Original subtitles

♪Pink hands so fine♪

♪Gold-branded wine♪

♪Spring paints green willows palace walls cannot confine♪

♪East wind unfair♪

♪Happy times rare♪

♪In my heart sad thoughts throng♪

♪We've severed for years long♪

♪Wrong, wrong, wrong♪

[Si Jin]

[Adapted from Si Jin, by Dong Tian De Liu Ye]

[Episode 23]

As per His Majesty's decree,

Yu Qi and Zhen Heng of the Capital Administration Office

have arrested the assassin successfully.

Yu Qi is hereby bestowed with the title

of Defender of the Emperor.

Zhen Heng is hereby bestowed with the title

of Official of Merit and Righteousness.

An auspicious date will be selected

for the execution of the decree.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

this incident is likely tied to the Nightingale Sect

or carried out under their orders.

Nanwu

has long infiltrated Zhou,

yet we have failed to root them out over the years.

Now, they grow ever more brazen.

Investigate the case thoroughly.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Mr. Zhen.

Mr. Zhen?

Do an analysis for me.

How many ranks do you think I can advance

based on my performance today?

In my opinion,

Commandant Yu

deserves the most credit today.

That's true.

He's still holding it even when he's asleep.

It looks like a fragrance sachet.

Don't tell me

it was given to him by his beloved.

Wait a minute.

Jiang, what's wrong?

This resembles the one

Si gave to me.

You mean your sister?

Let me see.

Am I right?

This fragrance sachet was made by the same person.

Commandant Yu

is worthy of the pouch.

Made by the same person?

If so, I...

Yu Qi!

Yu Qi!

- That's my sister! - Jiang!

- Yu Qi! - Jiang!

He's still injured.

[Border of Ling'an]

[Princess Royal's Mansion]

During the solar eclipse,

an Imperial Insignia Guard

tried to assassinate His Majesty amid the darkness.

How is His Majesty?

He's fine.

Commandant Yu of the Capital Administration Office

blocked the attack for him.

Is he dead?

No.

The imperial physician gave him an immediate diagnosis.

His Majesty also summoned him

to his camp after that.

He has done well to protect His Majesty.

What has His Majesty rewarded him with?

He bestowed him and Zhen Heng

with a title.

Additional rewards will be added after this.

This plant isn't growing well.

Your Majesty.

Cui Xu has arrived.

I wonder how he is doing now.

Your Majesty,

are you referring to the Seventh Prince?

I wonder if he still hates me.

That won't be the case.

Tell him to come in.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

I've conducted an overnight investigation

to make sure all of the Imperial Insignia Guards

have clean and proper backgrounds.

Everyone involved in protecting Your Majesty this time,

myself included,

has been recorded.

Penalties will be assigned based on the severity of responsibilities.

Your Majesty, please take a look.

What about Yu Qi?

Yu Qi?

Your Majesty.

He recently joined the Capital Administration Office

after passing

the Field Examination.

Even Zhen Heng, who is the hardest to deal with,

worked well with him.

He's never been impeached before.

Seems like Jin is doing well

as a commandant.

Jin?

The Commandant Yu Qi,

who protected His Majesty at the hunting grounds,

is the Seventh Prince, Yu Jin.

I've only sent you there

to check on him all these years.

How could you not know who Jin is?

Your Majesty,

it's like this.

The Seventh Prince

was located in Yangui, which is very distant.

Although I was supposed to visit him under your order,

he always avoided

the encounter.

He only relayed his messages to me

through the military.

Forget it.

Keep Jin's identity a secret for now.

Since he's doing well

at the Capital Administration Office,

he can continue being the commandant

so that the officials won't criticize him

for returning to Ling'an without permission.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Come and take a look.

We sell the best milk cake

in Ling'an!

His Majesty was almost assassinated at the hunting grounds.

I heard

the Capital Administration Office saved him.

Since they dared to assassinate His Majesty,

I assume they're difficult to deal with.

I heard that the official of the Capital Administration Office

almost lost his life.

Sir, this is yours.

Thank you.

Come again.

Okay.

Miss, what would you like?

I doubt he'll survive.

Yes.

Sir,

did a girl come here just now

and reserve a box of milk cakes?

This is yours.

