Original subtitles

(Accumulate Merit and Virtue)

The abbot said

that you're welcome to pray

and offer incense to Buddha,

but if you're here to ask about the past,

the abbot refuses to speak,

so you should stop wasting your energy here.

What a fool you were!

What a fool you were!

Mo.

I just discovered that Father was keeping a mistress here.

This is none of your business!

Father!

I know you're upset.

You can vent it out on me.

There's too much misunderstanding between you and Brother.

I don't want your hatred to grow deeper.

I can be the bad guy.

For this family's sake.

You!

Your Lordship!

Your Lordship, we found this inside the woman's house.

I wanted to wear a decorative knot on my belt,

so I got my maid to make one,

but it turned out ugly,

so I burned it.

The decorative knot you burned

was from this woman.

It was Father.

He brought me here to learn to play the flute,

and she gave me this knot.

I was burning it when you saw me that day.

I didn't mean to lie...

Mo.

You're good at reading faces.

You must know that I wasn't lying just now.

I have always

respected you since young.

Every family has its own dirty laundry, right?

I don't understand

why all of you have to

hang our dirty laundry outside?

The Duke of Ying's Residence

has more than just dirty laundry.

You think I can't investigate further

just because this woman is dead?

You think I can assume nothing has happened,

and that I can reconcile with him?

He's our father, after all.

Men.

Take Second Young Master back to Yizhi Hall.

- Take him away. - Brother.

Mo.

I...

Move!

- Mo! - Come on!

Mo.

You and Mother were married for 20 years,

and you didn't shed a tear when she died.

So, it's because your heart was elsewhere.

That makes sense.

You're selfish and timid.

You wouldn't hide the daughter of a criminal here

if you didn't really love her.

So what if she's the daughter of a criminal?

I met someone I loved,

and all I did was keep her here.

I don't need my son

to lecture me!

I feel so bad for my mother.

=Blossom= (Adapted from the novel "Blossom" by Zhi Zhi)

=Episode 25=

Fate and destiny are predestined,

yet you refused to accept it.

Please tell the abbot

that I, Ji Yong, requests an audience.

(Accumulate Merit and Virtue)

The abbot asks you this.

Years ago, Emperor Taizong

launched a bloodbath in the capital to obtain the throne.

After that, he built this temple

to appease the victims' souls.

In the eyes of the public,

this was for the benefit for future generations.

What do you think?

Emperor Taizong did so to relieve his guilt.

No matter his intentions back then,

the emperor did something good for the people.

A century has passed since then.

Why should the people today

continue debating about his intentions?

So, you mean that

just because Li Yaoniang had been praying here

over the past decade or so,

the past deserves to be buried?

Ms. Li decided to hide her secrets in this temple

because she didn't want to cause any more killing.

Just like Ms. Dou here, she had kind intentions.

Now that you know the truth can harm yourself and other people,

it's best not to ask about the past.

As is said, "Reward will not befall those who are intentionally kind,

and punishment will not befall those who are unintentionally evil."

As you said earlier, intentions do matter.

Emperor Taizong was brave enough to admit his mistakes

and build this temple to apologize to the dead.

His intention was to redeem himself,

and he worked hard to restore peace and prosperity.

However, if someone decides

to bury the truth under the pretense of regret,

subsequently hurting those who are innocent,

how is that fair?

Your Lordship.

We have seized control of the entire residence.

You should let Shengtian Court

or the Ministry of Justice investigate the death of Ms. Li.

It's inappropriate to imprison both of them in Yizhi Hall.

Your eldest uncle and third uncle

has already left for the palace.

That's fast.

It shows that I do have to take

extreme measures to discover the truth.

If the palace officials are here,

they can be my witness.

Eighteen years ago,

both Li Yaoniang and my mother were pregnant.

Li Yaoniang often visited Wanfo Temple.

Coincidentally,

my mother got startled there and had a premature birth.

Li Yaoniang is Song Han's mother,

am I right?

You're crazy.

You're spouting nonsense.

It's clearly written in the records

that Li Yaoniang was born to an official in Futing.

Back then, you were leading a troop of soldiers in Futing.

Her entire family was thrown into prison,

and the records showed that you visited her twice.

If she weren't Song Han's birth mother,

why would she have the same kind of decorative knot?

You've had an affair with her.

Song Mo.

You're just scared that Han

would steal your position.

