Original subtitles

♪If not for you♪

♪I wouldn't have wanted to make a name for myself♪

♪Only when I have your love♪

♪Is my invincibility not in vain♪

♪The towering peaks I've conquered♪

♪Leave me♪

♪Feeling empty♪

♪I've given everything♪

♪Just to follow you♪

♪Through life and death♪

♪Could it be that love♪

♪Is the true end of this life♪

♪Why does every battle♪

♪Bring deeper pain♪

♪I never got it♪

♪You once promised me♪

♪You'd give me ordinary days♪

♪Then I'd rather♪

♪Face blades and fall♪

♪Into your arms instead of the clouds♪

♪I'll pass through layers of fog♪

♪And barriers♪

♪The world's rights and wrongs, wins and losses♪

♪Who's to weigh their worth♪

♪Only love♪

♪Gives me a sky as wide as the sea♪

♪I only want to be your hero♪

=The Prisoner of Beauty=

=Episode 31=

Xiaotao told me to go to Liancheng,

saying Manman went to Boya

to seek reinforcements for you.

I thought she was bluffing.

Manman and His Lordship

share a deep affection.

Xiaotao even asked

Young Master Ci to help me for my sake.

Her Ladyship is even more thoughtful and loyal.

She went to the front lines,

lending His Lordship her strength.

Although Boya's reinforcements

arrived a bit late,

I'm sure

there's a reason for the delay.

Thoughtful and loyal? You say?

She only cares about her Yanzhou.

Enough.

You go rest with the main troops.

Later, I'll head upstream

of the Yang River

to do a patrol

and see if Liu Yan's remnants

are still causing trouble.

I'm going too.

Me too.

I want to go to Kangjun to see Xiaotao.

I didn't say I was going to see the Lady.

I'm just doing a routine patrol.

Then you go. I'm not going.

Since Manman and the Lord are both here,

why don't we return to Kangjun together?

Return to Kangjun together?

Yes.

Panyi was originally Yanzhou's gateway.

It was later given to Wei,

so Liancheng became the gateway.

If we go upstream from Panyi,

we'll reach Kangjun directly.

Manman has been away from home for a year.

Father, Uncle, and Aunt

all miss her dearly.

May Yanzhou enjoy peace and prosperity.

May Uncle and Aunt all the best.

May Father be healthy.

May Ci excel in her studies.

May Cousin and Bi Zhi grow old together.

I know you're upset

because you believe you love me more.

But that's because you wrote down a wish,

and I wrote down a regret.

You're right in front of me

within reach,

but I can only send my blessings to my family from afar.

That's why I only wrote about my family

and didn't mention you.

My Lord, Manman and you have been married for so long,

yet you haven't met our family, right?

Sir, are you feeling unwell?

We still have the prescription

that once helped Grandfather.

Let's go home

so you can try it.

No need.

I'm fine now.

Lady Xu and Lady Zhu

must miss the Lord dearly.

It's best to return to Yujun soon.

Forget it. I'm not going either.

I need to prepare to propose at home.

We can't make this trip.

After fighting for days,

the soldiers just want to go home early.

I feel the same.

Ci is right.

Here's what we'll do.

Tomorrow,

you go pick up your sister

and return home with her.

What about you?

With you and the Boya soldiers escorting her,

I can rest easy.

Promise me

you'll take good care of your sister.

When she's had enough fun,

send her

to the Wei border.

I'll be waiting for her there.

I need to go home too.

My family is waiting for me.

Alright, rest early tonight.

We set out tomorrow.

- Yes. - Yes.

You have your family to see,

and I have mine

that can't be forgotten.

So, is the Lord

really homesick?

Are you stupid?

Did you forget what the Lord once said in Xindu?

You stuffed my ears back then.

How would I know that?

Fine.

Back in Xindu, the Lord swore

that one day,

he would reach Kangjun

and kill the traitor.

Wipe out the Qiao Clan.