She said she went

to buy something else.

She asked you to wait here for a moment.

Thank you.

No problem.

Report!

Mr. Zhen. Mr. Yu.

Bad news.

Sang Qi of the Nightingale Sect

was poisoned severely while he was in prison.

He's dying.

What?

How is he?

Mr. Zhen,

the poison has spread throughout his body.

His life is in danger.

Detoxification requires the right antidote.

We must first determine

what poison he was afflicted with.

It should be the poison of his black scorpion.

It was kept here.

But it was gone

when I found out.

Sir, can you neutralize this poison?

There are many types of scorpions,

each with different venom,

so I cannot say for sure.

I'll do what I can

and hope for the best.

This is a key offender.

Please do your best.

If you have any requests,

the Capital Administration Office will do its best to aid you.

My Lady,

you've already added

the gum storax just now.

My Lady,

why don't I go get some ink and a brush

so you can paint?

Or shall I accompany you for a walk?

It's fine. That's unnecessary.

My Lady, are you worried about Commandant Yu?

Why don't we...

Why don't we

visit Erniu at Zaoshu Alley?

Let's see if its owner

has returned.

All right.

♪A sudden glance, just like our first meeting♪

♪Feelings remain, but things are ever unclear♪

♪Memories replay♪

♪My heart hesitates♪

♪Can I make it through another long night?♪

♪Afraid of losing you again♪

Yu Qi,

you must return safely.

♪The pain lingers deep inside♪

♪Leaving dreams incomplete♪

♪I count the petals as they fall♪

♪Each one a time I've thought of you♪

♪Past lives fade like smoke, can the dreams be undone?♪

My Lady, Erniu is here to greet us.

♪I still can't let you go♪

Let's go.

♪No matter how far the journey takes me♪

♪If love is strong, what is there to fear?♪

♪In this lifetime♪

You're back.

I went to your place just now.

Why did you come here

instead of staying home?

I heard that you were injured.

Where's the wound? Is it serious?

It's not.

Ask him if you don't trust me.

Long Dan, where was Mr. Yu injured?

He...

Did a physician check on you?

An imperial physician did.

He said

his wound was pretty deep.

Who said

so?

Help me inside.

Yes, Chief.

♪Words fail to convey how our paths have diverged♪

Chief, I'll go prepare the medicine.

I'm not taking it.

♪May you find your haven in life's drifting tides♪ I'm not taking it.

♪May you find your haven in life's drifting tides♪

Boil some water for us.

All right.

♪What more could I ask? I'll stay for you♪

♪Casting all else aside♪

Where exactly were you hurt?

♪Casting all else aside♪ Where exactly were you hurt?

♪Casting all else aside♪

In the past, when you got injured,

you would act

as if it was worse than the real injury.

What's wrong with you today?

Why are you hiding it from me?

Long Dan already said

that your wound was deep.

Why didn't you tell me about it?

Did you know

how worried I was

when I heard this news?

Yu Qi, are you doing this on purpose?

Didn't you say

you were going to protect me

and ensure my safety?

Why did you lie to me?

I thought

I was never going to see you again, you know?

♪Looking back, scene by scene, entangled and obscure♪ I was never going to see you again, you know?

♪Looking back, scene by scene, entangled and obscure♪

♪How many can truly move on, leaving the past behind?♪

♪Watching the past unfold, ephemeral as a mayfly upon the morning dew♪

♪My only wish is to embark on this life's journey with you♪

I told you I wouldn't eat it!

You never stopped causing trouble

ever since your return from Lingshui.

You either lash out at the servants

or smash the cups.

You don't behave like a princess at all.

Mother, have you forgotten?

My princess title

was revoked long ago.

His Majesty has implicitly consented to your return.

You just need to stay by my side

and wait a little longer.

I promise

my dear daughter

will receive

her princess title once again.

All right?

Who cares about the title?

What exactly do you want, then?

I want that wretch, Jiang Si, to die!

Mother.

You've never slapped me before.

Are you starting to dislike me as well?

I've failed to educate my daughter properly.

The more you desire something,

the more you shouldn't request it directly.

You're too blunt with your words.

Aren't you afraid that you might stir up trouble again?

Your Highness, the princess is still young.

She requires patient guidance.