How could you incriminate him?

Don't forget

that he's your brother!

How could you say that in front of your mother?

(Virtuous Wife, Madam Jiang's Memorial Tablet)

Don't you feel any shame

lying in front of my mother?

Ms. Dou, you are right.

However, today's events

weren't the results of Li Yaoniang's intentions.

One's opinions

might not reflect those of others.

Your standard of interpreting intentions

may be different from mine,

but this doesn't deny the fact that we all have good intentions.

Please tell us the truth, Abbot,

so as to bring justice to both families.

If you insist, Ms. Dou.

Perhaps you're fated to resolve this turbulent past.

Eighteen years ago, on the day of Jingzhe,

both Ms. Li and Madam Jiang were at this temple.

Back then, Ms. Li carried a one-month-old baby

in her arms,

and she wanted to pray for the baby.

As for Madam Jiang, the Duchess of Ying, she had a premature birth here.

The Duke of Ying said she gave birth to a baby boy,

but I saw clearly

that she gave birth to a baby girl.

(Virtuous Wife, Madam Jiang's Memorial Tablet)

Father.

Am I really not my mother's real son?

Ridiculous!

Our family records clearly state that Han is Huisun's son!

A mere decorative knot

cannot upend the truth!

Then, have you heard of

a maternity test?

You drip the blood of a child onto a parent's bone

and see whether the blood seeps in

to determine if they're related by blood.

Huisun has already been buried.

You dare to dig her grave?

You're not qualified enough to dig my mother's grave!

Bring her in!

Don't touch her!

Where should we cut?

The skull?

Don't touch her!

Or the leg bone?

Don't touch her!

She has the beautiful hands

of a musician.

You dare?

Why not?

Hold it!

(Loyalty)

I did not let your mother down.

The only person I have ever let down is her!

Li Yaoniang was her stage name given by the music office.

She is Li Shuyao, the daughter of Futing's Magistrate.

Back then, I was just a lowborn deployed to Futing.

I met her at the seaside in Futing.

I was playing the sheng, and she played the flute.

We played in harmony

and promised to stay together.

But Jiang Meisun

ruined everything!

He raided the Lis' residence

and ruined Shuyao's life!

Then, as fate would have it,

His Majesty

ordered me to marry the sister of my enemy.

Everything I had wanted for years,

status, career, and wealth

were got overnight.

But later, I met her again in the Music Office.

We had a child.

I checked the magistrate records.

The Li family was incarcerated because of corruption.

The proceedings were legal and reasonable.

You think you let her down.

What about my mother?

Even when she died,

she had never held her real child in her arms.

Where is the child now?

Speak!

That child is already dead.

The Jiangs owe me this!

If Jiang Meisun didn't raid the Lis' residence,

I wouldn't be in this state now!

Han should have been my heir apparent!

My uncle enforced the law justly.

My mother treated you wholeheartedly.

You owe them two lives!

No,

three lives!

Mo!

Father said that out of anger.

You're still his son.

Moreover, His Majesty said

that both of you are...

If you have a shred of conscience left,

tell me the truth.

Who helped you

rescue Li Yaoniang from the Music Office?

There's no such person!

You're still lying!

You snuck a court performer out and hid her in the capital for years.

It's impossible if you got no help from high-ranking officials.

Eventually, my mother discovered her presence.

That's why you killed her.

Your mother was my wife.

Why would I kill her?

She died of illness!

If you didn't intend this,

then you must have been ordered to do so.

Those people killed my uncle

and wanted to eliminate the Jiangs,

right?

You're spouting nonsense.

Revenge has driven you crazy!

You're right.

Bring the evidence.

Licorice candied fruits.

These are not meant to be taken with my mother's prescription.

You bought these fruits.

You were the one who made her die from illness!

I'm not a physician.

How would I know these foods are contradictory?

These are just candies.

As the master of the household,

why would I care about mere candies?

You won't confess?

I have nothing to confess!

You see that?

He forced me to do so.

Take him to the main hall!

- Yes, Your Lordship! - Mo.

You...

- Mo! - You!

Move it!

This is an old case that involves

the private affairs of a prestigious family.

Your interference would only create more resentment.

Why don't you stay in your residence first?

I'll brew a pot of tea,

and we can discuss our next step.

(Yantang is blinded by hatred now.)

(Song Yichun is in danger.)

