Original subtitles

In my opinion,

let's not be concerned about who came up with this plan.

If Lady Weiyoung has a better idea,

we should give her a chance to voice her opinion.

I agree.

Since the two princes agree on this,

I guess I will have to let you talk.

You may all rise.

-Yes. -Yes.

You.

This plan for disaster relief is good,

but it is prone to problems during the implementation.

The procedure is too lengthy.

The resources are handled on many levels.

In the end, they are handed out by low-ranking officials.

If they take the opportunity

to benefit themselves and lie about the condition of the disaster--

How dare you?

You are just an illegitimate child.

Who are you to question the integrity of the Wei Kingdom's local officials?

So you mean that the Wei Kingdom

has no talent, and the Emperor puts his trust in the wrong people?

You're so reckless!

Your Highness, that's not what I mean.

I just think that if we can prevent that situation,

maybe we could help even more victims.

What a pack of lies!

Women who have a glib tongue and think they are smarter than anyone else

are the most annoying.

Qiu Yi.

Qiu Yi.

Jun.

What are you doing?

I think that

Lady Weiyoung has a point.

When I traveled throughout the country,

I saw many local officials seize the chance to benefit themselves.

This is an actual problem we are facing.

If the local officials are the hindrances for disaster relief,

we must supervise the local government first.

Your Highness, disaster relief is more urgent.

If there is any delay, more people will die.

That is enough. Stop it.

Li Weiyoung.

I only let go of the matter because of Prince Gaoyang.

Keep that in mind.

You may leave.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Prince Gaoyang.

PRIME MINISTER'S MANOR

Your Highness.

You don't believe that Li Weiyoung could come up with a plan, do you?

Everything she said is a lie.

Ever since she came back, she has been competing with me.

I don't know where she got that idea.

But she worked with Changru to frame me in front of Her Highness.

Changle.

I'm only going to ask you one question and will only ask you once.

Did the disaster relief plan really have nothing to do with Weiyoung?

I really came up with it myself.

It has nothing to do with her.

If you have a clear conscience,

you wouldn't care about what other people think.

Your Highness.

I don't care about what other people think.

But I care about what you think, Your Highness.

I don't want Your Highness

to think that I'm a shameless woman.

Please believe me this time, will you?

Changru, you're so stupid.

I know you wanted to help Weiyoung.

I dislike Li Changle as well. She has been bullying you all these years.

I hoped she would embarrass herself.

But do you know how important that event was today?

You embarrassed Madam

in front of the Crown Princess and all of the guests.

She won't let you get away with it.

Mother.

-I... -Changru.

Even if we are unwilling to reconcile, we still have to admit that

Madam is someone

we can't afford to displease.

But Mother, Weiyoung was wronged.

Surely, if we stay out of it, we will be safe.

But if Changle gets her way,

the higher she climbs, the worse our life will get.

Whether it was for Weiyoung or for ourselves,

I couldn't just watch Changle steal the credit from Weiyoung.

Changru.

Weiyoung.

Changru.

You offended Madam because of me today.

I feel guilty but touched as well.

Weiyoung, don't say that.

Don't forget that we are like sisters.

And I didn't just do it for you.

You told me before

that if the disaster relief plan is problematic, the people will suffer.

So I did it for the millions of suffering people as well.

All right.

Your sisterly love is very moving.

But don't forget that Madam will definitely seek revenge.

She can never let go of those who had offended her.

You had offended her severely this time.

She is definitely going to get you back.

You have to be careful in the next few days.

Aunt Yi, don't worry.

Changru was good to me.

I'll protect her no matter what.

Don't be silly.

You can't even protect yourself. How would you protect her?

Madam is here.

Madam, you are here.

-Madam! -Aunt Yi!

Mother!

Madam, what are you doing?

Punishing you for not teaching your daughter proper manners.

-You... -You can punish me.

Why did you hit my mother?

Yes. At the least, I'm the second lady in this household.

You are being too much.

Am I being too much?

Let me tell you something.

I, Chiyun Rou, have the right to do that.

