Original subtitles

Look, that's the second daughter of the Li household.

Look. She is already a grown-up.

Yes.

-That is Lady Weiyoung. -Lady Weiyoung.

-The Li household is so different. -Indeed.

Chun Ming, have I violated the rules again?

A lowly illegitimate daughter like me shouldn't enter through the main door.

Lady Weiyoung.

-Please forgive me, Lady Weiyoung. -What happened?

Old Madam has given her orders.

Lady Weiyoung is to return home through the main door in glory.

I thank Grandmother for her kindness.

However, I've never used the main door.

Can you show me the way, Chun Ming?

Definitely.

I'll lead the way.

This way, please.

-Greetings, Grandmother. -Great.

Drop the formalities.

You may all rise.

Weiyoung, come quickly.

Let me take a good look at you.

-Come here. -Grandmother.

You've lost a lot of weight.

It must be hard for you.

You have always been thinking of me. I don't find it hard at all.

You're the one who is always so concerned about me.

You were seriously ill.

Yet you still sent your personal maid to serve me.

Have you fully recovered?

Yes.

I found out about it.

Those servants mistreated you.

I had sold them off as punishment

for what they have done to you.

I don't blame them at all.

They were just following orders.

As servants, how would they dare to defy the orders of Madam?

Madam Chiyun.

You were misled into believing the wrong man

and nearly whipped Weiyoung to death.

Fortunately, she is well blessed and made it home safely.

You owe her an explanation.

Yes.

Weiyoung, I shouldn't have believed in such lies.

However,

for the safety of our family, I had no choice but to send you away.

You won't blame me, will you?

If I remember correctly,

Grandmother was the one who sent me away.

Mother wanted so badly to prevent me from leaving.

Do you refuse to forgive me?

What have you done wrong to ask for my forgiveness?

Madam Chiyun.

Weiyoung.

I shouldn't have believed in such lies.

I shouldn't have whipped you.

It was my fault.

I have forgiven you.

I really have forgiven you.

That's great!

We'll put that behind us now.

No one is to bring it up again.

You and your mother shouldn't bear a grudge because of it.

We are a family.

We should get along nicely.

Old Madam, you're absolutely right.

Right?

Didn't you say that it was a done deal?

Why is Li Weiyoung still alive?

Please spare me, Madam.

I really did everything right.

I can't figure out what went wrong.

That Li Weiyoung...

That Li Weiyoung is truly spooky.

You're right.

Come to think of it.

Li Weiyoung is indeed quite odd.

She doesn't seem like a girl who grew up in the countryside.

Could it be...

Is Li Weiyoung really an impostor?

Has the man I asked you to send for investigation returned?

I received a letter

saying that nothing suspicious was found.

Why did you kneel again?

Get up and speak.

Get up.

Get up.

Grandmother, thank you for saving my life.

If you hadn't sworn to take years off your life to save me,

I wouldn't be standing here now.

I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness.

Silly girl.

Why are you being so silly?

You said so yourself.

I'm your grandmother.

You're my kin.

How can I not care for you?

This is kinship.

There's nothing to repay.

-Grandmother. -Yes?

You must take good care of your health.

Okay.

-You must live long. -Okay.

Then I can serve you dutifully.

Sure.

I have a filial granddaughter like you.

I'll definitely live long.

Good girl, don't cry.

By the way,

your birth mother is very worried about you.

You should visit her quickly.

I wonder how my mother is now.

Don't worry.

Her body has always been frail.

But she is always lively.

Go quickly.

Go quickly.

-Thank you, Grandmother. -All right.

She is back!

Mother, I'm back.

It's good to have you back.

This is all my fault.

You had to suffer so much.

Ever since Lady Weiyoung was sent away,

Madam has been so worried about her.

Mother, why are you upset again?

Women should smile.

A woman who likes smiling will have better luck.

Also, look at me.

Don't I look well?

I'm totally fine now.

You're so energetic.

How can a girl behave this way?

How should I tell you off?

Then don't say anything, Mother.

I'll be very happy as long as you are healthy.

Okay.

By the way, look.

Look what delicacies I have brought for you.

Mother, look at these.

Grandmother and Madam gave these to me.

I have saved them all for you.

Weiyoung, you should keep them for yourself.

Mother, there's too much food.

If I finish all these by myself, won't I gain a lot of fat?

I'm not married yet.

Who do you actually take after?

It's definitely from my pretty mother.

Hey, look over there.

Young Master.

Minde, I know you helped me out this time.

Thank you.

I'll remember your kindness.

I didn't intend to help you.

I just don't like owing favors.

