Original subtitles

[A Journey To Love]

[Episode 9]

[Guideyuan, the State of An]

Bastard!

[Jia Ling, Scarlet Guard Right Emissary]

You are incompetent.

You just want to flatter officials, right?

Commander Jiang likes this type.

Unfortunately, he's dead.

Lord, please forgive me.

The Scarlet Guards have always been good at seduction.

A seductive woman like you

could have been successful like fish in the water,

but since His Majesty assigned me to take charge of the Scarlet Guards,

don't even think about doing this anymore.

You have seven days

to investigate the delegation.

Otherwise,

you won't be the Right Emissary

of the Scarlet Guards anymore.

Yes.

My Lord.

[Zhu Ji, Jia Ling's trusted Red Emissary]

Did Commander Deng do this?

Lord.

Why did His Majesty send him to manage us?

Is he afraid that the Scarlet Guards are too powerful?

His father was killed by White Sparrows.

That's why he hates the Scarlet Guards.

He also believes that all female Scarlet Guards deserve to die.

Let's not talk about this anymore.

Why is there still no news from Yue Sanniang?

I...

I'm afraid...

Something has happened to her.

We didn't find Yue Sanniang's body.

At the site of the accident,

we only found two Scarlet Guards that hadn't been killed.

They all claimed that Ruyi was the one who did it.

We found Yu's body,

but

it was devoured by fish.

It's unclear where he was injured.

It was a clean kill.

The killer is an expert.

Lord, look.

According to the two people's testimonies,

Yue Sanniang once said

Ruyi is Ren Xin's Left Emissary.

Shut up!

His Majesty forbade mentioning that name.

Have you forgotten?

Yes.

It can't be her.

Although there was a fire in the imperial prison

and her trusted subordinates dug out her body,

a part of her tibia remained.

I checked it myself.

There were nail marks on the bone.

They were exactly the same as the nail torture

she suffered in the State of Chu.

It doesn't seem to be done by the Liudao Hall.

The State of Wu just had a great defeat.

I’m afraid Zhao Ji is already busy enough.

Using gunpowder like this

is not his method either.

The Qibuzui used by the police officers?

So,

Ruyi is a police officer in disguise.

She knew Yue Sanniang would carry a lot of gold with her,

so she became greedy

and used that name to threaten the Scarlet Guards?

Send my order immediately.

Tell the Yuheng Branch to dispatch everyone

to investigate the police officers and Yue Sanniang.

Also, mobilize the Jumen and Lianzhen departments

to investigate the background of the Wu delegation.

Yes.

Chief.

You've recovered well.

Thank you for inviting a famous physician

to treat my shoulder blade.

You know her?

Red Emissary Zhu Ji,

the trusted aide of Right Emissary Jia Ling.

His Majesty will return to the capital in three days.

The direction they are heading now

is the State of Wu.

That's right.

It's been days since the Wu delegation departed.

Aren’t you close to

the emperor of Wu?

Why don't you visit him more often these days?

When the delegation comes,

His Majesty will definitely assign another task.

Even if it's just a reception,

it's better than being idle like this.

I have a task right now.

I'm still in charge of the Yulin Army in name.

His Majesty wants me to be idle,

so I can only be idle.

The day he thinks I'm calm enough

and can be useful

will be my chance.

Before one takes action,

one must endure more than anyone else.

When one takes action,

one must be crueler than everyone else.

This is what the Lord used to say.

You still remember it.

Yes.

I've never forgotten it.

Contact our informant immediately.

I want to know

how often Marquis Changqing entered the palace before he left the capital

and what is between him and Noble Consort Chu.

Yes.

Go.

Soldiers, you worked hard in Tianxing Gorge yesterday.

Let's eat and drink freely today.

We'll continue our journey tomorrow.

You've worked hard.

Thank you, Mr. Du.

Eat up.

You've worked hard.

-Thank you. -Thank you, Mr. Du.

Thank you.

Thank you, my lord.

Enjoy yourselves.

Okay, Mr. Du.

Thank you.

Eat more and drink more.

Thank you.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Drink up.

Mr. Du.

Have a drink.

-Come on. -Drink it.

Come on.

The higher-ups must celebrate with the people,

but you can't do it all the time.

When the lamb is cooked,

you can have some fun.

Fill it up.

Bring my personal savings over

and buy 20 more jars of good wine to reward everyone.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Cheers.

