Original subtitles

♪The spring breeze blows through the world♪

♪Blowing across the willow bank and the peach blossoms are brilliant♪

♪The legend spreads♪

♪There is always an amazing heartbeat♪

♪Who picks up the pen and writes that it's not too late to meet♪

♪Looking back to see someone smiling happily♪

♪Adding a touch of intensity to the depth of love♪

♪Being with you in the world of mortals♪

♪Whether it is a hustle or plain life♪

♪There will be no regrets in my life♪

♪See you in the next hundred years♪

♪Don't forget the current youth♪

♪I wish to stay and live up to the passing years♪

♪Every morning and every night we are together♪

♪It turned out we've known each other since the beginning♪

♪A thought at a certain moment♪

♪He sent me a thousand words♪

♪She left a story♪

♪The sound of guqin is like water and the shadow of the light is like a dream♪

♪Everything is tactful♪

♪Looking at the scenery and mountains with you♪

♪The rest of my life will last in perfection♪

♪Wait until the spring breeze blows♪

♪That's when I know your deepest love, and I'll miss♪

(Imperial College)

=A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College=

=Episode 23=

How's it?

It went well.

Ding Hao's statement

was unpolished.

He started

contradicting himself very soon.

It's worse than that.

He doesn't know anyone

except for Grand Preceptor Yan

and Yan Yan.

We asked him the names

and he gave the wrong answers.

Deputy Chief,

I deserve some credit as well.

He was terrified

when I was interrogating him.

If it weren't for me,

your investigation wouldn't be as easy, right?

Right, it's all thanks to you.

San Lang, have you recorded it?

I heard everything

in the next room.

I noted everything.

Now that his statement doesn't add up,

I can request for His Majesty

to reassess the case.

In that case,

Yan Yan will be fine, right?

That depends on His Majesty's decision.

We'll know in a few days.

We'll have to wait.

Yan Xiao Lang!

Lian Pian!

Xiao Lang.

Lian Pian.

It's getting late.

Say it while you can,

you might not get the chance again.

You've suffered a lot.

It couldn't have been easy for you.

This is nothing.

I'm much tougher than this.

I got too bored,

so I've been practicing the Body-hardening Technique

my master taught me.

See?

I've become stronger.

Relax, silly girl.

Don't worry about me.

I did nothing wrong, so I fear nothing.

In a few days,

I'll leave this place as a free man.

One thing is certain.

Once I'm released,

we must settle the wedding.

I don't care if my mother beat me up.

I'll explain it to her.

I will marry you.

I don't need your fancy words.

As long as you're safe,

I'll stay by your side

even if I can't be part of the family.

Lian Pian.

Sir.

They are in the moment

and basked in love,

please give them some time.

Stand aside.

(Prison) Stand aside.

Let go.

Lian Pian!

Give us a little more time!

Lian Pian!

Xiao Lang!

Xiao Lang! Xiao Lang!

Let go.

Xiao Lang!

Let go now!

Aren't you here to take him out with you?

We are.

Continue this when you're home.

I still want to go home on time.

We'll talk later.

If you're so great at acting,

you should start a play together.

Go on.

(Prison) Just go!

Let's go.

Thank you for your service.

Don't mention it.

If my mother saw it,

she would be furious.

We proved Ding Hao's statement was false

and bailed you out,

but every official in the imperial court

keeps their hands out of your case.

Only Grand Commandant Sang and Yan San Lang

are still defending you.

I knew this would happen.

No one wants to side with the losing side. I'm not surprised.

What do you plan to do?

What else can I do?

Official Yan told me when I was released

that I couldn't return to the Prefecture Court for work.

Even if I did,

I wouldn't be able to work on the case.

Of course,

I can make use of my network

to keep investigating.

I've met a lot of people

and learned many things over the years.

Judging by your spirit,

it seems we have nothing to worry about.

Our family

will never be part of these corrupted dealings.

We must

get to the bottom of it.

Yes. We have no time to waste.

The Song family might employ other schemes.

We can't let our guard down.

Come to our residence for now.

Never mind, I appreciate the thought.

Going to your house

will only cause you more trouble.

That would make me an ingrate.

But...

I know you don't mind.

But I can't accept your offer.

Not to mention that the Yan Residence

needs someone to take care of it.

Young Lady.

Can I stay and keep Yan Xiao Lang company?

This place is deserted.

He can barely take care of himself.

If you are willing,

that will be great.

Let's clean this place up.

