Original subtitles

Your Grace.

Eunuch Wang, how is His Majesty?

Please come inside.

Meisun...

His Majesty is sinking fast.

What is this item doing here?

Official Ji must have left it

when he visited His Majesty.

I want to teach you the 13 Acupuncture Spots of the Demons.

There's a point on the tongue called Haiquan.

Administering a needle here can have miraculous effects

on those on the brink of death

from a severe collapse.

Ji Yong

is always playing tricks

and never speaks clearly.

It turns out what he taught me was meant for today.

So everything is part of his master plan

to root out traitors and restore order.

He was appointed as the Administrator of Lord Qing's Residence

and appeared to have turned against us.

But it was actually under His Majesty's orders.

When investigating the case in Futing,

His Majesty already knew

that the Duke of Ding's death

was Lord Qing's doing.

So, he can only

let Lord Qing commit treason

to lure all the hidden conspirators

to reveal themselves one by one

and be eradicated in one stroke.

Ji Yong deceived everyone,

even Song Mo and me.

However, the number of court officials supporting Lord Qing

was greater than His Majesty had anticipated.

Some princes even

openly sided with Lord Qing.

The one truly commanding

the entire scheme

was actually the one closest to His Majesty,

leading us to today's dead end.

It might not be a dead end.

Eunuch Wang,

help me lift His Majesty.

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

=Episode 34=

Maintain the Yuanyang Formation!

Prepare to break through the siege!

They're at their limit.

Charge!

Leave none alive!

Kill them all!

(Qianqing Palace)

Here comes my reinforcement.

Your Highness.

You have been deceived by traitors

and raised an unjust rebellion.

I promise you this.

Lay down your weapons

and return to the right path,

and you will not be punished.

Otherwise,

the imperial forces will crush you.

Traitors

will never find peace!

Listen, Tengxiang Guards!

Your Commander, Song Han,

has deceived you

and dragged you into treason!

His Majesty has long set up

this trap for you.

You have

no chance of winning!

No one retreats!

Anyone who falls back

will be executed!

Father,

the Crown Prince has been assassinated.

According to protocol,

I should inherit the throne!

Brothers!

We've endured years of suffering

for this day!

Quell the rebels

and protect the nation!

It's now or never.

Quell the rebels and protect the nation!

There's no chance for us to retreat now.

Attack Qianqing Palace and seize the imperial seal.

Once we succeed, glory and titles await!

Attack!

Meisun,

I won't fail you

this time.

Your Highness, bad news.

The Crown Prince and the Earl of Yunyang's forces

are attacking from the southern gate.

Wang Xingyi and Official Ji

are also leading large forces here.

Father,

forgive me for my delayed rescue.

On your knees!

Please return to the palace, Crown Prince!

Please return to the palace.

Dou Zhao wanted me to give this to Your Highness.

It's urgent.

(The Empress plans to stage a coup during the Lantern Festival banquet)

(while you're away to the South.)

(After reading this letter,)

(return to the palace immediately to quell the rebellion)

(and ensure the safety of the nation.)

Your Majesty, I lead 40,000 troops from the three major camps

to defend the throne.

Lord Qing,

your forces outside the capital

have been completely subdued.

Surrender yourself!

The Duke of Jing, Lord Jihuai, and Lord Yu'an

have all confessed their crimes.

Your Highness,

the battle is lost.

Everyone, get up!

I said, get up!

Get up!

Get up!

I said, get up!

Ji Yong,

I treated you with the respect of a mentor

and tolerated everything you did.

Why did you betray me?

I sought fame and power

to cleanse the corrupt court, eliminate factions,

and save our dynasty from its ailments.

No matter how you treated me,

you were nothing

but the rot that needed to be cut away first.

The injustice done to the Duke of Ding

and the suffering of the people

must be avenged.

Since when does vengeance have anything to do with the people?

What a joke!

We did it.

Justice is something we have to fight for.

(Revere Heaven and Ancestral Wisdom)

Let me go! I said, let me go!

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has returned to the palace safely.

Please spare my aunt

from the death penalty.

The Empress's situation

is a matter of state.

It's not up

to you

or me to decide.

Step back.

You fought your way into Qianqing Palace

for this?

I'll give it to you now.

Take it!

Even you know

your merits aren't enough to bear the weight of the throne.

I can't do it,

but perhaps Mother can.

