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 22=

(Chen Mansion)

The Lu Clan is coming for the betrothal.

Be careful.

Eunuch Gao, Miss Luo.

Greetings, Minister Chen.

His Majesty is pleased about the union between

Young Master Yun and Miss Chen.

He specifically sent me to deliver this gift.

Alright.

Prince of Hengyang is occupied today.

He asked me to congratulate Miss Chen.

That's wonderful.

I'm grateful to His Majesty for his kindness,

and to Prince of Hengyang's gesture.

I've brought a box of lip balm.

I wanted to present it to Miss Chen myself

to share in her joyous occasion.

Miss Luo, you're truly thoughtful.

However, I heard...

you and my daughter had a fight a few days ago.

I'm afraid she'll act on her impulses again,

and might offend you.

So, it's better if I deliver it for you.

Lip balm is feminine stuff.

How can I trouble you with it?

You're right.

Young Master Yun is here.

(Majestic Heights)

Mr. Chen, Eunuch Gao.

Mr. Chen, you only have one daughter.

She must have been raised with great care.

She's the noblest girl of Yuezhou.

How could you easily marry her to someone?

Some people are blind and ignorant.

They can't tell good from bad.

But Mr. Chen, you and Miss Chen

are surely wise, perceptive,

and discerning.

So, congrats to you

for finding a good partner.

Congrats to you and the Prince of Hengyang.

May you have a happy union.

Look at you two,

Xuechen is young and capable.

He and my daughter make a perfect pair.

He is now an official

and is favored by His Majesty.

He will surely bring great success.

Let's hope so.

I'm going to see Miss Chen.

Alright, alright.

Eunuch Gao.

It's hot outside. Please come in.

Okay.

Xuechen,

I heard some rumors recently,

saying you got drunk over Miss Luo.

I wonder if it's true or not.

Mr. Chen, to be honest,

I'm now distant from Miss Luo.

She has found someone more prominent.

Naturally, she won't waste effort on me.

I just regret not realizing it sooner,

and almost disappointed Miss Chen.

Regarding marriage,

it's best to find a suitable match.

You're absolutely right.

I've been busy, neglecting her a bit.

Please speak kindly of me to her, Mr. Chen.

Please ask her not to blame me anymore.

Of course.

I've just taken office.

Are you assisting His Majesty

in thoroughly investigating corruption?

Not entirely.

Thanks to His Majesty's trust,

I happened to discover

there might be a spy in the North Army.

This is a serious matter.

I'm up to my eyeballs in it.

Mr. Chen, back then,

you seemed to serve in the North Army.

Any clues you might have?

How could there be a spy in the North Army?

The North Army has many people.

And it's been so long.

If you don't know,

I have even less to go on.

Indeed, it will be a tough investigation.

If you need any help,

feel free to ask me.

I understand.

Mr. Chen,

Miss Chen is virtuous and kind.

I cherish her deeply.

Today, I've brought generous gifts.

Please allow me to deliver them to the courtyard

as a gesture of my sincerity.

That sounds good.

Then go ahead.

Yes.

Move everything inside.

Hurry.

How is it?

It went smoothly.

What about Qiuyue?

She's asleep after taking the sleeping pills.

Are you really sure about this?

There's no turning back now.

I have no choice.

I can't back down now.

This tea is exceptional, Minister Chen.

If it impresses you,

I'm truly honored.

Come on.

Help! There's a thief!

Hurry!

Help! There's a thief!

Quick, there's a thief!

Minister Chen, what has happened?

Eunuch Gao,

there's been a thief.

You know in my study,

there are national secrets.

We cannot afford any mishaps.

Please forgive my abrupt departure.

Then I'll accompany you.

Very well.

I appreciate your assistance.

- This way. - Let's go.

- Let go of me. - There's a thief!

- Let go. - Catch the thief.

- Let go! - Over here!

Let go of me.

My Lady, where's the thief?

Who do you call a thief?

Naturally, it's you.

Today is a joyous day.

What are you doing here?