You and the kiwi bird got hurt because of me.

I only did what I had to do.

Fine.

Minde is so manly.

You're so righteous.

But I heard you got injured.

Where are you injured? Show me.

-No. I'm fine! -Young Master.

It's just a minor injury. It's all right.

I'm your cousin, not a stranger. What are you afraid of?

-Is your shoulder injured? -Young Master!

-Why are you going to touch it? -Young Master!

If you keep doing this, I'll...

What will you do?

You are not worth my time.

Let's go.

We'll get going.

Young Lady, it's rare to see Young Master Minde smile.

That guy? He's a case of cold hands, warm heart.

Although he pretends to be cold and distant,

he is a lot more trustworthy than those crafty schemers.

He is quite cute.

-Why are you laughing? -I'm laughing because,

when you're around Lady Weiyoung, you don't act like yourself.

Nonsense.

Am I wrong?

You dislike being touched by other people besides me and your mother.

But you just can't resist Lady Weiyoung.

That's because she is too bold, all right?

Young Master.

Speaking of which, Lady Weiyoung is really lucky.

If not, she might not have returned.

Do you really think it was sheer luck?

Under those circumstances,

she sent her maid back in the nick of time with a just cause.

She got a chance to survive.

She is quite smart.

It's just that...

What is that?

She made quite a scene this time.

Madam must be resentful.

I'm afraid that she might

face more challenges in the future.

Lady Weiyoung, how untimely.

Changxi just fell asleep.

It's all right. I'm just here to visit Changxi.

It's a gesture of concern.

Li Weiyoung, how dare you come here?

I know that you're jealous of me for being prettier than you.

So I ended up like this.

You're happy now, aren't you?

Get lost!

-Get lost now! -Shut up!

-Liu Hong. -Yes.

Hurry up and take her inside.

Young Lady.

-Young Lady. -Li Weiyoung.

-Get lost! -Let's go.

Aunt Yi, why hasn't Changxi's wound healed yet?

Lady Weiyoung, don't pretend to be kind.

Madam has sent some Yurong cream here.

Changxi will recover soon after applying the Yurong cream.

You...

What are you doing?

Can't you stand to see Changxi well?

Aunt Yi, despite how Changxi treated me,

I've never thought of hurting her.

Please believe me.

Aunt Yi.

Back then, I was whipped and covered in wounds.

I was just like Changxi when I was at the summer house.

My wounds festered and couldn't heal.

What are you insinuating?

Judging by Changxi's condition, she is much better than I was.

I think she wasn't severely poisoned.

Don't wait until it's irrevocable

and regret it when it's too late.

It's easy to prove I'm right.

When she stops using the Yurong cream, her wound will start to heal.

Aunt Yi, by then you'll know

who really wanted to harm Changxi.

Young Lady, do you mean Madam is trying to harm Lady Changxi?

Why would she do so?

Doesn't Lady Changxi always obey her orders?

What if she is trying to breed enmity between Aunt Yi and me?

If that's true, Madam is really too...

I just hope that Aunt Yi and Changxi won't fall for it.

By the way, Young Lady.

Hua Mei has gone missing.

She works for Madam anyway.

Don't care about her.

You've finally returned!

Yes, I just came back from your place.

I was wondering why I didn't see you.

I wish to speak to you in private, so I've been waiting here for you.

I'm so thrilled to see you come home safely.

I haven't seen you for a while.

Why do you look so tired?

Lady Changru was so worried about Lady Weiyoung.

She couldn't sleep well.

She pleaded Madam to let you off,

and she even got punished by Madam for this.

Rong'er, shut up.

Changru, you've been worried about me and was punished because of me.

I'm really sorry.

But I will always keep in mind

just how kind you treat me.

Please don't say so, Weiyoung.

Nothing matters as long as you get home safely.

Weiyoung, I don't know if I should tell you this.

What else can't we discuss between each other?

I keep thinking about what happened to you this time.

I think that there is something fishy.

Why would all these incidents occur at the same time?

It's as if someone was trying to get rid of you and kill you.

I might be too sensitive.

But it's best for you to stay cautious.

Thank you for your concern.

I'll surely be more cautious.

The Prime Minister's manor seems to be of prestige,

but we're unlike Changle.

Only we can understand the hardships.

Lady Weiyoung, Madam has summoned you over.

This way, Lady Weiyoung.

I'll go now.

Madam said that she only asked for Lady Weiyoung.

Wait for me in Junlan Court.

-Yes. -Yes.

Who knew that Lady Weiyoung can still make it home safely

after what Madam did to her?

Madam sent her away to the countryside for over ten years.