Burn their ancestral shrine.

And end their bloodline.

So,

the Lord can't go to Kangjun.

But I want to go see Xiaotao in Kangjun.

It's true.

How about this?

I'll go ask the Lord

if I can escort the Lady home.

It's settled then.

Just come back.

Wait, what are you two doing?

- Going to bed. - I'm looking for the Lord.

Don't think about it.

- I want to see Xiaotao. - The Lord needs rest.

(Wei) Be good. Let's go.

Let go of me.

(Boya)

The people came to thank us on behalf of their families,

but the Yanzhou woman who benefited most

didn't show up.

We risked our lives

for her homeland,

and now we're right here,

but she won't even come out to meet us.

How disappointing.

Who's disappointed?

Stop talking nonsense.

My Lord,

I meant Xiaotao.

She's in Kangjun, yet she didn't come and see me.

Why are you mad?

My Lord, Boya is just ahead.

Shall we go in and visit?

No need.

Since the Lady brought

the Boya reinforcements with her,

the Commander of Boya Forces must've gone with her.

Without the host,

we shouldn't disturb them.

My Lord,

it was

right in this forest.

I saw it with my own eyes.

The Commander of Boya Forces is terribly strong.

He took down

a live deer

with a single punch,

threw it over his shoulder, and brought it over.

- General. - General.

Why are you here?

My Lord, this is General Bi Zhi,

the Commander of Boya Forces.

General,

this is the Lord of Wei.

My Lord.

You didn't personally lead troops

to fight at Panyi?

Why should I?

You don't know about the battle in Panyi?

Without reinforcements,

how was the Lady supposed to turn things around?

It's Lady Qiao, the Lady of Wei.

If we capture her,

it'll be a major achievement.

Get ready to cross the river

to capture Lady Qiao.

Wait.

My Lady, why are you here alone?

Are you trying to face our 20,000 troops

on your own?

I can't,

but the Yang River can.

General.

The river has receded a lot.

We can cross now

and seize her.

What are you waiting for?

Shut up!

If they've dammed

the river upstream

and are storing water

just waiting for us to cross

so they can flood us,

do you know the consequences?

Well...

Even 50,000 men

could drown here,

let alone our 20,000.

Even if we can't capture her,

the Lord ordered us to support him

without fail.

Are we going to disobey orders?

Liu Yan seized power unjustly

by killing his father and brother.

He then forced you to follow him with an iron fist.

Now, he asked you for reinforcements.

If this mission succeeds,

you might not be rewarded.

But if it fails, you will be punished.

Following a cruel tyrant,

don't you fear being discarded when you're no longer useful?

My husband, the Lord of Wei,

was helping with canals across the land,

which gave Liu Yan a chance to start a war.

Following a man

who is cruel,

unrighteous, disloyal, and unfilial,

even if you drown here,

the history books will only say

that you perished by heaven's will.

Generals,

do you dare bet your lives and honor

on this with me?

I'll make Liu Qi

and my younger brother

die

with Father.

The kids are innocent.

Our rear is exposed.

Out of fear of being struck,

we shouldn't advance.

Retreat.

Withdraw!

My Lady.

Are you all right?

I was so worried.

You can't take such risks again.

Your forces are far fewer than Liangya's.

If Liu Yan brings reinforcements,

it'll only get worse.

But don't worry, My Lord.

I'll go to Boya to ask for reinforcements

and guard your rear.

At last, I've fulfilled my promise to him.

Did Xiaoqiao come?

The Lady did.

But she left the next day.

My Lord, if you came to pick her up,

that's too bad.

She's probably returned to Yujun.

No way.

The intel says

she's upstream on the Yang River.

If she's returned to Yujun,

then the boat lantern in Panyi...

It must've been put by her.

May my husband be safe

and return unharmed.

Hyah!

General,

when the Lady came to Boya,

did she bring troops?

Fan said she brought many people,

and it must mean

she loved you deeply.

