Original subtitles

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

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

No need to take the whole kit for a small cut.

Your Highness, I have an idea.

It might be a bit blunt, but it's just a suggestion.

Keep it to yourself if it's blunt.

No, I should say it out loud.

How about Su Rongqing as a potential candidate?

No. Why would I bring him up?

Mr. Pei is here.

He is the Prince Consort, after all.

You can continue. Mr. Pei is very generous.

Right?

Yes.

Feel free to speak your mind, Ms. Shangguan.

I observed Mr. Su's reaction today.

I believe he has some feelings for you, Your Highness.

If we can persuade him to join us,

it will be easier for us to make moves in the future.

What do you mean, Ms. Shangguan?

See?

I offended Mr. Pei.

It's fine. Please continue.

Feelings can be developed.

If you don't mind,

I can arrange it for you.

Arrange what?

Her Highness' marriage shouldn't be mixed together with those things.

Furthermore, my marriage with Her Highness

is already a scheme.

If we had a second chance,

shouldn't we avoid making the same mistake?

Don't you agree, Your Highness?

Mr. Pei.

I beg to differ.

It's not right to sacrifice love

for just power, of course.

But if Her Highness fancies him,

isn't that making use of an opportunity to help them get together?

We're both Her Highness' friends.

As her besties, we must act in her best interest.

Unless you have another motive, Mr. Pei.

No, I do not have any.

I just don't know if you have feelings for him.

Well, I have other plans,

so I must take my leave now.

Your Highness, if you're interested,

just send me a message.

I'll arrange it for you.

I'll think about it.

I'm leaving.

What do you think of her suggestion?

I think

that she makes sense.

Nothing is set in stone yet,

so we might as well play along.

It's impractical to visit the Ministry of Justice all the time

to make a scene.

We need an intermediary.

I should talk to him.

I can negotiate with him on your behalf.

If you don't want

to visit the Ministry of Justice,

we can seek an alternative.

I'm willing to help.

Why do you keep stopping me

from seeing him?

Didn't you tell me

to give him a chance?

Li Rong.

We got married because we wanted to gain power.

Even if we ended up getting a divorce,

I would still hope you find a man you like,

not a random person.

If you're approaching Su Rongqing for power,

then there will be no difference from the situation we are in now.

There's a difference.

I'm not saying I'll date him now.

I'll wait until I know that I'm in love with him.

-Why don't you find out the answer now? -How?

What's wrong with you today?

You are never this temperamental.

Don't they say the older you get,

the more childish you become?

You cut yourself today because of a clerical scribe.

That is inappropriate of you.

Don't do this again.

I know.

While people do say that I carry a noble body,

I'm still a human.

You don't have to patch me up like this for a small cut.

This is ridiculous.

Not at all.

You have to keep yourself safe.

What are you implying?

No.

I'm just worried that Su Rongqing

might complain about me

in the court tomorrow.

Aren't you two sworn brothers or something?

Enough.

Don't worry.

Father will only punish you lightly and deduct your salary.

You know what?

I'll pay you back

what my father will take from you.

If that's still not enough,

once I'm successful with Su Rongqing,

I'll ask him to pay you back tenfold.

Should I thank you then?

No need.

Don't worry. Such a trivial matter will not bother me at all.

-I should go. -Where are you going?

Just do what you're supposed to do.

I'll ask Chuan to communicate with your superior

to not give you extra work.

I won't take no for an answer.

All right.

Don't stay out too late.

Rest early.

I will.

The case files contain three parts.

The first one contains

the background of the Qin Family's case.

The second one contains the investigation methods

and the reports issued and approved by the officials involved.

The third one contains

the transcripts of all the witnesses' testimonies and the evidence.

The testimonies and the evidence are kept elsewhere.

We won't have access to them for the moment.

However, there's a breakthrough.

And that is this case is found

by Wen Ping,

an investigating censor from the Censorate.

