Original subtitles

♫ By the riverside ♫

♫ I sow a seed of karma ♫

♫ Forlorn fates intertwine ♫

♫ Written in the stars ♫

♫ Should your passion smolder out ♫

♫ Will you give up on your ideal world? ♫

♫ Our past can only be entrusted to memories ♫

♫ I'm mooning over you ♫

♫ Amidst loneliness ♫

♫ Berthed in sleepless nights ♫

♫ You're my desire ♫

♫ That teems underneath ♫

♫ I'm drowned in your beautiful eyes ♫

♫ I'm mooning over you ♫

♫ Next to the Three-life Stone ♫

♫ I cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness ♫

♫ Gazing at moonlit nights ♫

♫ The moon appears brighter because of you ♫

♫ Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze ♫

♫ Gazing at moonlit nights ♫

♫ The moon appears brighter because of you ♫

♫ Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze ♫

[The Legend of Anle] [Adapted from a novel by Xing Ling]

[Episode 28]

My imperial court has been completely turned upside down.

And yet, you are here congratulating me.

Eighty thousand generals and soldiers died tragically,

and the loyal Di family endured ten years of unfair suffering.

These tragedies indeed happened

because of the Han family's selfish desires.

Since the scholars are willing to ask us to uphold justice,

it shows their trust in Jing,

and they believe that Your Majesty

will clear the Di family's name and bring justice to the whole country.

Ye,

since when did you learn to speak so eloquently?

I'm just telling the truth.

Your Majesty, you are wise and always open to advice.

You also taught me that people's hearts are important.

Like these scholars,

I also believe that Your Majesty will stop the endless rumors

and bring peace to the restless souls in the afterlife.

Crown Prince, do you also think that I was wrong?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, Official Di requests an audience.

[Lanqing Hall]

Your Majesty, I have something to report.

Speak.

Now, Empress Dowager and Marquis Zhongyi

have already paid for their actions with their lives.

The Di family's case should also come to an end.

But the 80,000 heroic souls of the Di family

are still wandering at Qingnan Mountain in the Northwest.

I beg Your Majesty to personally go and bring back the 80,000 heroic souls to the capital

to clear their names before the entire nation.

Official Di, you're requesting that His Majesty go to the Northwest border

to bring back the loyal souls to the capital?

I find it highly inappropriate.

The Emperor's well-being is of utmost importance.

His Majesty shouldn't travel strenuously.

As the Crown Prince,

I'm willing to go to the Northwest border on behalf of Your Majesty.

You want to head to the Northwest?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I'm willing to remove my crown and walk barefoot

to bring the loyal souls back to the capital.

- Crown Prince. - Your Majesty,

we should let the entire world witness the Di family reclaim their honor

and the return of the heroic souls to the capital so that it's known to all people.

Get up first.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I shall release Luo Mingxi and let you go to the Northwest.

But

I still have one thing to ask you.

As of now,

do you still want to marry Di Ziyuan?

In this life, my only wish is to assist Your Majesty

in seeking peace and prosperity for Jing.

Zhao Fu.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Convey my imperial decree.

Regarding the matter of the Di family, I acknowledge my mistake before the people.

When the heroic souls of the Di family return to the capital,

the Crown Prince shall remove his crown and walk barefoot,

and I shall issue a repentance decree

to seek forgiveness from the entire nation.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Anle.

I've often imagined.

If we could go back to the past,

we could enjoy each other's company happily.

Your Highness, you must understand

that once Anle becomes Di Ziyuan,

things will never be the same.

Yes,

I understand that.

But I hope that even if there's no love between us,

we can have less hatred.

At least, I can do my best

to settle the resentment created

by the past generation.

[Prison]

You were already skinny, to begin with.

After spending time in prison, you've become even weaker.

I already consulted the physician.

He said you should have light meals these days.

No spicy food or alcohol.

The wound will itch during your recovery.

I've instructed six maids to stick around you every day.

If you wanted to scratch your wounds, they would hit your hand.

You're treating me as if I were a child.

Don't worry. I'll focus on recuperating.

I have to thank you for everything.

Ziyuan, you're managing everything yourself now.

He's also here.

You were released

because he went to plead with Han Zhongyuan for mercy.

But you don't need to be grateful to them.

After all, you ended up in such a state because of what that family had done.

Your Highness.

I'm glad you were released.

