to establish a branch of the Inspectorate Office there,

assist Qin Lin in commanding the military forces,

and stabilize the Northwest.

Later,

when I am fully fledged,

I will make other arrangements.

At your command, Your Highness.

You should know this.

To prevent your actions from implicating the Qin Family,

you cannot take Qin as your family name

or be a member of the Qin Family from now on.

Have you thought this through?

Please grant me a new name, Your Highness.

Are you sure you won't regret it?

You are walking through dangerous paths for the Qin Family.

How can I be concerned only for myself?

I wish to be a sword in your hand,

aiding you in your endeavors.

From this day forth, you shall be known as Xun Chuan.

As for Qin Zhenzhen,

I will arrange for a fitting end for her.

Yes, Your Highness.

Rongqing.

Father.

You may leave now.

Rongqing,

I am puzzled by the Qin Family's affairs.

Why did His Majesty ask you to do that?

Because I represent the noble families.

His Majesty sent me to carry out his orders

and few dared to defy him.

His Majesty's move is quite strategic.

I wonder if he aims to keep the noble families in check

or divide them.

What do you think, Father?

Rongqing.

You are the son that I feel most proud of.

I believe

you will never betray the Su Family.

If that is true,

His Majesty will surely choose another one.

Both His Majesty and the Shangguan Family won't allow

the Su Family to remain uninvolved.

Our only option

is to leverage their strengths to achieve our goals.

Rong.

I am afraid he has found out.

You can leave now.

Yes, Your Highness.

Rong.

Chuan.

Are you here because of Ms. Qin?

Yes.

Is Ms. Qin all right?

I heard she is injured.

I brought some excellent ointment.

Can you please give it to her?

Don't worry.

Ms. Qin is fine.

Rong.

Can I see her?

It's not the right time.

What plans do you have now?

Chuan.

You must know nothing for now.

Only when you don't know anything,

then will you not expose us in front of Father.

If Father finds out that all of this is our joint plan,

you know the consequences, right?

I can tell you

that I have decided to establish the Inspectorate Office.

I have already submitted the memorial.

As for the matter of the Qin Family,

I will have it taken care of.

Chuan.

From now on,

you must trust me wholeheartedly.

Can you do that?

All right.

I trust you.

Chuan asked me

to give this to you.

Your Highness.

I know your feelings.

Why wasn't I braver earlier?

ACCOUNT BOOK

You're back.

Tuck in the quilt.

Pei Wenxuan.

Did you pass on my message?

What message?

What?

Have you forgotten?

I'll pass it on tomorrow.

Don't you usually have a good memory?

I've had a lot on my plate today.

But tell me.

Why did you suddenly want to see Su Rongqing?

Is that hard to understand?

I need manpower if I want to establish the Inspectorate Office.

Su Rongqing is the Vice Minister of Justice

and also involved in handling the Qin Family's case.

If he cooperates with me,

won't this help us infiltrate the Ministry of Justice?

It's not just Su Rongqing.

There's also the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue,

and the Censorate.

I need to find time to visit all these places.

Is that really what you think?

What else then?

Of course.

It's also good to make some contacts along the way.

It will be good to have some conversation during the investigations.

Isn't that what you said?

That I should go through something new in this new life?

If I look at Su Rongqing from a new perspective,

maybe I'll discover something new.

Li Rong, you're learning to speak like me pretty quickly.

Tell me.

Have you never considered taking a different path?

Which path?

Not establishing the Inspectorate Office.

What then?

I can protect you too.

I will put it this way.

I don't like

to leave my fate in the hands of others.

I want to control my destiny.

With power,

I can protect more innocent families like the Qin Family.

Only then can I protect Chuan…

and even you.

Enough talking.

I am sleepy.

Tomorrow will be a busy day.

Li Rong.

You're the one who needs protection the most.

Rongqing.

Yes, Mr. Pei?

Rongqing.

I have a few words to say to you.

How can I help you?

Her Highness wishes to speak with you.

He refused?

Why?

What?

Do you think you are a fairy?

Why would he accept your invitation?

We agreed not to hit my head.

You said I could do it at home.

So tell me the reason he refused.

I know what Her Highness wants to discuss with me.

But there's too much involved in the Qin Family's case.

I ask Her Highness not to interfere.

What's so funny?

I admit it.

You do understand me better than I do.

What do you mean?

I do have some feelings for Su Rongqing.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have forgotten

that we're dealing with the noble families this time.

Of course, he won't help me.

I was so silly.

I was being sentimental.

Well, you don't have to be upset.

People learn from mistakes.

Just remember that you two are not that close,

so he will act on his own interests.

Isn't this normal?