Servants. Drag Li Changru out.

-Yes, Madam. -Yes, Madam.

Stop.

Nobody can touch Changru.

Who do you think you are?

Drag her out, too.

-Yes, Madam. -Yes, Madam.

-Young Lady. -Young Lady.

-Let go of her! -What do you want?

I'm going to put on a show.

I want to show everyone

what happens to those who are against me.

Take them away.

-Move. -Young Lady.

-Changru! -Young Lady!

Let go of me!

-Madam. -Mother!

Madam.

Go get Old Madam.

-Yes, Madam. -Hurry.

Let go of me!

Punish her according to the family law.

Madam, please let me go.

Don't do this to me.

Kneel.

Mother, what are you doing?

Do it to me instead. Why should you hurt the innocent?

Do it.

No!

No! Don't cut my hair!

No!

Let go of her!

Cut my hair instead!

Aunt Rou, don't cut my hair!

Aunt Rou.

Aunt Rou.

No.

Let go of her!

Stop!

Stop it!

Chiyun Rou.

-Carry on. -Yes, Madam.

Chiyun Rou, no matter who you are, you should at least listen to Old Madam.

This is the Li family law.

Who dares to stop me?

You. Chiyun Rou.

You don't respect me anymore, do you?

Old Madam.

Changru broke the family law.

I was just punishing her accordingly.

If you try to stop me,

it means you're playing favorites.

Forgive me for not being able to obey you.

Changru was just telling the truth in front of everyone.

How is that breaking the family law?

The truth?

What is the truth?

Do you have proof that Changle stole Weiyoung's idea?

You...

And you.

Did you see Weiyoung come up with the disaster relief plan yourself?

I didn't see it myself,

but I trust Weiyoung.

-You're despicable. -Madam.

Let go!

You have no proof.

How dare you say that nonsense in front of everyone?

You hurt Changle and the Li family's reputation.

You broke the Li family law,

so I have to punish you accordingly.

I'm going to cut off all your hair

and send you away to be a nun.

You'll devote yourself to religion to atone for your sins.

Old Madam, is there anything else you would like to say?

You...

Chun Ming, get me the scissors.

Yes, Madam.

No!

-You... -I don't want to be a nun!

I don't want to be a nun!

Madam.

Madam, I'm begging you.

It's all my fault.

Punish me instead, please.

Changru is still young.

If you make her a nun now, she'll die.

Please, Madam.

Forgive her.

I'm begging you, please.

-It's my fault. -Get off me.

-Mother! -Hold her.

No!

-Let go! -I don't want to be a nun!

No!

No!

Don't cut my hair!

No!

Let go of me!

Stop! Let go!

Don't cut my hair!

Let go of me!

Stop it!

Let go!

Weiyoung.

Weiyoung.

Weiyoung!

Weiyoung!

My child!

Weiyoung!

Weiyoung.

That's enough!

Are you going to stop only until you kill someone?

Weiyoung.

I'm sorry, Changru.

This is all my fault.

I promised I would protect you.

So I will keep protecting you.

Weiyoung.

Master Li said

the Emperor and the princes are aware of this issue.

It wouldn't be good to make it more serious.

So he told Madam to drop it.

This is all my fault.

I acted on impulse.

Weiyoung was willing to give her life for you.

I'm sure that she thinks you're worth it.

Just be more cautious in the future.

Don't cause any more trouble for her.

Yes, Minde.

-Also, Changru... -Minde.

Weiyoung, take care.

I'll leave now.

Weiyoung.

I'm sorry.

This is all my fault.

You got punished because of me.

I'm your older cousin. It's my duty to protect you.

Why would it be your fault?

It's fine.

It's just a small injury.

I'll recover in a few days. Don't worry.

Weiyoung, you will be like a sister to me.

Silly girl.

We've always been close.

Weiyoung.

What is it?

Did I touch your wound? Does it hurt?

I'm fine.

I just suddenly feel so lucky

to have a cousin like you.

Weiyoung.

Young Lady, are you all right?

I'm so tired.

You scared me today.

