Original subtitles

Find a way to prove that Zhangsun Wuji has formed a clique out of self-interest.

As you strike in the court, do try to protect yourself.

Don't fall prey to the tiger when you try to hit it.

State Ceremonial Court corrupt officials

have embezzled state funds for their own gains.

The fact that you're reporting this case proves that you're not involved in it.

The Tang dynasty is blessed to have an upright official like you.

I think we're playing it too safe with Li Yifu and his gang.

But the one behind him is very important. I need to know who he is.

Uncle is merely one of your courtiers! No one can defy your edict!

It's been a year since Cairen Wu left. Have you not thought about taking her back?

Father!

Wang De, get the physician!

Honourable Fang, are you alright?

Cairen Wu, it's been a year since you came here.

How's your life going?

Honourable Fang, you took me in and gave me a quiet life I'd always wanted.

I really appreciate it.

I let you stay at my residence so that no one can harm you,

but you're not allowed to see His Majesty.

Don't you hate me?

I was called Venus, the Star of Calamity.

I consider myself lucky to have survived till now.

As long as I can still hear a little something about His Majesty,

I'm most contented.

I really can't ask for more.

His Majesty has been healthy and good as always.

You don't have to worry.

I'm an old man. At this age, I could be gone any day now.

Sit down, Cairen Wu.

Actually the door here is very thin.

Those trying to harm you can't come in here because I'm still around.

When I'm gone one day,

I'm afraid my two incompetent sons won't be able to protect you.

Honourable Fang, thank you for doing all this for me.

I'm not doing this for you.

I'm doing this for Tang and His Majesty.

As long as His Majesty can't see you and you stay away from the Palace,

the prophecy will never come true. Everything remains good and peaceful.

Tomorrow morning I'll present a memorial

asking His Majesty to send Yi'ai to the northern boundary.

Leave Chang'an along with Princess Gaoyang.

Settle down on the outskirts.

Then find yourself a reliable man and start a new life.

Honourable Fang, do you really think I should never see His Majesty ever again?

The promise made at Ganlu Hall a year ago must never be broken.

Cairen Wu, leave Chang'an and stay out of trouble.

Then you'll be able to live in freedom.

Let His Majesty's reputation as a wise emperor last through generations.

Don't put your trust in insignificant men like Li Yifu.

You knew it all along?

Then why didn't you stop me?

I knew you recruited Li Yifu and his gang to map out a plan

just to see His Majesty once more.

Right, I want to see His Majesty once more! Just once!

Cairen Wu, I admire how devoted you are to His Majesty.

That's why I didn't stop you.

But please try to understand long-serving officials like us.

His Majesty led us to fight our way through the Tang state with our lifetime efforts.

We cannot afford to take...

Honourable Fang!

Even the slightest risk.

I don't have much time left.

I just hope this matter will come to a satisfying result before I die.

Cairen Wu, for the sake of His Majesty, please let go.

Honourable Fang, I really appreciate everything you have done for me.

Fine, I promise you I'll leave Chang'an.

Good. That's settled then.

Thank you, Honourable Fang!

Cairen Wu, please rise.

Your Highness, as informed by the Palace, His Majesty has fallen ill!

What happened?

Prepare a horse! I'm off to the Palace!

Yes!

Your Majesty...

Chancellor Fang...

Honourable Zhangsun, what happened?

His Majesty is still in a coma.

What put His Majesty in this critical condition?

Preliminary evaluation indicates that

His Majesty still hasn't recovered from his arrow wound during the expedition.

It's also related to a type of anti-aging drug offered by Tibetan monks.

In the early stages of consumption, the user feels fresh and energetic.

Seemingly it helps restore youth,

but in fact it depletes the user's vital energy.

His Majesty has been taking this drug.

Wang Gong-Gong.

Your Honours, His Majesty... His Majesty is still unconscious.

But according to the physician, His Majesty's pulse is getting stable.

We don't know when he will wake up though.

Your Honours, you're in your old age.

May I suggest that you wait in the Imperial Study?

Please come with me. Sure...

Chancellor Fang, since you're sick, it's better if you wait at home.

Honourable Zhangsun, thanks for your concern.

I won't be able to sleep anyway. I'd rather stay here with you all.

His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Let's hope he can pull through.

We should be ashamed of ourselves for letting His Majesty fall ill.

Yes, how useless we are...

Wende...

Father?

Wende...

Gaoyang!

Who is it?

Gaoyang!

Who is it?

Meiniang?

Gaoyang!

What's the matter?

Can I ask you a favour?

Go ahead.

His Majesty is seriously ill! I need to see him!

All right.

Awake! His Majesty is awake!

Your Honours, please wake up! Hurry!

His Majesty is awake?

Your Honours, the physician says His Majesty is fine!

Thank Heaven! Thank Heaven! Great Tang is blessed!

Wake up! Wake up, gentlemen! Your Honours, please wake up!

Where are we going?

His Majesty asked me to take all of you to Ganlu Hall for an audience!

Please come with me!

