Original subtitles

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

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

-Wait for me! -Slowly.

This looks so pretty.

Given your young master's foul temper,

they're going to split sooner or later.

Hurry.

And I will stand a chance by then.

Well, do you think

flicking that lock of hair

makes you look particularly handsome?

My young master should have split you in half earlier,

so that you won't make sarcastic comments.

Fine.

We'll see if my prediction turns out correct.

It won't.

My young master is destined to be the Prince Consort.

Just give up.

Lanterns!

Lanterns for sale!

Here.

Why are you staring at my face?

Don't tell me you scratched my face too.

I didn't.

I made sure to be careful.

Does that sound like what a princess should say?

You little shrew.

Who are you calling a shrew?

I got you some river lanterns.

You like them, don't you?

You can put the lanterns in the river and make a wish.

I thought you didn't believe in these things.

I didn't.

They're made up to fool naive little girls.

Why would a man like me believe them?

What are you doing then?

But ever since I met you,

I'm open to believing in any god or deity now.

Release the lantern.

I know

most people around you would sacrifice love for power.

You may also think

that your future

is more important than feelings.

But if I really did that,

you would never know

that some feelings

cannot be traded for power.

I became a court official

and fought for power

just to get closer to you.

So

if I were to leave you to gain more power…

Even if it's just temporary

or just mentioning the idea,

I would never do so.

So you didn't want to get a divorce

because you were afraid of uncertainties that might happen afterward?

Yes,

but that's not all of it.

I don't want you to lose faith in love.

So…

What are your plans after this?

Well…

I'll do as you say.

It's going to upset you, though.

It won't.

I know your true feelings now,

so I won't be disappointed

or scared.

As for you,

even though you were born in the palace,

you never belonged to the palace.

The kind of relationship

that your heart yearns for…

is purer than what you've imagined.

I have to give you

whatever you want.

You won't have to compromise,

not even a little, to get what you want.

And I will prove to you someday

that I, Pei Wenxuan,

am capable of offering you such pure love.

Look.

The lanterns are up.

Rongrong.

I will give it my all

to present you with all the best things in the world.

What wish did you make?

What about you?

It's a secret.

You're keeping it a secret too?

I wished…

for being together

with you now and forever.

Perhaps…

We can consider having a child.

Aren't you scared?

This would create

a new and bigger weakness for us.

If you're not scared,

then I'm not.

Your Majesty, the farmers in Jiangnan have started to grow rice.

Due to colder temperatures,

the sowing began later than in previous years.

Your Majesty.

The imperial exam candidates have all arrived in the capital.

We will need to make arrangements for the personnel involved.

I hope you will swiftly approve

our request for the staff mobilizations.

I understand.

Court dismissed.

TAIJI HALL

Mr. Pei.

Eunuch Fu.

His Majesty is summoning you.

Please lead the way, Eunuch Fu.

There are a number of talented scholars

among this year's candidates.

I was too narrow-minded after all.

Many talents lie among the commoners.

Anyone who can win your appreciation

must be trustworthy indeed.

Rongqing.

You're back.

I'm back.

But you are not the one I used to know.

I'm sorry.

This is my only way to protect you.

My love for you has never changed.

Please give me more time

and wait for me.

Mr. Su.

Mr. Su?

Therefore, it is important to select a good chief examiner.

You're right, Mr. Su.

I have some people to recommend to you.

Why don't we talk about it while walking?

Sure.

PEOPLE

Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You may rise.

Pei Wenxuan.

I called for you to discuss your recent promotion

to the Vice Minister of Personnel.

You've been rising through the ranks too quickly,

and many are not convinced.

Do you have any plans for this?

Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.

I know that I am not that experienced,

but I have my seniors to help me

and I have built some connections in the Censorate.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

However, you're the Prince Consort.

And Pingyue has been offending many officials lately.

There are many officials from the Xie Family

working in the Ministry of Personnel.

I'm afraid you'll have a hard time if you do work there.

How about this?

I'll transfer you to the Ministry of Rites

to make your life easier.

Your Majesty.

Please seek justice for me.