Do you think such a trivial matter

can stop me?

You're even comforting me now.

Are you free this afternoon?

-Why? -I'm planning to visit Shangguan Ya.

If you're free, come with me.

I may not have time.

I have contracts with several shops to negotiate.

I'm afraid I can't go with you this afternoon.

All right then.

JUCAI HOUSE

-This place brings me no luck at all. -Your Highness.

You seem to be having a good time.

Not at all.

Same here.

I'm upset too.

I came to have fun.

But instead of having fun,

you had to come after me.

Speaking of which,

that Prince Consort of yours is not bad.

He is handsome and talented.

I like him.

You're so bold.

If you want one, you can find someone you like.

I just don't know

how the Shangguan Family will stop you.

Have you heard about what happened

to the Qin Family?

Do you also think

the noble families meddle too much?

I've taken to heart what you said last time.

But I don't have control over the Shangguan Family.

I can't make decisions.

If the Shangguan Family were under your control,

how would you handle it?

I'd pledge loyalty to you

and assist you in supporting the Crown Prince's ascension.

Then gradually withdraw from the court,

leaving a few people to make others think we're still around.

The rest will return to Youzhou.

Why not withdraw now?

You already know the answer to that.

After being oppressed by the Shangguans for over a decade,

His Majesty is full of resentment.

Can the Shangguan Family even withdraw?

If the Shangguan Family withdraws, there is only a dead end.

The only way

is to establish a relationship of mutual prosperity

with the Crown Prince and you.

When the Crown Prince ascends the throne,

the Shangguans will naturally withdraw.

It seems you've long thought

about becoming the master of the Shangguan Family.

Have you really thought it through?

I'll follow your orders, Your Highness.

All right.

Here you are.

Your Highness.

Go and find the best theatrical troupe.

I want them to perform the injustice of the Qin Family.

Go.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Majesty.

There's something I need to report.

Speak.

After the Ministry of Justice and Censorate's review,

the Qins were found guilty of treason and embezzling military funds,

with clear evidence.

According to our laws,

the entire clan should be executed.

-Awesome! -Marvelous!

-Good! -Good!

-Bravo! -General Qin Lin

has triumphed and returned victorious!

-Great! -Great!

-Well done! -Fabulous!

Sir, what troubles you so much?

The Qin Family comes from a humble origin.

They even dare to vie for military merit with me.

It's truly vexing.

Sir, you do not need to worry.

Listen to me.

If it weren't for you, there'd be no room for argument

when discussing merits.

When someone from humble origins tries to stand out,

it often leads to trouble.

We will just accuse them of embezzling military funds

and colluding with the enemy.

-What… -This is outrageous!

They had no choice.

Please listen to me.

Cry out to the heavens!

Things are about to change.

Don't you all think

these noble families have gone too far?

Most importantly, these accusations are baseless.

-That's right. -In my opinion,

the Qin Family must be wrongly accused.

Don't you agree?

The Qins must have been wrongly accused.

Don't you agree?

The show has only just begun.

It seems everything in the play is true.

Exactly!

INJUSTICE

Didn't Ms. Qin already escape?

Why has she returned?

She is here to plead innocence.

PRINCESS' MANSION

The Princess is here.

I, Qin Zhenzhen, and my family have been wrongly accused.

I ask you to seek justice for me, Your Highness!

Father.

I have come to redress an injustice.

For whom?

The Qin Family from Liangzhou.

What injustice do they suffer?

The Qin Family is loyal and righteous.

They are accused of committing treason with the Yang Family.

When foreign enemies invaded,

my uncles and brothers were fighting wars on the battlefield.

Now, the border is secure.

For rewards, the noble families falsely accused

the Qin Family

of colluding with the Yang Family to betray the country.

I earnestly ask you to seek justice for me, Your Highness.

-That's too much. -Exactly.

Ms. Qin, don't be like this.

We cannot be hasty in dealing with such a big thing.

Even you dare not take this case?

-Miss! -What…

Why didn't she go to the Crown Prince?

He is in cahoots with those noble families in the court.

How could he possibly care about this?

Would Princess Pingyue care then?

Her Highness took the blood letter.

Her Highness will step in!

-Good! -Well done!

We will support you!

You have our support!

This case was examined by the Three Judicial Offices.

There was no mistake.

Your Highness, you don't know the truth.

I am afraid the villains have misled you.

Mr. Shangguan.

Would someone risk their life

to mislead me?

Well…

Father.

This is the letter of grievance from the young lady.

Bring it over here.

I still remember her dying wish.

She must have suffered great injustice.

If the Qin Family was falsely accused,

it would be an unprecedented injustice.

Father.