How many did she bring?

A few hundred, maybe.

What?

A few hundred.

Liu Yan has tens of thousands,

and she's going to ambush them with a few hundred?

The Lady is planning to ambush Liu Yan

with a few hundred against tens of thousands?

That's no different

from charging solo into a crowd.

It'll be extremely dangerous.

Her courage is admirable.

She came alone to save us, and now she's gone home alone.

I wonder

what she's feeling right now.

- Deputy. - Yes.

Take the main force and return.

The rest, follow me. Go.

Yes.

What about me?

I...

What?

Manman went to the battlefield to help the Lord of Wei fight?

Fan,

slow down.

I heard it was

to ambush tens of thousands of Liangya troops.

Was she hurt?

How could she take such a risk?

I don't know.

The Lady probably wasn't with the troops.

She should have gone

back to Kangjun by now.

The Lord of Wei has gone to chase her.

Fan,

are you all right?

There's something I've been hiding from you.

(Commander's Mansion)

Do you think

Manman will be mad at me?

You're her cousin.

How could the Lady

be mad at you?

If she got hurt because of this,

what am I supposed to do?

I want to go back to Kangjun too.

Sure. No problem.

Maybe I've been too willful.

I didn't borrow Manman's troops,

and now I'm forcing you to come home with me.

Fan,

you're overthinking.

Tomorrow,

we'll head back to Kangjun.

♪When I wake up from my dream♪

♪My eyes are still filled with tears♪

♪Snow drifts on the wind♪

♪Scattering far and wide♪

♪If fate cannot turn anew♪

♪Then here, we must divide♪

Even if you worry about the Lord,

there's no need for you to risk yourself on the battlefield.

This war started

over Yanzhou and Liancheng.

The Lord was already short on troops,

and the army was split in two.

What should have been a sure win

became much more dangerous.

And Boya...

It was even riskier.

In this situation,

I could only give my all

to fight for a chance for the Lord.

How loyal you are to the Lord.

The Lord treats me

the same.

I don't want to fail him.

If I was alone,

I could sacrifice myself

for him like today.

But I have my family

and the people of Yanzhou.

The Lord will surely understand

your intentions someday.

Has Ci been settled?

Yes.

My Lady,

the rain is getting heavier.

I wonder how annoying

tonight will be.

It hardly rains in Yujun.

I kind of miss it

after returning to Yanzhou.

The Lord probably

went back to Yujun, right?

Don't say that.

Do you think the Lady doesn't miss the Lord?

She hopes the Lord

could accompany her back this time

to meet her family.

♪Sing a song of longing♪

♪The evening breeze stirs gently♪

My Lady.

The rain is really heavy.

We need to hurry and cross the river,

or the water will rise

and block our way.

♪Uncaring of day or night♪

♪Love knows no promised return♪

♪The memories can't be retrieved♪

♪I went through a lot♪

♪Just to understand you♪

♪The ending's been decided♪

♪As if nothing has happened♪

♪Leaving memories scattered all around♪

Let's hurry then.

If the bridge floods,

we won't get through.

♪I went through a lot just to have you by my side♪

♪White wings♪

♪Fall into my hands♪

This is the border of Yanzhou.

Shall we stop by for a visit?

Sail upstream and we'll reach Kangjun.

Then let's meet up with the Lord

(Tea) and return to Kangjun together.

You've been married for a year.

How could you visit your maiden home alone?

We're not an ordinary couple.

I'll wait here till tomorrow.

(Tea)

If he wants,

we'll go back together.

If not,

I won't force it.

The bridge ahead is flooded.

You should turn back.

(Inn)

After rushing all this way,

we still missed them.

The bridge has been flooded.

We have no choice

but to stay here tonight.

We've checked all the inns near the ferry.

The Lady should have crossed already.

Then we'll stay here tonight

and try the next ferry tomorrow.

- Okay. - Sir?