Thank you.

Come on.

Originally, I only wanted you

to teach her some political affairs of the State of An.

I didn't expect

that you're also teaching her

how to be a true emperor.

I've taught subordinates before.

Since you appreciate my help,

you should work harder

for my matter in the future.

Great!

One more.

Come on.

Bravo! Bravo!

Awesome.

Give me a bowl too.

It's not fun enough to drink with a bowl.

You need to use a jug.

Come on, Beauty.

Cheers.

Bravo! Bravo!

Bravo!

Awesome.

Yu.

Bravo!

Yu.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Shisan, come on.

Come on.

Shisan, come on.

Come.

Shisan.

Good.

Come on.

Bravo! Bravo!

Oh my.

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Great! Great!

Bravo!

Bravo!

He's looking at you.

Miss Ruyi.

Great.

Miss Ruyi.

Go, go.

Come on.

Come on.

Ruyi, come on.

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo! Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Ruyi,

you're so beautiful!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Great!

So nice.

See?

I didn't take the initiative.

I purposely led the horse away yesterday

to give you two some alone time.

Why is it like this now?

You couldn't handle it?

It's not your fault.

Maybe I'm too charming

or Beauty saw clearly—

Shut up.

Is everything okay?

Yes.

How are you?

Delicious.

Don't drink.

Okay.

Yuanzhou.

You guys, drink.

Is it that delicious?

Yuan Lu is here.

Are you feeling better, Yuan Lu?

Much better.

Don't worry.

Yuan Lu,

you just recovered. You can't drink.

You can eat something though.

Eat something.

Okay, got it.

Yuan Lu, have a seat.

Ruyi.

Let's go there and watch them roast the lamb.

Drink it.

I'll cover for you.

Why?

I feel that you don't like

others' care and concern.

You don't want others to treat you as an invalid.

You just want to eat and drink freely

like an ordinary person.

That's right.

That's what I thought since I was young.

As long as I can breathe, I should eat and drink like normal.

It's nothing.

Every additional day I live is a win.

You're still young.

Don't talk like that.

I've experienced more

life or death situations than the wine you've drunk.

But I'm better than all of you

in how much I know about Boss Ning.

Ruyi,

I saw you there just now.

Were you trying to make him jealous?

You used to be direct to him,

but he rejected you,

so you wanted to change your method.

On the surface, you're not forcing him anymore.

In reality, you want to make him jealous,

right?

Do you think

there's a big chance of success?

No way.

Boss Ning has seen this trick too many times.

Many noble ladies used to do this to him.

For our sake,

I’ll be honest with you.

Boss Ning

is stubborn but soft-hearted.

He can't hold up against persistence.

He didn't like me before,

so I just clung to his leg and refused to let go.

I didn't care

and now, he has accepted me.

He's the type

that can't stand others being nice to him silently.

So, you have to pluck his heartstrings,

follow his wishes,

and get along with him slowly.

He likes sweets,

but he never says that he wants it.

He likes carving in private.

If you ask him for one, he definitely won't give it to you,

but he'd feel happy inside.

Ruyi,

you have a chance.

Shisan.

Why didn't you bring me along?

Come here.

-The lamb smells so good. -Your Highness.

Go dance.

I'm not good at dancing.

Let’s go dance.

-I can’t dance. -Let’s go.

Let’s go.

Your Highness, come on.

Come on, Ruyi.

It's done.

I haven't seen Boss Ning so happy in a long time.

Look.

Look how well Miss Ruyi dances.

Is this the Butterfly Dance?

It seems to be.

Give me one.

Try it.

It's roasted very well.

It's done?

Try it.

Give me a piece.

It's delicious.

I'm telling you,

Qian is a great cook.

Mr. Du, here.

Your Highness, let me tell you a secret.

Imperial Chef Wang once even wanted

to take Qian as his assistant.

Qian, is that true?

You know so much.

You can check one's pulse, prescribe medicine,

carve stamps, and now, you can even cook.

Is there anything you can't do?

Yes.

What?

Giving birth.

This piece has cornel. Can you eat it?

Please give me another piece.

Here.

Move it over there.

Slow down.

Be careful.

Ding Hui.

Yes.

Sun Lang.

The Scarlet Guards are more powerful around here.

You must be more careful during the night patrol.

Don't worry.

Yes.

Come with me.

I have something good for you.

Take it.