You cannot allow matters like these to tarnish your lifelong reputation.

This is outrageous!

Shangguan.

The petition presented by Qin

differs greatly from what you reported to me.

Your Majesty.

Don't just listen to their one-sided story.

Aren't your words also a one-sided story?

-Your Majesty… -That's enough.

I don't want to hear your explanations.

Replace the personnel and re-examine the case.

Investigate the officials involved

in the previous review thoroughly

to see if there was deliberate framing.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am willing to review this case personally.

Father.

That won't do.

Too many people are involved.

Many are from the noble families, connected by marriage alliances.

They all have close relationships.

If Mr. Shangguan handles the case,

the result can't be trustworthy.

Your Majesty.

-I ask that-- -I do not trust him either.

If you cannot trust anyone here,

what exactly do you want?

Father.

The daughter of the Qin Family died in my arms.

I promised her

to thoroughly investigate this case.

Please allow me

to investigate this personally.

How can this be? A princess is a woman of the harem.

-The court matters-- -Have I never intervened before?

There are no restrictions on princesses participating in state affairs.

Besides,

I solved the Yang Family's case.

The Qin Family is implicated by the Yang Family.

So why can't I investigate it?

Your Highness.

According to seniority,

I'm also considered your elder.

You should listen to my advice.

According to official ranks,

Her Highness is His Majesty's eldest daughter.

You still have to bow when you meet Her Highness.

Can't you listen to Her Highness' advice?

You should know your place!

You're in no position to speak here.

What do you mean by that, Mr. Shangguan?

I don't quite understand.

As an official working at the Censorate,

do I not even have the right to speak to you in the court?

You…

Your Majesty.

If the truth of this case is indeed as Her Highness says,

it may involve

all the review institutions in the court.

It should indeed be reviewed by a third party.

Crown Prince.

What do you say?

I think

we should let Rong try.

-Your Highness. -Uncle.

What fear do we have of an investigation

if we have a clear conscience?

The Crown Prince makes some sense.

Let's do it this way.

The Qin Family's case will be reopened and re-examined by Pingyue.

You investigated the Yang Family's case before.

I know your capabilities.

If you can handle this case well too,

I will establish a bureau specifically for you

called the Inspectorate Office,

to supervise ministers

in the future.

Pingyue, you've grown up.

You want to share my burdens.

I'll give you this opportunity.

How about this?

Go to the city barracks

and select 500 elite soldiers.

If you do well, you'll be rewarded.

Thank you, Father.

All right.

That's settled then.

Let's go back together.

Sure.

How's that?

I did well today, right?

Princess Pingyue, please stay.

Uncle.

Mr. Shangguan.

Your Highness.

Can I speak to you in private?

If you want to.

You can wait for me at the palace gate.

Yes, Your Highness.

Uncle.

I'll take my leave.

Let's talk as we walk.

Please.

Your Highness.

Why did you suddenly decide to take charge of the Qin Family's case?

Uncle.

Didn't I just tell you?

Ms. Qin came to me.

I couldn't bear to see the Qin Family being wrongly accused.

Since I'm your uncle,

we needn't hide anything from each other.

Your Highness.

Why bother so much

now that you're married?

Are you saying…

that I should stay out of this?

The matter in the Northwest

was originally a mess handed over to the Crown Prince by His Majesty.

I was worried about the Crown Prince,

so I contacted some relatives

and tried various ways to stabilize the Northwest.

But before the great victory,

His Majesty changed the general at the last minute

and forcibly appointed Xiao Su as the main general.

Do you know about the list of rewards

reported by Xiao Su to His Majesty?

I would like to hear the details.

Most of the names on that list are people from humble backgrounds,

while the people from the noble families who made great sacrifices

were hardly rewarded.

This is why

there has been controversy in the court.

You want to seek justice for the Qin Family.

I can understand you.

But I wonder…

how you plan to seek justice for me.

But

is the Qin Family guilty?

I know

you are concerned about Chuan and me.

In fact, Chuan and I also care about you.

The court exempts the noble families from taxes.

The Shangguan Family owns nearly half of Youzhou's lands.

The annual income even exceeds the court's taxes.

Besides being tax-exempt,

you also have special privileges like governing and smelting iron.

However, with border disturbances and natural disasters,

the court was having difficulties on both fronts.

Father then wanted to tax the noble families.

It was Chuan…

who thought of you,

discussed with Father, and persuaded him not to do so.

Are you hinting at me, Your Highness?

That depends on how you interpret it.

Uncle.

I still remember when I was little living in the palace,

you always brought kites for me.

We flew them together.

Uncle.

You are my family.

I hope all my family can be safe.

When water is full, it overflows.