-Wen Ping received a report letter -Sir.

claiming that when Xia and the enemies went to war,

the Qin Family was defending Huangping County.

3,000 soldiers stayed to defend

while 3,000 enemies came to invade.

Yang Ye later asked the Qin Family to feign surrender

and flee the city.

After Wen Ping received the letter,

he retrieved the official record of the battle from the Ministry of War.

3,000 soldiers defended the city, 3,000 enemies came invading.

-The city was then abandoned. -Someone!

By right,

the invaders can only claim the city

if they outnumber the defenders.

When both factions are of equal power,

this shouldn't be the outcome.

Luo Juan.

Confess now.

What truly happened in the battle that occurred in Huangping County?

Come clean!

Otherwise, you'll suffer more.

Back then…

the Qin Family could win.

Or at least, they could abandon the city

without losing.

Someone.

Ask the Ministry of War to assist us

in retrieving the military record of the battle,

so we can verify the situation.

Sirs.

This is the conclusion I've arrived at.

All evidence indicates that the Qin Family

colluded with the enemies and betrayed the nation.

Then, seize Qin's Mansion and detain all personnel

according to the law.

Yes, sir.

The Qins embezzled military funds, colluded with enemies,

and committed treason with the Yangs, the evidence is clear.

Arrest the entire Qin Family immediately!

Stop.

Qin Lang.

The evidence is clear.

Will you plead guilty or not?

Continue.

Stop.

Will you plead guilty or not?

Yes.

They've put a lot of effort into it

and tried to end the entire Qin Family with a mere 1,000 taels of gold.

What a low price.

There are three entry points.

First,

find out the one who wrote the letter.

Then, it's Luo Juan.

Luo Juan must have given a false testimony.

We need to find more people

who participated in the battle.

Then, it's Yang Ye's letter.

We need to see it to verify its veracity.

Lastly, that 1,000 taels of gold.

We need to locate those who raided Qin's Mansion.

Only they know

how the money got inside.

Tomorrow, I'll ask Xun Chuan to go to Luo Juan

and the veterans who fought in the battle.

As for Yang Ye's letter and those who raided Qin's Mansion…

It'd be best if Su Rongqing could help us.

Is she going to go to Su Rongqing again?

But

what if Su Rongqing refuses to cooperate?

I believe

we should avoid having too much interaction with him.

After all, we don't know if he's an ally or an enemy.

Then,

we'll have to see if we can find another ally in the Ministry of Justice.

Or we take the normal procedures.

I'll give those who don't show us the evidence a hard time

until they find us the evidence.

It's a much better option than going to Su Rongqing.

You just don't like him.

It's not like that.

It's also…

Sir.

Your Highness?

Never mind that.

Tell Ms. Shangguan

that she can arrange it for me as she wants as soon as possible.

Ask Xun Chuan to gather 12 elite ones

to be Her Highness' guards.

Yes, sir.

CENSORATE

Stop.

Who are you?

Mr. Wen.

I am Pei Wenxuan, with Wujin as my courtesy name,

serving as an adviser at the Censorate.

I see.

You know you're from the Censorate.

Why didn't I see you when I did the roll call today?

I am terribly sorry.

-I was accompanying Princess Pingyue-- -Are you the Prince Consort

or an adviser at the Censorate?

Both.

For your family, you are the Prince Consort.

For your nation, you are an official.

What's more important, your family or your nation?

I believe I don't need to give you the answer.

Duly noted, sir.

If you do not want to work,

I will write to His Majesty

and have you transferred away.

I am sorry, Mr. Wen.

I will make sure to perform my duty in the future.

Words don't hold any weight.

If you mean what you said,

why don't you handle the memorials submitted by all 78 counties

under the five Southwestern prefectures?

What do you think?

Thank you for enlightening me, Mr. Wen.

Yongzhi, you're still here.

Wenxuan, I'll be done soon.

Then I'll go home.

Did you forget something?

No. I need to handle these memorials.

There are so many of them.