Could it be you haven't forgotten Brother Xuechen?

Trying to ruin my engagement ceremony?

Miss Chen, you're overthinking it.

You see everyone

as being longing for your Brother Xuechen.

My Lady, Miss Luo,

I heard someone shouting there's a thief here,

and came to catch them.

Who can't get over, who regrets, you know best.

Don't think with your tricks,

you can deceive him to fall for you again,

- Who deceived him? - You did.

He likes me on his own.

What's it to you?

You...

Are they fighting over a man?

My Lady, if there's nothing else,

I'll take my leave.

We won't hold them back like this.

Sorry, but we have to act.

- Luo Lingyu! - My Lady.

Let go of me!

- Let go! - You first.

- You first. - Ladies, stop.

- Stop it. - Stop hitting.

Luo Lingyu!

My Lady.

- Stop. - My Lady, stop it.

Let go, ladies.

My Lady.

Let it be, My Lady.

What should we do now?

Ladies.

How dare you call me a thief.

Let go!

You first, let go.

- What now? - He likes me.

Mr. Lu.

Ladies.

- Let go. - Let go.

Ladies, stop fighting.

Minister Chen truly didn't come.

Stop fighting.

Come on.

Stop now.

Aren't you fighting?

I won't turn violent with her.

It's beneath my dignity.

I'll talk to her myself.

Leave us alone.

Yes.

Hurry, let's go.

Tomorrow, we'll create a diversion.

The key is who will be the decoy,

and who will act.

On the surface, Lingyu covers me

to draw away Chen Mansion's guards,

but Chen Hao is cunning.

He won't be easily fooled,

so I must act as the real bait

to stall him.

And as for Lingyu,

take the chance to search for the token

Miss Chen mentioned.

But the Chen Mansion is vast,

and we are unfamiliar with it.

We must prepare early.

We're unfamiliar with it,

but surely someone knows it well.

I truly don't know where it is.

Think hard.

Is there any place

where you and your mother can't even go?

The only place here is the study.

But Minister Chen

would destroy what he can. As for the rest,

he'd move them to a safe place.

He could stay hidden in Nanyue for ten years,

which shows he's cautious.

I guess the evidence is in the Chen Mansion.

Tell me everything you've seen

at the mansion these days.

Recently...

Minister Chen.

Xuechen, what are you searching for?

I just passed by the study,

and suddenly remembered

you once served in the North Army.

So I wanted to see this place

to check for any documents from that time.

Xuechen,

if there's anything you'd like to see,

feel free to ask me for it.

You should know,

in my study,

it's filled with confidential state affairs.

Not just anyone can browse freely.

I am newly appointed to office,

and only know that as Imperial Censor,

I'm tasked with overseeing officials.

I didn't think too much.

It seems I was out of line.

Mr. Lu.

Only with His Majesty's permission can you investigate.

Searching without consent is inappropriate.

Please leave quickly.

Eunuch Gao, you're right.

I shall take my leave then.

Wait a moment.

I have

nothing to hide here.

Your search will be in vain.

Have you checked this already?

Look at you.

Sneaking quietly into my study.

Are you trying to

steal court secrets?

Minister Chen,

how could you say that?

Xuechen, don't think I don't know.

Your duet with Miss Luo today

was to tie up my mansion's forces,

then sneak into my study quietly.

If I remember correctly,

Miss Luo should be from the North.

That's everything.

You usually pay your mother visits at the ancestral hall.

Why at her bedchamber yesterday?

Mother is very disciplined.

She offers incense in the ancestral hall every day.

So I'm used to it.

Daily greetings are in the ancestral hall.

But yesterday, my mother felt unwell,

so I went to her bedchamber instead.

Has this happened before?

Rarely.

It's said that the very next day after my birth,

she went to the ancestral hall for incense.

Is there a problem with the ancestral hall?

Many have traveled from the North to Yuezhou.

Do you think

that anyone from the North

or with family there

should be considered a spy?

But you are different.

Your father, Lu Jie, betrayed us.