It's windy out here. You shouldn't catch a cold. Let's get on the carriage.

I'm injured.

So it's not convenient for me to greet you formally.

You can drop the formalities.

I'm grateful for His Majesty's kindness.

I thought I wouldn't survive those torture devices.

I must thank you for sending the best medicine.

That's why I made it out alive.

I was merely lending a hand.

Let's go.

Fabrics for sale!

Luo Mingxi has been safely released.

Han Zhongyuan has decided to issue a repentance decree.

Does your master have a backup plan?

The Chancellor said

Di Ziyuan instigated the scholars to gather in front of the Chongyang Gate to protest for her.

Though it worked, it was quite risky.

The odds between the Han and Di families are now out in the open.

Di Ziyuan's ability to win over people

is now no less impressive than those of emperors and ministers.

With public sentiment surging like this,

Han Zhongyuan will surely become even more wary of her.

That's right.

The Chancellor said

Han Zhongyuan dared not do anything to Di Ziyuan because he just issued a repentance decree.

But

we can help him take action.

[Three days later] [Lingxiang Pleasure House]

- Linlang. - Miss Di.

Official Luo told me not to inform you of his current condition.

But I'm sure you can see it for yourself.

He really needs rest.

You're the only one he listens to now.

Don't worry.

Thank you, Miss Di.

I know you have a perceptive heart.

But you can check these ledgers at any time.

Ziyuan,

you have something to tell me, right?

Are you planning something?

Are you not content?

I'm just worried

because I was imprisoned as soon as the Di family case was exonerated.

It looks like the Han family will eventually make a move against you.

I was once reluctant to leave the court.

But you personally stopped me.

Now, Han Zhongyuan issued a repentance decree before the people.

The 80,000 loyal souls will be brought back from Qingnan Mountain soon.

You were right at the time.

I shouldn't continue this fight here.

I said that back then

because I wanted you to be free from the Han family's court responsibilities.

You, the Di family's bloodline, are destined to be feared by the Han family.

If you don't take a step forward

to counterbalance the Han family,

I think the tragedy of the Di family won't end here.

You were injured severely in prison.

You should rest properly for these few days.

I'll come and visit you again after I return from the Northwest.

[Residence of the Princess]

- Anning. - Ye,

why are you here?

I know you've been troubled lately,

so I brought your favorite cloud cake for you.

Only you know me.

You know my taste like the back of your hand.

Have a seat.

When I saw you lacking in energy these days,

I thought my dear sister was going

to need some treats from me to comfort her like when we were young.

Anning,

you're a stubborn person.

I was worried that you would get hurt in the capital.

But seeing you not dwelling in self-pity,

I'm relieved.

Since we were young, you've always cared for me the most.

In this world, what older brother wouldn't worry about their younger sister?

Moreover, as members of the imperial family,

we face countless helplessness

and more choices.

As your brother, anything you don't want to do

or can't bear, I'll bear it for you.

However, from now on, you mustn't keep anything from me.

You're so nice to me

that I'm reluctant to return to the Northwest now.

Whether you want to return to the Northwest or stay in the capital,

you can live freely in the future.

If His Majesty forces you to choose a prince consort again,

I'll help you.

I'll help you choose something you like.

But what about what you like and the person you like?

As the Crown Prince,

what I like isn't important.

Actually, I can see

that Ziyuan is sincere toward you.

We can see all the efforts you've made to make up for the past mistakes.

Ziyuan surely sees them too.

Anning,

no matter how much I do,

I can never make up for the wrongful death of the 80,000 souls.

No matter how well I do,

I can never become a blood relative connected to her.

What I am doing now

has nothing to do with her identity.

I just want to do my best

to ensure that those who have been hurt by this matter

can peacefully live out the rest of their lives.

Ye,

I don't think you know this.

But whenever we mention Ziyuan,

even your smile

looks bitter.

[Yuanshui Pavilion]

Many of my jewels are missing from my jewelry box.

Did any of you see them while cleaning?

Excuse me.

The hairpin on your head looks like mine.

Is it yours just because you claim it's yours?

You also claimed you were the Di family's descendant

and were appointed as the Crown Princess by the Founding Emperor.

That's right. Are you the Crown Princess?

I wonder who the Crown Princess is now. Is it you?

Please return what belongs to me.

What do you own in the capital?

This courtyard was a gift from His Majesty for Miss Di of the Di family to reside in.