You'll have to pull an all-nighter.

I am planning to do so.

Wenxuan.

Do you see what's happening?

They are making your life difficult

because Princess Pingyue and you are investigating them.

-I know. -And you're fine with that?

If I can't fulfill my duty,

how can I handle the work outside my duty?

How admirable.

If you, a Prince Consort, work this hard,

an unmarried commoner like me…

I'll stay here and work with you.

Yongzhi.

Will you believe me

if I tell you there's a world…

where only your capability matters

rather than your family background?

Everyone there can compete fairly.

Really?

Yes. We will make that happen.

We can eliminate the unfair system of the imperial exam

and change the official system

to choose the competent ones to serve our nation.

This is my dream

as a man from a humble background.

Ronghua.

You're still as childish as ever.

What's on your mind?

You were so focused.

I was thinking about you.

Father is making arrangements for your marriage.

You cannot escape it forever.

Ronghua.

Is there anyone you adore?

If you do, let me know.

I'll help you convince Father.

Like I said, I can handle the court affairs.

You can just do whatever you want to do.

Sure.

Don't worry.

I won't go overboard.

You, however,

have been more sensible than others since young.

You keep everything to yourself.

If there's something troubling you,

just share it with me.

I know.

Ronghua, it's getting late.

You should go back and rest early.

You too.

I'll lend an ear if you need me.

See you.

Your Highness, you're back.

Her Highness prepared this for you.

Is she still awake?

She said you worked hard today,

and is waiting for you.

You should have persuaded her to rest.

Don't let her stay up this late again.

Otherwise, she'll fall sick.

We can't do that.

Why don't you persuade her yourself, Your Highness?

Right.

Let me talk to her.

Suddenly, I've realized

that whether in the past or at present,

what I've been longing for, missing, and yearning for

is the feeling of home.

It's precisely this moment when I come home with a weary soul

to see someone waiting for me.

Rong.

You're back.

Finally.

No need to wait for me next time.

I didn't want you to get angry again.

Let me take the pillow away for you.

Your head.

Can you…

stop getting mad at Su Rongqing when you see him?

You ask me

to go to him.

But then you get mad at me.

What am I supposed to do?

Then don't go to him.

Pei Wenxuan.

Calm down.

Pei Wenxuan.

In the past, Su Rongqing could not have Li Rong

because he came from a humble background

and was castrated.

Furthermore, Li Rong and he had a huge grudge.

So they could merely snuggle up to each other at night.

Li Rong

was still my wife.

But it's different now.

The present Su Rongqing gets all the advantages.

I was trying my luck here.

I can't believe I'd run into you here.

You visit a gambling house in the morning.

You sure are a bit insane.

Likewise.

You're a noble lady who is proficient in the four arts.

Yet, you always spend your time here too.

Compared to you, Ms. Shangguan,

what I've done

is nothing.

Besides, I'm just a seventh-ranked official.

I'm not officially with the Censorate, so I can skip the audience.

It's normal that I come here to have fun.

Let's cut to the chase.

Her Highness wants to see your brother.

Can you bring him here for a meal together?

You will get benefits for that.

I know you and Mr. Xie

are having a cockfight next month.

He possesses the strongest cock in Huajing.

You are looking for another cock that can defeat his.

Coincidentally, I have the undefeated cock from Youzhou.

I can give it to you for free.

You'll win easily.

What do you think?

Ms. Shangguan.

Trading a cock for my younger brother?

Is this a joke or what?

What do you want then?

-Let's gamble. -On what?

Big or small.

-Best two out of three. -Hold on.

Let's not do that.

Let's play wooden cards.

Sure. If you win, you'll get what you want.

If I win,

you'll have to wear women's clothes for me.

Qian Ning.

Yes?

Wait for Princess Pingyue at the palace gate.

When she's done with the morning audience,

ask her to dress up.

I want to have a meal with her.

Yes, sir.

-Are you in? -Distribute the cards.