Currently,

you are entangled with Luo Lingyu.

This clearly indicates

your past complex connections

are still weighing on you.

Perhaps the entire Lu Clan is tainted.

Utter nonsense!

Do not speak ill of my father.

Eunuch Gao,

did you see that?

He truly resents the Imperial Court

because of his father's matter.

Lu Jie made grave mistakes back then,

but His Majesty did not assign blame,

and now even gave you a chance to serve.

Not only are you ungrateful,

but you try to steal court secrets from me.

Coincidentally, Eunuch Gao is here today too,

and can serve as a witness.

Guards!

- Yes. - Yes.

I'll purge the court on behalf of His Majesty.

(I must buy time for Lingyu and Miss Chen.)

Seize him for me!

- Yes. - Yes.

Let's see who dares to act.

Mr. Lu.

(Chen Clan Ancestral Hall)

(Hanmo Study) Mr. Lu, calm down.

Don't act rashly.

Come on.

As expected, it's Mr. Kong.

Third Young Master of the Lu Family in Yuezhou,

Imperial Censor Lu Yun

defies the law

and abducts an imperial official.

Such a crime deserves death.

Release Minister Chen,

and you'll keep your whole body.

Keep my body intact?

Are you planning an execution without proof?

Mr. Kong, when did you receive the news?

You got here surprisingly fast.

Capturing the Beichu spy

is the duty of the North Army.

You mean I'm a spy for Beichu?

What evidence do you have?

Report!

In Mr. Lu's dowry,

we found correspondence with Beichu.

(We've placed our forces within Nanyue. Awaiting further action.)

"We've placed our forces within Nanyue.

Awaiting further action."

(It seems they planned this long ago,)

(the case of thief crying thief.)

(If evidence isn't found today,)

(it'll be hard to leave unscathed.)

(Late Madam Yang, R.I.P.)

What's wrong?

The ink on this spirit tablet is fresh.

(Late)

It's suspicious.

There's a hidden compartment, look.

It must be cleverly secured.

I secretly learned the mechanism.

- Let me try. - Okay.

So that's how it is.

You went to great lengths to become an imperial censor,

just to place a spy

into the Nanyue Court

for gathering court secrets

and for framing me.

Who is framing whom?

Do you not realize it?

Lu Yun, the guilty minister,

is accused of treason.

All evidence is conclusive.

Execute him on the spot.

There is a spy here.

Search every room.

More people are gathering.

I'm sorry.

Look.

(Beichu Censor) It really is a Beichu token.

Let's go.

Someone might have noticed.

Go to the side gate.

I'll hold them off.

Go.

Xiu.

Collaborating with foreigners,

framing the loyal,

harming officials in secret.

Minister Chen, tell me,

what crime have you committed?

As a true Beichu spy,

even if Chen Hao is skilled,

he will still feel guilty.

So if pushed to the limit,

he will take me down without hesitation.

Since the Chen Mansion is his domain,

the force he will use is...

- House Guards. - House Guards.

If he uses his own people to kill you,

even if we can't bring down him,

he will have no defense for killing.

What if he has a more powerful weapon?

It's Mr. Kong.

Your Highness.

Mr. Kong, I think you want to ask,

"Didn't you enter the palace?"

Father summoned me.

Please handle military matters for me.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

I gave you a chance.

So, you two

have been conspiring all along.

What if we have? Chen Hao.

Surrender now.

Father did wrong.

We can't keep...

You are unfilial! He is your father.

How could you betray him like this?

A father conceals for his child,

and vice versa.

This is a natural moral duty.

You're so heartless,

and unfilial.

Truly, we raised you for nothing.

Only those who understand

etiquette and honor

truly know what it means to be human.

You're the one who taught me these.

But now

are you telling me these are wrong?

By doing this,

are you resenting our strictness?

But it's all for your own good.

Yet over the years,

in every matter,

I haven't been well at all.

Mother, all these years,

you taught me to act

with sincerity.

But what about Father?

If he truly cared for me,

how could he use my marriage as bait?

