Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available] [Youthful Glory] [EP09]

Last night,

Tan was

kidnapped by Spectre Sect.

How's that happen?

General of Dingbei rescued her.

Tan only suffered minor shock.

[What a narrow escape.]

Almost missed today's wedding.

[When seeing her off,]

why did your wife

[insist on lifting Tan's veil?]

You...

What are you implying?

How have my wife and I treated her,

you know best.

We simply couldn't bear

to see Tan married

to General of Dingbei.

She's the apple of my eye.

How could I see her marrying to the wrong man?

[The general's tyrannical behaviors]

have incurred hatred

both in court and beyond.

Tan's abduction

was caused by him!

Had you consulted me

during the matchmaking,

none of this would've happened.

It's after all because

their royal marriage

angered many.

Take it out on me

if they dare!

Tan's just a girl.

What influence could she wield?

She's completely innocent!

Oh, no...

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Gu Wenyan was kidnapped from prison.

Now,

he's missing.

Suxin.

Lv'e.

Your Grace.

Where's His Highness?

By tradition,

we should visit the palace today.

He left at dawn.

So early?

Yes.

However urgent his duties,

he shouldn't leave you alone

on your wedding night!

[If this gets out,]

[your reputation]

[will suffer, my lady.]

From today,

we should address her as "Your Grace".

I know you're upset for me,

but he commands armies.

Military affairs are demanding.

As his wife,

I should support him in small ways.

Understood.

This is...

From your son's cell.

Wenyan.

What have you done?

After all this,

you still fail to grasp the situation?

Who wants your son dead?

You know the answer.

Your embezzled silver

was found at Wang Manor.

Why was

it there?

Why was your son kidnapped?

Who's truly behind this?

You

already knew.

I, along with the household,

welcome you, Your Grace.

Your Grace.

[Good thing to have no female family members,]

[but why even the servants]

[are all men?]

No need for formalities.

We've awaited your arrival

with great anticipation.

You're a senior steward,

I'll need

your guidance

in managing the estate.

You honor me.

I'm at your service

in all matters.

I wanna know

why are there

only male servants?

His Highness' order?

Your Grace.

Previously,

yes.

But His Highness ordered

[maids and matrons]

[for your]

[convenience.]

I've selected

suitable candidates

for your approval.

Bring them in.

Your Grace.

His Highness

values diligence and

attention to detail.

These are

the finest choices.

Thank you.

You may leave

now.

Just following

His Highness' orders.

He takes special interest

in your comfort.

My duty

is to ensure everything

meets his standards.

Your Grace, you're

the cherished daughter

of Marquis of Jing'an.

[His Highness added staff]

[fearing]

you'd feel out of place.

He wants you to feel at home.

How thoughtful.

But

when will he return?

Shouldn't we visit the palace

together today?

Rest assured,

His Highness sent message

to the palace

and rescheduled agenda.

You'll go tomorrow.

[His Highness insists]

[you make yourself]

at home.

Take guards

if you go out.

When does he usually return?

No telling, really.

When immersed in work,

time escapes him.

His Highness used to be alone

and never took proper care.

Steward Fu,

things will change.

I'll ensure his well-being.

His Highness is blessed

with such a devoted wife.

[You mentioned]

no women resided here before.

Why is here a swing?

Does His Highness maintain

a childlike spirit privately?

His Highness has always been

strictly disciplined.

He'd never play on a swing.

This swing was

personally built

for you, Your Grace.

Every joint and peg

was crafted by his hands.

He hoped

it might bring you joy

during quiet moments

in the mansion.

Despite his duties,

he made time

for this swing.

Would you like to try it?

Mind your step.

Your Grace.

These documents cover

two shops,

two estates,

and three villas.

All accounts are organized

for

your review.

You've

managed impeccably.

You should

keep

handling

the accounts.

[Let me know]

if you need help.

I'm ashamed.

Metalwork Shop and Brocade Workshop

are struggling

these two years.

Barely profitable

after expenses.

But humbler shops

in the capital

do better.

I'm clueless

about business.

Don't know what to do.

I frequented

those two shops before.

The jewelry and garments

are

top-quality,

but high costs

mean premium prices,

[attracting few buyers.]

We need fresh strategies.

As far as I know,

many customers value

exclusivity

over quantity.

By offering exclusive

luxury pieces,

the noble ladies

will gladly embrace

the truly unique,

unmatched limited editions.

Brilliant idea!

Never

occurred to me.

You solved

the problem

instantly.

He's so lucky

to have you.

With

you in charge,

the shops will thrive.

