Original subtitles

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

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

Your Highness, did His Majesty give this jade seal to you?

Why the sudden sigh of relief?

I'm naturally happy for His Majesty.

If His Majesty has entrusted this jade seal to you,

it means

His Majesty has let go of some concerns.

How so?

Actually,

His Majesty has always cared for you.

Although he hasn't shown

his feelings that much,

they have always been there.

He's always cared for you as a father.

Your Highness, this was just written by His Majesty.

He ordered me to give it to you.

PRINCESS PINGYUE, LI RONG

WILL BE REGENT PRINCESS ROYAL

What does he mean by this?

Does he trust me?

Your Highness.

If it were any other day,

His Majesty would never trust you,

but perhaps His Majesty is willing

to trust the current you a bit.

Who are you

siding with?

Your Highness.

I'm of course loyal to His Majesty.

However,

if there are words that benefit you,

I'll tell you.

I want to be alone for a while.

Yes, Your Highness.

I shall take my leave.

It's quite high.

It's also a little cold.

CHANGHE GATE

QIANQIU GATE

They have concentrated their forces in the inner palace.

It seems they intend to start a battle in the inner palace.

Your Highness.

Mr. Su,

we shall be counting on you today.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

As long as the Xiao Family's troops

are at our disposal.

Mr. Su,

as long as you ensure the throne belongs to Prince Su,

the Xiao Family's troops will follow your orders.

TAIJI HALL

Kneel.

Li Rong, what are you doing?

Are you mad?

Father is seriously ill

and the Crown Prince is still injured.

Therefore, I'm appointed as Regent.

Fu Lai,

announce the imperial decree.

Yes, Your Highness.

"I have recently fallen ill,

with my limbs failing."

"The Crown Prince is still recovering from injuries…"

Charge!

"However, the country can't be without a ruler for a day."

"Princess Pingyue, Li Rong,

known for her virtue and adeptness in court affairs,

is appointed as Regent Princess Royal

to oversee the state affairs in my stead."

"Treat her as you would treat me."

Respected officials,

the decree has been announced.

Please pay your respects.

Why are you standing there?

Go and arrest her.

Your Highness, calm down.

You didn't kneel when hearing the decree.

Are you rebelling?

Last night, there was a palace coup.

Without seeing His Majesty,

I dare not kneel.

Why not?

I'm afraid of kneeling to a traitor and dishonoring His Majesty.

The Crown Prince, Li Chuan,

brazenly led troops to surround the palace last night,

deceiving you and holding His Majesty hostage.

I have come to His Majesty's rescue.

Please don't interfere, Your Highness.

Someone.

Her Highness is startled.

Bring her to take some rest.

How insolent.

The Crown Prince never entered the palace last night.

His Majesty is currently safe and sound.

You all are committing the crime of treason

by forcibly barging into the city.

Withdraw and accept your punishment.

Wasn't the Crown Prince in the palace last night?

The Crown Prince left the city to recuperate from injuries.

Therefore, I was ordered to act as Regent.

Everyone,

your whole families and clans will be eliminated

if you plot against His Majesty.

We may not pursue this crime today,

but you will be punished one day.

Li Chuan isn't in the palace now

and His Majesty is still alive.

Could our attack on the palace

be ridiculous?

The charge of killing the Emperor is questionable

when power is at its peak.

-If power diminishes one day, -Mother.

it will become the cause of a family's downfall.

Everyone.

I wish to speak with Princess Pingyue in private.

Could you give us some privacy?

Since you have matters to discuss with Princess Pingyue,

we won't disturb you.

Everyone.

Let's wait outside.

Cheng.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, Su Rongqing is a man after all.

What if he harbors ill intentions

toward you?

Prepare a pot of tea and you may leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

Rou, the Crown Prince didn't make his move.

Now, these noble families may have a change of heart.

No, they won't.

Once troops enter the palace,

no one can escape.

Mr. Su is inside

to buy us time to act.

Your Highness.

It seems there has been a misunderstanding.

Since His Majesty is unharmed,

the Crown Prince may not be rebelling.

We just discussed

that everyone should dismiss.

If there's indeed a misunderstanding,

of course we should withdraw

and apologize to His Majesty.

However, we haven't seen His Majesty.

We don't know if what Pingyue said is true.

Now that we are in the palace,

why don't I go to Hanqiu Palace

to find out whether His Majesty is safe

or has met with misfortune?

What do you think, Mr. Gu?

Confirming His Majesty's safety is indeed necessary.

We will assist you in entering Hanqiu Palace.

Thank you.

Qian, guard the palace gate.

Prevent unauthorized entry and exit.

Yes, Your Highness.

Follow me.

Mother.