What justice do you want me to seek?

Your Majesty.

I would like to request

for a divorce.

I hope you will approve it.

What did you say?

You want a divorce?

What's wrong with my daughter?

Why do you want to divorce her?

Pei Wenxuan, how dare you!

Your Majesty.

I…

I've suffered.

Look.

It's the Princess's doing.

Why were you two fighting?

She even hurt you badly.

You didn't hit her, did you?

I…

No!

The Princess is so noble. I wouldn't dare.

Get up.

Tell me

what happened exactly.

It started

with a talisman.

When the Princess returned home yesterday,

I went to fetch her.

But she told everyone outside

that I sought a talisman randomly

that made her fall into Consort Rou's trap.

Your Majesty.

Why would I do such a thing?

This…

Here it is.

This isn't even my handwriting.

Actually, I believe

that you probably have your own judgment now.

I don't wish to talk more about it.

But what I'm going to say next

is something I cannot tolerate any longer.

Your Majesty, you do know

that I suggested to the Princess to establish the Inspectorate

to share your burdens.

But now,

many officials in the palace,

including the Crown Prince and the Empress,

have grown dissatisfied with the Princess because of this.

Last night,

the Princess and I got into an argument.

In anger, she actually called me

a lowly and despicable man.

She even said

I was worse than the entertainers from Nanfeng House.

Isn't that humiliating?

I indeed came from a humble background,

but I am a man after all.

Even though she is the Princess,

she can't insult me like that.

I married the Princess

to fulfill your command and my duty as an official.

Why am I

getting humiliated instead?

Let's take a step back.

No matter how unreasonable Her Highness is,

I can tolerate her behaviors.

But now, I have to say

as her husband and your subject, I have remained loyal.

But what about the Princess?

She went on a lantern night cruise

together with a dozen of entertainers.

How am I…

How is everyone else going to think of me?

Your Majesty.

I know I'm wrong

and I have disappointed you.

But I implore you

that for the sake of my diligent father

and my loyal service,

please permit me to divorce Princess Pingyue.

Your Majesty, I really can't live like this anymore.

If that's the case,

since Pingyue has been overbearing indeed,

and you're set on a divorce,

I shall not force you.

How about this?

You go home first

while I draft a decree.

Thank you, Your Majesty. You're brilliant.

I'll take my leave.

Consort Rou said

that the talisman was fake.

Princess Pingyue took it with her.

What if they try to verify it?

Hongde has been taken away as well.

Mr. Su.

If he ever babbles, Consort Rou would be implicated.

He won't get to talk.

Tell Consort Rou not to worry.

What about the talisman?

Since the Princess took it,

even if they find out that it's fake,

what can they do?

What if they tell His Majesty

that the Princess told a lie?

Then why would the Princess do that?

If His Majesty has his doubts,

he will try to feel Pei Wenxuan and the Princess out.

Pei Wenxuan

would expose himself by then.

Why are you so sure, Mr. Su?

Pei Wenxuan might just agree

to get a divorce instead.

He'd never agree to it.

Because he won't.

He dares not.

And he doesn't even want to.

Everyone has weaknesses.

Pei Wenxuan has always

maintained a clean reputation,

and he's good at winning people over.

That's why he has all sorts of tricks at his disposal.

It's not easy to thwart

his political career.

If you try to bring him down directly, it'd cost us even more.

He cares about the Princess.

He cares about their relationship.

He would never abandon the Princess for power.

As long as he doesn't get a divorce,

His Majesty will remain doubtful,

and Pei Wenxuan will find it hard to turn the tide.

What if he does agree to the divorce?

Then he deserves to die.

Anyone who lets the Princess down…

shall be killed.

Your Majesty.

The writing on the talisman is fake.

CHOU HOUR, 19TH DAY OF 7TH MONTH, THE 6TH YEAR OF YONGNING ERA

Fu Lai.

Do you know

what's the toughest thing about being a ruler?

Your Majesty, how would I know

the answer to that?

Everyone around you may be deceiving you.

While anyone else can obtain the truth easily,

as the Emperor,

I have to search for the truth amid a trove of lies.