(I have to stop him now.)

(Song Mo, Star of Death)

(In a fit of hatred, he began killing)

(to take his revenge.)

(Song Mo's hair turned white after killing his father and brother.)

(Perhaps it was Li Yaoniang's death that started it all?)

What's done is done.

Even if you try to stop it now,

you can only change things temporarily, but not forever.

My strength may be minuscule,

and I may not alter my destiny,

but I'll walk alongside him.

Mantis Song is a lucky guy, indeed.

Mo!

All I know

is that my mother is Jiang Huisun,

and Song Yichun is our father.

You're my most respected brother.

This family is what I identify with.

You're still pleading for him.

I'm doing this for you.

If you do hate me,

I can kill myself now.

I won't blame you for it.

If you truly see me as your brother,

then tell me,

when did you realize the truth?

Today.

I did feel that things were strange,

but now that Mother is gone,

I was scared that you'd abandon me,

so I pretended that nothing happened.

Mo, please stop!

I beg you.

Remember this?

You gave me this blade and said you'd let me join you someday.

We confiscated this blade from pirates.

It's yours now.

Thank you.

I know you love grilled venison,

so I'm planning to hunt a deer tomorrow.

Sure.

If you manage to hunt one,

I will ask Father

to assign a position for you in Futing.

It's a deal. Don't break your promise.

Back then, Mother was still alive.

Don't you mention her!

Our uncle died before he could return.

Mother was betrayed and insulted.

If I can't even protect my family,

how could I call myself a son?

Now, even if everyone disagrees with me,

I will restore justice.

Mo.

Please let go of Father

for my sake.

If you still see me as your brother,

return to Xixiang Place now.

- Take him away. - Yes, Your Lordship!

Mo.

Mo!

Mo!

Mo!

Let go of me!

I am the Duke of Ying!

The emperor will decide who's wrong!

You cannot punish me!

Fine.

As long as you tell me

who's behind all this.

So, that's what you want to know?

Sure.

Burn me, then.

Even the heavens are on my side!

If your mother were still alive,

she'd stop you from doing so!

How dare you still mention her?

I have always loved only Shuyao.

I married Jiang Huisun only for status and wealth!

Having you with her

is the biggest regret of my life!

Your Lordship!

Your Lordship!

You can't even hold your blade firmly.

Don't you feel more painful

the more you feel angry?

I'm poisoned.

When did you poison me?

When did you grow

your first strand of white hair?

That day, I punished you only to warn you,

but Lyu Zheng poisoned you without my knowledge.

You will never have to know

who's behind this.

There's poison on the beating sticks?

When the poison seeps into your bones,

your hair will turn completely white,

and your life will come to an end.

Yantang!

Stop that!

Yantang.

Don't be rash.

I once promised you that I will protect you.

Now, I realize that I've been living in a lie,

and I can't even protect my family.

That's not it.

You can't turn to the dark side

just because fate is cruel.

If the heavens refuses to be fair,

I will restore justice myself!

Come on!

No matter how difficult and tough the road ahead is,

I will walk alongside you.

Yantang!

Yantang!

Yantang!

Imperial Decree!

His Majesty has decreed

that the Duke of Ying and his son enter the palace now!

Kill me!

If you kill me,

you'll be defying His Majesty's orders!

His Majesty has also decreed

that you will receive treatment in the palace if you are ill or injured.

Your Lordship!

Yantang!

Yantang!

- Yantang! - Madam

is not called upon.

You shall stay here.

Your Ladyship!

Yantang!

Your Majesty.

Lord Song is afflicted with the poison of hatred.

This is a very rare poison

that doesn't show any initial symptoms,

but when the victim's hair turns white,

that's when the poison takes effect.

It can cause immense pain.

When the victim's hair turns completely white,

he will die soon.

He's still so young.

How do you cure it?

As its name suggests,

if he can let go of his hatred,

his pain will be relieved.

However, given Lord Song's current condition,

even with our best medicine, he can only live

up to a year.

(Yuxi Palace) Your Majesty!

When the poison takes effect,

the victim may turn violent.

Please consider your safety.

Don't go, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

I want him to live.

If you can't find an antidote in a year

and he dies,

you'll be joining him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

If word of Lord Song's illness spreads,

you know what will happen.

Yes, I understand.

Uncle.

I will not let that woman enter our house.

It was him who switched Mother's child.

