Original subtitles

Your Honour, the Prince of Wu is the owner of Luoyun Villa.

I want you to take over the 16 divisions of Imperial Guards.

I also need your help with something else.

Meiniang gave me a son,

I want to make her my Royal Consort.

If I refuse,

you won't make me a general?

Of course not! It's a separate matter.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into this.

Maybe it's just a coincidence.

I've already told you,

I don't want to see those I care about suffer anymore grievances.

That includes you...and Meiniang.

Please...

I'll go first!

Protect His Majesty!

You...

Qingxuan, what are you doing?

She wants to kill me!

You...

Please forgive her, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, I beg you to forgive her!

Please spare her life!

What are you doing?

Get up! I don't want you to beg!

He's jealous of you and doubts you.

Why must you remain loyal to him?

Why would you ruin your future? Why?

You'll regret it!

Nonsense!

He's my brother!

Your Majesty, she lost her head.

Please don't listen to her!

I beg you to spare her life!

I beg you...

Don't beg him!

I don't want you to beg!

He should be begging you!

You should be high and mighty, respected and worshipped by all.

You should be the Emperor!

Get up, I don't want to see you like this!

Don't grovel on your knees!

Get up, Your Highness!

Get up... Protect His Majesty!

Qingxuan...

Let's go, Your Majesty!

Come on... Qingxuan...

Let's go!

Why did you do it?

How could you be so stupid?

You must become the Emperor. Understand?

Qingxuan...

Your Majesty, the Prince of Wu...

Someone tried to assassinate me.

He just saved my life!

Back to the Palace!

No, go to the Minister's Residence.

Aye!

Greetings, Milady!

Congratulations on your safe delivery!

Congratulations to the Prince of Dai for being named "Hong".

You were once a gifted Minister,

I'm honoured to have you on board.

You flatter me.

Since I was banished to Zhengzhou,

I've kept in touch with Minister Li and slowly come to realise

poor scholars like us, despite our rank,

are nothing but withered flowers with no backing.

If we don't want the aristocrats to control our future,

our only choice is to follow you, Milady.

I'm able to return to Chang'an,

I owe His Majesty and I owe you my eternal gratitude.

My only regret is Chu Suiliang is also back.

Life is full of disappointments.

There's no need to take this to heart.

You're quite right!

What can we do for you?

The full version of the Records of Clans,

I believe you're both familiar with.

It's a record of all the clans of Tang,

starting with the royal family of Li,

kinsmen and other aristocrats.

Ordinary folks will not be listed.

Poor scholars like us have such a dismal future

largely because of this record.

I asked you here to discuss 2 tasks.

The first one, I hope you can compile a separate record

that can counteract the Records of Clans,

one that will include poor scholars

or one that will make the names of the aristocrats disappear for good.

I understand.

I understand.

The second task,

I want you to find 2 people.

Who are they?

A doctor who can cure fengji.

A make-believe con artist.

Aye!

Why are you here at this hour?

Qingxuan and I were old acquaintances.

She died so suddenly, I feel I should pay her my last respects.

Don't you think her death was not worth it?

She was killed in a failed attempt to assassinate His Majesty.

She can't blame anyone.

Only because Zhinu is jealous and suspicious of you,

and allowed Uncle to hold you back.

Or else Qingxuan wouldn't have risked all over some armours of unknown origin.

Honestly, you used Qingxuan's death to prove your loyalty, or else

Uncle would have locked you up already.

Shut up!

If Zhinu believed you, Qingxuan would be still alive.

Shut up!

You already killed Qingxuan, now you want to kill me?

I know what you're up to.

You've been secretly seeing Qingxuan.

You think I didn't know?

I knew it!

You're not as loyal as you claim to be.

I don't want you to go further astray.

You'd better think about your own future!

Even if Zhinu trusts you,

Uncle would only come down on you harder than ever.

What's the use of you staying in Chang'an?

But now I have an idea.

You can be in control of your life again.

If you want to be a loyal courtier, that's your choice.

You should ask Zhinu to transfer you away from Chang'an.

Then come back in a year for the anniversary of Father's birthday.

Milady! Big trouble!

What happened?

Someone tried to assassinate His Majesty at the Prince of Wu's mansion.

I heard His Highness saved him.

How is His Majesty? Is he hurt? Where is he now?

He's fine, Milady!

After he left the Prince of Wu, he went straight to see Li Ji.

I believe he's fine.

But he left Li Ji after dark, he should be back in the Palace by now.

But he has not returned to Ganlu Hall.

Let's go!

It's late, Your Majesty!

It's raining. You should go back.

You'll catch a cold if you stay by the water for too long.

Is Meiniang still waiting for me?

She had been waiting for you in Ganlu Hall since 7 o'clock.

But she just left.

Let's go.

What is it, Your Majesty!

I thought you left.

I lied to Wang De. Please forgive me.

Why did you wait for me?

Originally I wanted you to say good night to Hong'er

before he goes to bed.

Then I heard about the assassination.

I wanted to make sure you're fine.

I was late.

You're not late.

You just didn't want to see me.

What happened?

All these years, you have never tried to avoid me.

I don't want to disappoint you.