You lost again.

Your Highnesses.

Your Highness, Mr. Pei.

How's the game?

Ms. Shangguan and I agreed

to gamble with wooden cards.

And she lost.

Ms. Shangguan, Her Highness is here,

and you lost many rounds.

You'll keep your promise, right?

Promise? What promise?

You promised to wear women's clothes for me

three days later.

No, I will win.

-I'll win the next round. -All right.

Let's go.

If you continue, the game will never end.

Let's go.

What about this?

You can have one round with Wenxuan.

If you win, you want a meal with Rongqing.

Yes.

If Wenxuan loses,

Ya will dine with you.

Wonderful.

Mr. Pei, please.

Pei Wenxuan.

Show Mr. Su what you're capable of.

Play it well. If you win, you'll be awarded.

Mr. Pei, what do you want to play?

Pai Gow.

-Anything. -I'll deal the cards.

Mr. Su.

-Do you want one? -Ten points.

No need.

You have big points on your card, Mr. Su.

You too, Mr. Pei.

Prince Consort, do you want one?

-Do you want to win? -Of course.

-Two cards. -Two?

How bold, Mr. Pei.

Ten points too.

But he wins with more cards.

So, Mr. Su?

Mr. Su.

Where are we having the meal?

Let's have it tonight. At Mingyue Restaurant.

Now that we have settled on the time and location,

Her Highness and I will get going.

Excuse us.

Farewell.

Seems like my view of the Prince Consort has changed.

He is so handsome!

Now I know

why Ya loves to gamble.

When you revealed the last card,

I was so nervous,

and my heart was beating so fast.

Nevertheless,

you were kind of handsome just now.

You actually find me attractive?

Judging by your face,

you are attractive most of the time.

Anyway, how did you happen to know

the numbers on the last two cards?

I did the math.

It's not that difficult.

Not that difficult?

I can't even remember the numbers.

You're smart.

No wonder you ranked first in the examination.

Your Highness, you don't need to learn this.

Your shrewdness appears in the grand scheme of things.

What are you doing next?

Returning to the office?

What about you?

Are you going back?

Yes, I have to get ready.

Ya finally got us the opportunity.

I can't let her down.

I'll get changed and dress up.

Must you go?

I mean

-the Qin Family's case files-- -I've read them.

Then Luo Juan

and those involved in the battle--

Xun Chuan is investigating that.

When I meet Su Rongqing later,

we'll see what we can learn from him.

Do you have other concerns?

No.

Don't worry. I'll come home early.

You have to be careful too.

Many people in the court are keeping an eye on you.

Don't worry.

I will be cautious.

May your plan go smoothly,

Your Highness.

I'll go back now. Enjoy the food.

-Mr. Pei. -Sir!

What are you doing here?

Sir, the Pei Family sent a message.

Your mother is sick. They want you to go back.

Mother is sick?

Why wasn't I informed?

Right.

You asked me to keep a close watch

and I did.

But there was no news whatsoever.

The messenger said

your mother concealed her illness so as not to burden you.

An hour ago, she fainted.

They couldn't get a physician in.

I suspect someone in the family didn't want to get her any help.

Let's go.

Head to Mingyue Restaurant. Once Her Highness is done,

ask her to pick me up at Pei's Mansion

I…

Ask her to bring more men with her.

-Okay. -Go now.

Wait.

Wait for her by the entrance. Do not disturb her.

Do you hear me?

-Go now. -Yes.

Ronghua, you mean

Her Highness asked you to invite me to a private meeting?

To be precise,

she asked Shangguan Ya to make the request.

And

Pei Wenxuan is aware of this?

It seems like it.

Everyone alleges

that Princess Pingyue only married Pei Wenxuan

out of convenience.

It seems like

that is the truth.

I think

you can meet Her Highness.

All right.

Please tell Her Highness

that I'll be there.

What are you doing here?

I am here to escort you.

You just don't want to be left out.