(Erudite)

Qi.

You fell asleep.

Deputy Chief.

Have you not slept well lately?

With what happened to the Yan family,

I can't sleep soundly.

But it's all right.

I'm fine.

Take a walk with me.

(Morning Dew Pavilion)

Aunt.

You were sloppy

with the Yan family's case.

We didn't have the time.

Shifting the suspicion onto the Yan family was more than enough.

Fair enough.

Our target is not the Yan family anyway.

Remember,

cut the loose ends.

I understand.

I've heard rumors

that Song Jia Yin was telling people

that she was your rightful wife.

What now?

Are you planning something under my nose?

It wasn't my intention.

She's acting on her own.

I'm not against the idea.

The Song family is just as influential in the imperial court as the Sang family.

They've been working closely with us.

The Song family has always sided with the winning sides.

I'm wary of the risk they pose.

But if you marry Song Jia Yin,

your marriage

will save us a lot of trouble.

I beg to disagree.

Even if they side with us now,

they might abandon us for their gain.

When we work with the Song family,

we must always stay alert.

Great effort

doesn't guarantee great results.

If we must join hands with anyone,

it should be the Sang family.

Don't you dare bring them up.

Ever since Sang Qi came back to the capital,

you've wasted so much time over that girl.

She thwarted our plans time and time again.

Joining hands?

We should eradicate them!

It's time to set aside your personal feelings for her.

Aunt.

Please give Sang Qi and me another chance.

What now?

Do I have to repeat every order

I give you?

Even if I agreed,

Sang Qi made her stance clear.

She is going to spend her life with Yan Yun Zhi.

Aunt, I have an idea.

♪Your dainty figure is my muse♪

♪I put on an honest expression to hide my bewitched heart♪

♪Though I might not say much♪

♪Every word is pronounced with my most profound feeling♪

♪As our fate intertwined, which life should we pick?♪

♪I would trade this life for a chance to meet you in every life♪

♪Many woes and sorrows fill my existence♪

♪If persevering♪

♪Makes us fall in love with each other♪

You must be exhausted.

You brought me here so I could have fun.

Of course I should enjoy myself.

I enjoy every second

I spend with you, and I feel happy.

I've been thinking.

I want to spend more time

alone with you.

So why did you bring me to the mountain?

You could just visit me at my residence.

It's different.

There are too many distractions.

I want to have a more intimate time

with my loved one,

like this very moment.

♪May this budding romance♪

Why are you bringing it up now?

You hated it when I beat around the bush.

Now I just get to the point.

But you can't get used to it.

You are such a handful.

Your change is too sudden for me,

I need time to get used to it.

Besides,

what do you mean I'm a handful?

Then just leave me be.

I won't let you leave me.

You do the exact opposite

of what I say.

I even clean up after your mess.

Aren't you the handful?

What? Won't you do it for me?

On the contrary,

I will.

I'll be glad to do so.

Qi.

Are you feeling better lately?

I'm much better now.

After some quiet time out here on the mountain,

I feel much better now.

Shouldn't you thank

whoever brought you here?

Do you mean

my pony?

Young Master!

Bai Shi is back.

Calm down. What is it?

Miss Sang.

Grand Commandant

has been arrested by His Majesty.

What happened?

We should head back first.

Let's go.

(Grand Morale) What happened?

I'm not sure either.

Grand Commandant and I were discussing strategies.

Then a bunch of soldiers came

and arrested him with a royal decree.

That's not right.

My father came for the Yan family's defense,

but he never crossed any line.

He wouldn't have offended His Majesty.

It might not be the Yan family's case.

Their target was

Grand Commandant Sang.

But...

Qi Lang, Qi.

What have you learned?

Nothing yet.

San Lang.

Could you arrange a meeting

with Grand Commandant Sang

or Grand Preceptor Yan?

It might be linked to Yan family's case.

That might be difficult for the time being.

(Grand Morale) His Majesty ordered for Grand Commandant

to be sent to prison.

I have no power to intervene.

Grand Preceptor Yan is still in the Prefecture Court's prison,

but His Majesty has ordered to tighten the security.

I might have to make some requests.

How about this?

San Lang.

You and Yan Yan set up a meeting with Grand Preceptor Yan.

Qi and I will request an audience with His Majesty.

We need answers.

Yes.

- Let's go.

(Grand Morale)

His Majesty is busy.

Please leave.

His Majesty refuses to see us.

I understand.

We've been waiting here for a day.

We should get some food.