Please don't wear yourself out with worry.

It's time to pick a husband for her.

Perhaps

she'll grow more sensible after getting married.

A husband?

Since it's marriage we're talking about,

Mother,

what you had lost to Su Ke,

I'll win it back

from Jiang Si.

That hurts!

That hurts!

You're an Imperial Insignia Guard now,

yet you

haven't improved much at all.

A gentleman doesn't fight with a lady.

I'm going easy on you.

I yield!

Heroine, spare me!

You don't appreciate

a gentleman at all.

You're something else.

I've just returned

from a dangerous mission, you know?

You haven't shown me any concern at all.

Sparring is the only thing you know.

His Majesty was almost assassinated at the hunting grounds.

The entire city was talking about it.

I am well aware of how skilled Qi is in martial arts.

But you?

If you don't train hard

and improve a lot,

how can you face the dangers

in the future?

I understand now.

You're concerned about me.

Can you stop fooling around?

You hit

my vulnerable spot.

Stop pretending.

You're using the same trick.

I'm already tired of the act.

Jiang Zhan, hurry and get up.

Jiang Zhan, I'm telling you to get up.

Jiang Zhan?

Jiang Zhan?

Jiang Zhan?

Jiang Zhan, wake up!

What happened to you?

Jiang Zhan?

Jiang Zhan?

Jiang Zhan, what happened to you?

Jiang Zhan, wake up.

Jiang Zhan, what's going on?

Jiang Zhan!

Jiang Zhan!

You look pretty concerned about me.

What's wrong with you?

You really hit

my vulnerable spot this time.

How come you are so strong?

Are you upset?

I was just joking with you.

I...

I won't scare you again.

I know my fault now.

Let me give you a cherry as an apology.

Please forgive me.

This poison is too potent to neutralize.

I couldn't save him.

We've lost our leads again.

It doesn't matter.

As long as something has been done,

it will leave a trace.

We just need to keep searching.

I don't know if the scorpion's poison is infectious.

We shouldn't keep the body here.

Why don't we bury it first?

We should raid their hideout first

[Tianxiang Pleasure House] and see if we can find any leads.

What is going on here?

What's the matter?

This...

Sir, I...

Sir,

this is just a restaurant.

Could there be a misunderstanding?

Sir, I'm innocent.

Chief, Liu Yan'er had escaped.

She only left this behind.

Sir...

Liu Yan'er's veil

and the assassin's handkerchief

came from the same person.

How dare you harbor the wanted criminals here?

Tell us. Where is Liu Yan'er?

Sir,

this truly has nothing to do with me!

Liu Yan'er quit long ago.

I don't know where she went either.

I truly have no idea

about her background.

She worked for you.

You better tell us the truth.

She was the one

who wanted to join Tianxiang Pleasure House willingly.

I saw that she had outstanding looks,

a talent for making incense,

and a tragic past.

That's why I took her in.

I would never dare

to take her in

had I known

that she had committed such a heinous crime.

Good for her.

Her escape was swift.

She didn't leave any leads behind.

Issue a warrant for Liu Yan'er and Du'er.

Let's go.

Yes, sir.

Let's go!

Once you wake up,

head to the derelict temple outside the western gate.

The Capital Administration Office

is keeping guard over Tianxiang Pleasure House.

There's no way for us to head back.

I think

we should seek another shelter.

It's cold out here at night.

I'm worried about your health.

I'm fine.

Let's wait a little longer.

I wonder if Jiang Si

is able to rescue Qi.

Remember.

Wait for Sang Qi at the derelict temple

outside the western gate.

In my opinion,

Jiang Si is untrustworthy.

First, she pretends

to be one of us

to get information from us.

Now,

she offers to help rescue Qi.

I can't tell if she's a friend or a foe.

But she had a worried look on her face

when she told me to escape.

I don't think she was faking it.

If so, what if we

didn't do what she wanted?

Would she still help us

if we didn't give up on the operation?

Qi!

Hurry!

Liu!

Du'er!

I...

You...

Be careful.

Sit down.

You...

That person...

She told me

to come here.

I never expected

you two to be here.

Did Jiang Si rescue you?

Who?

Jiang Si?

Who's that?

Are you referring

to the girl

who looks quite pretty?