What do you think? Do I look good?

Yes.

Just a bit too formal.

It shows a sense of oppression.

It seems like

you are condescending.

For this meeting,

it's best to present yourself as equals.

But I am a princess.

No matter how I dress, I can't hide my temperament.

Your Highness,

I may give you some advice.

Let's start with your way of speaking.

When you talk to a man,

avoid speaking in a bossy manner.

Do not move. That's it.

You always lift your chin when you speak.

That's what a princess does.

But for ordinary women,

we lower our heads and brows.

And when we speak,

-we do this. -We do this.

I know,

but that's not me.

Your Highness…

Enough.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Rongqing.

I can't walk further.

You've been browsing for an hour,

and you still can't make up your mind.

It's rare for Her Highness to invite me for a meal.

I must pick a fitting gift for the occasion.

I have an idea.

What about food?

The red bean jelly from Hongqing Restaurant is good.

It comes in a fancy package too.

No. Food is too common.

It lacks sincerity.

Rongqing.

What about an accessory?

You can't go wrong with a hairpin.

An accessory?

No.

Her Highness will refuse an expensive gift.

Besides, it is inappropriate

given my current identity.

Sirs!

Come and take a look.

These are fresh flowers I plucked this morning.

Take a look.

Pick anything you like.

Rongqing.

I remember you said

that Her Highness loved peonies the most.

For a lady of such mesmerizing beauty,

only a peony can match her charm.

All right. I'll take this one.

Sure.

Greetings, Grandfather.

Greetings, Mother.

Greetings to all.

I was told Mother fell ill,

so I rushed back.

But it seems like

you are fine, Mother.

I…

I…

I summoned you here.

I knew you wouldn't heed my call,

so I asked your mother to bring you here.

Why would you say that, Grandfather?

If the elderly in the family needs me,

I wouldn't dare not to come back.

However, lying about my mother falling sick

has made me terribly worried.

If you were truly concerned about this family,

you wouldn't have urged Her Highness

to do those outrageous things.

-How insensible. -I do not understand,

Uncle Lixian.

You asked Her Highness to establish

the Inspectorate Office, didn't you?

I see it now.

You brought everyone here for this matter.

Uncle Lixian, you may direct your dissatisfaction

to Her Highness.

Wenxuan.

You are the Prince Consort.

She may be reckless,

but you cannot afford that.

Other families have come and questioned us.

In the past, she couldn't care less about the state affairs.

After she married you, she meddled in everyone's affairs.

This must have something to do with you.

Even if we could believe you,

no one from the outside would.

So,

what do you want me to do?

Wenxuan.

Listen to us.

Talk to Her Highness and tell her

not to be enemies with the noble families.

If our family is implicated,

Her Highness will remain untouched,

-but our family will-- -Our family will what?

Mother.

-Do you believe whatever they told you? -I…

What do you want me to do?

Go back

and tell Her Highness to stay out of it.

Just…

Just forget about the Qin Family's case.

So it's all about the Qin Family's case.

I see.

Anything else?

You…

What is

with that attitude?

You…

Do you even respect me as your mother?

I do.

But what about you?

-I… -My sister-in-law.

Look at your child.

You must discipline him.

He…

You…

How dare you defy us?

Punish him.

-Someone! -Punish me?

Mother.

Did they tell you that by punishing me,

the other noble families would be appeased,

and that Her Highness would back off?

In the future, if I ever urge Her Highness to do anything,

you'll punish me again,

until I cease.

Is that so?

I knew this would happen.

I just didn't expect you…

to follow through with their plan, Mother.

Don't just stand there.

Get him and punish him.

Wenxuan, I…

I…

-I… -I know you cannot bear to see this scene.

You may turn around.

Stop!

Wenxuan.

Just admit that you are wrong.

-I am not wrong. -Not wrong?

Come, Father.

Hit him until he admits that he's wrong.

Continue.

Her Highness was right downstairs,

but she had to leave because something came up.