Yet she still managed to return in one piece.

Just based on that alone,

I knew that Weiyoung isn't as easy to tackle as she thought.

My aunt has finally met her match.

Weiyoung is really quite peculiar.

Mother, Changle.

Have a seat.

Weiyoung.

Let me take a look at you.

Are your wounds healed?

They are.

I have to thank Mother for that.

It's good that they healed.

You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.

You recovered so quickly.

Your skin seems fairer.

Weiyoung.

How was life in the countryside?

The people of Grandmother looked after me well.

It was quite a comfortable life.

Mother isn't asking about that.

She wants to know before you return to the manor...

Here's the thing.

I didn't know you very well in the first place,

so there were misunderstandings.

I would like to know more about your life in the past.

I wonder what you would like to know.

You were raised in the countryside by the Liu family.

How did Lady Liu treat you?

Although she didn't treat me very well,

she didn't dare take me lightly.

But after all, I am the Prime Minister's daughter.

The Liu family isn't very well off.

Yet they still raised you to be so pretty and lively.

I have to thank my mother for my good looks.

After all, my mother is a very beautiful woman, isn't she?

By the way,

I heard that there's a 1,000-year-old tree east of your village.

Every Grain Rain Festival, villagers would pray and worship

in hope of a great harvest.

I wonder if that is true?

I was confined to my private quarters in the Liu house.

I never left the premises.

I never witnessed such an event.

Have you not heard of it from anyone?

Not at all.

Think about it carefully.

Changle, why are you suddenly so interested in a rain ritual?

Who is interested in it?

I was just asking.

All right.

Weiyoung, you must be tired after traveling all day.

Head back and get some rest.

I will leave now.

Madam.

Lady Weiyoung watches every word she says.

There is no flaw to be found.

Right.

I tried to get words out of her.

But she didn't seem to be taken aback.

How arrogant.

Who does she think she is?

My men didn't find out anything either.

But I can sense something fishy.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LATE CROWN PRINCE JINGMU

Jun.

This is the world that belongs to us, the Xianbei Tribe.

Is it also Grandfather's world?

Your grandfather will pass it on to me.

And I'll pass it on to you.

This vast territory shall become Tuoba Jun's world.

Father, how big is the world?

How far can your horse run?

How far can your arrow reach?

That's how big your world will be.

That's the meaning of power. Do you understand?

Father, I wish to become like you and Grandfather.

I would like to gallop across lands.

I would like to learn archery.

Good! You're indeed the descendant of our Tuoba clan.

Hold this.

Bear this in mind.

You're not hunting any beasts, but the entire world.

Pull back your bowstring.

That is how vast you'll expand your territory.

Keep your bow right in the center.

Don't lean to either side.

That is how you should rule your nation and your people.

Father, have you ever wondered?

It was the power you were once so proud of

that killed you in the end.

What is power?

Why does it make family kill each other?

Father, I'm sorry.

I'll have to let you down.

That isn't the power I want.

I just wish to spend my life with Mother, safe and sound.

Is that all right?

Now that Jun is home,

I can finally put my mind at ease.

Once he realizes his father's unfulfilled wish and takes the throne

when the time comes,

I'll be able to face the Crown Prince in the underworld with pride.

Although His Highness is favored by His Majesty

and supported by the Crown Prince's subordinates,

his uncles are by no means easy to handle.

Especially Prince Dongping.

He is the most popular.

Your Highness should be wary of him.

I have it all planned out for Jun.

First of all,

we need to look for a wife who can assist him.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, have some fruit.

You've been waiting here five days in a row.

I reckon Lady Li won't show up.

I left her a letter saying that I'll meet her here on this day.

I have already checked with the inn.

Lady Weiyoung did recover and headed home.

Perhaps, she was in a hurry to get home or she was held up by something.

Your Highness, let's just head back.

You don't understand.

But you do.

Only you do.

Minde.

What are you doing out here at this late hour?

The wind is cold at night. You should go back earlier.

Do you think that I'm frail like the ladies?

What's wrong?

-I'll keep you company. -Who let you accompany me?

I'll go back then.

Hey!

I knew that you didn't mean it.

You have such a bad temper.

Aren't you worried none of the ladies would want to approach you in the future?

I don't care.

Hey! Give it back to me.

-Give that back! -No way!

Give it back to me!

-No. Greet me nicely, then I'll give it. -Give it back!

That's the only token I have from my birth parents!

Here you go.

I'm sorry. I didn't know about that.

Hey, are you really mad at me?

I just think it looks good.

I really like it.

I was just teasing you.

Here.

What is it?

Didn't you say you like it?

