Original subtitles

♪Bright moonlight, with lanterns still burning♪

♪Deep night's hue, your face softly blurring♪

♪In a fleeting thought, my heart's line is stirring♪

♪Fate entwines, a knot forever binding♪

♪This love's riddle, your heart cold as steel♪

♪Yet your bright smile, how it steals♪

♪Like the fireworks in the night sky♪

♪A brilliance that no words can yield♪

♪La~ la~♪

♪In this life, meeting you is fate's best hand♪

♪La~ la~♪

♪Our love story, I'll slowly pen♪

♪In this life, I wish for your words♪

♪From black hair to white, we'll brave time's trend♪

♪In this life, may our love forever blend♪

♪Let's make a pact with the changing seas♪

♪In this life, may our love stand like mountains♪

♪Through seasons' change, our whispers weave♪

♪In this life, may our love never fades away♪

♪Outshining all the world's glories, come what may♪

=Les Belles=

=Episode 11=

(Zhongshan Villa) Sir, My Lady, we've arrived.

Jinchuan,

as I recall, a waterway

connects the villa and Prince Hengyang's Mansion.

I'll go there to check

while you prepare the things I need.

Yes, sir.

Go.

(It's the only way to rescue Zhao Yuan.)

Rain makes the ground slippery.

Will I fall?

Miss Luo.

Careful!

Thanks, Young Master Yun.

Please, Miss Luo.

The view here is impressive.

It'll be pleasant to hold a martial banquet.

It includes complicated games.

Props are needed.

All of them need to be prepared in advance.

I promised to make this banquet perfect.

I'll get everything ready.

Aren't you going to help me?

Or are you reluctant?

The Winding Stream Banquet

is for scholars to compose poetry.

Now, it's turned into

a martial banquet.

You know how to cater to people's taste.

Tomorrow, it'll be Prince Hengyang's one-man show.

It's his welcome banquet.

Isn't it to please him?

Would you rather go against him?

Besides,

how do you know he'll win for sure?

You're wise and brave.

Maybe you'll be even better.

Well said.

What are you looking at?

Peach blossoms are in full bloom.

My Lady,

we need to check the seats in the warehouse.

They need to be cleaned.

The kitchen asked us to taste the dishes.

The gatehouse told us

to double-check the guest list and carriages.

- And... - Hold on.

One at a time, please.

You're occupied.

I'll go there to check

what else is needed. Take the umbrella.

Thanks, Young Master Yun.

The kitchen, gatehouse...

You're right, sir.

The villa and the mansion

are connected by water.

Have you got everything?

Yes, sir.

Whistling arrows and a horse are ready for you.

Sir,

are you really going in there alone?

Take me with you.

I... I'll be your shield.

I can at least take stabs for you.

You have to be alive to be Zhao Yuan's punch bag.

Don't worry.

I've had a plan.

The banquet is tomorrow. Stay alert!

- Yes. - Yes.

(Although guards patrol)

(in shifts in the mansion,)

(all of them)

(pass the woodshed.)

Zhao Yuan must be locked there.

He cheated like this when playing hide-and-seek in childhood.

Turns out, he hasn't changed.

Your Highness, all corners are guarded.

Whoever sneaks in won't get out.

And the side gate?

It's been sealed.

I think no one will see it.

The devil is in the details.

Have you not learned your lesson in war?

Guard the side gate!

Yes!

There! The side gate!

Zhao Yuan!

Zhao Yuan!

I should look at him with new eyes after so long.

The east side is guarded, too.

(Area)

Are you alright, My Lady?

I don't know why

my heart suddenly squeezed.

Perhaps you've been working too hard.

Are you feeling better?

Are all the fireworks in place?

All set, My Lady.

I've checked three times.

They've been placed as to your plan.

Nothing will go wrong.

Hey, turn in early.

We have to get up early tomorrow.

I see.

I need some fresh air.

(Zhao Yuan should've gone far.)

- Seize him. - Yes.

Wait!

Don't kill him!

Yes.

