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 20=

(Qing Courtyard)

You asked me to provide a list of

participants of the Battle of Jingyang

who can now command the North Army.

Here is the list.

I've had a look at it.

A dozen of people fit the bill.

Mr. Kong, who is close to Hengyang,

is also among them.

(Kong Lingfeng)

He previously served as a strategist

in the North Army.

He had connections with my family and Lingyu's.

After my father disappeared,

he was not favored for years

due to the Battle of Jingyang

until Prince Hengyang rose in the army.

Only then did he regain a high position.

If that's the case,

he's lived in the military camp for ten years,

rarely leaving the camp.

Finding saltpeter mines in Nanyue,

and arranging their transport

must involve someone else

working from outside with him.

Among Nanyue officials,

there must be spies from Beichu.

Beichu spies...

By the way, we received intel about Beichu.

A new emperor took the throne.

Internal unrest may arise in Beichu.

A Nanyue adept supported the ascension,

so he gained power,

and now rivals the old general Zhao Jie.

A Nanyue adept?

A storm is approaching.

(Chen Mansion)

(A token.)

(A Nanyue adept aided the Third Prince.) The Third Prince took the throne.

Though it's unexpected,

it's quite reasonable.

The Third Prince is now the new emperor.

He should be addressed as His Majesty.

It's truly surprising

that the least favored Third Prince

has ascended the throne.

The secret letter mentioned it was a Nanyue man

who aided the Third Prince.

He made up for the weakness

of the Third Prince's maternal clan

and helped stabilize the court.

The Third Prince is calculating,

good at using talent.

He understands the art of ruling.

It's no surprise he could succeed to the throne.

I don't know

the identity of this extraordinary Nanyue man

who has accomplished great deeds.

Since he's gained the trust of His Majesty

as a man from Nanyue,

we must not underestimate him.

Drink, drink up!

Come! Let's drink!

(New Emperor of Beichu) My loyal ministers, drink!

Come on, more drinks!

- To Your Majesty! - To Your Majesty!

Fill the cups.

Let's drink together.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Minister Fan.

Not bad, huh?

It seems the court attire of Beichu

suits you better

than that of Nanyue.

Your Majesty, you've ascended the throne.

I wonder about the promise made to me

that I'd lead the efforts against Nanyue,

when will it be fulfilled?

You've got the new skin,

yet still keen on Nanyue's bones.

Mr. Fan, you truly are loyal.

Minister Zhao, mind your manners.

Minister Fan brought the art of saltpeter

to help me ascend the throne.

He's a hero of Beichu.

Ministers, you should treat him with respect.

Let's toast to Mr. Fan.

Your Majesty, you're right.

We, as generals, always speak bluntly,

unlike Mr. Fan's roundabout ways.

Plus, it's even harder for us

to trust someone from Nanyue.

Naturally, we can't speak well of him.

Mr. Fan,

forgive me.

I've done everything I can

to assist Your Majesty

and Beichu.

To Nanyue, I'm like an enemy.

Your Majesty has witnessed my skills,

and should trust my loyalty to Beichu.

In that case,

let it be as you wish.

However, there's one thing unclear to me.

Since you have defected from Nanyue,

why do you still hold on so tightly

to connections with Nanyue?

Because there's someone in Nanyue I just can't forget.

(Xunmei House)

Xuechen, what brings you here today?

Why hasn't he arrived?

Why are you acting so strangely?

You seem restless.

Cheer up.

Smile, give me a smile.

They're here.

Miss Zhou.

Thank you, Your Highness,

for supervising the exam that day.

I've fulfilled my dream.

No need to thank me.

You're exceptionally talented.

As a prince,

I must retain talents for the people.

You two don't seem

very familiar with each other.

My family property will arrive tomorrow.

I have to offer incense to my parents

to let them know.

I'm heading back.

Lingyu, you're leaving so soon?

This is all I can do to help.

Take the initiative.

Don't waste the good food and wine.

I'll escort Lingyu back first.

Take your time eating.

- Farewell. - Farewell.

Xuechen.

Xuechen.

Miss Zhou, please.

Please, Your Highness.

Try this dish.

Your Highness, try this.

We've known each other long.

We've always treated each other with respect,

but if you still call me "Your Highness",

isn't that a bit too formal?

I...

You can call me Aman

like Xuechen does.

Is that alright?

Then I toast to you, Aman.

Yangling.

About that thing before we met...

Do you mean... the engagement?

Rest assured,

since you've sent a letter,

telling my father to annul it,

I'll act as if it never happened.

Sir, you ripped the poster off. Do you know this person?