Sure...

Chancellor Fang, wake up! Chancellor Fang!

Look at him!

Chancellor Fang! Chancellor Fang!

Chancellor Fang! Chancellor Fang!...

Chancellor Fang!

I thought I was wise, but I started having wild thoughts as I grew older.

Thus I took the anti-aging drug. This is what I asked for.

Father, you just woke up. Why rush to the Administration Hall now?

It's good to move around after a long sleep.

Also, my ministers have waited all night. I should at least meet with them.

Sire! Sire!

Are they all waiting in the Administration Hall?

I'll be right over.

Chancellor Fang... just died in his sleep in the side chamber!

Father!

Sire!

Let me get changed and see my beloved minister.

Hurry! Hurry...

Is Her Highness going out?

Yes, Her Highness would like to visit His Majesty.

Goodbye, Your Highness.

Thank you.

Sire.

Sire, Princess Gaoyang has come to visit.

Let her in.

Yes, Sire.

Meiniang?

Your Majesty!

I'm seeing you again. I hope it lasts longer this time.

Your Majesty, do you remember you asked me here

without the throne and the crown, the great merits and achievements,

and the three words Li Shimin, who you would be?

I did ask you that.

I know since you were 15 years old,

you've been Killing many strong enemies in various wars.

You have 23 scars of different sizes on your body.

I saw you shed tears of sadness after Granny Peng's death.

You leaped for joy the first and only time you missed the morning assembly.

I know the most painful time in your life

was the fight between brothers at Xuanwu Gate.

I know in your heart...

(Zhangsun's Residence)

Master Wuiji, as informed by Liu Gong-Gong from Ganlu Hall,

Wu Meiniang went to the Palace with Princess Gaoyang tonight.

She's meeting with His Majesty and spending the night in Ganlu Hall.

You may go.

Yes.

Chancellor Fang, did you hear that? Wu Meiniang has gone to see His Majesty.

Chancellor Fang, among the 24 of us,

you and Wei Zheng were whom I respected most.

I once promised you as long as Wu Meiniang didn't see His Majesty,

I'd let her stay at the Fang's Residence.

I've kept my promise up till now, but she's secretly seeing His Majesty!

She's asking for death!

Chancellor Fang, if you hear me from the netherworld,

I believe you will support our action.

Gaoyang!

Gaoyang, I can't thank you enough.

Without your help, I couldn't have spent the night with His Majesty.

We're friends in the same boat. I'm more than willing to help you.

Also, this is probably the last thing I'd do for you before I leave.

You're leaving? Where are you going?

Honourable Fang suddenly passed away,

but it doesn't mean the Fang family has to leave Chang'an.

It's not related to the Fang family.

I'm leaving Chang'an tomorrow morning with Bianji, not Fang Yi'ai.

What? You want to run away with Bianji?

Come, sit down.

Sit down.

Actually I made up my mind some time ago I'd leave with Bianiji.

We will be leaving tomorrow morning.

I wasn't going to tell you and drag you into this,

but I just need to share it with someone.

This isn't about your present but the rest of your life.

Have you thought this through?

Actually, at the beginning I thought my love for Bianji wouldn't last long.

I only wanted some good memories. But now I can't live without him.

If I don't take a chance, I will never forgive myself.

Even if it doesn't end happily, I'll have no regrets.

Good. Don't mind what's ahead, as long as there are no regrets in the end.

I only have one question for you.

What is it?

You know how clumsy you are.

Have you finished packing yet? Do you need help?

Wu Meiniang, not only did you break the promise,

you incited those of humble lineage like Li Yifu against me in the court.

You mess with me, you mess with Great Tang.

How can I let the founders of Tang down?

The foreseen calamity must be removed!

Your Highness, Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang left Fang's Residence in a hurry.

Her Highness even packed her belongings. She seems to be running away with the monk.

Once Gaoyang and Bianji have left Chang'an, we can take action with hard evidence.

Yes.

Gaoyang, I'll have to sacrifice you and Bianji so as to get rid of Wu Meiniang.

I'm doing this for the sake of Tang.

Please forgive me.

My dear, you left so suddenly. It's a pity I didn't get to see you one last time.

Consort Yin left earlier than you. Even Chancellor Fang is gone.

There are fewer and fewer people around me.

Ke'er, I have something to say to you in front of your mother.

You've been treated unfairly all these years

But some things are predestined from the very beginning.

I hope you can understand that.

Father, I understand your concerns.

When it comes to succession to the throne, many things need to be considered.

I also know most of the time you can't make your own decisions.

I'm thankful for the outcome today.

I feel sorry for your mother.

She spent all her life with me.

She was disciplined and respectful, well-mannered and virtuous.

But I failed to make her my empress while she was alive.

Father, you gave us your heart. Mother and I shall have no regrets.

Come, walk with me.

Father, I'd like to stay with Mother a little longer.

Mother, you heard what Father just said. What could you be thinking?

Sparing Qingque's life wasn't a rash decision.

I gave it some serious thought.

