Original subtitles

♪Shrugging off past burdens♪

♪Beneath the mask, who am I?♪

♪Release and find wider shores♪

♪Love's a riddle, and rain pours heavy♪

♪Crossed paths, now downward fall♪

♪From dust arises starlight's spark♪

♪Tearing through the night's dense blockade♪

♪Heart's flame illuminates all solitude♪

♪Let time's sails drift endlessly♪

♪Through wandering exile♪

♪Breaking free from the cocoon, I start anew♪

♪Moon as song, life as flame♪

♪Nameless heart clings fiercely♪

♪Let me♪

♪Charge toward the next raging river♪

♪Moon darts, snow falls♪

♪We tread rugged paths to reunite♪

♪Hands held tight♪

♪We forever live for love's sake♪

♪Shadow's spear burns fiercely♪

=Legend of The Female General=

=Episode 31=

But I promise you.

Soon,

you'll be more regretful.

Rufei.

Don't think

becoming Marquis Wu'an

makes you invincible.

I killed you once,

and I can kill you again.

Killing trash like you

isn't worth dirtying my sword.

S-Stop...

Since childhood,

I've shouldered

the family heir's responsibilities.

I earned glory

and the title of General Feihong

to bring glory to our family,

but I never imagined

I'd nearly die

by my own brother's hand.

Master He,

when you heard of He Yan's death,

what did you feel?

Bitter tears of grief

or a wave of relief?

This is

our mansion.

How dare you act recklessly here!

Since you said so,

if I don't make some trouble,

it'd be impolite.

What exactly do you want?

I am

very curious.

Who exactly

are you referring to?

Second only to the Emperor

and above all others.

Who else could stir such chaos

besides you,

Chancellor Xu?

Well played, General Xiao.

With just a few words,

you've slung mud at me

and General He.

Where's your proof?

Surely not just

your baseless accusations?

No need to panic, Chancellor.

How could you be certain

we lack evidence?

Taotao's drug

actually works pretty well.

(Just like when I lived here before.)

(Almost nothing's changed.)

Guards!

Guards!

Get in here now!

Young Master.

Master.

Master.

Untie me.

Move!

Where's He Yan?

What are you doing?

Find He Yan immediately!

Rufei.

Rufei!

Master.

The Linglong Box.

Long time no see.

Guards!

Guards!

Guards!

Chaos finally erupts.

Seal off

the entire room.

Don't let her escape!

- Yes! - Yes!

They arrived faster

than I expected.

Good.

She's after

my letters with Chancellor Xu.

(You won't leave alive.)

Quick! Guards!

Keep searching!

Yes!

Check this area.

Yes.

Any traces?

Nothing.

Keep looking.

This area, too.

Sir.

Why are you here?

For Sun Ling.

Sir.

This death row inmate is involved in

a case supervised

by the Ministry of Justice.

Not long ago,

he was transferred from Yezhou for trial,

waiting to be killed.

The higher-ups ordered strict supervision.

Without a reason...

It's you, Mr. Chu.

This way, sir.

After you.

Right this way.

Please enter, sir.

You may leave now.

Yes.

Sun Ling.

You...

You are...

C-Chu Zhao?

It's me.

You...

Why are you here?

You're behind bars

and to be executed soon.

I...

I want to live!

I want to live!

Mr. Chu!

Mr. Chu!

I want to live!

Save me!

Save me! I don't want to die!

Your crime is grave.

No one can save you.

But...

But?

But what?

I can let you

avenge your father

while still breathing.

(Account Book)

This...

This is the ledger

of my father's transactions

with Xu Jingfu!

H-How did this end up with you?

Correct.

Your father worked diligently

to embezzle money for him,

only to be sacrificed as a scapegoat.

Dragging your entire family down.

Quite tragic.

Stop the false compassion.

You're partly responsible for

my father's death.

But

(Account Book) that old fox Xu Jingfu

is the real culprit

who destroyed my family!

My father cherished me dearly.

How could I not avenge him?

(Transactions)

Tell me.

What should I do?

I want you to surrender this ledger

and expose

Xu Jingfu's corruption and bribery.

Officially,

I was never here today.

Correct?

Yes.

Yes.

Father.

Yan.

Mother...

(Spirit Tablet of Daughter He Yan)

(She burns incense, chants scriptures)

(and prays)

(for me daily.)

(So in this mansion,)

(there's still someone who remembers me,)

(remembers He Yan.)

Madam He.

Is anyone in the shrine?