No one's here.

Not here either.

Is he over there?

No.

He ran away!

(Why did my heart palpitate?)

(Perhaps I was exhausted.)

(Someone said he'd help me.)

(What did he do?)

I haven't seen Lu Yun since noon.

He must've gone back. How lazy.

Be quiet!

Luo Lingyu,

help me...

Young Master Yun?

Thanks for your help.

Once we arrive in Yuezhou, I'll thank you properly.

(His mask is...)

Sit tight. Don't move.

Are you Mr. Lu's third son?

Take a guess.

I'm new here.

I really don't know.

Please tell me.

Do you really not remember me?

Thanks.

I said that day no need to thank me.

The waterway to Yuezhou.

The boat in the dark.

You've recalled it, right?

So far,

I've saved you twice.

Saved me?

When I was still wounded,

you forced me to jump off the boat.

Had I been any less skilled in swimming,

I would've drowned.

You're so ungrateful.

Hadn't I lent a hand,

you wouldn't have been here to argue with me.

Help!

(Siqi Chamber) The thief is in the study!

Catch him!

Is this horse from the farmer's market?

Do you know

back in the Fan's,

hadn't you called me a thief,

I wouldn't have ended up in the water, wounded?

The bond between us

goes much deeper than you think.

No wonder my dowry was heavy.

You stole everything!

So you were that thief in the Fan's.

You stole my dowry!

I didn't steal anything.

It was you who took my money bag.

How dare you ask me for compensation.

You dropped that money bag.

I made a meticulous plan to run away

on my wedding day.

But you sabotaged it.

You can be unreasonable,

but have a conscience.

Hadn't you grabbed my horse,

could you have got away?

If I hadn't lost my horse,

would I have...?

The past is the past.

Don't rake it up.

Since we owe each other,

our debts are offset. We're even.

It's late.

Go back and rest.

This way. Follow me!

Let's go.

- You heard that. - Move!

- They're outside hunting me. - There.

- If I go out, - There.

I'll be digging my own grave.

At this point,

I can only stay the night in your room.

I'll ask Lingxi...

You can't tell her.

Who exactly is going after you?

I followed the bloodstain to the lakeside.

He wasn't in the water.

I think he had help.

The hostage is gone.

That man rescued the hostage

and managed to run away.

Clearly, he was familiar with Zhongshan.

The traps in the prison weren't activated.

He knew the hostage wasn't there.

I believe this man knows me quite well.

Do you have a suspect, Your Highness?

I know his figure all too well.

Lu Xuechen!

Secure all the exits in the area.

Not even a moth shall get out.

- Yes. - Yes.

I'll seize him

in front of everyone at tomorrow's banquet.

He broke into my mansion

and took away a culprit.

Let's see if he can

escape the death penalty.

What?

Prince Hengyang is going after you?

Lower your voice.

No wonder you came here with me.

You used me as a front

for your plot.

I came to rescue someone.

I had no choice but to do this.

But why drag me into it?

I just want to live peacefully with Hua in the Lu's.

Why get me involved in the fight

between you and Prince Hengyang?

Had you been afraid of trouble,

you wouldn't have saved me.

Don't worry too much.

I only need you to cover for me tomorrow.

Cover for you?

I no longer owe you.

Why should I help you?

And if anyone finds out about it,

I'll be doomed.

Just so you know,

we're in the same boat.

If I get caught,

you'll be the first one to go down with me.

Helping me is helping yourself.

Fine.

As soon as I entered the Lu's,

you recognized me, right?

You fooled me for so long.

You didn't ask.

I made a fool

of myself these days,

thinking you liked me.

I was glad about it.

You must've been laughing at me secretly.

I admit

that at the beginning,

I had a prejudice against you.

- Prejudice, huh?- But I...

Now, you're being honest.

In order to take in a husband

to regain my family property,

I paid all my attention to you

because you were my only hope.

- Do you know I...? - Wait.

What did you say?

Take in

a husband?

And you wanted me?

I...

Take me in?