How could he commit treason,

abandoning us completely?

Mother, stop deceiving yourself.

He doesn't care about us at all.

"Surrender now."

Today, the two of you,

one sneaked into my study to steal,

and the other brought soldiers here,

injuring the guards of my mansion.

How are your actions

different from bandits'?

Now you're fabricating charges,

wanting to frame me for treason,

and selling out the country.

Do you have any proof?

Who says there's no proof?

(Beichu Official) This token

is made from Beichu's black phoebe wood.

It has the eagle and tiger totem on it.

Minister Chen, how will you explain this?

You can't possibly say this is your collection.

Chen Hao.

Do you confess your guilt?

Just based on this piece,

a token found who-knows-where,

you want to accuse me of treason?

Isn't that too absurd?

Chen Hao and Kong Lingfeng support dissidents,

disrupt court order, and smuggle saltpeter

with Cui Jianye, Sun Yicheng, and Yu Xiangxian.

The evidence is solid.

Now, by order of His Majesty,

you are all to be apprehended.

Falsely accusing Newly Imperial Scholars

is a crime punishable by law.

Those you've been in contact with

are other Beichu agents.

They've been under arrest.

Don't hold onto false hopes.

No one will come to aid you now.

Take them away.

Move.

- Is there no law? - Hurry up.

Good capture.

Chen Hao.

What else do you have to say?

I want to see the Emperor.

Alright,

I'll take you to see His Majesty.

Get lost.

Take them to prison for trial.

It's all over now.

Mr. Kong and Minister Chen have been arrested.

The evidence is conclusive.

I'm afraid that...

You and your mother were unaware of this.

His Majesty is benevolent.

He won't involve you two.

But the Chen Mansion is sealed.

If you don't mind,

you and your mother can stay at Xunmei House.

Thank you.

We should be the ones thanking you.

You knew this would be the outcome,

yet you still chose

to use your marriage to help us.

Now look at the situation.

It's truly unfair to you.

How do you know I'm not willing?

I've had

this dream before.

When I wake, I know reality from illusion.

Only then can I see the path ahead.

Miss Chen, you're truly open-hearted.

Honestly speaking,

if I were you,

I might not do as well as you.

I don't need your comfort.

You said you dislike constraints.

Do you still feel the same now?

Of course.

Why do you ask?

I'm just afraid I've broken free,

while you're tied down.

Leaving me to enjoy freedom alone.

Nothing can bind me.

It's just a cage.

I'll dismantle it.

- Hurry up. - Move.

(Spring on Stones)

Keep moving.

Behave yourself.

- Still worried about Mr. Kong? - Move on.

Do you think I'm being too soft-hearted?

He's clearly a Beichu spy.

I always despise people from Beichu.

Indeed, he is a Beichu spy.

But he protects you wholeheartedly.

Don't feel ashamed for being upset over him.

It's a blessing for Nanyue to have compassionate warriors.

Mr. Kong is like a father to me.

Knowing about his betrayal deeply unsettles me.

Over the years,

your father was unfairly criticized.

How did you manage to endure it?

At first, I was also angry and sad.

But later, I realized as long as I am righteous,

I'm invincible.

You brought Mr. Kong to justice,

preventing him from making more mistakes.

For you, for him,

it is a blessing.

You've really grown up.

Your words are sweeter.

You've also matured,

not as hard to please now.

So is it because I've grown up

you now call me Your Highness?

In the past, we were

such close brothers sharing everything.

Now you seem so distant,

calling me Your Highness.

Yet you call Changyi "Aman" so casually.

Are you saying

you're upset I don't use your nickname?

Are you sure?

Is something wrong?

Ajiao.

Censor Lu.

Censor Lu.

His Majesty appreciates your years of service,

and has specially prepared meals for you.

Minister Chen, please enjoy.

Minister Chen, you are not eating.

Are you not accepting the kindness?

I have served as an official for decades,

yet with one careless move...

I was framed by deceitful villains.

Mr. Lu,

there's no need for you to stay here.