What's more, these truths

are often consisting of the half-lies they tell me.

But you're the wisest man in the country, Your Majesty.

The wisest man?

How am I wise?

The talisman is fake.

Then is Pei Wenxuan completely innocent?

Tell me

who you think is speaking the truth.

Your Majesty, you're putting me on the spot.

I remember that when I was a boy,

someone kept stealing my persimmons.

I investigated it for a long time.

And just as I thought,

you were the thief.

-Do you remember that? -Of course.

How could I ever forget?

Actually, there's something else

that I've been hiding from you.

-There's more? -Back then,

I was punished, so I got angry.

No amount of persimmons could quell my anger.

So

I stole something else from you.

How dare you.

What else did you steal?

Crab meatballs,

your favorite dish when you were young.

So

even back then,

you were already getting cheeky

and fat at that time.

Those were the good old days.

There was nothing much to be concerned about.

Even if I couldn't guess it right,

I'd just lose a few persimmons at worst.

But it's different now.

If I make the wrong guess,

I'd be losing the entire country.

Your Majesty.

About the Prince Consort and Princess Pingyue's divorce,

should I draft a decree now?

Just put it aside for now.

Your Majesty.

Consort Rou has always been gentle.

She's always obeyed your commands.

Now that she had brought Hongde into the palace,

I'm afraid someone must be manipulating her.

I'm worried…

Well,

get someone to investigate this.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sir!

Her Highness is resting.

I know.

Tell everyone in the inner courtyard to leave.

Go.

Why would I stay in the sleeping chambers?

I'm sleeping in the study from now on!

Sir!

The study is this way…

Don't make everyone else hear you.

I'm having a falling out with Her Highness.

No one can see me meeting her.

-Why? -You…

Guard the study's entrance.

If anyone asks, tell them I'm in the study.

Thoughtful indeed.

Rongrong.

Rongrong.

You're back.

Come.

How was today?

What did my father say?

Did he approve of our divorce?

He didn't say that.

But

I complained about you.

You, little cat, bit and scratched me.

I don't want you anymore.

This little cat is going to apologize to you.

How?

How?

Seriously, what happened next?

Then, I complained about Consort Rou.

I said

she tricked you with a talisman.

His Majesty should realize

that someone might be using him.

Then, His Majesty said

he would draft a decree for the divorce,

and I came back.

But Father has always favored Consort Rou.

What you did

probably won't be very effective.

If His Majesty feels

that Consort Rou is being used to bring him down,

he wouldn't forgive her.

You mean

my father needs to realize

that Consort Rou is manipulated by the noble families.

Your complaint alone won't be enough.

That's all right.

Even in Go, you play one move after another.

When someone tricks me,

I can trick them back too.

Anyone can bluff.

Mr. Pei, you need to show me what you've got.

You'll see.

Ms. Du.

Mr. Pei?

You're already a skilled calligrapher.

It has been quite some time since you last came.

What brings you here today?

Ms. Du, I have a favor to ask of you.

Do you think

you can replicate this handwriting?

This person has a solid foundation in the clerical script.

It's not that hard.

But

you know my rules.

I don't forge letters and documents.

Yes.

But what if

it's for the sake of justice?

For justice?

Your Highness.

Why do you look so tired?

Did you not sleep last night?

I'm fine. Take a look at this.

What's this?

Eat something first.

TESTIMONY

You went out early in the morning

to forge Hongde's handwriting?

Read the content carefully.

You actually wrote

that Su Rongqing went to Qingfeng Temple

and threatened Hongde with his status

to deceive Consort Rou to frame us.

But why did you leave Consort Rou out of this?

We're offering His Majesty a way out through her.

If we don't leave her out of this, His Majesty won't be able to act.

It's just that

by doing this,

we're literally declaring war against Su Rongqing.

I'm afraid he already has.

Your Majesty.

Our men reported

that the Princess and the Prince Consort are sleeping separately.

Let them be.

Then what about the divorce?

It's tough for a lady to remarry.

Let's see how it goes

Yes, Your Majesty.

