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 40]

I do not

beg for mercy.

Alas, in this world,

no one has ever

truly understood me.

Not even loved me.

But I have not lost.

None of you

will ever forget Rong Yang!

Father!

♪Life is like a wilting flower, blooming and withering with the seasons♪

♪The wind leaves its trace, swaying, yet holding firm♪

♪Not asking for more care from the heavens♪

♪May I enjoy the blessings in the days to come♪

♪Only wishing for a life free from entanglements♪

♪Fate plays its tricks. We are but mere mortals♪

♪Looking back, I dare not gaze too long at the road I've traveled♪

♪As the day fades, the wise redeem themselves♪

♪I only wish to awaken one day♪

♪If I enter the game, what fear is there if the whole board is lost?♪

♪Sighing in despair♪

♪Is it too late?♪

♪My feelings are numb♪

♪Is it too much to bear?♪

♪How many regrets are left unfulfilled?♪

♪A chance to mend, to make it whole♪

♪An inch of longing, a lifetime untold♪

♪Is the resting shore♪

♪Too shallow to stand?♪

♪Is the yearning heart♪

♪Too distant to span?♪

♪Though splendor fills the land♪

♪I remain trapped♪

♪Gone is the fateful encounter, and my life is dulled for good♪

♪Is the resting shore♪

♪Too shallow to stand?♪

♪Is the yearning heart♪

♪Too distant to span?♪

♪Though splendor fills the land♪

♪I remain trapped♪

♪Gone is the fateful encounter, and my life is dulled for good♪

♪Gone is the fateful encounter, and my life is dulled for good♪

The Marquis of Changxing committed treason and rebellion.

He was sentenced to death by slow slicing.

[Tiande Hall] Princess Rong Yang bravely defended

the Emperor in Tiande Hall, but unfortunately perished.

She is posthumously conferred the title Princess Royal Xianjing

and will be buried in the imperial mausoleum.

Cui Xu is conferred Duke of Zhenguo.

Jiang Zhan, appointed General of Territories.

Long Dan, Commander of the Imperial Insignia Guards.

Xie Yinlou, Commandant of the Capital Administration Office.

Zhen Heng, Left Chancellor.

I wanted to fly a kite.

I planned to use it to send you a message,

but…

I know.

I know everything.

But I still wanted

to see with my own eyes that you were safe.

I thought

I would never see you again.

Fuqing,

I wish to marry you

and be with you for the rest of my life.

Will you marry me?

You once asked me

why I refused

His Majesty's arranged marriage.

Why did you refuse

a marriage with me?

I only saw you

as my disciple then.

I didn't dare to overstep my place.

But now,

after experiencing life and death,

I've realized something.

You have always been in my heart.

I have genuinely fallen for you.

Others only see your gentle

and delicate side,

but I see

your courage

and strength.

I admire and respect you.

Even though you have lived in darkness,

you have always tried to bring light to others.

You protect people

in your own way,

even as

you endure

everything yourself.

I want to embrace everything about you.

I only hope

that you can be happy,

free,

and healthy.

I feel the same way about you.

Then, will you marry me?

I will.

We owe it to you, Jin.

It was thanks to General Cui.

You little rascal.

Don't try to pull that on me.

Cui Xu only came

because of Jiang Si, didn't he?

She's a good woman.

You've made a wise choice.

Thank you for your praise, Father.

Oh, right, Father.

I was entrusted with a responsibility in a time of crisis.

The imperial jade seal

has now been safely returned.

You're grown up now.

What are your plans for the future?

Tell me.

I would like to go to Nanwu

and see Jiang Si.

To Nanwu?

Yes.

I can agree to anything else,

but now

is absolutely not

the best time to go to Nanwu.

Then… Then when can I go?

[Tiande Hall]

I will never set foot

in Tiande Hall again.

As for the right timing,

that will be up to you

to figure out.

These years,

because of Rong Yang,

your mother and I have argued countless times.

This incident has frightened her again.

I want to take her away for a while,

to clear our minds.

[Streets of Nanwu]

Grand Elder.

These are all

top-quality fragrances.

Such luxury is rarely seen in Zhou.

Nanwu is renowned

for producing aromatic substances.

Look.

Every household is engaged in making fragrances.

Grand Elder,

have you ever considered

encouraging the people to go into trade?

Trade?

Nanwu has never

produced merchants.

Only farmers and soldiers.

Supporting the military

is a heavy burden.

If there is no war,

the soldiers can return home

and find

their own livelihoods.