There must be someone behind him.

I have to find out.

I have to...

Yantang.

Uncle, Uncle.

I have failed

to protect my mother.

Please punish me.

Blame me, Uncle.

- Wake up, Lord Song. - Punish me.

- Uncle. - It's His Majesty.

He's the emperor.

Yantang.

You'll be fine.

Your mother and uncle will not die in vain.

Your Majesty.

About what transpired at the Duke of Ying's residence,

you have to deliver the verdict.

Eunuch Wang!

Eunuch Wang, spare him!

Even Ms. Li has killed herself out of guilt.

We can't get the truth out of her anymore.

It's impossible to determine his sins.

Eunuch Wang.

My ancestors had worked alongside the former emperor

to establish this kingdom

and earn our title of duke.

We have retained this title for three generations.

You can't kill my brother

just because he had an affair

and a love child!

Imperial Decree!

The Duke of Ying has had an affair and switched his children

to make his love child his official son.

This is an unethical act.

He will be stripped off his position in the Military Command.

His title as duke will be retained, but he will have to repent.

I have committed a heinous sin.

I am willing to accept punishment.

However, my son Song Han was not involved.

He did not know any of this.

I hope His Majesty can pardon him

and let him retain his title in the family.

Decorum and honor

are the pillars of the society,

and social rankings are the base of decorum.

The eldest daughter of your residence

is still nowhere to be found.

Do you think His Majesty would bother

pitying a love child?

This is to relieve pain caused by anger.

This is to cure colds.

Don't mix them up.

You must be terribly anxious

to brew every single concoction there is.

Don't you think the palace physicians can prepare them too?

You got Su Lan to bring me here

just to give you these herbs?

Su Xin.

Get more spring water.

Yes, Your Ladyship.

Whatever happens,

the residence will only

get busier.

I'm counting on you

and Ansu to look after

Zhaowen Bookstore.

All I care about is you, Dou Zhao.

Stop bothering me over Mantis Song's problems.

This balm is good for healing scars.

Apply this every day.

Ever since you got married,

your life has become

utterly boring.

If you want to leave,

I have plenty of ideas.

Since I know what's going to happen,

all the more I should try to stop them.

I want to follow my heart.

As for the results,

these are not within my considerations.

Your Lordship.

Don't tell my wife

about my condition.

If your health continues to deteriorate,

do you think you can hide it from her?

I wanted to protect her,

but now,

I'm letting her down.

This case is getting more complicated.

I have to resolve it soon,

or else she'd have to face

those monsters alone after I die.

Even when I'm in the underworld,

I'd still be worried.

Then...

What are your plans now?

Give me some time alone.

Pick something fresh for me.

Sure.

(If I can spend the last part)

(of my journey with Ms. Longevity,)

(my life would still be worth it.)

Your Lordship.

We have news from Chen Jia.

Your Lordship!

Spare me!

I didn't know anything back then.

I really didn't know!

Spill the beans, now!

Back then,

the Duke ordered me to take care of a baby girl.

However, that baby was weak since she was born prematurely.

She died in a few days.

Spare me, Your Lordship!

What happened back then?

Tell me, now!

I only remember that the baby girl

was brought from Madam Jiang's room.

As for the rest,

I really don't know anything!

Remove him from the residence.

Throw him to a military camp.

Just make sure he's alive.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Move!

Your Lordship, I was wrong!

Your Lordship!

I tried putting myself in your shoes.

You were born to a commoner mother, and you were restricted by your status,

so you married a noblewoman whom you didn't love.

Regret

became your excuse to do whatever is necessary.

The mastermind behind you...

What did they promise you?

Did they promise you

to make Song Han a duke?

You Jiangs have always been snobbish,

thinking that you're

saviors of the world.

Now, I'm going to make myself clear.

I don't need anyone to offer me any deals.

To take Ms. Li away from the Music Office,

you'd have to go through the Ministry of Justice.

There's someone behind you.

I am a duke.

How is it impossible for me to take away

an incriminated musician?

You've always been secretly serving Liaodong.

Looks like Song Han is involved too.

Han has nothing to do with it!

That means you're involved.

Enough!

When the bandits besieged the capital,

you switched all the guards in the Military Command

and even the capital reserves

to Lord Qing's men.

There must be some palace officials

and civil servants

who are working for him, right?