When the moon is full, it begins to wane.

This is how wise men manage things.

I hope you keep this in mind.

I shall take my leave now.

Mr. Shangguan.

What did Her Highness say?

Her Highness said a lot.

But given her age and experience,

she shouldn't be able to say such things.

I need to speak to Pei Lixian.

That young man was indeed

a bit presumptuous.

Though he has some insight,

he's still young

and too impetuous.

His Majesty personally wrote this imperial decree.

I shall receive the decree.

Your Highness.

This is a token that His Majesty ordered me to give you.

His Majesty said you could use this token for the investigation.

Seeing this token is like seeing His Majesty in person.

TOKEN

Please convey to Father

that I will try my best to handle the case.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

You may take good advantage of it.

Thank you, Eunuch Fu.

I shall return to the palace.

Take care, Eunuch Fu.

Eunuch Fu, please.

Your Highness.

Now that you have the token,

what are your plans?

This token seems a bit rushed in its making.

The edges are not smooth.

It needs to be polished well.

Did you call me here just to say this?

I need to introduce you to someone.

Your Highness.

I am Xun Chuan,

reporting as ordered.

This is my new first-class personal guard, Xun Chuan.

Pleased to meet you.

My surname is Shangguan, with the given name Ya.

You look somewhat familiar.

This is my first visit to Huajing.

-Why do you-- -Enough with the pleasantries.

Xun Chuan.

The Prince Consort will bring people over shortly.

These are recruits

and might not be very cooperative.

If they don't comply,

take the lead.

Yes, Your Highness.

-Your Highness. -This is the Ministry of Justice.

Step aside.

-Don't move. -What are you doing?

-Go and inform Mr. Su Rongqing. -Yes.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Your Highness, what brings you here?

The Prince Consort and I wish

to access the case files of the Qin Family.

Please lead the way.

Your Highness.

We have our own rules in the Ministry of Justice.

To access the case files, you need a special authorization.

However, the imperial edict states

that I am to investigate the case,

and everyone must cooperate.

Besides, the Inspectorate Office is not part of the Ministry of Justice.

Why should we follow its rules?

Your Highness, you are putting me in a difficult position.

Are you refusing to provide the case files?

Then I can only retrieve them myself.

Your Highness, this is against the rules.

Do not move. Swords know no mercy.

Your Highness.

Although I hold a low position,

I am still an official of the court.

Since you are now in charge of the case,

you should follow proper procedures.

Even His Majesty

would not allow such an overbearing manner!

Fine, I look forward to your complaint

about me at tomorrow's morning audience.

You…

Your Highness.

Sir.

Mr. Su.

What is going on here?

I am here to investigate the Qin Family's case

and need the files for the case.

However, he has repeatedly tried to stop me

and even confronted me,

intending to assault me.

My guard acted to protect me.

Xun Chuan, be respectful.

Yes, Your Highness.

Sir, they tried to access the case files without authorization.

I was following the Ministry's procedures.

But Her Highness wanted to take the case files by force.

I did not lay a hand on her.

There was no altercation.

Please seek justice for me.

Are you implying I am lying?

I did not want to accuse you.

But this is what he did to me just now.

Given my status,

I wouldn't injure myself on purpose.

Your Highness.

How can you make false accusations with so many witnesses here?

-You… -That's enough, Xuanji.

Don't say any more. You can leave now.

Mr. Su.

I…

I believe you, Your Highness.

You don't need to show me your injury.

Your Highness.

We found the case files.

The Minister is usually not at the Ministry of Justice.

The daily affairs of the Ministry are handled by me.

If you have any issues,

please come directly to me

and not give the subordinates a hard time.

Your Highness.

We found the case files.

I heard you.

Since you've found them,

I will see you out.

No need.

There are so many people here.

We won't trouble you.

We apologize for disturbing you in the Ministry of Justice today.

I hope you can understand.

Her Highness is the head of the Princess' Mansion.

It is only natural for her to be here.

But I wonder

in what capacity did you force your way

into the Ministry of Justice today?

Her Highness is new to the court.

She has many ideas and still needs guidance from others.

As Her Highness' husband,

if she entrusts me to assist her here,

what's wrong with that?

Well, if you think there's no issue,

let's see what His Majesty has to say in the morning audience.

I look forward to it, Mr. Su.

Let's go.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Just look at your temper.

You got this angry when Su Rongqing wanted to complain about you.

Slow down.

My people have yet to keep up with us.

How is your hand?

It is nothing. I did it myself.

Just a small cut from the ring.

-Stay still. -What?

Hold it. Don't move.

Let's go.

Pick the handkerchief and return it to him.

-Yes, Your Highness. -Don't pick it up.