I thought Madam would really make you a nun.

I'm lucky that Weiyoung saved me.

You really displeased Madam this time.

Do you think it was worth doing it?

Your Highness, please hear me out.

Today, in the hall,

Prince Nan'an noticed me.

That was the first time he looked at me directly.

For that one look,

all the pain was worth it.

For him to keep looking at me,

I would be willing to do anything for him.

Changle, calm down.

I can't calm down.

I can't believe that

because of a few words from that brat,

Prince Gaoyang asked the Emperor to stop implementing the plan.

Everyone in Ping City

is probably making fun of me.

She did it on purpose.

She deliberately said those things before the Crown Princess and the princes.

She even worked with Li Changru to make me look like a joke.

Now Prince Gaoyang

must have started to doubt me.

I can't let her get away with this.

I can't let Prince Gaoyang fall for her.

Mother, what should I do?

We just have to prove that this disaster relief plan does work.

That'll show the Emperor.

But...

How should we do that?

Don't worry, Changle.

I've secretly set the plan in motion already.

Just wait for the Emperor to reward you.

All right?

PRIME MINISTER'S MANOR

Stop.

What are you looking at?

I'm trying to find out

where you got your courage.

How dare you go against me?

I was just telling the truth that day.

You should know where you got that disaster relief plan from.

No matter what you say,

I have a clear conscience.

You can lie for a few days, but can you lie for a lifetime?

As long as Weiyoung is here,

your lies will blow up in your face one day.

When that day comes, you will be even more humiliating.

Listen to me.

If you say one more word,

I'll make you and your mother live a very difficult life.

Changle, come see which one is better.

What is it?

Mother.

Now I know that you were right.

Li Weiyoung is my archenemy. She's my nemesis.

As long as she exists, I can't live my life happily.

It's not too late to realize that now.

But as long as I'm here, I won't let anyone threaten you.

As for that Li Weiyoung,

I'll get rid of her.

Here.

I think this one is pretty.

When the Emperor rewards you, you'll wear this one to the palace.

Li Minfeng.

Is Minfeng here?

He hasn't come back yet.

By the way,

what did the Emperor tell you today?

Is he finally going to implement Changle's plan?

If that's true,

Minfeng must have succeeded.

So

you all actually came up with this mess.

Did you know that you've caused tremendous trouble?

What happened?

Is that true?

Of course.

The news has spread all over Ping City.

Li Minfeng secretly implemented the plan in the territory of the Chiyun family.

But it ended up a mess.

The Chiyun family tried to control it by sending out soldiers,

but it led to a riot instead.

It caused heavy casualties.

Now they can't keep it a secret anymore.

This matter has alarmed the Emperor.

This morning, Master Li was summoned to the palace.

He just came back with a troubled look on his face.

The Emperor must have scolded him.

A riot? Heavy casualties?

They have some nerve.

They lied to everyone just to get rewarded.

They don't care about the people.

It's too bad that nobody listened to me.

Otherwise, we could have stopped this from happening.

It's not your fault. It's theirs.

They're too greedy.

They only care about their reputation and fame.

But Weiyoung,

if this continues,

Li Minfeng and Li Changle

will reap what they have sown.

All we have to do is wait until that happens.

No way.

Only the Emperor can fix the flaws of the disaster relief plan now.

I have to find a way to meet the Emperor.

All right, then.

Today's weather is nice. Let's go for a walk.

How could that be?

Minfeng said he would take care of it.

He said everything would be fine.

You ignorant woman.

How dare you do this without my permission?

Now Minfeng's future might be destroyed.

We don't know what will happen to Minfeng.

Master Li.

It's Li Weiyoung.

She tricked me.

What did you say?

Did Li Weiyoung really come up with this disaster relief plan?

Yes.

She deliberately wrote it down to bait me into taking it.

She designed all this to frame me.

What should I do?

Mother, what should I do?

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Now your father will definitely go to Li Weiyoung.

When she gives him the solution, you'll be doomed.

Mother, please save me.

Please help me.

Mother, I can't lose.