But you've already done that.

Not because you failed to do anything.

But because you're hiding something from me,

and didn't want to face it with me.

We already have a child.

What is it you can't tell me?

I was feeling a bit agitated.

Ke saved my life again and again.

Yet I still doubt him. I feel guilty about it.

Then I went to see Li Ji.

I offered to promote his son

and gave him 10 carts of gold and silver articles and silk and satin.

But when I wanted to name him a Sikong,

he used his ill health as an excuse and turned me down outright.

I set aside my pride as the Emperor to visit my courtier at his home,

yet I failed in the end.

I feel awful when I think of what happened today.

So I wanted some peace and quiet by myself.

Perhaps you should get used to and be prepared for such results.

You're the Emperor, you should know how to deal with them.

You can choose to trust someone, but never put all your hopes in him,

whether this person is your brother or a courtier.

Emperor? I have been on the throne for a few years,

not only am I under my courtiers' control in state affairs,

but also I don't even have the power to give a title to the woman I love.

I'm not worthy of being the Emperor or a husband.

I'm sorry, Meiniang!

I won't accept your apology.

You're my husband and the Emperor.

The Emperor does not apologise.

When faced with a predicament,

my man can be angry, but never depressed.

You can rack your brains to solve your problem,

but never grumble and blame someone else.

Still want to be by yourself?

Go ahead!

I'll go back to Hong'er.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, a letter from the Prince of Wu.

Hong'er...

Hong'er...

Greetings, Your Majesty!

Here...

Slowly...It's hot!

Meiniang,

I've figured it out.

I've figured out how I can get Li Ji to take my side.

Your Majesty!

If I can make Uncle cross Li Ji's bottom line and it will do.

Meiniang, just imagine they kept state and army affairs separate.

If I help Uncle extend his influence into the army,

such as give Pei Xingjian and his lot

more opportunities to earn merit in the Western Regions.

I believe the most celebrated General Li Ji will no longer stand on the sideline.

But this is a long process.

It may take up to a year or more.

I understand.

Next...

I'll send Ke to Songzhou as the Military Governor.

Why?

You still doubt him?

He wrote me a letter last night and volunteered.

Uncle controls the Court and he's backed by the Guanlong aristocrats.

We can't change the situation overnight.

Even if I give Ke an important post, he's still unable to go up against Uncle.

Just like yesterday, he saved my life,

but Uncle was still suspicious of him and tried to fabricate a charge against him.

And there was nothing I could do about it.

We both think it's time for a change.

That's why you'll send him to Songzhou so that he can lay low for a while.

I'll secretly back him up.

I'll summon him back in a year for the anniversary of Father's birthday.

He'll bring with him an elite division.

Then the time will be right for the Guanlong aristocrats

to follow Uncle's lead to step down.

Come...

It's time, Your Majesty!

You're due at the morning assembly.

I have to go.

Long live Your Majesty...

At ease!

Anything to report?

Your Majesty!

The Military Governor Liu Mucang of Songzhou is getting on in years.

It's getting difficult for him to run Songzhou.

He's asking for your understanding, so that he can retire and go home.

Military Governor Liu has worked hard for Tang all his life,

it's time he takes things easy.

I approve. I hereby reward him with 100 acres of farm land

and 2 carts of silk and satin.

I thank Your Majesty on his behalf.

Your Majesty,

Songzhou is a strategic pass of Henan District,

and the Military Governor post is of utmost importance.

If Military Governor Liu is retiring,

we need a replacement as soon as possible.

I already have someone in mind.

I'm appointing the Prince of Wu.

Aye, Your Majesty!

The Prince of Wu has just earned His Majesty's grace,

and has such a bright future.

What a shame yesterday's assassination attempt

ruined everything for him.

But I heard he saved His Majesty's life.

You're both mistaken.

I heard a different version.

His Highness objected to giving Zhaoyi Wu a consort title, and enraged His Majesty.

I see.

Father, with the shipment of armours and weapons,

we could have charged and punished Li Ke for treason.

But as fate would have it,

Yang Qingxuan was the mastermind behind the assassination,

while Li Ke managed to save His Majesty.

We couldn't charge him with treason.

Now that Li Ke is leaving,

what should we do?

Yang Qingxuan's guilt doesn't necessarily clear Li Ke.

But at the moment, His Majesty feels grateful and guilty towards Li Ke,

so anything bad about Li Ke His Majesty simply won't listen.

If he's determined to send him to Songzhou, let him go.

We must closely monitor his each and every move in Songzhou.

Aye!

Come on, smile...

Smile... Meiniang!

What brings you to Penglai Hall?

I was bored silly at the Fang mansion, so I came to see Hong'er.

Let me see...

You look sleepy.

Did Hong'er keep you awake?

No, he was a good boy.

You suppose when Hong'er grows up,

he'll take after his Father or Mother?

He's a boy after all.

If he's kind like his Father, I'll be very pleased.

I'll be contented!

All newborn babies are so adorable.

Just look at him, he's so cute he can melt a heart of steel.

Is that why you have given up on revenge?

Come...

Take him outside! Aye!

Don't say that in front of the baby!

I know.