You're nothing but a beggar on the street,

not even comparable to servants like us.

How dare you act so arrogantly?

You beggar!

They hit me. They hit me!

- Are you all right? - Get up.

Mu Qing, they picked on me and stole my things.

What?

How dare criminals like you act so arrogantly!

My sister serves in Crown Prince's Residence. I'm going to tell the Crown Prince about this.

This is where Miss Cheng'en lives. It's not for you two to cause trouble here.

Miss Cheng'en rendered meritorious service at the palace's banquet.

And this Yuanshui Pavilion

was personally given by the Crown Prince to Miss Cheng'en alone.

You can try and behave presumptuously again.

- Let's go. - Just go.

His Highness said

the past should not involve innocent people.

He hopes you can forget the past

and continue living in the capital.

No matter what happens,

I'll always be by your side.

[Lingxiang Pleasure House]

The Di family's case has already been overturned.

It seems Miss Di has also let it go.

Linlang, can you let go of your grudge?

Ten years ago,

your elder brother and father died in Qingnan Mountain.

Your mother passed away from grief.

I know the requiem you played that day wasn't just for Anning.

It was also for those 80,000 lost souls who can never return to their homeland.

If the grievances of these 80,000 people can be compensated

with only a decree from the Emperor,

then our ten years of hard work will be in vain.

But you've put in a tremendous effort for the past ten years.

Now,

there is not much time left.

It's precisely because my time is running out

that I don't want to waste any more time.

I want to walk with her until the end.

So she can see herself clearly without any regrets.

Only when Jing's territory no longer has the Han imperial family

and Han Zhongyuan no longer controls the country

that rightfully belongs to the Di family,

will the 80,000 wronged souls and the ancestors of the Di family be truly appeased.

At that time,

Di Ziyuan

can proudly return to Qingnan Mountain

and soothe the remains of those who have rested there for ten years.

Linlang, please continue to help with the acupuncture.

Thanks to your acupuncture these days

that my complexion looks normal.

Thank you for your help.

The time has arrived!

The Crown Prince

and Official Di, please set out to receive

the 80,000 heroic souls of the Di family and escort them back to the capital!

- I shall obey the decree. - I shall obey the decree.

[Jiaxian Gate]

Your Highness, the carriage is ready. Please set out with Official Di.

Yuanshu, prepare another carriage for me. I will join you later.

All right.

Wait.

Official Di, if you don't mind,

you can take my carriage.

I'll prepare another carriage and catch up with the envoy.

Your Highness, it's an important occasion. As the Crown Prince...

No problem.

We can't have the Crown Prince give up his carriage for other people.

Official Di, please ride with me.

Luo Mingxi and Di Ziyuan are traveling in the same carriage.

They will cross through dense forests along the way.

This is the perfect opportunity to take action.

The Chancellor requests Your Highness to lend us a hand.

Do you have any news on winning the trust of the former servants of the Di family?

Please rest assured, Your Highness. We have already obtained some clues.

Why did you come?

Didn't you promise to recuperate at home?

As a former member of the Di family,

those buried at Qingnan Mountain were my seniors.

Of course, I must see them off.

But it's a long journey.

What if your body can't take it?

I'll be fine.

Linlang has been taking care of me for the past few days.

Look, don't I look much better now than when I was released from prison?

I still have to rely on your keen intuition for this arduous journey.

You know the road ahead is tough.

You even prepared this spacious carriage for me.

Because I know

you don't want to face him.

This carriage has a cozy setup. It comes with a warmer and soft blankets.

Your Highness,

you didn't prepare these for me, right?

You have done well in your studies recently. So you deserve this reward.

Your Highness and I don't like drinking.

Then,

[Alcohol] who did you prepare these for?

When we take a break midway,

you can take these two jars of wine and deliver them to Official Luo's carriage.

The weather is changing, and they might need it.

Your Highness asked me to do it

because you wanted to give something to Anle?

Never mind.

Official Luo is meticulous.

I suppose he's more thorough in such preparation.

I don't hate him. I just don't want to see him.

But I'm sure

he'll be a good Crown Prince

and treat the descendants of the Di family with kindness.

Treat with kindness?

Do those wives and mothers, who have experienced the loss of husbands and sons,

deserve only a decree and a small sum of money?

Is this what you call treating them with kindness?

It seems like the sky is getting cloudy. It might rain.