INSPECTORATE OFFICE

Your Highness!

Your Highness, I was tricked!

Please spare me, Your Highness!

-Please spare me! -You may leave now.

I'll talk to him alone.

Your Highness.

I'd love to learn how to interrogate…

Let's go.

I'll buy you some drinks.

Let's go.

You said someone tricked you.

Who was it?

I…

I don't know.

You don't know?

Are you taking me as a fool?

No, Your Highness.

I really don't know.

All I know

is that a nobleman came to Qingfeng Temple that night

and summoned me.

I don't even know

who he is.

I didn't even get to see his guard's face.

But he kidnapped my son.

I had no choice.

You have a son?

Go on. What happened next?

Then, he tied me up

and put me into his carriage.

He told me

that he would expose

your intent to delay the Crown Prince's wedding.

This isn't a lie, is it?

That itself is a lie.

-I've never done anything like that. -Yes.

It's true that you have never called for me.

But no matter what,

I really had no choice.

Your Highness, I hope you'll show me mercy

and spare my life.

I can show you some mercy,

but you'll have to do as I say.

You don't know who called for you, right?

But I do.

Su Rongqing.

Second Young Master Su?

I want you to testify against him.

Testify against him?

How is that different from telling me to die?

I know what you're thinking.

You think

that your son is in someone else's hands,

and I have nothing to coerce you

other than your own life.

Given your background,

if you testify against Su Rongqing,

the Su Family would never let you off.

Since it means death for you anyway,

you might as well keep your son alive.

But only I…

can keep both of you safe.

I'll tell you something else I know.

Tell me if I'm wrong.

Five years ago,

you conned a young lady

for thousands of taels

by telling her that she needed

to change her fate on your popularity.

Four years ago,

you had an affair with an official's wife.

While she visited Qingfeng Temple every month to pray,

she was actually in your bedroom.

-Three years ago-- -Your Highness.

Your Highness.

How did you know so much?

If you don't want people to know your wrongdoings, then don't do it.

You've deceived and harmed so many people.

Don't you feel guilty at all?

Guilty?

Why should I feel guilty?

There are tons of other people who are more evil than me.

You must have seen people who would kill for a meager sum of money.

That's pure evil!

People like me

commit sins once in a while.

You may say that bad guys like us

don't deserve to live in this world.

But what if there are plenty like me?

Would that be mankind's fault

or the society's fault?

That's why I hope

that my efforts can make

the noblemen and commoners live together in harmony

-and the world at peace. -Your Highness.

I admit that this country isn't perfect,

-Don't be too hard on him. -but this shouldn't be

-a reason or excuse for your sins. -Yes, Your Highness.

If it's as the Princess said,

I can't afford to offend

both the Princess and the Su Family.

Your Majesty.

Princess Pingyue requests an audience.

Why is she here at this late hour?

Father.

Father, please seek justice for me.

-What is it? -Father.

You need to discipline Pei Wenxuan for me.

He's gone too far.

What exactly happened?

A few days ago,

Pei Wenxuan and I had a quarrel.

He has been ignoring me since then

and he even said he wanted a divorce.

He said you've already drafted a decree.

I don't believe him.

Would a father force his daughter to get a divorce?

If I do get a divorce,

who else can I marry?

If you don't want to get divorced,

why were you cruising with those men from Nanfeng House?

I was just trying to upset him.

Father, I've realized my mistake.

Please persuade him for me.

He can't ignore me forever.

He's even moved to the outer courtyard.

How about you command him to come back?

Ridiculous!

I appointed you as the Supervisor of the Inspectorate Office,

and now you're indulging yourself

in debauchery

instead of fulfilling your duties.

What's wrong with you?

You've wronged me, Father.

We may quarrel sometimes, but I still do my work.

In fact,

you haven't replied to the memorial

I submitted a few days ago.

What are you planning to do?

What memorial?

Hongde's testimony.

I submitted all the evidence several days ago.

We just need a word from you to start investigating Su Rongqing.

How is Su Rongqing related to this?