Once I ascend to the throne,

with her guiding the court,

we may surpass the greatest emperors.

You owe her this!

Your mother has suffered for half her life.

I always remember that well.

That's why she is the Empress.

She is the Empress.

But she not only tended to you day and night

but also drafted responses on your behalf.

When you were gravely ill,

she ruined her eyesight managing state affairs.

But have you ever considered her your wife?

You feared her

just as you feared Jiang Meisun.

Youting,

do you know why you failed?

When luck is on your side, everything works in your favor.

If it's not, even those with power

find themselves powerless.

In Father's heart,

the Duke of Ding and Her Majesty Wan

are worlds apart in their contributions to the nation.

So,

is all of this...

Is all of this for Jiang Meisun?

Meisun emptied his wealth

for the people,

risked his life for the country, and formed no allies or factions.

What did you and your mother do?

Who caused

my illness to worsen?

Before you punish me,

I have one question.

When did you

start planning this?

The ruler.

Investigate.

Who used torture?

Who harmed Meisun?

No one should be spared!

And the new era name.

(By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor declares.)

An auspicious sign has descended.

The era's name changed to Fengming.

Fengming?

How about using this as the new era name?

Honor past achievements as guidance to the future.

Clarify doubts about laws and regulations.

Uphold the legacy of our ancestors

and benefit the lives of the people.

With firm laws,

we restore peace and fairness to the people.

I wonder if those old officials in the Ministry of Rites will approve.

Who cares if they approve?

As long as we remember it, that's enough.

Yes, as long as we remember it.

"Survey the land,

remove unnecessary officials,

curb war,

restrain the powerful,

the ambitions of the past."

Until his death,

I did not achieve these.

Before I die,

I must at least try.

But he was just an unrelated official.

Yet this unrelated official risked

his life to save the nation.

You, my own flesh and blood,

tried to kill me to seize the throne and harm loyal subjects.

Do you think

people like Mu Chuan and the Duke of Jing

truly value you

and support Her Majesty Wan to become the ruler?

They only want to use you

to secure their own endless prosperity!

Those corrupt officials in court

are connected to one another

and even entangled

with the noble clans and imperial relatives.

When I suppressed

the Futing docks case back then,

I already knew

you weren't the only guilty one.

I wanted to make you all reveal yourselves

to uproot you in one go.

How ruthless you are.

You're willing to ruin your wife and son,

and make your uncles and brothers, meritorious officials for generations

give up their power and be punished.

You staged countless acts

of self-sacrifice for this grand scheme.

Your Majesty,

Lord Qing's treason is undeniable.

Should we summon the Shadow Guards?

Your Majesty,

I believe I've done something worthy tonight

and boldly request Your Majesty

to issue two imperial decrees.

Do you want me

to execute him?

Those who dare to commit treason

have already dismissed life and death.

His true ambition lies in power and dominance,

stepping over his father and his kin.

I request Your Majesty

to confine Lord Qing to the Western Garden for life

and lock him in a three-foot room without daylight.

Every day, inform him of Your Majesty and the Crown Prince's

achievements.

No, not that!

Anything but that! Father.

Take him away.

Just kill me! Father!

- Take him away now! - Please kill me!

Father!

Father, I beg you! Just kill me!

Father!

Father!

Even if Jiang Meisun is here,

he wouldn't dare to convict a prince on my behalf.

You've got quite the nerve.

So what else do you want?

Song Mo!

What are you doing?

I request to renounce all titles and military achievements.

I beg Your Majesty

to clear the Duke of Ding

and the Jiang Clan's name.

Of course, I will clear the Duke of Ding's name.

But you...

What are you doing?

What I ask for isn't for myself

but for justice.

I've lived my life

for loyalty and filial piety.

Then for revenge.

It was not until I met Dou Zhao.

She made me realize

that the hunter must be patient

when he sees prey.

One must be open-minded

when he sees a mountain.

My time is running out.

I want to live for myself,

to see that wide horizon.

Little Song Mo,

take these.

Little Song Mo,

are you really leaving me?

(Peace and Prosperity)

Ansu.

Ansu,

I knew

you would stay by my side.

Ansu,

why did you wait

for me to fall in love with you

before betraying me?

Muyu,

I truly cherished you

once,

that boy who handed me a handkerchief

when I was in distress.

How condescending.

What's wrong with being a merchant?

Earning money with her own skills

is far better than being a lapdog to the wealthy.