As for the farmers,

Nanwu's terrain

is not very suitable for agriculture.

But if we don't farm, what will we eat?

Farming is for self-sufficiency.

But if we can't

even feed ourselves,

the only option is to enlist and fight wars.

In exchange for more resources.

But the fact is,

there is a better way

for us all.

Nanwu is rich in fragrances,

which are rare and expensive

in Zhou.

If the people of Nanwu

focus on trade instead,

selling these precious fragrances

to Zhou

in exchange for what they need,

then,

even without farming,

they will

live better lives.

Who would still want

to go to war?

You mean

selling these

to Zhou

and exchanging them for food, ironware,

and other goods?

Both realms would get what they need.

The people on both sides

would have better lives.

The century-old conflict

might finally come

to a true resolution.

This might indeed be a better path.

Very well. Let's implement it as you suggested.

We will follow

the Saintess' proposal!

This is heavy!

Handle them with care.

Yes.

♪Words fail to convey how our paths have diverged♪

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

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

Chief…

♪Casting all else aside♪

Your Majesty.

This is so heavy.

If you wear it for a whole day,

your neck might just snap from the weight.

♪Writing tales of love for you♪

♪Fate has faded into the past, but home lies ahead♪

♪I wish to stay by your side and hold you close♪

May your love be fruitful and abundant.

♪Like a fleeting dream, where petals rest upon the page...♪

May your descendants flourish.

May your lineage continue endlessly.

May your family prosper and thrive.

The ceremony is complete.

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

Put these away.

Really?

♪Watching the past unfold♪

We'll try them on once she returns.

Understood.

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

Jiang Si.

Chuchu. Take a seat.

Dear Saintess,

you've been busy with Nanwu's affairs

for a while now.

Isn't it time to take a break?

Chuchu.

I called you here today

to tell you something.

I need you to make a trip back to Zhou first.

Does that mean I can return to Ling'an?

What about you?

Aren't you going back?

I can't just yet.

Once you go back,

inform my sister and the others

about the situation here.

I need their help.

Also,

take note

of the types of fragrances

that the nobles in Ling'an City prefer,

and send word to me promptly.

Got it.

When the day comes

that Zhou and Nanwu establish trade,

remember to give me credit for it.

Of course!

Here, take a look.

These are some of the rarest fragrances

I've gathered from Nanwu recently.

Dear Yu Jin,

I have successfully negotiated

with the Nanwu people for a one-year period,

ensuring that during this year,

I will stay in Nanwu.

Nanwu can now achieve

unprecedented prosperity

without the need for war.

I am confident that I can make this happen.

Not even a single word about me?

Your Majesty.

Chancellor Zhen requests an audience.

Let him in.

Princess Royal Fuqing requests an audience as well.

- Zhen Heng - Fuqing

- greets Your Majesty. - greets Your Majesty.

You came together.

What is the matter?

I, Zhen Heng,

sincerely seek to marry Princess Royal Fuqing

and vow to share a lifelong bond.

People say that I am rigid, dull,

and as temperamental as a rock.

I don't deny it.

But only Fuqing never minded

my stubbornness

and treated me with sincerity.

Your Majesty,

after the recent turmoil

caused by the Marquis of Changxing,

I have come to realize

that the most important thing in life

is to cherish the person before me.

Therefore, I am willing to dedicate my life

to protecting Princess Royal Fuqing,

respecting her, and loving her.

I humbly ask for Your Majesty's approval.

And does this person

share the same sentiment?

That is also my wish.

Chancellor Zhen.

I have never seen you like this before.

Your Majesty, please don't tease me.

Get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You two look like a pair of star-crossed lovers.

If word gets out,

they'll say I have no sense of compassion.

Chancellor Zhen.

Fuqing.

I shall be present

at your wedding.

And I will bestow this,

this, and this as gifts.

This inkstone, green as jade,

is a true treasure among treasures.

They were carefully selected

for Your Highness.

Oh, right.

And this, too.

A gold jewel-encrusted little turtle.

Your Majesty, those gifts look

incredibly familiar to me.

But I believe

the greatest gift you can give us

is your approval.

Should I grant it?

Granted!

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Grand Elder, look.

These are

the goods and fragrances

being transported to Zhou.

Your Majesty.

There is a letter for you.

A compendium of Nanwu medicinal herbs is appended to this letter.

It contains

remedies

for various ailments

and will benefit the people of Zhou.

[Addressed to Yu Jin]

Nanwu's transformation is not easy,

but progress is being made.