Steward Fu.

does His Highness

have particular preferences

or habits

I should know?

Your Grace.

This is Chai Gui,

His Highness'

personal attendant.

Greetings, Your Grace.

Before border duties,

he tended to His Highness' needs.

Better versed in

his habits than I.

Your Grace.

His Highness dislikes noise,

hence minimal staff.

[But strict in governance,]

[tolerates no misconduct.]

He lived long in North,

loves their grilled mutton

and rose yogurt.

[Misses them since returning.]

[But the yogurt]

[is North's specialty.]

The kitchen tried many,

but none satisfied him.

Only a dairy shop

[in Changping District]

[makes yogurt he likes.]

Your son's fate

depends on what

and when

you speak.

If too late,

I can't guarantee his safety.

I demand to see my daughter.

After meeting her,

I'll tell you everything.

I've been so busy lately,

haven't been out.

Any popular treats

in the capital?

I know.

Sanliu Restaurant has new pastries.

Xihe Preserve Shop

has crystal apricots on sale.

Your tea house now serves

trendy pounded tea.

I heard

its' quite different

from nobles' usual brews.

[Have a look?]

Buy some of each.

Yes.

Each?

Wait.

Also fetch some

fresh yogurt from

the old yogurt shop in Changping.

Chai Gui said His Highness favors it.

Yes.

[Sweet candied haws.]

Are these gifts

for His Highness?

I want this.

One copper.

Here.

He's saved me multiple times.

I should've thanked him

properly.

Our marriage is under contract terms,

but we're husband and wife.

He's busy,

yet helps me and the Mings.

I should fulfill my duty as wife.

Nothing about contracts.

You've clearly

grown fond of him!

Military men

lack romance.

Why shouldn't women

take initiative?

You're right.

Your Grace.

Jiurou?

Greetings, Your Grace.

What brings you here?

I came to seek your help.

Sorry to bother you,

please forgive me.

No need for formalities.

How fares your household?

You and your mother well?

Thanks for your concern.

Since Father's arrest,

only you

sent help

and money.

Mother and I can manage.

But

Father demands

my visit.

You know I was

unfavored at home.

I dare not

go alone.

Would you

accompany me?

You're my friend.

Of course I'll go with you.

Thank you, Your Grace.

No need for thanks between friends.

What's all this?

General Shen, you're late!

Her Grace

brought refreshments.

Hurry up

before it's gone!

Our turn!

Go.

Thank you, Your Grace.

Here.

Jade dumplings.

Thank you, Your Grace.

Yogurt buns.

Enjoy.

Thank you, Your Grace.

[Yours.]

[Thank you, Your Grace.]

Here you go.

Here's yours.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you, Your Grace.

Here.

General Shen!

Yours.

Oh.

[You're her cousin.]

See that last tray?

[Full of treats.]

[Don't know for whom.]

[Must be Her Grace's]

special reward for you.

Thank you, Your Grace.

Thank you, Your Grace.

I've had digestive issues lately,

[should go easy on food.]

Thank you for your kindness, though.

I'll take my leave.

You came just for snacks?

Your Highness.

Tomorrow's military drills

are prepared.

Noted.

Dismissed.

Yes.

General Shen.

I've barely enough.

Get your own!

Just one bite.

So stingy!

Did you clean the stables today?

Seriously, how did you

anger His Highness?

This stable duty

never ends.

Even you notice...

His Highness

isn't unjust.

[What's]

[your offense?]

You should

visit less often.

If so,

rumors will

spread about

our marriage.

You shouldn't have

left me alone

on our wedding night,

even with military duties.

[If this gets out...]

It would ruin our reputation.

Your reputation was already

tainted.

[Now that we're married,]

[inseparable,]

[I should]

[make every effort to]

[restore your image.]

First priority

is harmonious

marriage.

[Report!]

Come in.

Your Highness.

Northern dispatch.

Loving couple...

From today on, I'll join you

for breakfast every morning.

Try this yogurt

with honey added,

sweet and delicious.

Leave the dispatch here.

No audience now.

Drop the act.

I'm not acting!

Then you're

a born natural

at this charade.

Rest assured.

I'll honor

the contract.

[Last night was urgent.]

But from now on

I'll protect

your reputation.

[We'll pretend to be]

a loving couple, as everyone expects.

[I speak of marriage,]

[he talks contracts.]

[We're completely]

[out of sync.]

I came for

another reason.

Gu Jiurou, the daughter of

Marquis of Cheng'en, is my close friend.

She's timid

and asked me

to accompany her

to visit her father in prison.

I know he's in Imperial Camp.