It won't do us any good

if we overwork ourselves.

Let's go to the Qingfeng Restaurant.

We can ask around there.

Let's go.

(Qingfeng Restaurant)

Let's sit here.

Miss Sang, Mr. Yan, wait.

What's wrong?

I know you understand.

With the recent event,

it's best that we don't serve you.

Please don't make it difficult for me.

It's all right.

Deputy Chief, let's go somewhere else to eat.

I don't mind that.

But I must know why we can't stay.

But I...

Deputy Chief Yan!

You know it clearly yourself.

What else can it be?

Grand Commandant Sang was arrested by His Majesty.

Given his status,

it must be some heinous crime.

Perhaps

he's involved in treason.

Qi.

I don't mind if you have your dinner

in the restaurant.

However,

if your family really did get on

His Majesty's bad side,

the imperial court

might think we are his accomplice

for gathering in the same place.

How will we explain then?

With all due respect,

you are bad luck for everyone, Qi.

You are not welcome anywhere.

I think

you and Deputy Chief Yan should return to the Imperial College

and stay put.

Miss, this way.

Mr. Zhuo.

Song Jia Yin, you asked me out

but were late yourself.

So why do you look so gleeful?

I apologize.

I'm late only because something great

happened.

I'm not interested in whatever good news you have.

Let's get down to business. Don't waste my time.

Mr. Zhuo, be patient.

Hear me out.

This great news

concerns both you and me.

Both of us?

Guess who I met downstairs.

Sang Qi and Yan Yun Zhi!

Mr. Zhuo, calm down.

Let me finish.

Sang Qi has fallen from her grace.

Without her father's support,

not even Yan Yun Zhi could keep her safe.

I seized the opportunity

to lecture her well just now.

Everyone in the Qingfeng Restaurant

chased her out.

Consider yourself avenged.

You are the Young Lady of the Song family.

When will you

stop being so reckless?

His Majesty was never clear with his stance about the Sang family.

We don't know

what might happen.

If you ruffle Sang Qi's feathers,

she might bring down the Song family.

What will you do then?

I...

Whether it was good news or not,

I hope you think it through.

I have work to see to.

Goodbye.

(Grand Morale)

Qi.

Don't let that woman get under your skin.

I know.

Harsh words always come when we lose power and influence.

It's normal.

I'm not surprised.

Whatever happens,

we'll face it together.

I'm worried about my father.

He's old.

What if the prison is too unbearable for him?

Don't worry.

He is Grand Commandant after all.

Judgment hasn't been passed.

No one will dare to hurt him.

I'll figure something out.

I'll find a way to arrange a meeting

with him.

Noble Consort, may I know why I was

summoned here?

According to my nephew,

you're a woman of pure heart and great refinement.

However, you seem depressed lately.

He asked me to make some arrangements for you.

Arrangement from Mr. Zhuo?

Calm down.

His Majesty arrives!

Your Majesty.

At ease.

And this must be

Miss Su.

I am Su Jie Yu. Greetings, Your Majesty.

At ease.

I thought you looked familiar.

That name sounds familiar too.

Very observant, Your Majesty.

She is the first bluestocking in Bianjing

that I mentioned the other day.

But what brought

the two of you together today?

Oh, Your Majesty.

Others might think

I don't deserve to be

in the presence of Miss Su's scholarly grace.

I'm very well-educated myself.

Jokes aside,

Miss Su here

has been anxious lately.

She came here for some advice.

She is of marrying age

and in search of a good suitor.

But none of the candidates

is to her liking.

It took me quite a while

to ease her worries a little.

Now that Your Majesty is here,

I wonder if Lan here

could have Your Majesty's blessing?

You're an interesting person, Noble Consort.

You haven't asked me to betroth your nephew

a wife.

But you're helping Lan first.

However,

I must grant you

that request.

Miss Su, if any man caught your eyes,

I'll arrange the marriage for you.

Much obliged, Your Majesty.

(Prefecture Court)

Time is short.

Call me when you're done.

Yes.

Father!

Why are you here?

Father.

Let's keep it brief.

Before you go arrested,

did you notice anything suspicious?

Not at all.

It was too sudden.

I discussed Yan family's case with His Majesty.

His Majesty seemed persuaded.

But I was arrested as soon as I got home.

That means

you didn't know

it was Grand Preceptor Yan who got you dragged into this.

Yan? Why would he do that?

I don't know.

I only heard rumors.

Qi.