I can't lose to her.

Right.

I think we can't be too hasty with this matter.

Weiyoung.

Uncle.

Father.

Minde.

You all may leave.

Father, what brings you here?

It was your terrible idea.

Did you know

that something bad happened in stricken areas?

Father.

When did I give any ideas?

That disaster relief plan.

Changle came up with that plan.

If there's a problem with it,

you should go ask Changle about it, Father.

I know that you came up with the disaster relief plan.

Your brother implemented your plan.

And there was a riot

in the disaster-stricken areas.

I have said before there were flaws with the plan.

But Minfeng didn't believe me.

Now that he came up with this mess,

the Emperor probably won't forgive him easily.

That's true. Your brother is in big trouble now.

The whole Ping City is talking about it.

You caused all this trouble.

You brought this upon your brother and sister.

You should come up with a solution

and your brother must give it to the Emperor to atone for his crimes.

Why should I do that?

Just because

I didn't grow up by your side,

does that mean

your favorite son and daughter can get all the credit

while I am the one responsible when things go wrong?

How impudent!

How dare you talk to your father like that?

So Father, what do you mean?

If you know there is a problem with the plan,

you should also know the solution to it.

The important task at hand

is to help your brother give the Emperor an effective solution to the problem.

So he can make up for his mistake.

Weiyoung, you should know

that helping your brother is helping the entire Li family.

So I must do it to make up for the mistakes of Minfeng?

Then I don't know anything.

Weiyoung!

How dare you be disobedient?

Father, why do you think that

a girl who grew up in the countryside

would have a good solution to the problem?

Rather than relying on me,

it would probably be wiser

to ask those retainers of yours who receive good remuneration.

Or your beautiful daughter, Changle.

You've spent so many resources on them.

This is the time for them to repay you.

Weiyoung,

when I talk to you nicely,

you should be honest with me.

Or else...

Changle stole my plan,

and now you're threatening me.

Even if you wish to take my life,

I will never compromise.

If you really want to save the Li family,

please allow me

to go to the palace and meet the Emperor.

My lords.

The Emperor trusts and relies on you in court.

My son, Minfeng

has unintentionally made a big mistake.

He has displeased His Majesty and might even lose his life.

My lords, for the sake of my father,

please help and say something good about my son in front of His Majesty.

The Chiyun family

will surely repay you.

Madam.

Your father has been good to me.

I will try my best to help.

But about this matter,

it's not that we're not willing to help.

The problem at hand has gotten out of control.

I'm afraid we can do nothing about it.

-Forgive me, Madam. -Forgive me.

You...

My lords.

Please don't go, my lords.

No one is useful.

Chun Ming.

Get me some writing supplies

and send out the letter for me.

Yes, Madam.

I don't believe

that the power of the Chiyun family is unable to save my son.

What did you say?

You want me to harm Lady Weiyoung?

No. I can't do that.

If you do this for me,

I'll talk to Mother and give you a title.

I will have you to be my concubine in glory.

No.

Lady Weiyoung has been good to me.

I can deliver messages for you,

but I can't harm her.

Leave now.

Don't come back again.

We'll pretend that nothing has ever happened.

Young Master.

My heart is already yours.

I'm your woman.

You can't abandon me now.

If you're my woman, you have to be loyal to me.

I don't want a woman who is double-minded.

Young Master!

Silly girl.

You care about her so much.

But what do you get from it?

If you work for me,

I'll give you what you deserve.

I'll take care of you in the future.

Here.

Don't cry now.

The wine is warm now.

We should drink together.

All right?

It's done. Lady Weiyoung, let's eat.

Zi Yan.

You and Bai Zhi have been with me for so long.

Because of me, you have been through a lot.

I've been thinking,

maybe I should tell Grandmother

to marry you off to good families.

Getting married is probably

better than being a servant.

Young Lady.

I don't want to marry someone.

I want to be by your side forever.

Please don't drive me away.

You and Bai Zhi are my good friends.

Why would I want to drive you away?

All right.

If you find someone you really like,

remember to let me know.