I require

skilled water management experts from Zhou

to help build water defenses

to protect the farmland here.

Also, I miss you.

And Erniu too.

So this letter is just to ask me

to send people to build water defenses

for Nanwu?

If someday,

I no longer wish to live in Ling'an City,

I'll go

somewhere pretty,

get some farmland

and put up a small house.

I'll live there

and lead a simple yet free life.

By then,

I'll take Father,

Yi, Zhan,

Chuchu, Aman,

and Long Dan with me.

And...

And Erniu.

That's good.

And you.

Are you willing to join me, then?

Send Erniu to her.

She misses it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Poor carrier pigeon.

Flying for days just to deliver two words.

Missing you.

You're the Emperor now.

Couldn't you bring more people with you

when you go out?

This isn't enough.

Not enough?

These would take years for my sister to finish

even if she did nothing else.

I bought everything

I could find.

Look.

Is it enough?

This amount looks about right.

Right?

Let's check out a few more places.

More?

[The Essentials of Trade and Industry]

[Treatise on Architectural Methods and State Building Standards]

[And other business classics]

Since everything is gathered, send them to her.

Yes, Your Majesty.

[Addressed to Jiang Si]

You're leaving early tomorrow morning?

My belongings are already packed.

I came today

to bid farewell to you, Mother.

The northern border is vastly different from Ling'an

in terms of customs and way of life.

Although it is your ancestral homeland,

you have never been there before.

Now you are suddenly being sent

to the northern border as the Protectorate General.

I wonder

if you'll be able to adapt.

Rest assured, Mother.

The northern border is vast

but has remained underdeveloped.

Jin entrusted the northern border to me

and told me

I could manage it

however I saw fit.

That assurance is enough for me.

You used to be overshadowed by the Crown Prince

and never had the chance to showcase your talents.

Now, you finally have the opportunity

to realize your ambitions.

But who knows how many years will pass

before I return?

I will no longer be able to stay by your side

as before.

And Jin still has misgivings about you.

That is

what worries me the most.

Jin?

Jin has been visiting me more frequently lately.

Really?

He doesn't say much each time

and leaves after the formalities,

but

he is at least willing to visit me now.

That's good.

At least it's a start.

I think so too.

Zhang.

Accompany me

for a little longer.

Of course, Mother.

I'll go for a walk with your father

in a couple of days.

[Count of Dongping's Mansion]

Zhan.

Maybe you should take

a few maids with you.

They can take care

of your daily needs.

Father.

I'm going to Yangui as the envoy

of the Southwestern Regions

to ensure the security of trade

between both regions.

I will not be there for pleasure.

Besides,

I am fully capable

of taking care of myself.

It's you I'm worried about.

Si and I won't be by your side.

You have to take good care of yourself.

Be more mature,

all right?

You'll be

traveling alone.

I can't help

but worry.

Who said I'd be alone?

Who else is going with you?

Who else could it be?

Miss Chuchu is going with you?

I suppose so.

Good for you, little brat!

That young lady is willing

to follow you

across great distances.

You'd better settle

this marriage quickly!

You need to learn

from me

when it comes to taking responsibility.

Stop nagging.

We have our own plans.

Plans?

What kind of plans

could you possibly have?

You're leaving soon.

Congratulations on becoming

the envoy of the Southwestern Regions.

Does this mean it'll be difficult for us

to meet?

Probably.

Do you have anything you'd like

to say to me?

Chuchu.

I've always wanted to tell you…

I…

Nothing.

What are your plans next?

Me?

Same as always.

It's a big world out there.

I want to enjoy it

and see as much of it as I can.

I don't want to be tied down

to any one place.

That's true.

You're a wandering heroine at heart.

Well, I wish you a life

full of the adventures

you dream of.

But you know,

Jiang Zhan,

after spending time with you

traveling together,

I realized something.

I want to be a heroine,

and I want to see the world.

But what I love most

is doing what I love,

with the person

I love.

With the person you love?

Doing what you love…

There's no one else here.

You love me?

I love you.

What?

I love you!

I didn't quite hear that.

I'm fond of you!

I'm fond of you!

So, it's a horse.

[One year later]

[Count of Dongping's Mansion]

All the ingredients are ready.

I can see the flowers!

Si loves flower pastries.

Add more honey.

Don't worry, Grandmother.

Everything is prepared.

Yes.

I wonder if Si

has gained or lost weight.

I've missed her so much.

I wonder if she'll be leaving again

after this visit.

- Grandmother. - Grandmother.

My grandchildren are back.