Go and tell Mr. Su

so that he won't wait in vain and get mad at Her Highness.

Quickly.

My poor brother.

No one has ever

taken him for a fool like this.

Perhaps I should tell him the truth.

Wait.

I'll dine with you three times.

You can pick the restaurant.

Deal.

He told me not to disturb you.

-What were you doing? -I was waiting for you.

-He said to tell you after the meal. -Enough.

-Your Highness. -Your Highness.

They won't let us in.

Move aside.

-Barge in! -Let's go.

Master!

Bad news. Her Highness barged in.

What…

Xun Chuan.

Why is the Prince Consort kneeling?

Help him up.

Yes.

-Your Highness. -Your Highness.

I have some harsh words to say

in front of the ancestors

of your family today.

Your Highness.

Perhaps you can keep…

I was just having a meal

and you tricked my consort into serving a punishment here.

May I remind you that he is the Prince Consort

and a member of the imperial family?

You've humiliated him like this.

What of the imperial family's reputation?

Who hit him?

Who sanctioned the punishment?

Come clean at once.

Your Highness.

I know you want

to protect your consort.

But Wenxuan is part of the Pei Family.

In this nation, being a Prince Consort

doesn't mean he is not part of his paternal family.

I am handling a familial matter.

So I ask for your understanding, Your Highness.

Understanding?

What for?

For you being ungrateful and shortsighted?

I know very well why you brought him here.

You believe that punishing him

can appease other noble families

and issue a warning to me,

so that I wouldn't establish the Inspectorate Office and back off.

You think your family

is the new rising family in the imperial court.

Pei Lixian, you are the Vice Minister of Revenue.

Pei Liming, you are the Vice Minister of Justice.

Your other kin can also be found in other civil functions.

Does that make you part of the noble families?

They want you to give me trouble,

and you're eager to prove your worth.

If I may recount your origin,

the Pei Family came from a humble origin in Luzhou.

Your ancestors had never risen

above a fifth-ranked official.

It was Pei Wenxuan's father, Pei Lizhi,

who brought your kin to Huajing from Luzhou,

promoting you to the higher echelon.

He died not long ago,

yet you're already bullying his son and his wife.

Your Highness.

Your criticism

is unjustly harsh.

Unjustly harsh?

Pei Wenxuan was the top one in the royal selection.

He is more than capable

of occupying an important position.

If he hadn't married me,

he would've still been a lowly official, inferior to a prison guard.

What did you do?

You used the excuse that a scion

must start from the ground

to silence his mother.

When he was sick,

you stopped him from seeing a physician.

When he needed money to socialize, you made his life difficult.

Now that he works for the imperial court

in hopes of escaping this predicament,

you continue to impede him.

He can turn a blind eye to you,

but don't think I will do the same!

I want to establish the Inspectorate Office,

and so does His Majesty.

Even if you kill him today,

His Majesty or I

will not stop.

Remember

your root.

Don't get too complacent

in your lofty position.

Your Highness, even though you are a princess,

you are still a junior member in this family.

Should I inform His Majesty

about your unruly behavior

in my family's

ancestral shrine?

Who hit him?

-Xun Chuan. -Yes, Your Highness.

Break his arm.

Yes.

No.

You mustn't do this.

I'll reiterate this.

Pei Wenxuan

is the Prince Consort,

my husband.

If this family doesn't like him,

hurry up and expel him already.

I'll give him a family.

If you want to keep him,

then, from now on,

treat him

like how you will treat me.

As for you, Ms. Wen…

If you do not know

how to love

or protect your child,

please stay in the shrine, practice vegetarianism and pray,

dedicate your life to honoring your husband.

Pei Wenxuan has a new home.

Someone will protect and love him.

If you can't care for him as a mother,

then at least don't hurt him.

He can allow you to do so.

But I won't.

Am I clear?

Let's go home.

Come on. Be careful.

Xun Chuan.

Cut off his arm.

Yes.