- Coming. - Sir?

- Any rooms? - Yes.

- Wei Xiao. - My Lord.

- My Lord. - Qiao Ci.

Where's the Lady?

My Lord.

I thought you crossed the bridge already.

No.

It's been raining hard these days.

It's dangerous on the way.

When did you arrive?

We just got here.

Good then.

The Lady and the Lord have met.

But if I want to see Xiaotao,

I have to go to Kangjun.

I did it.

Though I couldn't bring you reinforcements,

I stopped Liu Yan's men.

How could you take the liberty?

Even if you couldn't get help,

you should've reported to the commander.

Doing this in the military could get you caned.

Got it?

Did you get hurt?

Yes, it's my fault.

I disobeyed military orders.

In this situation, you should cane me

over a hundred times

when you see me.

Anything less would be lenient, right?

My Lord,

the Lady came to the battlefield

for your sake.

She feared reinforcements wouldn't arrive

and you'd be wounded in defeat.

These past few days,

she's been missing you constantly.

How could you hurt her feelings now?

My Lord,

you finally see her again.

Can't you say something nice?

He just doesn't think before speaking.

Oh, please.

Why can't you sing the tune just learned?

Weren't you reciting

the lyrics just fine on the way here?

Why can't you say something nice?

Is your mouth on fire?

When did the Lord learn to sing?

Enough.

Is that how you speak to the Lord?

Get some rest.

Come on.

Try to be gentler.

Let's go.

The riding's been a torture.

Help me in.

Time to sleep.

Let the Lord think himself.

Why are you here instead of resting

in your own room?

Thank you.

Your stove's not warm enough.

Aren't you cold?

You're cold?

No.

I'm worried

you'll catch a chill at night.

Chunniang went to bring me some bedding.

This quilt looks too thin.

Not good.

There are two quilts.

It's warm enough.

Even two aren't enough.

The fire in my room is much stronger.

Xiaozao went to get firewood.

If you're still cold,

why not send your mighty guards

to chop more wood?

That'll be enough for the entire inn.

I'm cold, okay?

These past few days

have been awful for me.

I was always thinking about you.

When I woke up

in the middle of the night

and realized you were not there,

it felt empty.

I've missed you.

Thank you for saving Yanzhou.

Thank you for coming to find me.

The secret path

was my fault.

Let's not bring up the past.

Today,

I also did something wrong.

I acted out of worry.

I had questions to ask you

but didn't know how to start

so I just blurted things out.

I didn't mean to be harsh.

What did you want to ask me?

I wanted to ask:

After being refused reinforcements,

why didn't you return to Yujun?

Why did you go alone to the battlefield

to intercept Liu Yan's troops?

Weren't you afraid?

Of course, I was.

But the man I love was still out there fighting.

I promised I'd help defend him.

I couldn't go back on that.

I love him.

I'd give everything for him.

If he wins, I'll be there beside him.

If he loses, I'll fall with him.

I didn't want him to think I'd stopped liking

or loving him.

I understand.

I do.

It's just...

It's just that I couldn't gamble

with my family's safety

or with the lives of Yanzhou's people.

But I wanted him to know

that to me,

he's just as important as they are.

I understand.

It's all my fault.

Manman,

tonight,

there's also something I want to tell you.

All this time,

I asked you to be honest with me,

yet I ignored how hard things were for you.

When I rushed back from Boya

and heard you'd gone to the battlefield for me,

I finally realized how torn you must have been.

You did so much for Yanzhou, Wei,

the Qiao Clan, and the Wei Clan,

yet I still didn't understand you.

Even your cousin blamed you.

But the truth is

no one could've done better than you.

With your relationship with me,

no one else could've done better.

You've been caught

between the two clans.

The slightest shift

will hurt you first.

I've thought

about letting go of my hatred.

I even believed

I had already backed down enough.

But on the day you asked me

if I would give up revenge,

I suddenly realized

that from the very beginning,

I never gave you any promise,

and you've lived

under that pressure all along.