Although I can't give it to you, you can still take a look.

Be careful not to break it.

It's so pretty.

Judging by its quality, it's made of high-quality white jade.

It's surely one of a kind.

Minde, you might actually come from an exceptional family.

I don't know much about my identity.

Since I was young, my foster mother has raised me.

All I know is that I'm the adopted son of the Li family.

You must miss them terribly.

I don't miss them at all.

When they ruthlessly abandoned me,

I only knew that they didn't care about me.

Perhaps they had their reasons?

I've always believed every parent cares about their children.

All right.

Whatever the reason,

I still don't wish to see them.

My mother raised me on her own.

I regard my mother as my one and only mother.

All right.

Let's not talk about such unpleasant topics.

Today is a special day.

Why don't I give you a special gift?

A special gift?

May I give it a try?

Here you go.

It seems that she won't come.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, it's raining.

Lady Weiyoung isn't going to show up.

You're right.

All right.

Let's get going.

Hurry up, Your Highness.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Young Lady, great news.

Prince Gaoyang has returned.

-Really? -Why would I dare lie to you?

Prince Gaoyang has been away for over a year.

He has finally returned today.

I also heard that the Prince's mother,

the Crown Princess, is overjoyed.

She is hosting a banquet.

She has invited many young noblemen and women.

However,

Young Lady...

You're invited too.

-Really? -Yes.

Eunuch Huang sent a letter here this morning.

He has finally returned.

I can see him again.

What did you say?

Did Her Highness invite Li Changru and Li Weiyoung, too?

Yes, Madam.

Li Changru is the legitimate daughter of the second lady.

That's fine.

But why is the illegitimate daughter, Li Weiyoung, invited too?

It's said that the Crown Princess has heard from someone

about Lady Weiyoung being in the limelight at Old Madam's birthday banquet.

She seems to be interested in the one who was raised by commoners.

That's why she invited her.

It's so hard to shake Li Weiyoung off.

Prince Gaoyang is at a suitable age for marriage.

He has just returned.

The Crown Princess has already taken action.

It seems that she is going to select a consort for him.

Lady Weiyoung is an illegitimate child, anyway.

The Crown Princess would never favor her.

Her Highness is just curious about her.

Madam, you don't need to worry.

Who is she? Why would I worry about her?

Indeed.

As long as Lady Changle is present,

her remarkable beauty will outshine everyone else.

Lady Weiyoung and Lady Changru are no match for her.

They are just there to act as a foil to Lady Changle.

The Crown Princess is selecting a consort for Jun?

That's what I've heard.

The selecting of a consort is in name only.

The Crown Princess has already decided on Prime Minister Li's daughter, Li Changle.

Not only is she Prime Minister Li's daughter,

but she also has the awe-inspiring General Chiyun Nan as a supporter.

Whoever marries her will have

Prime Minister Li and the Chiyun family as his supporters.

Your Highness, from what I know,

it's not only the Crown Princess,

even Prince Dongping is trying to win over Lady Changle.

Your Highness, shall you...

The Crown Princess will be selecting a consort for Prince Gaoyang.

You've got to visit the palace. You should dress up nicely.

I'm not dressing up for Prince Gaoyang.

He likes royal blue.

Rong'er, bring me the royal blue dress.

Yes, Young Lady.

Lady Changxi.

Are you dressing up to visit the palace?

Don't bother at all.

Once Changle stands next to you,

who will notice you?

Lady Changxi isn't invited.

You can reason with Madam if you're displeased.

Why would you pick on our young lady?

-Hey! -Rong'er.

That's enough.

Changxi does have a point.

Who will notice me

as long as Li Changle is present?

We're going to the palace tomorrow.

The Emperor of Wei, who killed my father and grandmother,

is living in the palace.

What should I do?

Grandmother, Father.

What should Xin'er do?

Weiyoung, come and get dressed.

It's your first visit to the palace, so you must be dolled up for it.

I'm not going.

A lot of prestigious officials and ladies attend the royal banquets.

You may not be as beautiful as Lady Changle,

but you can still outshine many other young ladies in Ping City.

I want those noble ladies to see for themselves.

Who knows, you might even get a good match for marriage.

Bai Zhi and Zi Yan, get your young lady groomed.

-Yes. -Yes.

-Young Lady. -Young Lady.

-Young Lady. -I'm not going.

Be good.

We'll have you dolled up.

You'll be very pleased with it.

Exactly, Young Lady.

Don't you always say that Lady Changle is very pretty?

-You'll surely be more beautiful than her. -Really?

-Yes. -Let's go.

Have a seat.

This is nice. Put it on her.