What do we do if Father is still alive?

He won't be alive.

Once we see him,

we'll fabricate that he has already been killed by Li Chuan.

What are you trying to do?

The Gu Family isn't involved.

We don't know anything.

We really don't know anything.

You'd better watch your manners.

Otherwise, our master won't let you off.

Everyone, calm down.

As long as you cooperate,

we won't give you a hard time.

Let us go now.

Don't use any violence.

-Let us go. -Close the door.

Let us go.

Sir,

the Su and Gu families' relatives are all inside.

-What about the Wang Family? -They haven't been breached.

Did anyone escape?

The Wang Family has closed their doors and no one has come out.

What about the palace?

They breached the palace gate.

Troops from the Su, Xiao, and other noble families

have entered the palace.

Su Rongqing, along with Gu Zidao, Wang Dunmin, and others have also entered.

It's said the morning audience hasn't been canceled.

How long did it take to breach the palace gate?

Less than an hour.

They breached the city in less than an hour?

It seems Li Rong didn't deploy defenses outside the city

but withdrew all forces back to the inner palace.

Given her temperament,

such a move only signifies one thing.

His Majesty isn't dead at all.

If so,

the Princess withdrew the troops back to the inner palace

to safeguard them.

She's waiting for the Crown Prince

to have a chance to coordinate with her

to launch a counterattack.

She's buying time for us.

Yes.

We can win this.

And we must win.

Mr. Pei, Xun Chuan's troops have arrived

and are going to attack the city.

Yuan Feiyu,

immediately take 1,000 soldiers to the city tower

and coordinate with Xun Chuan.

You must act fast.

Also, inform Pei Xiao

that after taking the Wangs to Princess' Mansion,

guard there and await my orders.

Yes.

Tong Ye, release all sky lanterns in the mansion.

The Crown Prince will get it.

Yes.

Also, prepare incense and water and get the carriage ready.

I'm going into the palace.

Sir, are you…

I'm going to fetch Her Highness.

Your Highness.

Shangguan Ya entrusted me

to come here to fetch you.

Her Majesty has been safely sent to the camp

by Shangguan Ya and Lin Feibai,

with strong guards ensuring her safety.

You don't need to worry.

It has been a while.

How are you?

With it here,

I'm doing well.

I’ll keep this mask.

Rong has cleared the Qin Family's name.

You no longer need it.

She asked me to remind you

that Huajing is your home.

You should return openly

without needing to hide anymore.

Hongyu has finally returned

to Zhilan's side riding the wind.

Today is the time

for these two swords to fulfill their mission.

Let's go and join Shangguan Ya and our fellow soldiers

to attack the city together.

Prepare for battle.

Let's return home safely together.

It has been a long time since I brewed tea for you.

It's a pity your favorite, Yinjian tea,

isn't available today.

Did you purposely separate us from the others

just to catch up with me?

There are several questions I want to ask you.

Your Highness,

is it comfortable up there?

What are you trying to say?

You should know

that I only want to stop Li Chuan.

Since you're the Regent Princess Royal now,

is it necessary for Li Chuan to be the Crown Prince?

Your Highness.

I didn't come for revenge.

Li Chuan can live

but not with his own identity.

As the Regent Princess Royal,

once Li Cheng ascends the throne,

you can convict Li Chuan

of plotting a rebellion

and ask him to live with a different identity.

I remember the first time I saw you

was in the Imperial Study.

You and Chancellor Su knelt at the door of the Imperial Study

to dissuade my father from the northern expedition.

You said

that members of the Su Family

devote all their lives

to the people and the state.

Let me ask you then.

Are the noble families today a good thing

or a bad thing for the people?

The northern expedition back then was indeed an impulsive move.

However, if it weren't for the exploitation

and corruption by the noble families,

the military provisions and funds would've been enough for the expedition.

The southern floods were indeed caused by the northern expedition,

which exhausted the national treasury.

If it weren't for the noble families' prosperity

and their exemption from taxes,

allowing local officials to be backed up by them

to evade taxes,

the treasury

wouldn't have been so empty.

You said that as an emperor,

Li Chuan shouldn't exclusively favor a woman.

However, Su Rongqing,

if you truly love someone,

wouldn't you feel sad

being with someone else?

He's a ruler.

All pain must be endured.

Even so, it must be meaningful.

If his endurance pleases the noble families

rather than the people,

what's the point?

You've always blamed everything on Li Chuan,

but today's situation

isn't solely one person's fault.

So do you mean

the noble families are the ones to blame?

Are there no corrupt and greedy people

among the commoners?

Are there no factional struggles among them?

This is human nature.

What does it have to do with the noble families?

You all say that the noble families are at fault.