I bought the red bean paste bun in the alley last time,

but this time, I borrowed

Qian's fire and personally baked the naan.

There's honey inside.

Be careful. It's hot.

What does she want?

What else?

She's obviously being nice to you.

Others might not know, but I know.

She's protecting your dignity.

She's worried being too direct would scare you,

so she decided to play around

with us irrelevant people

before treating you well.

This is called "going in a roundabout way

and biding one's time."

Anyway, keep an eye on her for me.

I can keep an eye on her for you,

but are you sure you won't be jealous?

Our mission this time is not romantic.

We're escorting Her Highness to the State of An

and bring His Majesty back

to clear the name of the Heaven Path brothers.

Yes.

Everyone had a great fight with her

in the battle at Tianxing Gorge.

She treats Yuan Lu well too.

So...

She is great,

but she's not one of us.

You reminded me

that Chu's police officers and the Liudao Hall

have had quite a few grudges.

If you really fell in love with her

and her identity was exposed one day,

our men would still make trouble.

No wonder you refused

such a good thing.

You're indeed the chief.

You're foresighted.

Alright.

Anyway, don't let her know about this.

You're worried they'll be sad

if they find out, but you still do it.

I would be sad too.

Ning,

don't do this again

when you meet a girl you like in the future.

Once the girl's heart is broken,

it'll become riddled with holes

and you'll never be able to mend it.

Who said I liked her?

Stop.

I'm talking about the girl you like.

I didn't say it was her.

What's wrong?

She wants to learn how to ride a horse.

Come.

Hold the rein.

The rein.

Don't pull it so hard.

Relax your hands.

Move your arms with the horse's head.

Straighten your back.

Pat it gently.

Make it feel that you are very kind.

Hello, horse.

Yuan Lu, show her around.

Sure, no problem.

Don't worry, Your Highness. My horse is very obedient.

Straighten your back.

Slowly kick its belly.

Turn in the direction of where you want to go in.

I want to go right.

Then turn right. Again.

Yes.

I turned around!

Come on.

-Yuan Lu. -Turn around.

Turn around, Your Highness.

Turn around!

Let's go.

Don't worry, Your Highness. I'm here.

I know how to turn around.

You ride very well.

Take your time.

Your Highness is great.

Yes.

Go further.

Your Highness, you are great!

-Amazing. -Really?

Ruyi, am I riding well?

Don't worry, Your Highness. I'm here.

Okay.

Ruyi?

Yuan Lu.

Your Highness!

Yuan Lu, help!

Yuan Lu!

Yuan Lu!

Yuan Lu, save me!

Yuan Lu, watch out!

Yuan Lu!

This is how you learn fast.

Don't worry.

Wait.

Why didn't you let me ride a little longer?

I'm not tired at all.

How can this be?

Riding tests the strength of your back and legs the most.

You're just a beginner. Don't be greedy.

Have you practiced the dagger I asked you to do last time?

Yes.

Watch carefully.

[Guideyuan Pasture, the State of An]

Great.

Great.

How is it?

What's the rush, Your Majesty?

I hurried over before I even put on

my rouge properly.

You're here.

I want to ask you

what the name of your brother's daughter is.

Her name is Chu Yue.

Is she engaged?

Not yet.

That girl is very ambitious.

She always fights with my brother.

It's good that she's not engaged.

Here.

How about

I arrange a marriage for her?

I'll thank Your Majesty

on behalf of Chu Yue.

Which family's boy is it?

I'm afraid an ordinary man

won't be able to handle Chu Yue's personality.

Don't worry.

An ordinary man can't,

but Tongguang

can do it, right?

Tongguang?

Why does it have to be Chu Yue?

I can't accept it.

His Majesty just said it casually.

Maybe he'll forget it in two days.

His Majesty will definitely bestow the marriage.

He's afraid that Chu Yue will marry the second prince.

That way,

the forces of both Shaxi and Shadong would be united

and threaten his position.

Having Tongguang marry Yue

seems to be a favor from His Majesty,

but my brother and Yue are both so proud.

How could they accept a son-in-law like this?

If the marriage isn't harmonious,

then the Shaxi Tribe

will never stand behind the Tongguang.

Tongguang will only

be an official for his entire life.

I'll tell the Little Marquis now

to let him know how sad you are because of this.

The Little Marquis is loyal.

No matter what, he can delay it for a few years.

He won't.

He's always wanted to be the Cabinet Grand Secretary.