Do you ever suspect

that I was involved in any form of treachery?

It's not the time for jokes!

We have no time for that!

Fine.

Deliberate plan, stealth operation,

and perfect cooperation.

Are you capable of these?

Can you?

A daughter knows her father best.

But this plot

is very well-thought.

I'm afraid it won't be easy

to resolve this crisis.

I know.

But we must find out

why Grand Preceptor Yan betrayed you.

Sit.

Yan.

Father.

What happened this time around?

Why was Grand Commandant Sang arrested?

It's because

a witness testified against Sang Wei.

A witness?

But Ding Hao's statement was proven to be false, wasn't it?

It wasn't Ding Hao.

It's someone close to you.

Someone close to us?

(Muyan Pavilion)

Wei Zhan Hong fell off a cliff.

But why did he show up again?

He even testified.

Sang Qi, Official Yan said that on the day

Official Wei was ambushed, you were there too.

Did you notice anything suspicious?

That day,

(Wei Zhan Hong and Official Wei split up and went separate ways.)

(When I finally found Official Wei,)

(he was already dead.)

But according to Zhou Wen Yuan,

he saw Wei Zhan Hong jump from the cliff.

After he jumped off the cliff,

the imperial court sent people to search for his body.

But they couldn't find the remain

due to the harsh terrain.

In the end,

they closed the case because they thought Wei Zhan Hong had died.

It's been so long.

If Wei Zhan Hong came back to testify as a witness suddenly,

something must be amiss.

Our top priority is to find Wei Zhan Hong.

We must confront him.

That is the only way

to prove Grand Commandant Sang's innocence.

But we don't know where he is.

Yan San Lang, do you have any lead?

Wei Zhan Hong's return was a secret.

The Prefecture Court didn't receive any news.

Now,

Wei Zhan Hong must have been hidden somewhere.

Not to mention

the Prefecture Court is not in charge of the case.

It won't be easy to track down

Wei Zhan Hong.

Time is running short.

We'll split up and gather information.

We must find Wei Zhan Hong at all costs.

That is our only option.

Let's start now.

Let's go.

Things don't add up.

Someone must have orchestrated this plot.

The person knew Wei Zhan Hong was alive.

Or perhaps Wei Zhan Hong was saved before

he jumped.

And then they kept him hidden away.

They waited for

the right timing

to send Wei Zhan Hong back to Bianjing as a witness

to give a false statement

so Grand Commandant would be arrested.

I don't understand.

Wei Zhan Hong's father died because of Xizhao.

Why would he still work for Xizhao

to frame my father?

The mastermind

is skilled at tactics.

Perhaps Wei Zhan Hong was tricked into helping.

Unfortunately for them,

when they sent out

Wei Zhan Hong for their plot,

they also exposed their existence.

If we find Wei Zhan Hong,

we can trace the tracks

back to the mastermind.

Official.

We found nothing.

Come.

- Come.

Sang Qi.

Why do you call

for this gathering?

I haven't seen you since graduation.

Since I have some free time today,

I hope to meet up.

Where are Zhuo Wen Yuan and Yan Yan?

I heard Zuo Wen Yuan is now

the rising star of the Ministry of Personnel.

Perhaps he's too busy.

Yan Yan and his family...

Don't poke at their sore spot.

Enough about that.

Dig in.

- Let's dig in. - Eat up.

Dig in.

My father was framed and sent to prison,

but truth prevails.

I believe His Majesty will get to the bottom of it

and clear my father's name.

Indeed.

Grand Commandant Sang is a righteous man.

He is loyal to the imperial court.

We have no doubt

about his morality.

Fortune favors the strong,

his name will be cleared.

Thank you.

By the way,

people from our cohort have quite eventful lives.

First, the Wei family got into trouble

and Wei Zhan Hong died.

Then the Yan and Sang families

got caught up in lawsuits.

But from what I heard,

the imperial court never found Wei Zhan Hong's body.

Perhaps he is still alive.

He is presumed dead.

No one heard from him afterward.

It's unlikely that he still lives.

- That makes sense. - Indeed.

Father, are you going out?

I have a discussion with some officials.

You're in a hurry.

Did something happen to the imperial court?

Speak your mind. What do you want to know?

I heard that a witness testified against

Grand Commandant Sang.

Is Grand Commandant in danger?

What else do you know?

This is confidential information.

His Majesty interrogated him personally.

Even now,

I still don't know the identity of that witness.

Grand Commandant San's case is unlike anything.