Did she go that way?

She is in Yuezhou.

Sorry, sorry.

Thank you, sir.

- It's you. - It's you.

Even loyal officials face their limits someday.

You are all scholars for the Imperial Examinations.

One day, you will achieve fame in the exams.

Naturally, you must then serve the people and the nation.

Food is paramount to the people.

Only by learning the grains

and cherishing them,

can we truly serve the people,

and meet their expectations.

Your insight is quite interesting.

You speak the truth.

Chives are noble and upright,

and should be praised.

Aman,

how's it going?

Xuechen,

have a drink with me.

Today, I feel

a strange vibe between you two.

Is it about the broken engagement?

I proposed to her hastily back then

without asking for her opinion.

It's only fair she holds a grudge.

Are you really content?

I initially thought

since I already had someone I liked,

I should be devoted to her,

and not detain others.

But when I found out

the one I liked happened to be my betrothed.

I did have some regrets.

Everyone has

personal feelings.

We're not a saint or a sage.

But you still offered to break off the engagement

to give her freedom.

No matter what,

I didn't want her to be bound by this.

Whether she's Zibo or

Yangling,

she should be free.

I wonder what Miss Zhou thinks

about breaking off the engagement.

Maybe what you want to give isn't what she wants.

I'm the one who fled the marriage.

Then why do I feel so lost?

(Flowers Compete in Beauty)

(Honorable Father Luo and Mother Li, R.I.P.)

Sister,

you made a new spirit tablet for our parents.

Do you think

they can hear us?

Sincerity moves the spirits.

We're related through blood.

Father and Mother will surely hear us.

Father, Mother,

I'm your daughter, Lingyu.

I've won the title of Flower Goddess.

Tomorrow, I'll reclaim

the family property as you long wished.

I'll bring glory to our family,

and live up to your expectations.

Over the past 10 years, I haven't slacked off.

Your wish will be fulfilled.

Revive the Luo Clan.

Maintain the household.

Spread the family motto.

Be strong for life.

Hearing you read out

the family motto is always inspiring.

The family motto

embodies the ancestors' earnest hopes

and prayers for generations of the Luos.

I must never forget it.

I swear, I will never forget.

Let's tidy up

and rest early today.

Tomorrow, we'll reclaim the family property at our best form.

(Honorable Father Luo and Mother Li, R.I.P.)

Sister.

Soon, very soon.

It's coming.

The ancestral property of the Luo Clan has arrived.

Miss Luo, please claim it.

Yes.

(Yuezhou Office)

Miss Luo, stop looking.

This is your family property.

Is that...

all?

You need not worry, sir.

I hired carriages and guards.

Everything can be transported home in one trip.

I have verified it multiple times.

This is all we have.

Nothing else.

My Lady,

perhaps my lord and madam left a big check.

I suppose they must.

They were truly wise.

Thank you, sir.

Miss, hold on.

According to the rules,

you must open it here for inspection.

If anything is missing,

please report it promptly

to prevent any further trouble.

Yes.

Come on.

This...

Anything else?

No more.

No more.

No more.

I think

my father and mother

must hide the property

within this scroll.

Let's open it.

Take a look.

(Be Strong for Life)

Be strong for life?

- My Lady. - Sister.

Compared to gold, silver, or title deeds,

this scroll

is the true spiritual treasure of the Luo Clan.

The family motto of our clan...

"Be Strong for Life".

"Be strong for life".

Be strong for life.

Wonderful, truly wonderful.

Wonderful!

Amazing.

Absolutely fantastic!

(Yuezhou Office)

Our ancestral property!

Our 500,000 taels of gold!

Our ancestral property!

Miss Hua, don't be sad.

My 500,000 taels of gold...

This could restore our Luo Clan's honor.

500,000 taels of gold.

My Lady, you mustn't worry.

My Lady!

There's something on the scroll.

Look.

The scroll

only reveals something when wet.

Quick, Lingxi, let's cry more.

Spread the tears evenly.

Step aside.

(Strong)

It really shows something.

This...

(Yi Pass)

(Qianya Pass, Mount Qian'ai)

Mount Qian'ai.

This is a map of Jingyang's surroundings.

This is a treasure map.

Father didn't want our property

to be coveted by outsiders.

That's why he used such a method.

Wonderful!

I knew Father wouldn't deceive us.

These two red spots on the map

show where the family property is hidden.

My Lady,

isn't Jingyang already taken by Beichu?

Yes.

Jingyang

has been occupied by Beichu for ten years.

It's just wishful thinking.

(Xuewu Courtyard)

(Flowers Compete in Beauty)

Jingyang will be reclaimed one day.