This one as well.

This one is nice too.

This color suits her.

Here, put it on her.

This one is nice.

-It's done. -It's done.

It seems there are too many accessories.

Weiyoung, you're visiting the palace.

I don't have any valuable accessories for you.

Prime Minister Li gave this pearl hairpin to me back then.

I've kept it with me.

Although it's slightly discolored and outdated,

do regard it as a token from me.

Mother, I'll surely wear this hairpin to the palace.

In my eyes,

this pearl hairpin means much more to me than any jewelry.

Who does Li Weiyoung think she is?

How can she visit the palace with me?

Young Lady, look.

Weiyoung, you're not going to wear that old hairpin to the palace, are you?

Even if you don't care about embarrassing yourself,

you should at least consider our family's reputation.

If you are so short on accessories,

you could have told me.

I still have chests and drawers full of unused accessories.

I was even thinking about giving them to the maids and governesses.

Father gave this pearl hairpin to my mother.

It might be a bit old, but it was crafted by artisans.

It isn't something anyone can obtain.

Of course, not everyone knows how to appreciate it either.

You...

-Young Lady. -Young Lady.

I'm sure I've never offended you in any way.

Why can't you just let me off?

What are you talking about?

Have I mistreated you?

Li Changle.

Are you trying to fool everyone?

If Prince Gaoyang finds out about your true colors,

I wonder what he'll think of you.

Li Minde.

You're in no position to say a word.

It's best for you to know where you stand.

You're just an adopted child.

How dare you behave so impetuously?

Listen up.

I'm also listed in the Li family.

Minister Li didn't say anything,

and you're in no position to run your mouth.

Minde, you shouldn't offend Li Changle because of me.

She is very narrow-minded and dreadfully spoiled.

She is going to get back at you soon.

It's fine.

Madam and Changle have longed for my inheritance.

Even if I'm willing to flatter her, it won't make any difference.

It will only get worse.

I'm my mother's only son.

I must be strong and independent to protect her.

Moreover, I'm a man.

How could I be subservient to them?

Minde, I'm sorry.

It seems that I underestimated you.

You are truly a real man

of indomitable spirit.

Isn't that obvious?

Hey.

The man named Prince Gaoyang you mentioned just now, who is he?

Why did her face fall when you mentioned him?

Prince Gaoyang is the first-born son of the deceased Crown Prince Jingmu.

His Majesty is getting old.

Since the Crown Prince has passed away,

the other princes began to rise to power.

Prince Dongping, Tuoba Han.

He is the most popular candidate.

However, Prince Gaoyang is surely His Majesty's favorite.

What's even more commendable

is that Prince Gaoyang is generous, compassionate, and aloof.

In my opinion,

Li Changle has admired him for a long time.

Do you know why?

I knew you don't have a clue.

The reason is very simple.

His Highness outshines Adonis.

He is very good-looking.

Naturally, that wins over the hearts of many ladies.

He is very good-looking?

Is he as good-looking as you?

When you grow up,

-who knows how many hearts you'll break? -You're going too far.

What nonsense is this again?

Look, you're embarrassed again.

I only complimented you a bit.

Didn't you just say that you're a real man?

You're silly.

Are you blushing?

He is really cute.

Chiyun Rou must have suspected something.

I would like to know more about your life in the past.

Could I have let something slip?

That can't be.

Otherwise, she would have jumped at the chance to kill me.

I acted too recklessly.

Chiyun Rou almost managed to kill me.

If I wish to survive in this complicated household,

I'll have to tread very carefully from now on.

However, I must get back the jade ornament Grandmother gave me.

The jade ornament.

What should I do?

Young Lady, we'll fetch some water.

A cockroach!

Zi Yan! Trample it quickly!

All right, it's fine now.

It's normal that you are scared.

Many girls are scared of cockroaches.

-Let's go. -Okay.

Young Lady, we'll get going.

I had such a fright.

Girls are scared of cockroaches.

One.

Two.

Three.

-A cockroach! There's a cockroach! -Young Lady.

-Cockroaches! Is anyone there? -Is anyone there?

-Is anyone there? -Is anyone there?

-Is anyone there? -There are cockroaches!

There are cockroaches! Help!

-Hurry up! -Quickly!

Where are the people?

-Hurry up. -Get rid of the cockroaches!

-Over here! -Cockroaches!

Over there!

-Get rid of it! -Hurry up!

-Hurry up! -There are more over there!

Summon a few more people in here!

-Young Lady, be careful! -Faster!

-Over here! -Here!

-You! Bring me my clothes! -There are more over there.

Subtitle translation by Carole Chen