So I seek

your permission.

But I won't

interfere in military affairs.

Just accompanying her.

Also,

I don't know

the severity of his crime.

Will

his family

be implicated?

Will Jiurou face punishment?

Not decided yet.

His household

will be judged after sentencing.

If that's all,

you may go home.

I'll come back early

after finishing my duties.

Remember to

finish your meal.

Hunger may

upset your stomach.

Your Highness.

Not seeing me off?

"Go home."

"Go home."

That phrase

sounds so intimate.

Intimate?

It's just a common phrase.

What's special?

"Go" where?

The Mansion.

And?

This mansion is our shared home!

He's telling me

to wait for him at home.

Only couples

say such things.

Is that so?

Of course.

[The decree]

[brought vows,]

but love made them

real.

But now

I'm trapped

by this contract.

How can I

make him understand my feelings?

I'm not being nice

because of the contract,

but because

he's my husband.

I know nothing

about marriage.

Neither

do I.

I know how to manage

a household and servants,

but no one ever taught me

how to nurture a marriage.

Your Grace.

Suxin, it's you.

[His Highness has returned,]

[but went straight]

[to his study.]

[Your Highness.]

Your Grace.

Rise.

What is it?

You've worked late,

must be hungry.

I prepared a snack.

I personally made this

Bird's nest congee for you.

You personally made it?

Yes.

I instructed the kitchen

on ingredients,

cooking time,

every detail,

even checked twice

in person.

"Personally" means

supervised?

Of course.

Did you think I'd

pick the bird's nest myself?

I said "personally,"

not "by hand."

How is it?

Your Highness?

Smooth

and delicious.

Your supervision was

thorough.

It's late.

Finish the congee

and rest in Qi'an Room.

I have work to do.

Don't want to disturb your sleep.

I'll sleep here.

You said you'd

protect my reputation today!

Remember?

If you sleeps in the study

on the second night,

what will the staff

think of me?

My pride will

lie shattered.

Beyond repair.

Work matters.

My pride matters too.

You're coming with me.

Qi'an Room

was your bachelor quarters.

Too plain.

I took liberty

to redecorate.

Like it?

As long as you do.

I have work to do.

Goodnight.

He's completely clueless about romance!

Lights are still on,

how can I sleep?

The curtains are thick.

Draw them

for darkness.

You must be tired.

Get some sleep.

I'm not tired.

I...

Can't sleep anyway.

Let

me keep you

company.

Tan?

[Why ]

[is he still sleeping there?]

[Could he have a private ailment?]

[Can't consummate the marriage?]

[Should summon]

[the royal physician later.]

[No.]

[A warrior prince's pride]

[couldn't bear such exposure.]

[Especially]

[a private affliction]

[that shames his manhood.]

Your Grace.

[Time to rise.]

You must visit the palace today.

Where's His Highness?

He left at dawn.

Military affairs.

But he promised

to return promptly

for the palace visit.

The military always

comes first.

Right...

Your Grace.

[Returning at sunrise?]

[Must you announce]

[abandoning your bride]

[to the whole capital?]

Your Highness.

Have you eaten breakfast?

Shall I prepare

some in the carriage?

No need.

It's almost time.

Proceed to the palace.

When meeting

Gu Jiurou?

At mid-morning.

I'll pick her up,

then head to the camp.

Marquis's crimes

[doom his household.]

[For Ming family's sake,]

you should

keep your distance.

But they're innocent.

Must all suffer equally?

Jiurou and her mother lived

worse than the concubine.

The marquis's crimes

have nothing to do with them.

You're in charge of this case,

and the victim,

could you plead for leniency

and spare

Jiurou and her mother?

Law cannot

bend.

At least

spare them from exile

or slavery.

[What does that mean?]

[Couldn't he]

[speak a single word to me?]

Your Highness.

So you came alone.

Of course.

General of Dingbei

will return north soon.

[Best grow accustomed]

to solitude early.

Your Highness, Your Grace.

This way.

They say the prince

shared quarters with soldiers

enduring hardship.

You'll have

the entire mansion to yourself.

Leisurely and unbothered.

[The Empress is here.]

Grandmother!

I pay my respects to Your Majesty.

And to Her Majesty the Empress.

May you both enjoy

good health and longevity.

Be seated.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

[That was close.]

[The Dowager assumed]

[I didn't recognize the Empress.]

[And instructed that crone]

[to withhold guidance.]

[She must be]

[bitter about]

[my marriage.]

[Now she retaliates]

[to provoke]

[my disgrace]

[to anger the Empress.]