He's created such an elaborate plan

not just for status,

but for treason.

I don't understand

what you're talking about.

Have you thought about Song Han?

Do you think he'd be free

after you die?

He'd be all alone in this world.

Doesn't that worry you?

Han is innocent.

If you dare to lay a finger on him...

Even if I don't, someone else will.

What?

Right now, you're just a discarded pawn.

Even if you carry all your secrets to your grave,

those people

won't let Song Han live.

Take care.

(Beloved Sister, Jiang)

(Beloved Sister, Jiang)

How do you know I'm here?

General Yan has told me everything.

What did he say?

About your late sister.

That's why I thought

you'd be here to mourn for her.

The imperial physician said you fainted

because you were overwhelmed by anger.

This medicine should alleviate your symptoms.

Why do you look so pale?

Let me take a look.

Your hand...

Does it still hurt?

Not anymore.

I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

You lost someone twice.

That must be really upsetting.

I've made you worried.

You were right.

If the same thing happens again,

please stop me.

I cannot lose control anymore.

You took the words out of my mouth.

Come on, drink it while it's hot.

Back then,

when I managed to return to the residence alive,

I thought that was the worst I'd ever experience.

Ever since I could remember,

Song Yichun has always listened to my mother.

He treated her with respect.

Whenever he was deployed out of town,

he would return with gifts for my mother.

I thought it was out of love,

but it was actually tolerance.

It was hatred.

I don't know

what's real in my life anymore.

Your mother's love for you,

your uncle's guidance,

and your army's undying loyalty

are all real.

I'm real, too.

With how things are now,

I shouldn't let you get involved in my pain.

As a couple, we should stay together through thick and thin

and share our joys and woes.

From now on,

you can dump all your unhappiness

and troubles on me.

We are different from your parents.

Yantang.

Let me offer some incense to your sister.

Then, let's go home.

Sure.

Look, fireworks!

So pretty.

♪I want to hide like the moon♪

♪Like a butterfly drawn to flowers♪

♪Like ink drops fading into my heart that turns to longing♪

Do you remember

we saw fireworks together for the first time outside the prison?

Back then, Dou Shishu and his followers

kept trying to impeach me,

and you called upon Gu Yu to protect me.

Why did you do so?

Even fireworks come in a multitude of colors.

He and I are different.

Back then, I thought

that if this woman could be my strategist,

I'd have nothing to fear.

So,

is that why you locked Mr. Chen up for so long?

You're just as ruthless, my wife.

You locked General Yan up in the coal room.

When I found him,

he was covered in soot.

♪Seeing the full moon even at the end of the world♪

Time fleets in a blink of an eye.

Beautiful things

never last.

You can't hold them.

Beautiful things may not last long,

but you can hold them.

You may be my strategist,

but I only want you

to relax and be my wife.

I'm willing to stay by your side.

I'll have no regrets.

I used to think

that I could protect you,

but now,

I can't do it anymore.

♪Forsaking words of farewell♪

♪The golden fiery steed rides across the vast horizon♪

♪In this life, oh♪

♪Without you♪

♪What is there to envy?♪

♪Let me lay down my blade and leave the sea of battles♪

♪To adorn your hair with a jade hairpin♪

♪Let a thousand, ten thousand blossoms♪

♪Bloom in a single night for you♪

♪The splendor of the world is but fleeting sorrow♪

♪Should the flames of war arise♪

♪I shall hold your hand♪

♪And walk through the dust♪

♪I want to hold you in my arms♪

♪Leaving the world behind♪

♪From now on, all the vast wonders of the world♪

♪May be left as blank spaces♪

♪The dazzling spring moon over the city♪

♪Is no match for your beauty♪

♪Why ascend to high towers again?♪

♪I will lay down my blade and leave the sea of battles♪

♪Break my spear to crown you♪

♪With a golden-branch hairpin♪

♪Let a thousand, ten thousand blossoms♪

♪Bloom for you♪

♪No more guarding lonely towers♪

♪Spring is near, ripe for the taking♪

♪Holding your hand♪

♪Till we reach beyond the noise♪

♪Only for you, I shall paint♪

♪With bold strokes and vibrant colors♪

♪And for all else♪

♪Let it remain pale and void♪

(No animals were harmed in the making of this drama.)

(Every medical behaviour involved and medicine used in the drama)

(is required by the story. Please don't try this at home.)