Yes. It was her.

Could she truly be a member

of the Nightingale Sect?

We've sent groups of men to rescue you

but to no avail.

She's a girl

who can't even defend herself.

How did she break you out of jail?

Break me out of jail?

She didn't do so.

The prison guard

brought her to the cell.

After that, she...

She...

She...

She pretended to speak to me.

After that,

she freed the scorpion

What exactly is she up to?

Du'er.

That's right. I remember now.

I remember now.

I found this

right after I woke up.

Look.

A bamboo letter from Grand Elder?

Du'er, what does it say?

Grand Elder wants us to return to Nanwu.

What?

Did Grand Elder

truly send Jiang Si to Ling'an?

The Nightingale Sect has been exposed.

I'm afraid

the entire Ling'an City

is searching for us now.

It's good to go back.

The puzzle

will be solved once we see

Grand Elder.

[Capital Administration Office]

What's going on?

Let's go and take a look.

[Wanted Notice]

Wanted Notice?

[Wanted Notice]

Long Dan.

Long Dan?

Yes, sir!

Chief?

Make a trip

to the milk cake stall.

This time, you're not allowed to slack off.

Wait for

the freshly baked ones.

They must be for Miss Jiang.

I get it.

Let's go.

Commandant Yu.

Don't you think something's off

about Sang Qi's death?

Have you found any new leads?

I remember that the box of poisonous scorpion

was kept under a stone brick.

It's impossible

for it to escape the box that easily.

You're right.

I've also heard

that Miss Jiang Si

visited the cell lately.

She visited the cell?

That's right.

She used your token as well.

Impossible! My token is here with...

Do you suspect that it's her?

No.

I don't suspect Miss Jiang.

Because I know

Sang Qi died

after Miss Jiang left the prison.

As for your token...

Don't worry.

It won't happen again.

Fine.

I trust you.

Commandant Yu.

Miss Jiang really isn't around.

You mustn't enter.

I saw her. She isn't around indeed.

This poison is too potent to neutralize.

I couldn't save him.

Why are you here all of a sudden?

I thought that you

would crave these snacks.

Why was the physician here?

Are you unwell?

So, you came all the way here

just to deliver these to me?

I'm more than happy to do so.

I've been extra happy...

Let's go.

after returning from the hunt.

What are you so happy about?

Have you ever heard of a hawk-tamer

whose eyes were gorged by his own hawk?

What do you mean?

I just found out that a keeper of scorpions

was poisoned to death

by his own scorpion.

Do you think the scorpion

is well-versed in the law of Zhou?

How could it know where to inject the poison?

It does sound interesting.

There's something even more interesting.

The token on my waist

must have grown legs

and went to the prison

when I wasn't paying attention.

Commandant Yu,

what are you trying to imply?

Miss Jiang, don't you have anything

to tell me?

That's right.

I took the token.

I bribed the physician.

Naturally, I was the one

who set Sang Qi free.

However,

I did it for a reason.

Then let's sit down

and talk about your reason.

Zhou and Nanwu have been at war

constantly for years.

But

who's the true victor here?

You fought on the frontline before.

I'm sure you understand this better than me.

Violence

doesn't resolve any issues.

It only brings more devastation and suffering

to the people.

Therefore,

I set Sang Qi free

to seek a better path to peace.

What path?

Do you know them well?

Have you lived there before?

Although I don't lead troops

in battles at the border like you,

I understand this fact too.

There is always a winner and a loser on the battlefield.

But in war,

there are no true victors.

Once a war begins,

both sides will suffer casualties.

And behind every casualty,

there is a broken family.

I set Sang Qi free

to find out

why exactly they came here

and what they intended to do.

You're giving me a lecture on military strategies now.

Know yourself and know the enemy, and you can win every battle you fight.

If, in the future,

more and more people

of both Nanwu and Zhou

are willing to understand each other,

won't that resolve

the old grudges

and help us co-exist peacefully?

If both parties

can know each other well enough,

perhaps they could both win without waging a war.

That sounds interesting.

Tell me about it, then.

Did you visit me

to return the token to me?

Or were you merely checking on me?

Since you're already interrogating me,

I have no choice but to tell you the truth.

I visited you

to return the token to you.