When I heard you came to help me,

honestly, I was scared.

I was scared you'd regret it

and you'd think I wasn't worth it.

So, when I turned around to chase after you,

I kept asking myself over and over again:

If I were...

If I were

to lose you...

So what if I wiped out all my enemies?

Even if I won the whole world,

the rest of my life

would be meaningless without you.

I'm a jerk.

You've done so much for me,

and I never knew how to cherish

and love you.

I once told you:

If I ever made you angry,

you could hit me as much as you like.

Today, I made you sad.

You can hit and curse me,

but don't you dare push me away.

Don't you dare doubt how I feel about you.

I've never doubted your love,

and you're not allowed to doubt mine.

Hit me.

I'm right

in front of you, right?

Manman.

I'd like

to go with you to Kangjun.

I'm curious

about where you grew up,

about your family,

and about your people.

Grandmother also told me

to let go of hatred.

So I think

maybe only once I've seen Kangjun

will I truly be able to let go.

You've indeed done so much for me.

That's because

you never left me behind

when danger struck.

♪The moonlight is as silent as the deep sea♪

♪From afar♪

♪It once lit up dreams with a breath♪

♪But vanished with a sigh♪

♪Brushing past my fingertips♪

♪My heartstrings were stirred quietly♪

♪As if we once met before♪

♪Holding back a love so deep♪

Whoa.

Whoa.

Soldiers!

- Rest here! - Yes!

Pass the word!

Rest here!

Rest here!

Rest here!

My Lord.

Please have some water.

My Lord,

in this campaign,

we deployed a total of 100,000 troops.

56,938 of them

are dead.

4,276 of them are wounded.

18,052 of them

ran away.

We still have 36,934.

Among those,

only three generals

and

five deputy generals

survived.

That's barely one in ten.

My Lord,

please regroup

and strike Panyi again

to avenge our fallen brothers.

My Lord, please don't.

Even with superior numbers,

we still lost this battle.

If we keep charging ahead blindly,

I fear Liangya

may be wiped out

completely.

We lost this fight

only because Lin fled in the heat of battle!

If not for that,

our banner might already be flying

over Panyi's city walls.

If we had escaped any slower,

the Wei banner might be planted

on your bones right now.

- You... - Enough!

My Lord.

Forgive me for speaking out of turn.

The subordinates

were already dissatisfied

with your succession.

Now, after such a defeat,

if you continue to act on impulse,

Liangya

may fall into chaos.

If anyone disobeys,

kill them.

Now is not the time to come on strong.

I think

we should appease

the clansmen and officials.

Once we return,

I am willing to appease

the clansmen and officials

on your behalf.

The Lord doesn't need to show goodwill to his subordinates.

My Lord, just give the order,

and I will eliminate them.

Liu Xiao.

Yes.

At Panyi,

the reinforcements were delayed.

General Lin fled the battlefield with 20,000 soldiers.

I order you to capture him.

If he resists,

kill him.

Yes.

The rest of the troops

will return with me to Liangya to rest and recover.

We will pause the fight for now.

My Lord.

This...

Any objections?

Yes, My Lord.

My Lord, you're wise.

When we return to Chijun,

I will do my best to help you

appease the clansmen and officials.

However,

you should also show humility

and admit your mistakes

to make them believe you.

After all, you're still young.

Sometimes, you need to listen to the elders' advice

to avoid detours.

Isn't that right,

My Lord?

(Kangjun, Yanzhou)

Young Master Ci is back.

Father.

Uncle.

Aunt.

I brought Manman and the Lord back.

I knew I should wait at home.

The Lady would surely return.

Whoa.

My Lord, your arrival is a great honor.

This is your first visit to Kangjun.

It marks a big step in relations between Wei and Yanzhou.

We must celebrate it properly.

Why pull me?

Why weren't you looking for me?