You must not be caught up in it.

The officials are all in fear.

Do not cause any trouble.

The Sang family is in trouble,

I must help them.

What can you possibly do?

The situation in the imperial court is treacherous and unpredictable.

The signs are clear,

even my hands are tied.

What more can you do?

Yun Zhi, a righteous man must stay away from possible dangers.

Watch your back.

I asked around in the city.

I got nothing.

Song Luo Tian doesn't seem to know anything either.

I was secretly monitoring the Song Residence.

There was nothing unusual.

I asked around.

Not even the officials have any clues.

Does no one in the entire city of Bianjing

know Wei Zhan Hong's whereabouts?

Perhaps

someone might.

(Zhuo Residence)

If Zhou Wen Yuan knows where Wei Zhan Hong is,

that will mean he is the mastermind.

I hope I'm wrong about this.

(Zhuo Residence)

Miss Sang.

My Young Master welcomes you inside.

Deputy Chief Yan, sorry.

Only Miss Sang is invited to get in.

Don't worry.

I've been Zhuo Wen Yuan's friend for years.

He won't harm me.

I'll be right back.

Stay cautious.

Qi, you're finally here.

It was usually me who often went over to your residence.

I lost count of how many times I've been there.

This is the first time you have come here as a guest.

I have some questions for you.

Have patience.

We can save it for later.

Let me show you around.

Come.

Zhuo Wen Yuan!

This way.

Qi.

You should have a meal here.

I'll ask the cook

to prepare your favorite cuisines.

- We can have braised pork hocks... - Zhuo Wen Yuan.

Can we get down to business?

I was hoping we could catch up

and have a chat.

Never mind.

I know you came because of your father.

I can help you clear his name.

I can't get him his title back,

but at least his life will be spared.

Do you really have Wei Zhan Hong with you?

Wei Zhan Hong?

Isn't he dead?

If he's not here,

how do you clear my father's name?

I have my ways.

But this is a serious matter.

Grand Commandant is charged for connection with Xizhao.

No official wants to be involved.

As an outsider,

I don't share any ties with Grand Commandant.

I should just mind my own business.

Unless...

Unless he becomes my family.

Then I will risk my life and wealth

to clear his name.

Family?

You want me to marry you?

No, Qi.

I'm not forcing you.

But this is the only way

we can save your father.

Zhuo Wen Yuan.

You threaten me with my father's life.

Do you not remember

how he looked after you and cared for you

at the frontier fortress?

What have you become?

Who was the one that changed?

We used to be inseparable.

But ever since you met Yan Yun Zhi,

we started to grow apart.

I did so much for you.

But Yan Yun Zhi, who you just met means more to you

than I ever will.

And now you want to marry him.

Qi, trust me.

Yan Yun Zhi will only bring you sufferings.

You will always be in danger because of him.

Only I can keep you safe.

Only I can protect your family.

You will understand someday

that I am the best option you have.

I've said it before.

We can only be friends.

But I want to be more than just a friend!

You can decide whether your father

lives or dies.

(Muyan Pavilion)

I never thought Zhuo Wen Yuan was so obsessive.

He threatened me with my father's life.

Although he denied

having Wei Zhan Hong in his hands,

to turn this case around,

we need Wei Zhan Hong to withdraw his confession.

There is no other way.

Zhuo Wen Yuan must be connected to this plot too.

I refused to seek Zhuo Wen Yuan's help

because I feared

he might be connected.

But I didn't expect

he'd become such a person.

Qi.

People can change easily.

We don't know what they'd become.

Don't worry.

We will come up with a sound solution.

Judgment of your father's case hasn't been passed on.

We can still save him.

I will find Wei Zhan Hong

and clear your father's name.

I hope so.

♪As our fate intertwined, which life should we pick?♪

♪I'm willing to this life for a chance to meet you in every life♪

♪Many woes and sorrows fill my existence♪

♪If persevering♪

♪Makes us fall in love with each other♪

♪That's how I come to this life♪

♪If not letting go of my past♪

♪Becomes my mistake♪

♪Then I shall not make that mistake♪

♪This beautiful story♪

♪Is like the way I look when I make up my mind♪

♪But my heart changed its mind♪

♪At the dawn♪

♪What an unexpected love♪

♪And so I wrote my words with joy♪

♪I have accepted this life I reincarnated in♪

♪May this budding romance♪

♪Develop into something unforgettable♪

♪May this budding romance♪

♪Develop into something unforgettable♪