Let's eat now.

No, Young Lady.

If Madam finds out, she'll definitely scold us again.

Then I'll be sure to say that I forced you to do so.

She can scold me all she wants.

It won't hurt me.

Eat now.

Young Lady, you look relaxed.

About the trouble Young Master came up with,

do you have a solution already?

Of course. Young Lady is so smart.

Lady Weiyoung, I'm really curious.

Can you tell us?

Bai Zhi, aren't you curious?

Actually, I do want to know.

Young Lady, nobody else is here.

Just tell us in secret.

This wine is pear blossom wine I just bought today.

Try it, Young Lady.

It's very good.

So you're using this wine to bribe me, then?

Young Lady.

Zi Yan, what's the rush?

We'll find out in the end anyway.

Actually, it's not all that special.

I can tell you if you'd like me to.

Yes, please.

So the solution to the problem

is actually...

Go away!

Go away!

Go!

Madam, Lady Changle is...

Mother.

What should I do?

What should Minfeng do?

Everyone was complimenting me before.

But now, everyone is scolding me.

I'm too embarrassed to go out.

Also, Prince Gaoyang

would never bother with me anymore.

Changle.

This is just a small obstacle.

Is this enough to defeat you?

If your mother

were as weak as you,

then how would I

gain a foothold in the Li household?

Mother, what should I do?

A noble person can be broad-hearted or narrow-hearted.

We should all be able

to take setbacks from time to time.

Li Weiyoung probably doesn't have proper clothes for the palace.

In a while, you should go give her some clothes.

You want me to bow to her?

Bowing temporarily

is to lift your head higher later on.

When you meet the Emperor,

it will be evident that Changle stole your plan.

You'll be able to receive credit for it.

I'm so happy for you.

I just know that no matter what happens to me,

whether good or bad,

Changru will always be by my side, supporting me.

To me, that is the most precious thing.

So you're here, Weiyoung.

Changru is here as well.

I guess you always show up

where the flowers are blossoming.

You've always been like that.

Why are you here, Changle?

I didn't want to come.

But Mother said since you're going to the palace,

I should lend you something proper to wear.

You don't usually get to wear a fabric like this.

But since you're going to meet the Emperor,

I don't want you to embarrass the Li family.

The clothes have been altered to your size.

They should fit.

That's very kind of you.

People like you don't get to meet with the Emperor all the time.

I hope you'll return safely.

Return safely?

I bet you won't be coming back.

Weiyoung.

Have some tea.

Lady Weiyoung, are you wearing this tomorrow?

I have a white dress.

White?

But Young Lady, you will finally get to meet the Emperor.

Of course, I'm going to wear white when I meet the Emperor of Wei.

The Emperor of Wei.

You murdered my whole family ruthlessly.

I'm going to get revenge someday.

JINGGONG GATE

You have seen the Emperor. Why didn't you kneel down?

Weiyoung, pay your respects.

I, Li Weiyoung, pay my respects to the Emperor.

May you live a long and prosperous life.

You seem reluctant.

Your Majesty.

She must be nervous because this is her first time meeting Your Majesty.

Please forgive her.

Fine. You may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

So you are Li Weiyoung?

Did you write this letter with the solution and submitted it to me?

Yes, I did.

Please explain in detail.

Your Majesty, Li Minfeng and his sister wish to see you.

Li Minfeng?

How dare he come see me?

Please, Your Majesty.

I have a solution to the disaster relief problem.

Please, let me in.

Let him in.

I, Li Minfeng, pay my respects to the Emperor.

Li Minfeng.

You've made a great mistake.

You should be remorseful at home and wait for your punishment.

Why are you here?

I know that I made a big mistake.

I feel very guilty.

My sister and I have been trying to solve the problem.

Finally, I found a way.

I sent in the letter yesterday.

Have you read it yet, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty, Lord Li did send in a letter yesterday.

So the three of you

came up with this solution?

Your Majesty.

We did not.

My sister, Changle and I came up with it.

Then why is your solution the same as Li Weiyoung's?