You understood my vulnerability

and knew my struggles.

Here, wipe your sweat.

This is the second time

you've given me a handkerchief.

That boy

who curled up alone,

gazed at the lonely moon

during the festive celebrations.

I once knew you

and admired you.

I'll ask His Majesty to annul our engagement.

I'm willing to marry you.

♪That brings me through a chapter of my life♪

♪You are the light that saves me in the darkness♪

But now,

you want me dead.

Dying by my hand

will bring you some peace.

I've hated you.

♪Your presence by my side is irreplaceable♪

But I also don't want others to defile you.

♪Breaking waves over the desolate river♪

♪The wind rises as my heart finds peace♪

♪You are the light that saves me in the darkness♪

♪Having you is a blessing♪

Ansu...

Ansu. Ansu.

If I could change my ways,

would you forgive me?

♪And the past sinks into the river♪

♪Always together, looking back♪

♪Only sighing at the commotion♪

(Xuanyue Palace)

You've already guessed the whole thing

about the Silverhouse case.

Rather than guess,

I would say it was a gamble.

If I lost,

I'd just die a little faster.

If you get what you want and gain power,

you won't let me live long either.

Every time I see you,

I see myself before entering the palace.

No,

we're not the same.

I trust the person

I love in this life.

Your Majesty,

His Majesty summons you.

Given everything that's happened,

I feel disgusted just thinking about seeing him.

His Majesty said,

if you can't face him,

you are to move to Qianxi

and never step foot

outside again.

He's not deposing me?

His Majesty is merciful.

But I don't want to continue this charade any longer

or

this fake marriage.

In life or death,

I hope to never see him again.

Tell him

I willingly renounce my title as Empress

and request to be demoted to a commoner.

I ask for death.

Dou Zhao,

farewell.

♪The glitter of the beautiful terrace is just a fleeting splendor♪

♪The army halts at your command♪

♪Bending down for a single kiss♪

♪Forsaking words of farewell♪

Yantang.

♪The golden fiery steed rides across the vast horizon♪

♪In this life, oh♪

♪What is there to envy without you?♪

♪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♪

Don't let me wait for you outside the palace walls anymore.

I don't want to see these cold walls again.

You no longer need to worry about me.

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

I will live.

Did His Majesty give you the antidote?

♪Is no match for your beauty♪

♪Why ascend to high towers again?♪

(Qianqing Palace)

(Revere Heaven and Ancestral Wisdom)

Your Majesty,

why did you give the only snow lingzhi

to Song Mo?

That is your life-saving lingzhi.

The snow lingzhi has indeed been extinct for centuries.

Only the founding emperor

once gifted it to the Wanfo Temple.

I risked leaving the palace

for this.

While we have the snow lingzhi,

the poison of hatred is a human toxin.

Formulating an antidote requires great care

and cannot be done overnight.

I am already at the end of my life.

I don't need it anymore.

I gave it to Yantang,

so he could protect Yousheng forever.

You're not young anymore.

Yet you still act like a child.

I can't even remember

the last time you cried.

That was more than fifty years ago.

Yes,

it was more than fifty years ago.

I want to walk alone for a while.

(Qianqing Palace)

(The way of heaven is not distant.)

(The admonition is not false.)

(The people's wrongdoings rest)

(with me alone.)

(Now I deeply regret my actions.)

(How can I allow slander to take root,)

(causing loyal ministers to be wronged and the Jiang Clan unjustly exiled?)

(The divine retribution has come, and I failed to awaken in time.)

(The people's resentment has risen,)

(yet I was blind to it.)

(The Emperor issued a self-punishing edict)

(to clear the names of the Duke of Ding and the Jiang Clan.)

(Lord Qing's supporters were all executed for treason.)

(The following year, the Crown Prince ascended the throne,)

(granting a general amnesty.)

(Ji Yong was promoted to the Minister of Personnel.)

(He's the first Chief Grand Secretary of the new dynasty.)

(Wu Shan is the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works now.)

(The new dynasty implemented reforms,)

(emphasizing agriculture, returning land to the people,)

(and rigorously scrutinizing government officials.)

(The political and societal structure has been transformed.)

(Tiancang Festival, Five Years Later)

(Abundance)

Fetch the beans.

Here you go.

Let me grab some.

A bountiful harvest!

Granaries overflowing with harvest.

It's hung quite high this time.

Yours is even higher!

Not bad.