Don't disturb my prayers.

All of you, out!

- Yes! - Yes!

Quickly.

Leave!

Go now!

Hurry!

Go!

Anything?

Nothing.

Found her?

- No. - No.

Rufei.

What is

all this commotion about?

Madam.

Did you happen to

see anyone earlier?

I haven't seen anyone.

Rufei.

Rufei.

(Spirit Tablet of Daughter He Yan)

Rufei.

Rufei.

Rufei, don't be like this.

This is your sister's tablet.

Don't.

Let go!

Rufei.

You let her escape.

Is that so?

Enough.

We've had enough tea.

General Xiao.

Since you intend to fabricate evidence

to frame me,

then go ahead quickly.

My lord,

Mr. Xiao's man

is outside,

saying

to report something.

Chancellor,

my guard carries no weapons.

Surely you won't obstruct him?

You jest, General Xiao.

Do you recognize this Linglong Box?

Of course.

After all, His Majesty

publicly bestowed it upon General Feihong.

You

surely remember.

This is General He's stuff.

How did this end up in your hands?

Wasn't it you

who told us to search for evidence?

He Yan happened to be

at the He Mansion today

and retrieved her Linglong Box.

This box contains

intricate mechanisms,

perfect for concealing important items.

He Rufei thought the same,

believing

by keeping

certain life-saving evidence

in here,

he could rest easy.

Unluckily,

it still fell into our hands.

Send him out.

Today,

He Yan came to my residence,

attempting to steal

our letters.

What a pity.

Her schemes

still failed.

I never expected

to find anything here.

I got back this box

simply because it

belonged to

General Feihong.

Seeing this,

Xu Jingfu would assume

I've obtained evidence

from He Rufei,

regardless of

its actual contents.

After this,

I doubt

Xu Jingfu will continue

to believe He Rufei.

(To He Rufei) Show me.

The letters are safe.

Rest assured, Chancellor.

Then show me.

Chancellor,

you already know

the content of these letters.

You just need to know

He Yan

took no evidence with her.

That's enough.

You fear my scrutiny?

Correct?

You distrust me?

Xu Jingfu is cunning.

He won't trust easily.

When I dealt with Xu Jingfu today

at his mansion,

he remained composed

until he saw this Linglong Box.

Then panic set in.

Of course.

He might disregard other things,

but those letters

were written by him personally.

They're irrefutable evidence.

He can't deny it.

He Rufei doesn't

trust Xu Jingfu either.

It seems

he wouldn't hand over

those letters to him.

After all,

that's the only bargaining chip he has

against Xu Jingfu.

So from the beginning,

my goal wasn't actually

to obtain the so-called evidence.

Time was too tight

to find anything.

It was just a feint.

We just need to make Xu Jingfu believe

that we've obtained evidence

from He Rufei.

Both of them harbor guilty secrets.

Trust died long ago.

The rupture awaits them.

Just

not tonight yet.

No matter.

It'll come soon enough.

Enough.

Keep these safe.

Don't let them fall into the wrong hands.

Thank you, Chancellor.

I'll guard them with my life.

As you witnessed today,

He Yan came to your mansion triumphantly

to flaunt her victory.

This was clearly retaliation.

Xiao Jue and her

came fully prepared.

It appears

we must strike first.

What's your plan?

We must deal with Xiao Jue now.

At least,

we must strip him of military authority.

At the morning court in two days,

I'll handle him myself.

As for He Yan,

that's your responsibility.

At your service, Chancellor.

(Xiao Mansion)

Who is this?

This is

Madam He.

(The Xiao Mansion and He Mansion are far apart.)

(She deliberately detoured,)

(probably to see me.)

Thank you

for that day, madam.

No need for thanks.

I'm glad you're safe.

It's all that counts.

How have you been?

Have your injuries healed completely?

I've fully recovered.

No need for concern.

(Xiao Mansion)

Yeah.

Leaving the He Mansion

was the best for you.

Madam He.

There are ears.

Be discreet.

But...

Return home.

Take care of yourself.

Your Majesty,

Wutuo envoy Maningbu

arrived in the capital yesterday.

In my humble opinion,

we should host a banquet

in three days

to showcase

our reputation as a civilized nation.

What do you think, Your Majesty?

Approved.

Maningbu's visit

is under orders from the Wutuo King

to establish peace,

cease hostilities between us,

and establish a pact

for perpetual amity.

Wutuo has proposed three terms

for the peace negotiations.