Didn't you call that idea clever?

You're good-looking

and talented

without any bad habits.

You have a good family and personality.

Or I wouldn't have wasted

over six months' time on you.

Are you saying

I should thank you for your appreciation?

You're welcome.

I need to regain my family property

while Fan Qingchen poses a threat to me.

If not, I wouldn't have

chosen you in haste.

Hey...

I'm not done yet.

(Virtues Shine)

I thought the Chen Clan

would host the welcome banquet for Prince Hengyang

so that you could make a name for yourself,

but someone else got the chance.

It's only been a month since Miss Luo

came to the Lu's in Yuezhou.

I fear she'll outshine you soon.

Prince Hengyang asked her

by name to set up the banquet,

so

- it wasn't that I... - I know.

But you have to

fight for the chance

to bring honor to your father and our clan.

You're a minister's daughter.

Don't let some humble nobody

steal your title as the noblest girl of Yuezhou.

Otherwise,

all the effort we've put into you

over the years

will be vain.

Am I right, Master?

The Chen Clan rose without help.

In order to go a step further,

we'll have to

work a hundredfold harder.

I understand, Father.

Xiu,

you're my daughter.

(Minister Chen) I have faith in you.

No one can defeat you.

Good night.

You can't lose

at tomorrow's banquet.

Don't disappoint your father.

Yes, Mother.

Don't worry, My Lady.

It's only been a month since Miss Luo came here from the Northern Border.

It's hard to hold a grand banquet.

She'll make a spectacle of herself.

She won't be a threat to you.

Is that so?

We barely know him.

We've done our best to get him on board.

If he ends up dead,

that's his fate.

(She's mean.)

(She's two-faced.)

(She's scheming.)

(She's moody.)

Say no more.

Shoes that don't fit

are useless!

(There's nothing good about her,)

(but why can't I get her off my mind?)

♪A cup of wine can't drown my loneliness♪

(Lu Xuechen, are you only using each other?)

♪I wrote down as much as I remembered♪

♪Flowers wither in the cool breeze♪

♪Yearning deep in the eyes mottles like stars♪

♪What if I grow old all alone♪

♪Tears will be shed forever♪

♪The pain of parting drifts with the wind♪

Lingyu already said no.

Stop pushing her.

(He helped me in the West Market)

(and the Sutra Hall.)

(Without him, I couldn't have stayed in the Lu's.)

(Well, he did all that for a purpose.)

♪Tears will be shed forever♪

(Luo Lingyu, wake up.)

♪Drifts with the wind♪

♪Picking up a brush, I just want to♪

♪Draw the fleeting time and capture youth♪

(He'll blame me if he catches a cold.)

Don't be frozen to death in my room.

(Anyway,)

(we've been through a lot.)

(I'll talk things over with her.)

There's still time before the banquet.

No need to primp yourself up so early.

No one is a born beauty.

Good looks cost a lot of effort.

Do you wear so much makeup every day?

Beauty is meticulously crafted.

You don't understand.

After you discovered my identity yesterday,

you wouldn't bother to pretend to be nice.

I don't waste time

on worthless things.

Do you have light-colored lip balm?

What for?

There will be a huge crowd.

If I look too pale,

people will get suspicious.

Your makeup can make me look better.

I'll help you

for the sake of the banquet.

Once it's over, don't come to me ever again.

We'll go our separate ways.

Come closer.

Smile.

Finished.

No.

It's too red.

Don't touch a girl's handkerchief.

Here's a friendly reminder.

Given Prince Hengyang's identity,

he won't be your husband.

Don't waste your time on him.

Waste?

I wasted so much time on you.

Prince Hengyang is of noble birth.

There's no harm in getting close to him.

Listen,

in Yuezhou,

less is more in style.

Wearing too much jewelry is the worst.

It makes one look corny and flighty.

You can hardly be too elegant

at a prince's welcome banquet.

It's kind of you to help me.

I'll help you in return.

My hairpin!

You don't need it.

Miss Luo came back late last night.