Now that the world is settled,

and the court is reformed with many challenges ahead,

why are you retiring?

Once, I believed that ordinary physicians heal diseases

while great physicians heal the nation.

Becoming the Chief Grand Secretary was my life's ambition.

Now that I've achieved it,

I find it rather boring.

A life of quiet cultivation suits me better.

Letting go of obsessions

brings true freedom.

Now that your emotions are fully engaged,

your thoughts are tied to just one person.

All things are empty,

but cause and effect are real.

These worldly affairs are like fleeting clouds.

I hope you can understand the cause and effect in the world,

and your worries will disappear.

Father! Mother!

Wake up, Father! Play with me, Mother!

Your daughter is calling you.

Yesterday, she climbed trees and went to catch some fish.

She's only slept a few hours.

Father! Mother!

Father. Mother.

Get up and play with me.

Father! Mother!

- Get up and play with me. - All right, I'm up.

Father. Mother.

Go play in the courtyard for a while.

I'll be right there.

Father and Mother, hurry up.

Go on.

Don't run too fast.

Raising a child

is harder than doing business.

It's more exhausting than fighting a battle.

We used to say

that once the world was at peace,

we would go and travel together.

But now,

one day,

the walls fall,

and the garden explodes next.

Year after year, there's always something.

But Grandmother, she's been to so many places these past years.

She'll be home soon.

This time,

we can definitely go.

How so?

Have you forgotten?

Lianjun is going to school soon.

How can I forget that?

Make the arrangements, then.

Let's go.

Mr. Feng comes from a scholarly family

and is ranked second in the palace exam.

How could a man from a poor family

be worthy of our Princess Anyu?

I came to evaluate the officials of the Ministry of Revenue,

not to choose a husband.

You'll find one after some picking.

The eldest son of Taiyuan Bank, Young Master Zhang.

Third Master Wan of Dongting Chamber of Commerce.

They truly love you.

So what if they have wealth?

Together, those three can't compare to Princess Anyu's wealth

that can't be kept track.

The son of Marquis Dongping, Lord Han.

A man of both literary and martial skills.

This is a match worthy of the princess.

- Wealth still matters. - Mr. Feng is the best.

Lord Han is the best.

Ladies,

where are you your manners

for bickering like this?

Gentlemen, as for this item in the drawing,

it can be used both as a staple food

and to make sugar, brew wine, or grind flour.

It can be grown in both the north and south.

Whoever can calculate

the cost and profit

of growing and selling it for one year,

I'll choose him.

They don't work with their hands and have no knowledge of farming.

No wonder people say scholars are useless.

You're even more useful by my side.

Dismiss them all.

Please don't.

You must choose a prince consort.

That's the Empress's order.

These wheat grains are really big.

No matter what Su brings back,

it can't beat me, a great cook.

Hurry up and remove the grains.

I want to stir-fry some.

Can lotus root and wheat

really go together?

Sometimes things that don't seem to go together

end up having an unexpected flavor when combined.

Don't you understand this principle?

Yes,

just like us.

What are you talking about?

Nothing.

Everything you say is right, my dear.

Stop flattering me.

Hurry up. Grandmother will be here soon.

You've been traveling

for a full three months.

It's unfilial of me

not to accompany you.

Next time you go on a trip,

I'll join you during my leave. Is that all right?

My body

is still strong.

Madam Tuo takes good care of me.

So you don't have to worry.

You've been promoted

and are helping His Majesty compile historical records.

How do you have any free time?

Filial piety is paramount.

There's always time to accompany you.

I just hope

you won't find me a nuisance.

I've heard recently

that quite a few court officials have tried matchmaking for you.

But you turned them all down.

At my age,

can we leave this topic alone?

Lately, I've been dreaming of Guqiu often.

The magnolia tree at the old house

finally bloomed this year.

I brewed some magnolia wine.

If she were still here,

she would have loved it.

Ms. Longevity and I made a deal

to keep the matchmaking a secret.

How did you find out?

Great Grandmother! Grandfather!

- My dear great-granddaughter. - Sweetie.

Great Grandmother knows everything.

But you don't.

Great Grandmother has spies in the household.

Let me carry her instead.

Old Madam,

didn't you buy gifts for Little Miss?

Ah, yes.

My dear great-granddaughter,

shall we go and take a look at them?

Mother, what spy?

I... I bought a lot of local produce.