During years of disasters,

the Su Family provided relief.

The Su Family's descendants fought on the battlefield during times of war.

What did the Su Family do wrong?

You said that in the harem struggles, Li Chuan wasn't at fault.

Does that mean Shangguan Ya is wrong?

Does that mean my elder brother is wrong?

Their entire lives had been ruined in this palace.

Li Chuan treated them like this

just for his own selfish desires.

Why can Li Chuan act willfully

while they have to live in despair for a lifetime?

Just because they aren't the Emperor?

Your Highness.

If the noble families are at fault,

does the imperial family

have no guilt?

But who exactly

brought them into the palace?

Actually, you just don't want to admit it.

We were born sinful.

How can there be such a thing as being born sinful?

Good or evil,

crime or punishment,

it depends on what one person does.

The Su Family,

-a prestigious family for a century-- -What's your so-called prestigious family

based on?

People in the world love fox fur coats, but foxes wouldn't appreciate it.

They only give a little food to the fox and claim they're doing it a favor.

That's a lie.

Let's not deceive ourselves or others anymore.

I understand your stubbornness.

Your heart is with the light,

yet you dwell in darkness.

You refuse to acknowledge your identity,

so you can only distort the truth.

Rongqing.

I also went through so much

to finally understand

that my whole life

should be dedicated to my righteousness.

May you find your original intentions

and forever be your own person.

Your Highness.

There's no turning back.

I have lost everything.

I can't turn back.

Speak no more then.

It's our last time drinking tea together.

Let me serve you.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Tian Sheng!

Capture them!

Stop them!

Sir, we found the Princess.

Guard here. I'll go and catch Li Rong.

Wait. What's going on?

Protect the Princess!

Young Master, bad news!

The Crown Prince is leading an attack on the city.

Your Highness.

Mr. Su.

Li Chuan's men are attacking the city

before we manage to take over the palace.

What should we do now?

Someone!

Tie Li Rong up and hang her up at the city gate.

-Yes, sir. -Stop!

Mr. Wang.

She's Princess Pingyue.

Su Rongqing,

at a time like this,

do you still want to engage in these romantic pursuits?

Don't forget.

It was you who urged us to collaborate with Consort Rou.

If we fail this time,

both our families and clans will be executed.

Don't lose your senses.

Mr. Wang, don't be angry.

I'll go with you.

Your Highness.

The enemy soldiers have almost occupied the city.

Consort Rou has led the Xiao Family's troops

to the inner palace.

We are outnumbered,

so we aren't their match.

So long as we are still alive,

we'll still get a chance to win.

Your Highness, we are willing to die…

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, don't go outside.

Li Chuan won't give up on attacking the city now.

He doesn't have many troops.

He can't spare anyone to rescue you.

If you become their hostage,

you will definitely die.

Thank you.

However,

I don't want to owe you.

Your Highness.

Please report this.

Pei Wenxuan requests an audience with Her Highness, Princess Pingyue.

If it's not allowed,

if I may ask Mr. Su, Mr. Gu,

and Mr. Wang,

do you miss your family?

Pei Wenxuan! How dare you!

Sir, your wife…

Sir, the young master and others are…

Archers, prepare!

-Calm down! -Calm down!

Lower your bows!

Lower your bows now!

-Don't do anything rash! -Calm down!

HANQIU PALACE

Attack!

Charge!

Charge!

Mother, what do we do now?

Pei Wenxuan,

what did you do to my family?

Greetings, Your Highness.

Why did you come back?

Either I die with you

or I take you home.

What did you do to my wife?

You cunning scoundrel!

Are you here to boast and buy time?

Leave it to me.

Everyone.

I'm not here today to be your enemy.

Instead, I'm here to help you out.

Help us out?

What do you mean?

Your lives are now hanging by a thread.

Today, I come to offer you all a solution,

so you may die with your bodies intact.

Pei Wenxuan, stop spouting nonsense.

You're all traitors who put our country in danger.

You're guilty toward the ruler

and the people.

The Crown Prince has already led the troops into the city.

If you surrender now, there's still a chance for survival.

Otherwise, even if all of your families are exterminated,

it still can't cleanse your sins.

Pei Wenxuan, don't waste your efforts.

Surrender now.

Su Rongqing.

You're truly stubborn.

When there's a way out, you refuse to take it

and insist on a path to death.

Everyone,

let me be frank.

The reason the Crown Prince left the palace earlier today

and I have held your families hostages

is that someone leaked your plans

to me beforehand.

Who?

Su Ronghua, the eldest son of the Su Family.

Pei Wenxuan.

You're lying.

Am I lying?

The Su Family is a noble clan.

They've never meddled in royal disputes.

Would he participate in such things?