It's a shame we couldn't share each other's thoughts.

You ended up dying with regrets.

Mother, if you hear my heart from Heaven, I believe you can finally find peace.

Go. Next.

Go.

Next.

Go.

Next.

You.

Go.

You.

Here, change into a monk's robe once he arrives.

A monk and a layman are too eye-catching.

I understand.

But I wonder what's taking him so long.

There he is!

You're finally here!

What are you waiting for? Go!

Take care of yourself.

Go...

Stop! Stop!

Catch that evil monk Bianji!

How dare you!

(Attending Office)

Father!

Father, Bianji and I love each other! Please give our love a chance!

A chance? That shameless vandal violated Buddhist ethics and broke the law!

Why does he deserve a chance?

As a princess, you betrayed your husband. You're wanton and behaved like a lunatic!

Why do you deserve a chance?

Father!

Read the memorial from the Censorate!

Father, this is a family affair!

No matter what I have done wrong, outsiders shouldn't meddle in it!

I know my conduct is a disgrace to the Imperial Family!

I shouldn't have made you angry, but I'm not ashamed of myself!

Life is short!

Why not free yourself from honour, pride, rules, and traditions?

I just want to pursue my own happiness! What's wrong with that?

Nonsense! Total nonsense!

You have no sense of shame at all!

I have no sense of shame, but I dare to choose what I love!

At least I'm not like my sisters who are used by you as gifts

offered to other monarchs or rewards for loyal ministers!

I know probably all princesses have lived like that since ancient times!

Even though this life as a puppet is highly privileged, I don't want it!

Gaoyang, in your heart I'm a ruthless father

who cares nothing about his children?

Father, I know as the Son of Heaven, you can't do as you wish!

You have to make many difficult decisions!

In times of instability, princesses are given away in exchange for peace

or loyalty from powerful ministers! I understand that!

But that's not the case for Tang today!

You are the awe-inspiring Tian Kehan!

As your daughter, why can't I choose the life I want?

Shouldn't we all live for love?

You're suffering from lovesickness too, aren't you?

Perhaps you can give up your love for the Li family and the state, but I can't!

Father, please spare Bianiji's life! Father!

What you just said did make some sense.

You may leave the Attending Office, but Bianji must die.

As a Buddhist follower, he showed no respect to the law.

I need to be fair to the Fang family.

Otherwise, all court officials would feel insecure.

It may concern the state. Do you understand?

After all is said, it's just a waste of time.

Father, is that your final decision?

Fine! In that case, our father-daughter relationship ends now!

Father, if you think I'm unfilial, just let me die with Bianji!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Help! His Majesty has fainted! Summon the physician!

You must save His Majesty! Thank you! Sure.

Doctor Xie, how is His Majesty?

Your Highness, His Majesty hit his head hard on the floor. It's a serious injury.

Doctor Xie, please try your best to help His Majesty recover soon.

I certainly will, but...

No more buts! Go!

Yes, Your Honour.

Execute him!

Allow me to kneel before you, Your Majesty!

Please rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

I have summoned you here to prepare a few things for my death.

Fuji, Li Ji, and you, are the Chancellor, Commander, and Adviser respectively

personally selected by me to assist Zhinu in the future.

Your Majesty, I...

Chu Suiliang, I don't have much time left.

Don't make me listen to your humble speech.

After much thought and consideration, I have selected you three.

You are the Adviser because of your honesty.

Fuji is too clever. Li Ji is too slick.

They can't be the Adviser.

Please give Zhinu your sincere advice.

Also, once Fuji becomes the highest-ranking Chancellor,

some will be jealous of him.

Please protect him with your power.

Don't let those who sow discord frame him.

Get rid of whoever that does that.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Alright, summon Li Ji. You're dismissed.

The Grand Court sent me here!

Gather all the maids and servants of Her Imperial Highness for verdict hearing!

Yes...

All of you disobeyed the law and ethics by failing to report!

You let Her Highness make a terrible mistake!

Go!

The evil monk Bianji has been executed! None of you will be excused!

Hurry! Go! Go inside...

Allow me to kneel before you, Your Majesty.

Li Ji, do you know your sin?

Your Majesty, I do not know.

As a 3rd ranked official of the Secretariat,

you have failed to make contributions since you fought on the northern boundary.

You shall be held responsible for the poorly trained troops.

Instead of commanding our defence forces,

you're the newly appointed Military Governor of Diezhou.

You will be leaving Chang'an tonight.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sire.

Your Majesty!

Wang De.

Yes?

Fuji.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It's time to say goodbye.

I need to entrust something to you.

Your Majesty!

Gaoyang!

Gaoyang, please pull yourself together.

I have received a letter from Sis Wu. She needs our help.

How can we help her?

She wants to see Father one last time.

Fuji.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You and I will soon be parted forever.

Your Majesty!

I'll be waiting for you there, but there's no rush.

After you have done your part in assisting Zhinu, come see me.

There's no rush.

You have my promise, Your Majesty! If you want me to stay, I won't go anywhere!