This marriage

can help him get His Majesty's favor

and help him win over the Shaxi Tribe.

He'd be more than willing.

I know

he doesn't like me

the way I like him.

I've always known

that he's just pretending with me.

He's just using me.

You may leave now.

I'm hungry.

So hungry.

What are you doing?

Stinky beggar!

What are you doing?

You dare to rob me?

I dare you to try again.

Please take pity on me.

Don't stop.

Hurry into the city.

[Taoran Inn, Jiangcheng]

Qian, Yuan Lu, and Sun Lang,

come out and carry these things.

Those kids just now were so pitiful.

Yuanzhou—

Mr. Ning,

can we help them?

Your Highness,

last month, a patrol cavalry unit

passed by the neighboring county and the outskirts of Jiangcheng

and committed violence.

Some refugees escaped to Jiangcheng.

Some are still homeless.

It's 200 miles away from the An army's territory.

We'll definitely

encounter more cities like this along the way.

We can't save them all.

Can't we do something for them?

What you need to do now

is to learn from Ruyi

and save your brother.

This is the only thing you can do.

But we...

Your Highness, in two days,

we'll meet the officials of the State of An.

Go back to your room.

Mr. Du,

the closer we are to the State of An, the more hidden Scarlet Guards there'll be.

I'll go on patrol.

Rest early.

Sun Lang.

Here.

Take my jade amulet to the magistrate

and ask him to help the refugees settle as soon as possible.

Understood.

You are Prince Li of Wu?

Rise.

You don't have to say the word "rise."

Just raise your hand.

When the opponent is rude,

but you're unable to fight back,

the best solution is to not say anything.

The other party won't get the effect they want,

but they won't dare to stay silent.

As long as they speak again,

their imposing manner will be weakened.

Yuanzhou should have left already.

Ruyi, did you see earlier?

There are some refugees in the city too.

You want to give something to those beggars?

No.

Your main job is to deal with the State of An.

But I can go on your behalf.

Really?

Can you give us some money?

Can I have some?

Thank you.

It's you?

Yes.

Qian Zhao asked me to get some medicine for Yuan Lu.

I've sent someone to send it back,

but I saw you right after I left the pharmacy.

I wanted to

test how much the Left Emissary Ren has recovered.

You're still more skilled than me.

It's only 70%.

Some of my acupoints were injured for too long and I still can't open them.

But even if I recover completely,

I may not be your match.

You admit defeat before you even try.

This is not like you.

If a killer wants to live long,

they must know how to avoid

people who are stronger.

As expected of the Scarlet Guards' best assassin.

So, what did you buy today?

It's for you.

For me?

I saw calluses on your index finger joints.

I guessed you like carving.

I happen to have

a piece of heavenly meteoric iron from the previous dynasty.

I decided to make this.

I went around just now

and added a horn handle

so you can use it more easily.

Heavenly meteoric iron?

This is too valuable. I can't accept it.

Just accept it.

I'm gifting you this to please you.

To please me?

Why?

Why do you think a woman

would want to

please a man?

I'm really sorry.

Thank you.

By the way, what you just said...

I don't know.

Of course, it's to ask you for a favor.

We're about to enter the State of An.

How are you going to help me find out

who killed Empress Zhaojie?

Don't give me superficial answers.

I want to know the details

of what exactly you're going to do.

Don't worry.

I've thought about it already.

I'm thirsty.

Let's sit down and talk.

Okay.

Your tea.

Thank you.

Please enjoy.

The Palace of Hell is the headquarters of the Liudao Hall.

It's actually in charge of analyzing all kinds of secret reports,

but many of the original files

are distributed throughout the various divisions.

When Zhao Ji was in charge,

he locked the An Capital division's secret archive

for some time,

but Empress Zhaojie passed away five years ago.

There must be some information saved from that time.

The so-called secret files

are just documents,

such as letters between officials

and the historical officials—

You're all set.

Thank you.

Go on.

Everything in the court

will leave traces behind.

So...

So when we arrive in the State of An,

I'll take you

to the long-sealed secret archive

to find the file

and compare them back and forth.

We'll be able to find out the key figures

who benefited from Empress Zhao Jie's death.

Then we can find the real murderer

among those people.

♫If the world is like a wave♫

♫Drowning the past♫

♫Who will steer the boat with me into the distance♫

♫Look through the world filled with clouds♫

♫The blade's glint hides the tears♫

♫Love is a lie between one's lips♫

I think you said you've been to the State of An before.