That is the second reason why I came to see you today, Your Majesty.

I have to stop Li Weiyoung

from lying to the Emperor!

Lying to me?

What's going on?

Your Majesty.

In order to receive credit for the solution,

Li Weiyoung stole the solution my brother and I came up with

and made it her own.

She is lying to you.

Li Weiyoung.

Is that true?

It's not.

I came up with the solution myself.

I would never lie to you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

This must be a misunderstanding.

Weiyoung isn't a despicable person.

Your Majesty, I have a witness.

What time is it?

Madam.

Master Li and Young Master just went to the palace.

They won't be home so soon.

Don't worry.

Young Master and Lady Changle were born with good fortune.

I'm sure they'll be all right.

Yes.

My children are all outstanding.

I'm sure it'll be fine.

Zi Yan?

I, Zi Yan, pay my respects to the emperor.

Your Majesty.

This is Li Weiyoung's personal servant, Zi Yan.

She knows everything Li Weiyoung does.

Zi Yan, let me ask you.

Did Weiyoung steal the solution my brother and I came up with?

Lady Weiyoung stole the solution Young Master and Lady Changle came up with.

She said she can be rewarded by Your Majesty with that.

Why are you saying that, Zi Yan?

You asked me for the solution and told them about it.

What advantages did they offer you?

Why are you betraying me?

I'm just telling the truth.

Your Majesty.

I believe that we should not take a maid's word as the truth.

Prince Gaoyang.

We do not only have a witness,

but we also have evidence.

Your Majesty.

Before I came,

I found this in Weiyoung's room.

There are a dozen witnesses in the manor.

Your Majesty.

What is it?

These were my notes

when I was discussing with my brother.

Li Weiyoung.

You better explain this.

Lying to the Emperor is a capital crime.

Your Majesty.

If it were another matter,

I wouldn't bother to bring this up about my younger sister.

But this concerns Your Majesty, so I wouldn't dare hide anything.

If the two letters are the same,

both of it should point at the governance system.

But the details are not included.

How about we each explain it to Your Majesty right now?

I am sure that Your Majesty will be able to identify the liar.

I'll allow it.

Your Majesty.

The disaster relief plan has caused so much trouble lately.

After all,

Your Majesty has to take the greatest responsibility.

I wonder if Minfeng and Changle share the same opinion with me?

Li Weiyoung!

You disrespected the Emperor. This is a capital crime!

Of course, we don't share the same opinion!

Then what is your opinion?

How about you go first?

Your Majesty, good advice is often harsh to the ear.

But just as the vast sea holds water from all rivers,

I am sure that Your Majesty's open-mindedness

will be able to tolerate a piece of advice that is practical.

Keep going.

I didn't receive much education,

but I know that an unclear governance system hurts the people and the country.

As the ruler of this country,

shouldn't the Emperor be responsible for this?

The people in the country are suffering from corrupt officials.

Are you cruel enough to ignore that?

You are being disrespectful to the Emperor.

They should be killed!

They should be killed!

Those corrupt officials exploit the people

in my name.

They disrespect not only my rule,

but also the people.

Killing them is the right thing to do.

I am going to reform the governance system.

Li Weiyoung.

Do you have specific measures?

Set up a personnel evaluation system.

For the advancement evaluations for province-level local officials,

ask them to write about the results of the disaster relief plan.

So that they have to look into the issue.

Also, send central supervisory officers

to severely punish corrupt officials.

Give the people the right to report corruption.

If their accusations are true, the officials should be punished.

If anyone tries to stop them from reporting,

they should be punished as well.

Also, among corrupt officials,

some are unscrupulous and greedy,

some just benefit from the people occasionally.

There should be a differentiation in their punishments.

From now on, those who benefit from disaster relief,

who take over a hundred pieces of silver,

should all be killed.

But there are too many corrupt officials.

They cannot be killed all at once.

There are not enough officials to replace them either.

So while eliminating corruption, it is also important to recruit talent.

I am sure that Your Majesty

will be able to find a way to do that.

Subtitle translation by Sophie Chang