Ziyuan, as a descendant of the Di family,

you should have the same determination as the former family head who wielded great power.

Your Highness, do you remember

when we traveled to Jiangnan,

Anle insisted that we all ride in the same carriage?

Actually, she did that so you could rest peacefully.

She really cares for you.

Your Highness and Anle make a formidable team,

solving cases and getting rid of evildoers.

What a remarkable understanding.

When you held Anle's hand amid the cheers of the people,

I couldn't help but envy.

You went through thick and thin together and have a deep affection for each other.

Your bond is as strong as the one the Founding Emperor had with the head of the Di family.

Your Highness, you clearly care deeply for Anle.

Since His Majesty has issued the repentance decree

and agreed to welcome back the generals and soldiers of the Di family,

why can't you two reconcile?

Because she has always been Di Ziyuan,

not Ren Anle.

I'd rather she be a female pirate from Jingnan,

even if she is rough, uncultured, and bad in literature.

I'd rather the girl I once had in my heart and cherished, Ren Anle,

can live as she wants.

Sometimes, I wish

Di Ziyuan never existed in this world.

But the funny part

was Di Ziyuan has always been here.

What doesn't exist

is Ren Anle I have in my heart.

Young Lady. Official Luo.

The carriage's wheels are stuck in the mud. It seems we can't continue forward for now.

It's raining heavily. So the envoy needs to rest and regroup.

His Highness requests that Miss Di and Official Luo

get off the carriage to take shelter from the rain.

Find some strong guards to push the carriage. I won't get off.

Young Lady, the road is muddy.

The guards need to change the rain covers of the carriage.

It's inconvenient to stay inside.

It's better to get off the carriage and find shelter from the rain.

Let's get off.

You're soaking wet.

Official Luo, the spring rain is chilly.

It's easy to catch a cold being splashed by it.

Ask Official Di to change her position slightly.

It's fine. I think this rain will stop soon.

Since she's not willing to come, why force her?

Your Highness, the weather is too cold.

I'll go and get some clothes for you.

♫ If I bet my all on it desperately ♫

♫ I know my heart will be uneasy ♫

♫ I give up on my light and hide it under a bushel ♫

♫ You're the moon in my heart ♫

♫ I can't dream to own you ♫

Why bother?

♫ But I'm willing to forsake my life for you ♫

♫ I'd go the distance for you. May the light stay with you ♫

This heavy rain reminds me of when we were in Jingnan.

Yes, it always rained when we were kids.

You used to take me running in the rain,

and we ended up covered with mud.

It's precisely the heavy rain

that nourishes the beautiful Flower of Longing.

♫ I bear no regrets ♫

♫ But when we reunite in our next life, will you still remember me? ♫

After everything is settled,

can we go back to Jingnan?

Ziyuan,

do you know what I was thinking

every time I heard cheerful sounds outside the Lingxiang Pleasure House?

I was thinking that the capital sure was a great place.

Talents gather here, and everything is harmonious and joyful.

♫ And guarded your smile ♫

But when have the people of Jingnan ever experienced such days?

♫ Please don't leave me in oblivion when we part ways ♫

♫ I'd go the distance for you. May the light stay with you ♫

Han Ye,

do you know who lies buried beneath Qingnan Mountain?

Those remains belong to the husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers of the people in Jingnan.

♫ I bear no regrets ♫

♫ But when we reunite in our next life, will you still remember me? ♫

They guarded the territory. They were all brave and resolute young men.

But what did they get in return for their sacrifice?

They were labeled as traitors

and faced the scorn of the world.

In the end, even their remains have no resting place.

I hope these 80,000 souls of Di Troops

can find justice and peace in the afterlife.

I also hope their families

can find some consolation.

♫ I'd go the distance for you. May the light stay with you ♫

For these ten years,

every year on the memorial day of the Di Troops,

Jingnan is filled with white mourning banners.

During festivals, you can't hear any joyful sounds

because the families were torn apart

and their bloodlines were severed.

As the Crown Prince of Jing,

can you imagine that there's still such a place in your territory?

♫ I bear no regrets ♫

♫ But when we reunite in our next life, will you still remember me? ♫

It's raining heavily.

I suppose the journey to Qingnan Mountain

won't be smooth for His Highness and Official Di.

Ye and Ziyuan went to bring back the 80,000 heroic souls.

I may not dare to meet them.

But I still want to do what I can to help.