♫Searching for normality between life and death for you♫

Yes

Six years ago, when I was the chief of the Hell Path,

I was undercover there for a few months.

♫I waited, but it wouldn't come♫

Six years ago?

♫Two people for eternity♫

At that time, I went to the State of Su

to assassinate Fang Daoxi, the Commissioner of Internal Affairs.

I wasn't there.

♫I waited and it came♫

Otherwise,

I would've had my subordinates capture you

♫This long journey where one shadow became two♫

and torture you.

Fortunately, I have long legs.

I can run fast.

♫At the end of the road, it's a dream♫

It's strange.

♫Even if we're not destined, it can't be forgotten♫

We were both high-ranking figures

in the Liudao Hall and Scarlet Guards,

♫I thought I saw through fate♫

but we never met each other.

♫But when I wake from the dream, I'm still lost♫

Maybe we did,

but we didn't know.

♫Who will drink with me half a lifetime's wind and frost♫

Just like that

♫Exchange myself for a sliver of light♫

Brushing past one another

without realizing it.

♫If love does exist♫

♫Let's look back in our next life♫

♫Rain covers the sound of my heartbeat♫

♫Farewells bring new wounds♫

♫Love is the trembling of fingertips when we separate♫

♫I waited, but I couldn't have♫

♫Two people for eternity♫

♫I waited and I got♫

♫This long journey where one shadow became two♫

A gift in return.

♫At the end of the road, it's a dream♫

For you.

♫Even if we're not destined, it can't be forgotten♫

♫I thought I saw through fate♫

♫But when I wake from the dream, I'm still lost♫

♫Who will drink with me half a lifetime's wind and frost♫

♫Exchange myself for a sliver of light♫

Leave me alone.

I can keep drinking.

♫If love does exist♫

♫Let's look back in our next life♫

I could've avoided them myself.

♫The dream lingers for a while♫

I know,

♫Teardrops fall onto the robe after the farewell♫

but even if you're always capable,

♫Have you ever promised♫

you still need protection sometimes.

♫Two passionate hearts staying together forever♫

This is what Empress Zhaojie told me before.

♫Who will drink with me half a lifetime's wind and frost♫

I just copied her example.

♫Exchange myself for a sliver of light♫

♫If love does exist♫

♫Let's look back in our next life♫

Empress Zhaojie treated you very well.

Of course.

Most of my friends

who joined the Scarlet Guard with me

died from missions or tortures.

Sometimes, I had to go to the ice spring for punishment.

Empress Zhaojie would find an excuse

to send me to her palace for punishment.

After the gate closed,

she would have me drink with her

and played with the Second Prince she gave birth to.

She even taught the Second Prince to recite poems.

Departing young from home, returning old.

How can one discern if I'm male or female?

Empress Zhaojie is really interesting.

Actually, Liudao Hall was like the Scarlet Guards before.

We also had strict punishments

and a system of survival of the fittest,

but I've always believed that a good spy organization

shouldn't only select talents.

As long as ordinary people work together,

they can still create miracles.

Is that how

Yuan Lu and the others came to you?

Yes.

Take Shisan

as an example.

His mother

was a county lord of the previous dynasty.

He was born and raised in riches

and he grew into a playboy.

When he first joined the Asura Path,

he flirted with every female officer.

I had to follow him every day

to clean up his messes.

I also got whipped by the chief with him every day.

Then gradually,

he accepted me as his brother.

It's great to have a superior

like you.

I wasn't not as lucky as him.

I still remember what the Purple Emissary

who took me away to be a White Sparrow when I was seven

looked like.

My father had just bought me candy.

She had someone take me away,

crushed the candy

in front of me,

and whipped me 31 times.

Thirty-one times.

At that time, I swore in my heart

that one day,

I'd cut off 31 pieces of her flesh.

Not a piece less.

Did you take revenge

after you grew up?

She died early

in a mission in the State of Su.

Most female Scarlet Guards

don't live past 30 years old.

I'm almost there.

Don't be so pessimistic.

Didn't you leave the Scarlet Guards?

The rain has stopped.

Let's go back.

It's late already.

I'll go in first.

Okay.

Tomorrow, tell me where your acupoints

are blocked.

I’ll discuss with Qian Zhao and the others

to help you regain your power as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Wait.