I don't believe you.

Suit yourself.

Turn around.

And you.

♪We lock eyes and promise to stay together forever♪

♪After countless challenges, we are still us♪

♪Our inseparable souls can weather all storms♪

♪We cross paths and promise to stay together forever♪

♪The tapestry of destiny is filled with our youth♪

♪Our blissful time together will lead us to the sea of stars♪

[Tiande Hall]

Your Majesty, this is the new portrait

of the Seventh Prince drawn by our portraitist.

It does look vivid.

But since I've met the real person,

now that I'm comparing them,

the figure in the portrait

doesn't seem as valiant.

The Seventh Prince is handsome and poised.

Naturally, the portrait can't depict him fully.

His brothers

have led a pampered life in Ling'an.

Yet no one cared for him or looked after him.

He grew up in the Southern Frontier all alone.

Even so, he still turned out dashing.

He must have suffered

a lot all these years.

You never forgot

about the Seventh Prince all along.

Not only did you hire those tutors to teach him,

but you also ordered your men to send his portrait to you every year.

You truly care a lot about him.

I'm sure the Seventh Prince is aware of it.

Report!

Your Majesty,

Mr. Zhen and Mr. Yu have arrived.

Summon them.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Summon them.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Spare the formalities.

I ordered you two

to investigate my assassination during the Mid-Autumn Hunt.

How's the progress?

Your Majesty,

Wang Heng, the Imperial Insignia Guard,

Aling, the palace maidservant,

and Zhou Yi, the Minister of Rites,

have been thoroughly interrogated.

Their testimonies

have confirmed that the Nightingale Sect

was behind the assassination.

Currently,

the hideouts of the Nightingale Sect in Ling'an City

have all been eradicated.

However, we're still trying

to arrest the two major offenders.

Mr. Zhen, I've always been at ease

when you handle a case.

I have a question.

Go ahead.

The Imperial Insignia Guards and the Gale Guards

are both elite forces.

Cui Xu and Han Ran, the two generals,

were there as well.

So why did no one defend you

during the assassination?

I've already given them a harsh punishment

for their negligence of duty.

Besides them,

there are some individuals who should be punished

even though they weren't there.

For example, the Directorate of Astronomy.

If they failed

to predict the solar eclipse,

that should be considered negligence of duty.

If they did predict the solar eclipse

without reporting it to you,

that would be deceiving the Emperor.

They deserve punishment for that.

Excellent.

As expected of my...

You do live up to your reputation as the commandant.

Baoping.

Yes, Your Majesty.

When I returned to the palace last night,

I ordered my men to investigate the Directorate of Astronomy.

They found this letter.

Take a look.

What kind of language is this?

It's the Nanwu language.

It's about the concealment

of one's report.

The Nanwu language

is forbidden in Zhou.

Your Majesty,

I spend a lot of time with Commandant Yu.

I swear upon my life's reputation

that he's loyal to the nation and its ruler.

He has no intention of betraying Zhou.

Your Majesty, please judge wisely.

Mr. Zhen, you may leave now.

But Your Majesty...

You may leave now.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You're pretty good at winning people over, huh?

You joined the Capital Administration Office

not long ago.

However, you managed to win a stubborn man like Zhen Heng

to your side.

That's because Mr. Zhen is able to judge fairly.

Jin, tell me about it.

Since when did you learn the Nanwu language?

I learned it myself when I was stationed at Nanwu.

I'm sure you did it so that you could win the battles

by knowing our enemies.

At first, I did learn it to win the battles.

But a certain individual

changed my thoughts.

Who is it?

A friend of mine.

My friend thought that we should know ourselves and our enemies

so that we could win without a fight.

There are victories and defeats on the battlefield.

But there are no true victors in war.

As long as the two sides engage in war,

there will surely be casualties.

Behind every casualty

lies a shattered family.

If more and more people

of both Nanwu and Zhou

try to understand each other,

the feud between the states can be resolved,

and we can co-exist peacefully.

If so, both states

will win without a fight.

This friend of yours

is truly a talent.

It's a shame that he's at the Southern Frontier.

Otherwise, I'd really like to meet him.

You'll get to see him one day.

Your Majesty,

lunch is ready at Jinhua Hall.