I've been thinking... now that you have Hong'er

you should set aside the grudge you have with the Empress.

After all, there's no end to revenge.

If the baby got hurt in the process, you would lose more than you gained.

Yesterday, it was midnight when I came back to Penglai Hall.

Hong'er was fast asleep in his cradle.

I was so content looking at him

that I forgot to go to sleep myself,

and before I knew it, it was dawn.

I have lost one baby and the killer is still in the Palace.

Not until the Empress meets her downfall will I give up.

Consort Xiao is bent on making Sujie the Crown Prince.

You think she'll go easy on Hong'er?

So you've been biding your time?

Over this past year,

I've been watching the Empress and Consort Xiao.

They're taking every precaution against me.

It won't be easy to go after them.

I already have a plan.

But the time is not right yet.

What kind of plan?

The more plans you make these days, the less you tell me.

But I understand.

Day and night, at all times, you're making plans for Hong'er.

Yes, the better I plan for him now the easier it'll be for him later.

Milady, Princess...

this morning His Majesty issued an edict to send the Prince of Wu to Songzhou.

I know.

You may go!

Aye!

Zhinu banished Ke from Chang'an?

Because of the assassination?

I better speak to him! Gaoyang!

His Majesty already issued the edict.

Everyone in Court bore witness to it.

What can you say to him?

You expect him to rescind his own order?

Meiniang, this edict... you knew about it, right?

They say the assassin was Yang Qingxuan who served Ke.

Can't blame Zhinu for being suspicious.

Before Yang Qingxuan was killed, did she say anything?

Don't worry!

She confessed she plotted the assassination.

His Highness was not involved.

There are things I can't tell you now.

But you must trust me. His Highness' departure from Chang'an

is a good thing both for him and for His Majesty.

Let's have a drink. Consider this our farewell drink. Cheers!

If you give us your consent,

we'll submit a joint petition and ask His Majesty to revoke the order.

Don't! You'll only embarrass His Majesty,

and catch Zhangsun Wuiji's attention.

I'm leaving, but you must stay in Chang'an.

Why did His Majesty send you to Songzhou?

Because of yesterday's assassination?

But you saved His Majesty!

His Majesty took it out on His Highness

because he failed to name Zhaoyi Wu as consort.

If that's the case, it's really too scary.

If the late Emperor were alive,

he would never let His Majesty engage in such nonsense over a woman.

If the late Emperor were alive,

he would never let His Majesty and Zhaoyi Wu...

Shut up!

Whatever His Majesty is thinking, we can't stop him.

As courtiers, we must pledge our allegiance to Tang.

What you said have insulted His Majesty. It's punishable by death!

Your Highness, we're loyal to Tang

but the state should belong to someone virtuous and capable.

You're carrying the late Emperor's blood.

We're more willing to follow you than His Majesty.

We will follow you...

Enough! I don't want to hear this again.

We'll follow your lead.

If you forbid it, we won't mention it again.

Get up!

There's one more thing I must tell you.

I don't want anyone to see me off tomorrow.

It's for your own good.

Yang Qingxuan deserved to die for the assassination attempt.

What if she got you involved?

I went to see Meiniang this morning. It's alright.

The things I told you, did you repeat that to Ke?

I told him everything.

We knelt before him and told him we're willing to follow his lead.

But as you have expected, he turned us down.

If you knew he'd turn us down, why did you ask me to say those things?

Words have magic power.

Ideas often just linger in one's mind

like a seed not exposed to rain and sunshine,

they cannot germinate.

After a while they will wither.

But if ideas were actually put into words,

whether by oneself or someone else,

they could keep one motivated, keep one moving forward.

The idea may become a reality.

Gaoyang, are you sure about this?

If not, our clan will be finished.

If you're afraid, go tell Zhinu.

Then you can save your life and protect the future of the Fang clan.

Don't you know how I feel?

I'll do anything for you... Focus on the game!

It's a lost course.

I'll sleep in the study tonight.

Go to bed early!

Wait! The game is far from being over.

Who knows how it'll end? Maybe you'll win!

Impossible!

Gaoyang!

Keep playing!

Great!

If you lose, get out of my room.

Very well

Li Yifu, I was told you have something to tell me?

Milady,

I passed by the Prince of Wu's mansion at 9 o'clock tonight.

He left in a coach through the back door.

He usually rides a horse.

The coach was probably a cover up.

9 o'clock is rather late.

What were you doing there?

You're trying to curry favour with him?

Please understand you have my undying loyalty.

I only want an extra option so as to serve you better.

This is your way of survival,

I don't care and there's no need to explain.

You can see what others cannot.

Since His Majesty ascended the throne,

I have been optimistic about the Prince of Wu's future.

But I have no way of making his acquaintance

His Majesty just issued the edict.

Most people couldn't wait to avoid him.

If you choose to give him timely help,

it means you have a discerning eye.

You chose to act at 9 o'clock, means you're very careful.

That's a good thing.

Tell me, what did you see?

I was thinking, he's leaving soon.

Where is he sneaking off to at this late hour?

Out of curiosity, I followed him.

Then I found out he was

secretly meeting someone in the woods outside Chang'an.