Well…

Hongde said it was Su Rongqing who went to him

to tell Consort Rou all that.

Haven't you read my memorial?

Fu Lai.

Go to the Remonstration Office to bring the Princess' memorial.

I want to review it now.

Yes, Your Majesty.

As soon as Father reads the memorial,

he will find out that Su Rongqing has been using Consort Rou

for the noble families' benefit.

Father will then start to get suspicious,

and Su Rongqing

can no longer associate himself with Prince Su.

If this memorial gets submitted,

you will be implicated, Mr. Su.

On the occasion of the assessment for the position of Minister,

everyone has high expectations of you.

I was worried that this memorial may hinder you,

so I took it out secretly.

Xuanji.

I transferred you there,

and it seems that my plan has backfired.

This round…

We have lost.

This testimony is a fake.

TESTIMONY

It's fake?

The Princess deliberately submitted this fake testimony

for you to steal.

If my guess is correct,

the Princess must be already in the palace now.

And His Majesty

must have already sent someone to retrieve this memorial.

Go back now.

-I'll put it back right away. -No need.

Even if you do,

the Princess would claim that her memorial has been switched.

Once they start investigating,

you'll be implicated as well.

By then,

you'd lose your job.

What should I do then?

Leave this thing here.

Pretend that you don't know anything.

Are you supposed

to be on shift now?

No.

That's great.

Go back home and sleep.

Pretend that you've never been here.

I'll take my leave.

I plotted and schemed to make Hongde accuse the Princess

of delaying the Crown Prince's wedding.

I even prepared a marriage talisman

to undermine His Majesty's trust in Pei Wenxuan and the Princess.

But the Princess used this to her advantage instead.

Mu Hong.

Sir.

Get a servant to sneak into the palace

and burn the Remonstration Office.

When the fire starts to burn, make sure he doesn't leave.

Just leave him there.

You want to burn the Remonstration Office?

Isn't that a bit too much?

It's not just too much.

It's the boldest and craziest idea ever.

-Sir… -Just do as I say

and wait for the results.

Whatever will be, will be.

-Go. -Yes, sir.

LI RONG, SUPERVISOR OF THE INSPECTORATE OFFICE

SU RONGQING, VICE MINISTER OF PERSONNEL

Your Majesty, bad news!

The Remonstration Office is on fire!

-Your Majesty! -Say that again.

-What's on fire? -The Remonstration Office.

It was already burning while I was on my way there.

Many officials are still trapped inside.

How did the fire start?

We don't know yet.

Father, let me take a look there.

The building itself is nothing.

We need to save the people and memorials.

No need. I will go there myself.

Split into two teams!

Team One, put out the fire!

Team Two, save the people and memorials inside!

-Your Majesty! -Go!

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, why are you here?

It's dangerous here. You should go back.

Yes, we'll handle the situation here.

Does any of you know who set fire to the Remonstration Office?

I just received the news, and I came over right away.

Perhaps someone knocked over a candle stand.

I'm asking who is bold enough to burn the Remonstration Office!

Your Majesty.

Your Highness, the Remonstration Office is on fire.

The Remonstration Office has always been patrolled

every night since it was built.

Why the sudden fire?

His Majesty summoned the Princess earlier

and wanted to retrieve Hongde's testimony from the Remonstration Office.

Not long after that, the office was on fire.

He's even burning the Remonstration Office.

Looks like Su Rongqing is really cornered.

Go and devise a counterplan with the Prince Consort.

Yes, Your Highness.

Greetings, Father.

You may rise.

You said Mr. Su was involved,

and your memorial was burned.

Thus, I called you here

to confront each other directly.

Su Rongqing said

he did not know Hongde.

What do you have to say?

Whether Su Rongqing knows him or not,

Hongde has confessed everything.

It's just that his testimony, together with the Remonstration Office,

has suspiciously perished in the fire.

The material evidence may be gone,

but the man is still there.

Summon Hongde here.

I have done nothing wrong.

Your Highness, someone must have

instigated you to make you come to this conclusion.

I also agree we should call Hongde over

to ask him in person.

Summon Hongde here?