Come and have a meal with me

before leaving.

You can see your mother too.

But you said

I could continue being Yu Qi.

I may have permitted you to do so,

but I didn't say

that you could disown your parents.

Let's go.

[Grand Elder of Nanwu]

Grand Elder.

Why are you back?

Grand Elder,

didn't you send us the bamboo letter

and tell us to return to Nanwu?

I summoned you back?

Look at this letter.

The handwriting is mine indeed.

However, I didn't write

this letter.

Could it be that someone has forged your handwriting?

Where did you

get this letter?

It's hard to explain.

At that time, Sang Qi was detained by Zhou.

Besides that,

it seems as if she could predict the future.

Who exactly is she?

I've investigated her background.

She was born and raised in Zhou.

She has never left Ling'an before.

She wasn't related

to Nanwu as well.

But it was as if

she had known us for a long time.

Is that so?

Grand Elder,

according to the oracle of Nanwu,

the Saintess has the ability to predict the future

and know all things.

Jiang Si's ability

matches that description.

Could it be that she's related to the Saintess?

Could it be...

She's the Saintess herself.

Where are Sang Qi and Du'er?

Now, Zhou is trying to arrest us.

They stayed behind to hold the rear.

Tell them

to return to Zhou immediately

and bring the Saintess back

once everything settles down.

Yes.

[Imperial Concubine Xian, Yu Jin's Biological Mother]

Your Majesty.

You could have told me in advance

that you've summoned Yu Jin back to Ling'an.

I could have made some preparations.

I had no time

to summon Prince Qi to the palace.

He has always

been steady and composed.

He's kind to his siblings too.

I'm sure

his presence will make you happy.

Although you two hadn't met for years,

you are related by blood.

There's no need for a mother

to prepare anything before seeing her son.

Your Majesty, you're right.

This is your welcome drink.

I don't drink alcohol.

Eat up.

I prepared

these dishes especially for you.

I haven't recovered from my injury yet.

I'm afraid I can't take any meat.

Look at you.

You don't even know your own son.

You need to learn a lot more about him.

Jin, don't take it to heart.

Hurry

and change the dishes.

Yes.

Your Highness, no need for that.

Why are you still addressing her as Her Highness?

Yes.

Mother.

Jin,

you shall live in Jinhua Hall for the time being

until the arrangements for your residence are settled.

This will give you

a chance to bond.

I have official affairs to attend to at the Capital Administration Office.

It's more convenient if I live in my current residence.

If so, you should visit

Prince Qi's Mansion when you're free.

Your elder brother

will definitely look after you.

Naturally.

Knowing Commandant Yu's personality,

he might be in deep trouble

if he enrages His Majesty.

I should have

given him some reminders earlier.

This is truly worrying.

Where am I?

Over here!

You won't be drenched here!

Here.

Come up here.

Don't tell me you're lost as well.

It rained all of a sudden.

I'm afraid the palace gate will be closed soon.

Are you leaving the palace?

That's right.

Is it fun out there?

[The End of Episode 23]

♪Through endless twists♪

♪In the mundane world♪

♪The breezy wind blows♪

♪The heart grows tender and bitter♪

♪I ask the Sun♪

♪If the light has taken root♪

♪As it prospers♪

♪Our love story writes itself♪

♪We lock eyes and promise to stay together forever♪

♪After countless challenges, we are still us♪

♪Our inseparable souls♪

♪Can weather all storms♪

♪We cross paths and promise to stay together forever♪

♪The tapestry of destiny is filled with our youth♪

♪Our blissful time together♪

♪Will lead us♪

♪To the sea of stars♪

♪Our destined paths♪

♪The years will hold♪

♪A light shines at the tunnel's end♪

♪Where happy endings will transcend♪

♪We cross paths and promise to stay together forever♪

♪The tapestry of destiny is filled with our youth♪

♪Our blissful time together♪

♪Will lead us to what we desire♪

♪We lock eyes and promise to stay together forever♪

♪Through frost-kissed trails, and starry space♪

♪Moon-silvered dreams♪

♪On love's embrace♪

♪Hearts bound as one, through time's soft grace♪

♪Love's tide guides, beyond our mortal space♪

♪A moment kept with your embrace♪

♪Where blooms have found their place♪