General,

you have guarded the border for many years

and protected the land they once fought to defend.

This is the greatest comfort and tribute to all the heroic souls.

The departed are gone,

and the living keeps living.

I want to request His Majesty to issue a decree

to treat the surviving former servants of the Di family kindly.

The Di family suffered heavy casualties ten years ago.

It may be difficult to get in touch with the former servants of the Di family.

Most of the former servants of the Di family

have scattered in cities along the Northwest border.

Over these years, I've been investigating in secret

and have gathered much information about them.

Deliver this memorial to His Majesty

and this secret letter to the Northwest.

Yes, General.

Your Highness, you were caught in the chilly rain.

Drink some hot tea to warm yourself.

Your Highness, ten years is really a long time.

Perhaps, they have already started new lives.

Perhaps...

- Luo Mingxi is right. - They are all trying their best...

But as long as these people are still alive,

they won't find peace.

They don't even know that their loved ones died thousands of li away

because of the imperial family's desire for power and selfish gain.

Your Highness, if you're tired,

rest for a while.

When you wake up,

we will reach our destination.

The closer we get to Qingnan Mountain,

the more I realize

that no matter how hard I try,

I can't stand by her side.

All my previous efforts, persistence,

guilt, and compensation,

as well as what I had experienced with her,

are too insignificant

compared to the lives of these 80,000 people.

What a joke.

It's not worth mentioning at all.

Take this. You were caught in the rain too. Warm yourself with this.

Actually, you didn't have to tell him all that.

But there are some words he should hear

even if it's ten or twenty years late.

You didn't just say them to him but also to me.

You've expressed all your discontentment.

Other than seeking justice and innocence,

you want them to return

half of the country that the Han family owes to the Di family.

Are you really content?

Even if we return to Jingnan now

and wait another ten years,

will the people of Jingnan truly live in peace?

You bear the surname "Di",

and you should be the protector of that land and its people.

But achieving greatness often comes at the cost of countless lives.

If you want to seize control of the world,

other than war, there will be no other options.

Chaos will spread throughout the land, and so will Jingnan.

How do you expect innocent people to survive this?

When you were feeling discontent,

have you ever considered the plight of those ordinary folks?

During the Han family's rule for the past ten years,

corrupt officials and oppressive officers reigned.

The common people suffered greatly.

They are no longer qualified to rule this country.

And Han Zhongyuan is not worthy of being the Emperor.

While one's birth may determine their family background,

I believe, with enough effort,

one can definitely change their fate.

I will immediately go to the palace and report this to His Majesty.

Your Highness, this is a complicated case.

Who knows how many high-ranking officials might be involved?

I will not cower in fear before the grievances of the people.

Why can't we strike the bell to seek justice?

This case will be taken to the heavens if needed.

Han Zhongyuan is unworthy.

But Jing's Crown Prince is worthy.

He cares for the people, values righteousness, and has the world in his heart.

I believe

he will create a bright and prosperous era once again.

[Qingnan Mountain]

Presenting the memorial tablet of the heroic souls!

[Loyal Souls of the Di Family, Steadfast Noble Characters]

The first homage!

The second homage!

The third homage!

Please welcome the heroic souls.

Eighty thousand heroic souls in the heavens,

I, Ziyuan from the Di family, receive you back to the capital.

♫ If I bet my all on it desperately ♫

♫ I know my heart will be uneasy ♫

♫ I give up on my light and hide it under a bushel ♫

♫ You're the moon in my heart ♫

♫ I can't dream to own you ♫

♫ But I'm willing to forsake my life for you ♫

♫ I'd go the distance for you ♫

♫ May the light stay with you ♫

♫ Romance aside ♫

♫ I fight for your destiny alongside you ♫

♫ You're my dream from the bygone youth ♫

♫ Arriving at the end of my life ♫

♫ I bear no regrets. But when we reunite in our next life ♫

♫ Will you still remember me? ♫

♫ I've concealed my yearning for you ♫

♫ And guarded your smile ♫

♫ Please don't leave me in oblivion when we part ways ♫

♫ I'd go the distance for you ♫

♫ May the light stay with you ♫

♫ Romance aside ♫

♫ I fight for your destiny alongside you ♫

♫ You're my dream from the bygone youth ♫

♫ Arriving at the end of my life ♫

♫ I bear no regrets. But when we reunite in our next life ♫

♫ Will you still remember me? ♫