I couldn't persuade him that day in prison.

After all, his son is still in Su Rongqing's hands.

He wouldn't help me at this point.

But I have no other options now.

Summon him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

While we're waiting,

Pingyue, tell me why

you said Mr. Su had instigated Hongde to falsely accuse you.

For some reason,

Mr. Su went to Hongde.

He kidnapped Hongde's illegitimate son and used him to coerce Hongde

to accuse me

of trying to delay the Crown Prince's wedding.

He took advantage of his position as Prince Su's tutor

and cajoled Consort Rou into bringing Hongde to the palace.

Mr. Su.

I have no grudge against you.

Why are you framing me?

Mr. Su.

What say you?

Your Highness, you're claiming

that I was trying to set you up

by making Hongde say

that you were trying to delay the Crown Prince's wedding.

Then why didn't I just tell him to accuse you of treason?

You should ask yourself that question, Mr. Su.

The Crown Prince is all grown up now.

He should get married as soon as possible.

If I want the best for him,

I would have chosen a suitable noble lady for him instead.

Why would I want to delay his wedding?

As his elder sister, why would I harm him?

Only you can answer that, Your Highness.

So you're saying

that Su Rongqing burned the Remonstration Office down.

Now that the evidence is destroyed,

Hongde will be summoned to the palace.

Won't he expose everything by then?

Would Hongde dear to enter the palace?

Thank you. Just hand him over to us.

Thank you, Eunuch Fu.

This way, Taoist Hongde.

Eunuch Fu, you have to vouch for us.

He was alive when he left the Inspectorate Office.

It's true, Eunuch Fu.

This is not the time to talk about this.

I need to report this to His Majesty.

Your Majesty, Hongde was killed on the way here.

What did you say?

Bring me there.

I'd like to go there too.

None of you shall leave!

-Get the post-mortem examiner. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Now that Hongde is dead, no one can prove the truth anymore.

But now, in Father's eyes,

Su Rongqing's reputation has been tainted.

If Hongde dies,

both human testimony and the material evidence will be gone.

No.

If there's no evidence,

Father won't be able to convict Su Rongqing.

He may be doubtful,

but while he doubts Su Rongqing,

he will also suspect you and Rong.

That's when the next step comes in.

If His Majesty begins to suspect

whether the Princess is speaking the truth,

the only thing left to investigate

would be the whereabouts of Hongde's son.

The results would be interesting.

You said Hongde had a son?

Yes, Father.

And he's in Su Rongqing's hands?

That's right.

-Your Majesty… -Silence.

Fu Lai, investigate now.

Yes, Your Majesty.

His Majesty may not be able to find out where exactly Hongde's son is,

but he'd discover

how the child was taken away.

There must be traces of the abduction.

For example,

a passerby might have accidentally witnessed

the child's kidnapping

and recognized the Su Family's emblem.

That's a common possibility, isn't it?

So what?

Even if my father knows the child was abducted by the Su Family, so what?

Since His Majesty already knows

that someone brought Hongde into the palace

and that Hongde's son

was taken by the Su Family,

who do you think

His Majesty would suspect

even though there's no evidence?

Hongde cannot afford to offend

both the Su Family and the Princess.

This is the last kind of act he can do

to protect his son.

Your Highness.

I need to go to pick up your sister.

Shouldn't you be pretending that your marriage is on the rocks?

Seemingly in harmony, but actually at variance.

I'll take my leave then.

Take care, Your Highness.

Guard this area.

No one else may come near.

Yes, Eunuch Fu.

Sir.

Please tell me what happened that night.

I was working my shift as a night watcher that night.

When I passed by the street where the temple is,

I saw a boy being abducted by several men.

I recognized one of them.

He's from the Su Family.

Eunuch Fu, I have completed the examination.

Your Majesty, this is the result of the post-mortem examination.

The post-mortem examiner said it was suicide.

And the Su Family…

Su Rongqing.

Hand over Hongde's son now.

Your Majesty, I've been wronged.

I don't know where you heard this from.

Why don't you summon him here,

so I can confront him directly?