You should return to the palace now,

and inform His Majesty

that I'm unjustly imprisoned.

I have no appetite for food now,

willing to die to uphold my honor

and to prove my innocence.

Chen Hao, don't force my hand.

If you confess now,

I can speak to His Majesty

to ensure your family's safety.

Ten years ago, you and Kong Lingfeng

guarded Qianya Pass and Baizhang Pass respectively,

and conspired

to ambush my father's squad at Yi Pass.

Am I right?

The guarding was true,

but the rest...

Perhaps you've just imagined it

in your own delusion.

Mr. Lu.

I see you are young and reckless.

Just based on an unknown token,

you dare accuse me, an imperial official.

Do you know I've served for years

with disciples all over the realm?

How do you plan to handle this

and silence the world's voices?

Alright.

The disciples you mentioned...

Are they people like Cui Jianye and Sun Yicheng?

Guess how long scholars like them

can endure under countless tortures.

As for whether His Majesty believes it,

the answer lies in the wine

you're drinking right now.

What do you mean by this?

This is the poisoned wine bestowed by him.

His Majesty shows his mercy.

He spares your whole body.

You have no proof.

His Majesty wouldn't...

Why wouldn't he?

How do you feel now?

Do you feel a sharp pain

in your stomach?

Mr. Lu.

You're as hateful as your father.

Do you know

how your father fell by my hand,

and how tragic it was?

Shut up!

Your father leading the squad

just entered Yi Pass.

I caught them off guard and launched an attack.

Snow was swirling around,

and as my sword pierced his armor,

his blood splattered on my face.

On such a freezing day,

I never expected my face to feel so hot.

That's right.

When I saw him, I saw that look.

It's full of hatred,

full of anger.

But what does it matter?

He met his end at the hands of Beichu.

Stop it.

Come on then.

Victory or defeat defines history.

As a dying person,

taking down an imperial official

is still worthwhile.

Come on.

Killing a military leader

is enough to shake the army.

Why tarnish my father's honor?

Just killing one army commander

can cause disruption.

It's merely the army's morale.

But if a loyal official revered by Nanyue

were to betray the nation,

it would shake the people's faith.

This calculation

is clear to anyone.

Come on.

Come on!

That's not right.

Not everyone can calculate it.

For this matter,

even if you calculate it clearly,

there are countless people like me

who won't bother to calculate.

Any one of us

could easily defeat you.

Have you noted it all down?

Mr. Lu,

rest assured.

I've recorded every single word.

You, Lu Yun...

How dare you use me like this.

You're so deceitful.

Chen Hao,

you haven't fought for years.

Forgot that all is fair in war?

I just added

some fish gall to the wine.

It only causes pain, not death.

My father

sacrificed for the country.

He made great contributions.

Even in death,

he will be admired by all.

But you...

You're a traitor for personal gain.

With your schemes and tricks,

you'll be infamously remembered forever.

Open the door.

Mr. Lu.

The false decree just now

must be erased.

- Lu Yun! - No need.

Yes.

Now you're a condemned prisoner.

His Majesty will eventually give you this cup of wine.

Convey my decree,

the former General of the North Lu Jie,

brave and upright,

risked his life to serve,

and sacrificed for the nation.

He suffered injustice for ten years.

I feel sorry for him.

The thought of his tragedy

hurts my heart.

Posthumously promote him to Marquis of North

Posthumous title: Solemn.

(Lu Mansion)

(Late Master Lu, Solemn Marquis of North, and Late Madam He, R.I.P.)

Father,

I have been unfilial.

It took me ten years to find the truth.

Your name is finally cleared.

Those who wronged you

have met their rightful punishment.

Your spirit in heaven

can finally rest in peace.

Mother,

I've finally fulfilled

what I promised back then.

How many nights have passed?

I can't bring you joy and stay by your side anymore.

(Late Master Lu, Solemn Marquis of North, and Late Madam He, R.I.P.)

If only you had lived well back then,

perhaps you could witness this day yourself.

(Jingyang)

♪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♪