Hasn't she woken up?

It's a big day today.

- Trust me! - At this hour,

she must be putting on makeup.

You... Hide yourself!

Don't let her see you.

My Lady.

Get in here...

My hairpin!

Hairpin?

Which one?

I... didn't know which hairpin I should wear.

Lingxi,

help me freshen up.

There's still time.

Let's double-check

just in case.

Yes, My Lady.

This banquet will bring back the Shuozhou style.

(That poor fool.)

(I'll teach him a lesson someday.)

- Be careful. - Miss.

Look over there.

(Zhongshan Villa)

This way, please, sir.

(Zhongshan Villa)

Greetings, Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu.

Greetings, Mr. Lu.

Did you return from the North, Uncle?

Father finished the inspection and returned days ago.

Ever since I returned,

I haven't seen you until now.

I heard you seldom went to the Family School,

or you slept in class.

You've become even lazier.

That's terrible.

Guess I take that from you.

I'm outdoorsy.

You must be Miss Luo.

(The First Madam must've spoken ill of me in her letters.)

Although you're

the host of today's banquet,

it concerns the Lu Clan's honor.

No mistake is allowed, Miss Luo.

I understand.

You have my word.

I'll join you later, Father.

Come here.

I gave you a task.

- Stop worrying. - Get it done.

Aunt must've complained a lot

about you in her letters.

If so, I have to be extra careful

and make Prince Hengyang happy.

Even if I don't get credit for my work,

at least Mr. Lu won't blame me.

Long time no see, Chancellor.

How was your inspection tour

to the North?

It went well.

Thanks for your work while I was away.

This way, please.

That's not your concern, Young Master Yun.

It's really nice.

Slow down, Miss!

Leave me alone.

I'm going to the gate to receive Prince Hengyang.

Stop following me.

Slow down, Young Master.

Watch your step, Young Master.

Yun, my divination today shows

your horoscope doesn't look well.

You might be in a fight with your brothers.

What do you think that means?

Are we going to fight?

You look rather free, Xian.

Hey, look over there.

So many girls have come.

I can tell Uncle

to set you up with them

and get to know them.

No, thanks, Yun.

My head is spinning all of a sudden.

I need to sit down.

See you.

I heard Miss Luo

put together this banquet.

It looks fantastic.

Minister Chen, Miss Chen.

That's nice of you to say.

Compared with Xiu,

she's not her match.

Xiu is pretty, wise,

and cultured.

If only I had a daughter like her.

You're too kind, Mr. Lu.

Xian is a gentleman

with extraordinary knowledge.

And Xuechen is

one of a kind.

He's so talented

and free.

I admire them

a lot.

Minister Chen.

Miss Chen.

Xiu is right.

She and Yun are childhood sweethearts.

They grew up together.

Now that they're adults,

they should keep in contact

with each other.

Friends from childhood are precious.

I heard everyone in Yuezhou knew

Yun was popular among girls.

I fear

you'll find my daughter boring.

Princes Hengyang and Changyi arrived!

Greetings, Prince Hengyang,

Prince Changyi.

At ease.

Your Highness.

Xuechen,

this is my welcome banquet.

We haven't seen each other for years.

Let's drink together.

The more the merrier.

No problem.

(Cover for me.)

It's about time.

I'll lead you to your seat, Your Highness.

Thanks, Miss Luo.

This way, please.

Among the jewelry pieces on your head,

I don't see the one I gave you.

You don't like it?

I adore it.

I didn't wear it for fear of breaking it

at the banquet.

No need to be so cautious.

If you like it,

I'll give you more and better ones.

Thanks, Your Highness.

Xuechen,

are you alright?

I was shot to rescue Zhao Yuan yesterday.

I'm fine now.

Miss Luo treated trauma as well as

army physicians.

Did she bind up your wound?

She's being so nice to Hengyang.

Will she sell you out?

Don't worry. She won't.

We've made a pact.

How's Zhao Yuan?

He was severely wounded.

But you're in the worst situation.