First,

Wei and Wutuo

shall be brotherly nations.

Your Majesty, being elder,

shall be addressed as elder brother by the Wutuo King.

This hierarchy shall continue for future generations.

Second,

both sides shall withdraw troops.

Border cities of both nations shall maintain

current defensive structures.

No new fortifications shall be constructed.

And the third point?

Both sides at the border

shall establish a market

and conduct mutual commerce

with profits split equally.

That's the third proposal.

Preposterous!

Wutuo people are cunning.

We can't trust them!

- Exactly. - No.

If this can prevent war,

it's worth trying.

Chancellor Xu,

Mr. Xiao,

what are your thoughts?

In my humble opinion,

since we

want friendly relations with Wutuo,

establishing trade markets

is acceptable.

Our cooperation

will bring mutual benefits

and greatly aid our people's livelihoods.

Setting aside

the fairness

of this 50-50 split,

I want to ask you,

where does Wutuo plan

to build this market?

Mingshui.

How can it be placed there?

Outrageous!

Unthinkable!

This goes too far!

A provocation!

We cannot agree!

A humiliation!

Clearly intentional!

True.

We mustn't agree.

Your Majesty,

I object.

Mingshui

is our strategic border fortress.

Placing the market there

would leave Wei vulnerable

if war reignites.

Moreover,

Mingshui

holds the remains of 30,000

Xiao Army soldiers.

Does Wutuo's proposal

show genuine sincerity

for peace with Wei?

This insults Wei's dignity!

They hold treacherous intentions!

The Xiao Army

serves our nation.

From marshals to foot soldiers,

it is their duty

to fall in battle.

But General Fengyun,

you cling to past grievances,

ignoring the greater good.

How does this honor

our fallen warriors?

Soldiers die in war,

only to become

bargaining chips for others.

General He, if you want compromise,

you may,

but

don't make your gains off their sacrifice.

To me,

until we expose

the Mingshui Battle traitor,

this matter

remains unresolved.

Mr. Xiao,

rise.

Your Majesty,

Wutuo's schemes are endless.

Today's peace treaty

will bring more demands tomorrow.

Must we

repeat the tragedies in Mingshui

and Huayuan?

How many armies do we have

to feed Wutuo's slaughter?

Next,

shall we cede territory?

Pay reparations?

Offer peace marriages?

- T-This... - Yeah.

He speaks the truth!

There's no bottom line!

How dare you!

What's next?

Wei's imminent collapse?

Such audacity!

Is it because I've treated

you too kindly

that you've become

so oblivious to propriety,

arrogant

and insolent in court?

Get out of my sight!

Reflect at home!

Establishing markets

and signing treaties are important.

We'll revisit this.

Leave.

Court adjourned.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

We mustn't fall into Wutuo's scheme.

Indeed.

Xiao Jue is already under house arrest.

Why do you still appear

so troubled?

Xiao Jue is insignificant.

I promised Maningbu

that I'd ensure

the trade market establishment.

Earlier, His Majesty

might've punished Xiao Jue,

but he didn't approve

the trade market proposal.

He no longer obeys me

as blindly as before.

Is this fanfare

enough?

Any grander

and Yaojing might gain

a surplus of deaf citizens.

Is this the top scholar's parade?

No exams were held this year.

No champion to celebrate.

Besides, look at the rider.

Rugged features,

coarse demeanor.

He's unlike

any scholar.

In my view,

this must be a wedding procession.

But no bridal attire.

And marrying so late in life

yet making a spectacle?

How...

How embarrassing!

Shameful.

Well?

Did I do it well?

Commander Li,

long time no see.

(Ganming Pavilion)

Arrest the owner.

He's a Wutuo spy in disguise

who's lurked here for years.

Everyone,

bring all findings

straight to the Ministry of War.

(Ganming Pavilion) Trinkets, toys.

Take a look.

Someone!

Someone!

Someone!

Someone!

Someone!

Sun Ling,

stay still!

I...

What are you doing?

I demand an appeal.

I accuse the current Chancellor

Xu Jingfu!

Nonsense!

I'm not lying!

This ledger

is proof.

With Li Kuang,

General Feihong's old friend, here,

Xu Jingfu and He Rufei

must be losing sleep over this.

More than that.

Mr. Chu

must have visited

Xu Jingfu's residence,

bearing more ill tidings.

Sir.

You've been occupied with state affairs.

What brings you here today?

I've learned

Li Kuang

entered the capital publicly.