I'll wait for it.

How long will that take?

Until my hair turns gray?

Even if we reclaim the family property,

I might not live to enjoy it.

Why are you sitting here alone?

Why are you here?

I was worried someone might cry in secret.

This is...

Though it can't match 500,000 taels of gold,

it's enough for you to spend for a while.

If you need money,

just ask Jinchuan for it.

What do you mean by this?

Is it about the money?

I just feel that what I've gained now

differs from

what I've long awaited.

As I have said,

in the future, I won't rely on others.

I will reclaim the property myself.

Even without ancestral property,

haven't I managed all these years?

Instead of giving me money,

why not lend me some military strategy books?

Military strategy?

What is it for?

Starting today,

I will study military strategies hard,

and personally take back Jingyang.

Let the family treasure return to me soon.

One must always look forward.

I, Luo Lingyu,

will never halt due to temporary setbacks.

I won't forget what I want.

This is the Luo Lingyu I know.

By the way, do you understand military strategy?

I know a bit.

Take a look at it for me.

(Yi Pass, Qianya Pass, Mount Qian'ai)

(Qianya Pass, Mount Qian'ai)

(Baiwen Pass)

This is not a treasure map.

It's of great importance.

Tomorrow, I'll visit Prince Hengyang.

Go find Miss Zhou and the others.

Let's meet at Xunmei House.

Alright.

I've never really understood.

You suspect the North Army.

Why still involve me in your plan?

Don't you suspect me too?

Yes. I do suspect

you want to gain power by colliding

with the Fan Family.

But I never think

you would harm Nanyue.

Then why are they targeting you?

I've been investigating my father's case.

Recently, there was progress.

They wanted to silence us.

Is there progress?

Ten years ago,

my father did not abandon the city.

Instead, he discovered two spies

had infiltrated in the North Army.

Thus, they ambushed him at Yi Pass,

and he lost his life.

This is the secret letter.

It is enough to prove my father's innocence.

I knew it.

I always believed General Lu was no traitor.

All these years,

I've been secretly investigating in the army.

But every time I found a lead,

the trail seemed to go cold again.

You believe in my father.

Then ten years ago, why did you say

"He colluded with the enemy,

but I'm not that kind of loser"?

I was very young then.

Father repeatedly forbade the princes

from discussing it.

I racked my brains,

and could only think of comforting you this way.

But you...

That's why you distanced from me.

It happened ten years ago.

Never mind.

But in the end,

we still grew distant.

What happened back then

was my fault.

I will thoroughly investigate it now

to clear General Lu's name.

Thank you.

But don't misunderstand my intentions.

I acted along with you yesterday

not because of you.

I was showing respect for Miss Luo.

So if you ever mistreat her,

I won't let you off easily.

Not again, we just talked about...

It's been ten years.

Can't you act mature for once?

Here they come.

Everyone's gathered.

This lady with Changyi

looks very familiar.

The one who deceived me

with Xuechen that day...

You're his sister!

Your Highnesses truly are brothers.

I am Zhou Yangling.

Now that everyone is here,

let's get down to business.

This is the map of Jingyang.

There's nothing unusual about it.

(Baiwen Pass) The stamps

are what I gave my father as a child.

My father always kept it as his private seal.

I would never mistake it.

This map once belonged to my father.

But why did this map

end up with Prefect Luo?

Perhaps General Lu

sensed spies within the army,

and entrusted the map to Prefect Luo.

When I got the scroll yesterday,

there was a piece of paper attached.

It was the family motto written by my father.

I suppose after my father received the scroll,

he was worried about Jingyang,

so he wrote the family motto to divert attention.

Think about it.

The map might hide clues about the spies.

Since my father already identified

the two spies in the North Army,

he would try to send out the information.

Only two passes

(Qianya Pass, Baiwen Pass) are marked,

and Prefect Luo kept it as ancestral property.

This implies that the stamped locations

indicate the spies' guarded areas.

(Baiwen Pass)

The commander back then was...

It's impossible.

It's Mr. Kong.

To me, Mr. Kong is my mentor

and my friend.

He has watched me grow up,

and saved me from danger many times.

If he were truly a spy from Beichu,

how would I still be alive standing here?

His Highness has a valid point.

But Mr. Kong's timely appearances every time

are indeed quite suspicious.

Some time ago,

we suspected the spy in the North Army

might be the one targeting Wang Chongming.

We've listed

all the suspects,

and compared them closely.

Mr. Kong is among them.

(Kong Lingfeng)

Only his defense of the city was stamped.

In recent years, Mr. Kong

has always been by your side.