This famous official is known for his stern character

and frugal lifestyle.

The court granted him a carriage for his convenience to go to court.

His son, however, used it to go to school.

Yang Zhen stopped the carriage

and scolded his son for using the court's carriage.

If he's too lazy to walk to school now,

how will he endure hardships as an official?

Exactly.

Yes, indeed.

Reading thousands of books

is not as good as traveling thousands of miles.

Serving as an official

is about seeking the welfare of the people.

Jiang Shu,

when did Lianjun leave?

(Jiang Shu, son of Duke of Ding) She slipped away

when you started talking

about reading thousands of books.

Just like her mother.

A place full of flowers,

cups brimming with wine,

and freedom in the waves of a vast lake.

The scenery, along the way,

is beautiful,

just as you wish.

And the wine?

♪Like ink drops fading into my heart♪

The smell of magnolia.

Where did you get this?

Father-in-law's homemade brew.

I secretly took it.

♪Never tired after a hundred battles♪

Now that justice has been served

and we've finally fulfilled our dream of traveling.

Ms. Longevity,

how about we make another wish?

Sure.

♪Together with you, wing to wing, our shadows flying♪

May our love endure and stay united for a lifetime.

♪Morning and night, with clear skies♪

♪Clear wind and bright moon, we wait for them♪

♪Waiting for the fog to disperse and the clouds to clear♪

♪Tears that fall, half a lifetime of tears♪

♪Melted by your kiss, melted by your kiss♪

♪In this life, I wish to be like Mandarin ducks in the water♪

♪The green shore is more beautiful than the sky♪

♪The splendor doesn't intoxicate the eyes♪

♪Spring returns, the swaying green lotus♪

♪The mountains are distant, what do I have to envy?♪ ♪Even so, I don't envy them♪

♪In this life, I wish to keep my promise to you♪

♪Unchanged even to old age♪

♪I will definitely fulfill the promise without fail♪

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

♪I want to hide like the moon♪

♪Like a butterfly drawn to flowers♪

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

♪Like the sun waiting for the flying wild geese♪

♪The sound of weapons chasing the long whip♪

♪Never tired after a hundred battles, because of you♪

♪Morning and night, we meet again♪

♪Walking slowly towards the distance♪

♪Like leaves tangled in the wind, tightly intertwined♪

♪Together with you, wing to wing♪

♪Our shadows flying, dwelling together year after year♪

♪Morning and night, with clear skies♪

♪Clear wind and bright moon, we wait for them♪

♪Waiting for the fog to disperse and the clouds to clear♪

♪Tears that fall, half a lifetime of tears♪

♪Melted by your kiss, melted by your kiss♪

♪In this life, I wish to be like Mandarin ducks in the water♪

♪The green shore is more beautiful than the sky♪

♪The splendor doesn't intoxicate the eyes♪

♪Spring returns, the swaying green lotus♪

♪The mountains are distant, what do I have to envy?♪ ♪Even so, I don't envy them♪

♪In this life, I wish to keep my promise to you♪

♪Unchanged even to old age♪

♪I will definitely fulfill the promise without fail♪

♪Seeing the full moon♪

♪Even at the end of the world♪

♪In this life, I wish to be like Mandarin ducks in the water♪

♪The green shore is more beautiful than the sky♪

♪The splendor doesn't intoxicate the eyes♪

♪Spring returns, the swaying green lotus♪

♪The mountains are distant, what do I have to envy?♪ ♪Even so, I don' envy them♪

♪In this life, I wish to keep my promise to you♪

♪Unchanged even to old age♪

♪I will definitely fulfill the promise without fail♪

(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)

So, what do you think?

It's not that great.

My mother has a book just like this.

I'm not impressed.

My mother already told me

the stories in her book.

It's nothing like what you wrote in yours.

That's not quite right.

The stories in this book

might have happened once.

Maybe somewhere in this world,

someone extraordinary changed the fate of those in the book.

They changed not only the people who were in the book

but also those who were never mentioned.

On that land,

so many lives were touched

and had their fate changed,

That's why

the stories in this book aren't the same.

I don't get it.

I think you're a swindler.

I'm leaving now.

Don't ever lie to children again.

I'll tell my mother if you do.

Wait, little girl.

If you don't like that book,

other than "Blossom,"

("Blossom" Series) I have the sequels of "Blossom."

Every sequel has a different ending.

Aren't you curious about the ending of other sequels?