I've heard of it.

What else?

Speak plainly.

Sun Xiangfu's son Sun Ling

was brought to the capital

and has completed trial,

awaiting execution.

Facing imminent death,

he's making his last move.

He suddenly surrendered an account book,

saying

to accuse you.

What is he accusing me of?

Of instigating Sun Xiangfu

to commit large-scale corruption and bribery.

I underestimated this man.

I always thought he was a fool.

I never expected

he would have

the audacity for a deathbed struggle.

I took the liberty

of having this matter silenced.

The account book is destroyed.

As for Sun Ling,

he's already on death row.

Currently held in isolation

under strict guard.

There's no need to worry.

Excellent.

You're thorough.

By the way,

on my way here earlier, I heard

the owner of Ganming Pavilion

was arrested

for unknown reasons.

Master,

are you alright?

With Li Kuang's arrival,

the closure of the shop,

and Sun Ling's report,

he will make desperate moves.

Not enough yet.

We need one last spark.

But that spark

will soon ignite the flames.

Zilan,

your information network

is remarkably efficient.

Merely hearsay.

What a coincidence.

My passing by

wasn't accidental.

It was Pingting

who heard about their new tea

and dragged me to sample it,

preparing to buy it for you.

But unexpectedly,

the shop got into trouble.

If you have doubts,

simply ask Pingting

to verify the truth.

I was just asking.

Don't take it to heart.

Have some tea.

Master.

Chancellor,

I come bearing

His Majesty's decree.

By the imperial decree,

Wutuo insists on establishing the market

at our strategic stronghold

and demands equal profit splitting.

They show no flexibility

and lack sincerity.

Therefore,

further negotiations are pointless.

Yes,

Your Majesty.

Please.

Xu Jingfu must be

in disarray by now.

Mr. Chu is his prized student.

He'll surely

seek Mr. Chu's counsel.

The question is

what advice Mr. Chu will offer.

Here.

Take the white pieces.

Try to break this deadlock.

Chu Zhao is Xu Jingfu's student,

so their methods align naturally.

They'll likely escalate tensions

to reap third-party benefits.

This approach harms you

without damaging the enemy.

Don't you want to solve this?

Only by burning our boats

can we break this deadlock.

Good.

Master,

General He is outside.

Let him in.

You have a visitor.

I shall take my leave.

Earlier,

Maningbu sent word again.

He says the banquet is the deadline.

Chancellor,

what should we do now?

If His Majesty agrees,

all will be well.

If he refuses,

we'll replace him with someone compliant.

(Xiao Mansion)

Why is everyone here?

Waiting for me?

What can I do for you?

Just tell me.

Yan,

I can't offer much help,

but I'll await good news.

I don't know

what you're planning to do,

but I'm certain

you'll achieve your goal.

Don't you have

anything to tell me?

Return victorious.

Thank you all.

Tonight's banquet

will bring the final resolution.

I'll reclaim what's rightfully mine.

♪Light shines upon my heart♪

♪Unveiling scars, I choose to swim upstream♪

♪The resonance of courage rings loud and clear♪

♪It's the boldness that defines existence♪

♪I've seen the mountains♪

♪And trodden through ice♪

♪Day after day, I venture alone♪

♪Destiny is my creed♪

♪Ideals surge beneath the surface♪

♪Igniting the flame against the winds♪

♪A restless yearning in my soul♪

♪Gazing through the mire♪

♪Who cares about this boundless void♪

♪Charge ahead with blazing fervor♪

♪Stubbornly fighting with my life♪

♪Soaring across the world's expanse♪

♪There must always be a longing♪

♪Disregard the wounds to seek the light♪

♪Light shines upon my heart♪

♪Unveiling scars, I choose to swim upstream♪

♪The resonance of courage rings loud and clear♪

♪It's the boldness that defines existence♪

♪Chasing the light within my heart♪

♪Burying frailty, embracing life through death♪

♪You'll meet gazes where storms brew♪

♪With our unwavering true love, brave the world with me♪

♪Soaring across the world's expanse♪

♪There must always be a longing♪

♪Disregard the wounds to seek the light♪

♪Light shines upon my heart♪

♪Unveiling scars, I choose to swim upstream♪

♪The resonance of courage rings loud and clear♪

♪It's the boldness that defines existence♪

♪Chasing the light within my heart♪

♪Burying frailty, embracing life through death♪

♪You'll meet gazes where storms brew♪

♪With our unwavering true love, brave the world with me♪