Why would I look for you?

- Father, Uncle, Aunt. - I was looking for Lady.

I'm glad you're back.

I told you

to serve the Lord of Wei.

How could you forget the rules after leaving us?

You even made him support you.

I wanted to support her myself.

Of course, you can do that if you want.

Manman, that's your fortune.

Father.

I'm glad you're back.

My Lord.

Cousin and Bi Zhi are here.

Fan is back.

Great!

Both my girls have returned.

Today, we celebrate the arrival of the Lord.

Ignore the others.

We've prepared food and drink at home.

Please follow me.

Father, Mother.

Uncle.

My Lord, rest assured.

Today, you helped me reclaim Liancheng.

If you ever need anything,

Yanzhou will never refuse.

Long time to see.

You are now the Commander of Boya Forces.

No matter your rank,

if you treat Fan well,

you're family to us.

Uncle.

My Lord, you must be tired from the journey.

Please come home with me.

Oh, I forgot to thank you that day.

If not for you,

I might not have found the Lady.

Thank you.

No need for this among the family.

Bi Zhi may be from the Qiao Clan,

but...

The Lady is right.

Bi Zhi.

We're all family.

We've been talking

in the wind for too long.

Let's go home.

Let the Lord of Wei

and Manman rest well.

Cousin is with child and shouldn't overexert herself.

- Let's go home. - Okay.

My Lord, after you.

With so many people here,

be mindful.

Got it.

My Lord.

The Lord of Wei recognized Bi Zhi

but hasn't accepted you.

Manman,

Bi Zhi is so capable,

and Uncle still dislikes him.

Uncle hasn't improved at all.

If Grandfather knew,

he'd be furious.

Your grandfather didn't teach you to disrespect elders.

(Qiao Mansion, Yanzhou)

These servants served you before,

waiting here to greet you.

Welcome home.

You'll all get awarded.

Thank you, My Lady.

They even made you some snacks

and clothes and socks.

They've been thinking of you.

Aunt,

what did you prepare for me?

Your room is all set up

with the fragrance you liked before.

I remember everything.

The dinner tonight is your favorite too.

Your father arranged it all himself.

(At her maiden home,)

(she's being cared for by others.)

(Everything suits her wishes.)

(But when she first came to my family,)

(she cared for others.)

Mother, please have some tea.

(Everything suited my wishes.)

(I wonder if Manman is tired)

(and if she feels wronged.)

You go walk around with the Lord of Wei.

Make yourself at home.

I'll take your cousin back to rest.

Okay.

Let's go.

Great, I wanted to see

where you lived before.

Let's go.

You can go and see some friends too.

Yes.

That was the main chamber.

This chamber is where Cousin and I lived.

Yanzhou really is suitable for orchids.

They're everywhere.

It's warmer here than in Yujun,

and the flowers bloom earlier.

There's a pear tree here.

When I was free,

I used to sit under it and drink tea.

I'll take you to see other places.

Manman,

do you blame me?

Why would you say that?

When you were at home,

you were treasured like a jewel.

But in the Wei State,

you're cautious everywhere.

The Wei State

is not a cage,

but for you,

it's no different.

And I've never seen you

so at ease before.

It's my fault.

You treat me well.

The days with you

are comfortable and happy.

Then it's settled.

Kangjun is your home,

and Yujun

is also your home.

♪The moonlight is as silent as the deep sea♪

♪From afar♪

♪It once lit up dreams with a breath♪

♪But vanished with a sigh♪

♪Brushing past my fingertips♪

♪My heartstrings were stirred quietly♪

♪As if we once met before♪

♪Holding back a love so deep♪

♪Love asks for nothing in the end♪

♪Leaving only obsessions♪

♪I've wandered in the world♪

♪Yet cannot have it all♪

♪We meet and part in the fires of war♪

♪Embracing, leaving tender marks of love♪

♪With one breathtaking glance♪

♪How could I ever forget♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