I missed you all.

I missed you too.

Please sit down, Grandmother.

All right.

Over the past year,

I've read extensively.

In Yang's Family Heritage Prescriptions,

I found a remedy for cold pathogens in your legs.

I'd like to try it for you, Grandmother.

You are

very thoughtful.

You've changed a lot

since I last saw you.

You no longer resemble an ordinary young lady.

You carry yourself

with the grace of a scholar.

You flatter me, Grandmother.

I owe it all to Si.

If not for her,

I might never have

taken this step.

The past is the past.

From now on,

only good days lie ahead.

Greetings, Madam Jiang.

Commandant Xie.

Commandant Xie, you're here.

Yi still has many flowers

that need crushing for her mooncakes.

Hurry and help out!

Why are you standing there?

Give me a hand.

All right.

Anmou,

your dough-making skills

are dreadful.

Look at this dough of yours.

If someone knew,

they'd know you were making flower pastries.

If they didn't,

they'd assume you were making a batch of paste instead.

You think it's easy?

Why don't you try?

Fine, I'll try then.

Your dough is too runny.

Here, sift some more flour in.

Stop!

How much flour are you adding?

How much do you need?

I told you to add a little flour.

You were only supposed to add a bit.

I added flour!

You added half a sack!

I added water too!

Oh, you two.

Honestly, you two brothers.

That dough

is getting bigger by the second.

It is.

At this rate,

we'll be feeding the whole city of Ling'an

with our flower pastries.

You have to knead it with force!

See? Mother does it best.

[Tiande Hall]

There's something

I never told you.

We looked into it.

Your mother, Su Ke, was actually from Nanwu.

She was later adopted by Mr. Su at the border.

This is the fate

that ties you to Nanwu.

A Saintess must experience life and death.

You are the Saintess,

so you must already be privy to the truths of the past.

Indeed.

Only after experiencing life and death

did the emblem appear on me.

This ancient manuscript

contains secrets

about the Saintess' origins.

Nanwu ancient arts.

With strong enough willpower,

one can sacrifice their own life

to give their loved one a one-in-ten-thousand chance

at rebirth.

It's Yu Jin

who risked his life

for my chance to change my fate.

Yes.

♪Afraid of losing you again...♪

The price he paid was not only his life,

but also forgetting you completely.

♪Leaving dreams incomplete♪

♪I count the petals as they fall♪

♪Each one a time I've thought of you...♪

Si.

I've missed you so much.

I've missed you too.

♪I still can't let you go♪

♪No matter how far the journey takes me...♪

The only one I've ever truly loved

is Yu Jin.

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

♪In this lifetime♪

♪Can I make it through another long night?♪

♪Afraid of losing you again♪

I've replayed this moment in my mind

countless times before.

But every time I woke up,

I was alone.

It's strange, really.

For so many years,

I traveled alone

in the army,

and I never felt lonely.

Don't worry.

You'll never be alone again.

I'm back.

♪I count the petals as they fall♪

♪Each one a time I've thought of you...♪

That depends. Will you leave again?

♪Past lives fade like smoke♪

♪Can the dreams be undone...♪

Never.

♪I still can't let you go♪

♪No matter how far the journey takes me♪

♪I'll do anything to save♪

♪Our shared past♪

I had a dream last night.

I dreamed

that we had built a home in Ling'an.

Missing home again?

What's our home in Ling'an like?

Of course, it had you in it.

And all of our family members

were there too.

Do I still need

to guard the borders?

In the dream,

Zhou and Nanwu had already made peace.

There was no more war.

The people of both realms

were living in peace and prosperity.

I wish that day

could come sooner.

If that day

had arrived a little earlier,

you would never have had

to go through

all the suffering you endured.

Being exiled

to the frontier

as a child

and fighting brutal battles

as a youth.

But I think

it was precisely all those hardships

that gradually led me to you.

So perhaps my purpose in this world

has always been to meet you and spend my life with you.

[Tiande Hall]

Welcoming the Empress.

On this day,

I, Jiang Si, was granted the grace of His Majesty

and entered the Central Palace.

I shall serve with devotion

and set an example for all.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

♪Through endless twists in the mundane world♪

♪The breezy wind blows♪

♪The heart grows tender and bitter♪

Kneel.

♪I ask the Sun♪

♪If the light has taken root...♪

- Long live the Emperor. - Long live the Emperor.

- Long live - Long live

- the Empress. - the Empress.

Bow.

Bow again.

♪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♪

[The End]

♪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♪