He never accepted any promotions.

Other soldiers of the same period

might have been promoted to generals by now.

The secret letter mentioned "we".

So if one is Mr. Kong,

then who is the other assisting him?

Who could that be?

(Qianya Pass) Qianya Pass.

The commander back then...

Commander Chen Hao.

Minister Chen.

In that case,

when Miss Chen visited Lu Yun,

her behavior was odd,

unlike her usual demeanor.

I just wanted to ask,

how did you get injured so badly?

Did you upset someone?

What do you mean, Miss Chen?

It's nothing.

These two have been lurking in Nanyue for years.

Now they're in high positions,

they act with caution.

Catching evidence against them

might require some effort.

Mr. Kong is very meticulous,

making it hard to notice clues.

Besides, I don't want to suspect him.

Your Highness, if you truly trust Mr. Kong,

we shouldn't stop investigating.

Only then can we truly clear his name.

Indeed. Beichu spies have plotted for years.

They aim to start a war

to seize territories.

But once the war begins,

the common folk bear the brunt.

To prevent a repeat of past tragedies,

to honor the fallen warriors' spirits,

to eliminate suffering from division,

to bring peace

and harmony.

(Prince Hengyang's Mansion)

Your Highness.

Mr. Kong.

Why are you in a bad mood today?

Your Highness, did you go out

with Miss Luo today?

Mr. Kong,

why do you ask?

Nothing.

These days,

I haven't heard you mention Miss Luo,

even when Miss Luo went to the authorities

to move the family property,

you didn't go with her.

I was wondering

if you had a misunderstanding with her.

What misunderstanding could I have with her?

I was just drinking with some rowdy companions,

so I didn't take her along.

It's good

that nothing happened.

If there is any misunderstanding between you two,

you need to talk it out.

You shouldn't let minor issues

affect your relationship.

Logically speaking,

you two should be in the most affectionate period.

Of course.

Mr. Kong,

you've had an old illness for years.

It's still not healed yet.

I've already instructed someone

to prepare your medicine daily.

Take your medicine and rest a bit.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Mr. Kong.

Is it truly you?

(Lu Mansion)

(Time Slips Away)

Today, Prince Hengyang invited me to his mansion.

Why keep visiting there?

Is he misusing his power?

It's for collaborating with His Highness

to investigate Mr. Kong without alerting him.

You know this already.

Why are you getting jealous?

I don't care.

Anyway,

I've sent people to watch Minister Chen.

I'll go meet him shortly.

Third Young Master.

What a coincidence.

(Oh no, so many people are here.)

Please maintain your distance.

People seek higher places,

while water flows down.

Please stop entangling with me.

Miss Luo, you marry above your station.

How dare a small fop like me bother you.

But the higher you get, the harder the fall.

Miss Luo, be careful.

- Did they argue? - No idea.

Not sure anymore.

In a moment...

I've finally managed to

see you and Miss Luo connect.

When will you have

a story-like sweet ending with her?

Why are you more anxious than me?

I just see you enjoying it.

As long as I'm with Lingyu,

I'm happy no matter what we do.

(I'll keep you in my heart.)

(Stop laughing.)

(If you keep laughing, someone might see.)

My Lady, what are you looking at?

Lingxi, do you remember when I was new here,

and blocked Young Master Yun every day?

Was I really that...

Hasty, impatient,

anxious, and worried.

Were I being too eager?

Impossible.

(Lu Mansion)

(Qianya Pass)

(Baiwen Pass)

Your Highness,

deceptive acts

leave anyone at a loss,

especially someone as loyal as you.

I just hope it's not him.

As long as we follow the original plan,

and find the spy hidden in the North Army,

the innocent will be proven innocent.

I understand.

Lingxi, why are you here?

I came with my lady.

Miss Luo.

I arranged to meet His Highness here today.

Sorry to disturb you.

Not at all.

Your Highness, since you invited Miss Luo,

why suddenly discuss military affairs?

Isn't this letting down Miss Luo?

If you are truly too idle,

go clean the Training Ground.

I'm not, really.

Military affairs are more important.

I'll go check the courtyard.

I haven't had the chance yet

to have a look at your mansion.

As His Highness mentioned,

this is where Mr. Kong resides.

Lingxi, keep an eye out for me.

My Lady, you must be exhausted.

You haven't rested well these days.

Let me give you a massage.

Who is this?

Drunk in broad daylight, blocking the road.

Do you know who's in the carriage?

This gentleman here,

I drank a bit too much.

Apologies, I didn't notice.

My Lady, it is Third Young Master.

♪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♪