Everyone,

do you really believe Su Rongqing can represent

the Su Family?

He absolutely can't.

You're struggling in desperation

and speaking nonsense.

Mr. Su.

Pei Wenxuan, continue.

Su Rongqing poisoned Chancellor Su and obtained the patriarch token.

Su Ronghua hurried to Tianshou Pass overnight

and persuaded the Su Family's general

to assist the Crown Prince in clearing out the rebels

to show loyalty.

Today's rebellion

is Su Rongqing's intention alone.

Everyone,

do you really want to listen to him and risk the entire clan's lives?

Why don't you

listen to me?

Surrendering now is still possible.

How do we surrender?

Withdraw from the palace?

If simply withdrawing from the palace can help you avoid punishment,

won't everyone in the world follow suit?

So what are you suggesting?

Consort Rou previously issued an edict,

which was also His Majesty's wish.

Why don't you

follow His Majesty's wishes

to pay taxes and tribute

and completely abolish the system of Royal Selection,

relying only on the imperial examination?

This would also give His Majesty a way out

for not punishing all of you.

Wouldn't everyone be happy then?

Mr. Su,

you mentioned earlier

that Consort Rou was deceived

by the Crown Prince and Pei Wenxuan's plot.

I have always harbored doubts.

Now, it seems

you really have sharp insight

and deep foresight.

Pei Wenxuan,

you're indeed eloquent.

Mr. Su,

what exactly is the Su Family's stance?

Shouldn't you clarify?

My brother didn't flee overnight as Pei Wenxuan claimed.

On the contrary,

he's currently on his way with troops to support us.

What's the Su Family's stance?

Do you all still not know this after so many years?

Instead of listening to his one-sided story here,

why don't you go and see what's going on?

I'll stay here

and meet everyone after obtaining the posthumous decree.

By then,

I'll surely give you all a satisfactory explanation.

That would be ideal.

Let's go.

Someone!

Take Pei Wenxuan!

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

I dare you!

Believe it when I say this.

If Her Highness and I perish here,

I'll make sure you all go down with us.

You won't ignite the fireworks in your hands.

Is that so?

Because you're not that kind of person.

Well, you've misjudged me.

For Her Highness,

I can do anything.

You have a family.

So do I.

All right.

Please keep your word then.

-Attack! -Protect Her Highness!

Pei Wenxuan.

Pei Wenxuan, let me out.

Pei Wenxuan!

Su Rongqing!

Su Rongqing, stop this madness!

Su Rongqing,

the Su Family's troops won't come.

Stop now.

I can spare your life.

Your Highness.

Please remember what I said.

The posthumous decree won’t be revealed unless Li Chuan ascends the throne.

If he ascends the throne, he will surely initiate a reform.

Your Highness,

don’t get involved in the conflicts to avoid any harm.

When I say I want to initiate a reform,

it's for the stability of the nation to prevent unrest.

If you support Prince Su's ascension,

the chaos in the Great Xia will never cease.

Your Highness, you mustn't initiate a reform.

Your Highness,

as long as you do that,

there will be thousands of people like me in this world.

Su Rongqing.

Do you know what you're doing?

You're the root of chaos in the Great Xia.

You're the evilest one in this world.

You can still turn back.

You just…

You just can't face it.

The past is the past

and a new life is a new life.

Why do you keep dwelling on the past?

Su Rongqing.

This is a new world now.

I'm the new Li Rong.

Why can't you be

the new Su Rongqing?

Su Rongqing.

Pei Wenxuan!

Pei Wenxuan will be fine.

He will be all right.

He definitely will.

Everyone,

what are you doing?

General Xiao,

we only need to get the posthumous decree now.

We'd like to return home to check on our families.

After Mr. Su gets the posthumous decree,

we'll meet again.

I think you're abandoning my sister

and running off.

What are you saying?

If you're sincere,

then you should live or die together with us.

Do you mean to say

that you plan to imprison us in the palace

and tie us together with Consort Rou?

Yes!

If you want to leave today,

there are only two ways.

Leave with the Xiao Family alive

or be carried out from here as corpses.

You should know what's good for you.

I don't believe he dares kill anyone.

-Charge! -I dare!

Report!

Ms. Shangguan, a large number of troops are coming.

Could it be reinforcements from the Wang Family?

Should we withdraw first?

No, those who retreat will be executed.

Prepare to fight.

Yes!

Don't worry.

I've already explained it to my cousin.

I'll lead the troops to reinforce first.

He'll inform the family to let Qin Lin through.

TAIJI HALL

Your Highness.

Where is Rong?

Please rest assured. Her Highness is all right.

I'll go and check on her.

-Guard here. -Yes, sir.

Attack!