If necessary, I'll...

Don't help me.

The more you do,

the more he suspects.

You should stay out of this.

What are these?

They're part of the martial banquet.

The winding stream is from the Zixia Canal.

The wooden trays flow down

with pouches

containing games for today

mostly to test one's martial arts.

Throw copper coins at the trays.

When you hit one,

you'll play the game in the pouch on it.

You may choose games in that way

or play whatever games you like.

That's fine.

The winding stream is to spice things up,

not to restrict the players.

What do you think, Your Highness?

When you first told me about this idea,

I was intrigued.

Turns out,

it's indeed creative.

Other games also seem fun.

(Chuiwan)

Thanks for your effort.

I'm glad you like them.

Please be seated.

Sir.

Why did you suddenly send

a message to see me?

I've got news of Wang Chongming.

Finally,

you've done something useful.

Where is he?

He was spotted near the Xiaomei Village in the suburbs.

Do you need me to silence him

for good?

No need.

Even if he's dead,

the account book is still missing.

I can't relax.

It's better to use him as bait

to find the mastermind.

You're wise, sir.

You and your clan caused huge trouble.

Or I wouldn't have to do anything.

How audacious of you

to keep the account book. Who did you

mean to threaten with it?

No, sir. We wouldn't dare.

You're a bunch of rats.

Aren't you used to

saying one thing and doing another?

This is the last time

I clean up your mess.

You've found Wang Chongming.

Leave immediately.

Unless otherwise ordered,

don't set foot in Yuezhou ever again.

Yes.

I have a few personal affairs to attend to.

Then I'll leave.

(Zhongshan Villa)

Your Highness, I promised to cook for you.

In the North, when soldiers return,

their families will make noodles

to wish them peace and happiness.

I made

this bowl of noodles for you.

It's so thoughtful of you.

In order to welcome you back,

I can't hardly be too thoughtful.

The noodles convey my best wishes to you.

Your Highness, speaking of the North,

when I went all over there for inspection,

I was amazed by the scenery.

It's more fun to live there than in Yuezhou.

Too bad, I only stayed for a month.

If you like that place,

when I go back there,

you may join me and tour around.

Yes. The border is in peace

because of the dedicated North Army.

You've made remarkable achievements over the years

when guarding southern Yuezhou.

You're the guardian of the Northern Border!

It's my honor to share a table with you.

I have to toast you, Your Highness.

Cheers.

- Cheers. - To you, Your Highness.

Be seated, everyone. Sit.

Miss Luo and the Lu Clan prepared this banquet.

It's grand. Thank you.

It must've cost you a lot of time and effort.

I heard the preparation started yesterday.

It's our pleasure.

We ought to

do our best for you.

I learned that Lu Yun arrived yesterday.

Did you walk around Zhongshan?

No, Your Highness.

No?

Zhongshan is beautiful.

It was a clear night last night.

Did you stay in your room all alone

the entire evening?

To be honest,

I wasn't in my room

because I had a wonderful night

with Miss Luo.

♪It's hard to see through fate♪

♪I sat alone amid the downpour at night♪

♪The single string broke; half a bed's cold♪

♪A cup of wine, drifting and disappearing♪

♪The waning moon sways the candlelight♪

♪Memories penned in ink♪

♪The wind is cool, flowers wither♪

♪Thoughts like stars deeply etched in eyes♪

♪If white-haired, a solitary figure on the cold river♪

♪Tears fall for a thousand autumns♪

♪Drifting with the wind, unending sorrow of separation♪

♪Longing only to hold the brush♪

♪Painting the fleeting years, faces unchanged♪

♪At the end of time♪

♪Suddenly turning back in the mundane world♪

♪If we grow old together, solitary figure on the cold river♪

♪Tears fall for a thousand autumns♪

♪Drifting with the wind, unending sorrow of separation♪

♪Longing only to hold the brush♪

♪Painting the fleeting years, faces unchanged♪

♪At the end of time♪

♪Suddenly turning back in the mundane world♪