Original subtitles

=Moonlit Reunion=

(Adapted from Fu Hua's novel "Madam Mei's Husband Spoiling")

=Episode 20=

You...

What exactly did you do?

To kill this Mei,

I left no room for error.

This formation

is intricate and mysterious.

Unless they find its core.

Even if they do,

someone will die.

Why must they die?

It's a blood-and-flesh trap.

It requires a sacrifice of blood and flesh.

Ouch.

Sorry.

When were you affected?

The incense in your carriage...

You weren't affected?

The incense Jiya left in the carriage

was clearly a trap for you.

You came to Lin'an River

because of me?

I wonder what's happening outside.

What's going on?

The records in Mystic Appraisal Bureau's Records Vault state

that dark magic formations use blood and flesh as a guide.

That's the key to breaking it.

Where's the weak point?

Do you remember

the story of the man who stole the goddess's clothes?

I once said

you and I are different from them,

not because of our different genders,

but because

I can't put you in danger.

That's why I didn't say it.

I regret it.

Back then, in the flower fields of western outskirts,

I had the intention,

but was too afraid to act.

You...

Mei Zhuyu.

Mei Zhuyu!

(This must be the formation's core.)

Mei Zhuyu!

Mei Zhuyu!

(Only by piercing the core)

(can she be truly safe.)

Mei Zhuyu!

The formation

is broken.

Mei Zhuyu.

Mei Zhuyu!

Mei Zhuyu!

Mei Zhuyu.

Mei Zhuyu!

♪Holding a lamp, I saw through the night♪

Thank you.

♪Where is it?♪

♪Amidst the flickering gazes, schemes arise♪

♪Truest feelings concealed in the densest fog♪

♪The footsteps never stop♪

♪People are not alike, thus they take different paths♪

♪Yet I seek a redemption from meddling too much♪

♪Give the world an excuse♪

♪Imprisonment to realize♪

♪Who will be the first to surrender in the end?♪

♪I'll face the heavens and walk the stars♪

♪Hurrying into Chang'an's night♪

♪Flesh and blood can cut every demon♪

♪Ought to be tempered in karmic flames♪

♪A match for me♪

♪It must be clear or clouded♪

♪Accompanied by music and song♪

♪Never reunite in the moonlight♪

♪With those beside me, our shadows merge into flame♪

♪At this moment of restlessness♪

♪Drifting through a sea of countless lights♪

♪Watch me calm these raging waves♪

Jiya, you...

Since we broke the formation,

he'll naturally be devoured by the dark magic.

Zhen.

Seeing you safe,

I'm at ease.

Just now,

that book on the boat...

Jiya, could you have remembered wrong?

We never brought any books aboard.

But I clearly saw...

You shouldn't have practiced that suppression technique.

Look at you.

You're possessed

in broad daylight.

So

is that formation really your doing?

Zhen.

Could I speak with you alone?

Go ahead.

I just

learned this formation by chance.

It was just for fun.

For fun?

The two of us nearly lost our lives in there.

And you call that fun?

Zhen.

You misunderstood.

I didn't know you would step into the formation.

I would never harm you.

You won't harm me,

but you meant to harm others.

You're so scheming.

Knowing he already suspected you,

you lured him to Lin'an River

and even put knockout incense in my carriage.

Knockout incense?

Anyway,

I invited you here today

to bare my heart completely.

I have no intent to harm anyone.

If not for his constant meddling

and attempts to take you from me,

he wouldn't have fallen into the trap.

Indeed.

You're amazing.

Your games nearly killed someone.

I fear your return to Chang'an won't be so simple this time.

I wonder how much

of the recent ink demon chaos was your doing?

Zhen, I...

Ink made from Qijiao resin is worth a fortune.

How did Si manage to buy some?

Should he be thanking you for that?

(Young Master Pei purchased styrax ink.)

When did you first suspect me?

When you returned to Chang'an

and we first met in Ruyi Pavilion...

I rarely burn incense.

In all my years at Ruyi Pavilion,

everyone knows my preferences.

But on the day you came,

the attendant lit incense.

It was most unusual.

The moment the incense was lit,

I took you to be...

I took you to be someone else.

You're a master of incense.

Can you clear my doubts?

So your feelings for me

were false all this time?

I thought you already knew

my feelings.

It's alright if it were minor tricks like burning incense.

Why did you practice dark magic?

It was for you.

I want to win a place in your heart!

What do you mean by that?

I know

you don't like me.

You're strong, healthy, and skilled in martial arts.

And I'm

worthless and weak.

When I was young,

I secretly vowed

to grow strong one day.

Later,

I learned

about the suppression technique,

so

I sacrificed my right eye.

I thought I'd be no different from others

once I gained that power.

I might even be stronger.

Then I'd be worthy of you.

Now I've succeeded.

I can clearly

make you rely on me

and admire me.

Zhen.

Aren't we a better match?

Admire?

Rely?

Do you really like me?

Of course.

Zhen.

You're my one and only treasure.

When I was trapped in the formation,

did you ever feel the urge to risk everything to save me?

Easy to say,

but your actions

are far too honest.

Yes.

I hesitated,

but that's only human nature.

If it had been Mei Zhuyu, he would've done the same!

If he were in my place,

he would've hesitated too.

He would've also thought of himself first!

Zhen.

You think he'll love you and cherish you,

but would he give up his life to save you?

He wouldn't!

I don't need your help.

Pei Jiya.

If you don't want to suffer,

cooperate with me.

What are you doing?

Helping him.

Though the burning pain has eased,

your eye that used dark magic

will probably never heal.

You must rest and recover from now on.

If you remain stubborn,

no one will be able to save you.

Luckily, Kunzhou has scenic mountains and clear waters.

It's also full of talented people.

It's the best place to recuperate.

Kunzhou?

Jiya will return to Kunzhou.

Prepare to depart immediately.

Zhen...

You cultivated dark magic with your right eye.

Ending up like this is your own doing.

Or do you want His Majesty to find out about this?

Zhen.

You're heartless.

I've been heartless since childhood.

You should know that.

Let's go.

(Chang'an)

Thank you for taking care of me these past few days.

I...

I didn't really do anything.

I only stayed by your side.

You'll become my wife one day.

Looking after you

is only right.

(Chang'an)

Young Master Mei Si.

I advise you not to waste your time on me.

I will never be your wife.

Also,

don't forget what you promised me.

I swear I'll never tell anyone.

I'm leaving.

(Perhaps)

(it's because you're a demon)

(that you refuse to accept me.)

(But I believe)

(one day)

(you'll become my wife.)

Young Master, just forget it.

Why insist on Young Lady Wu?

I remember

stealing a kiss

from her as a child.

She beat me into tears.

That was when I knew

she was the one I wanted.

Because she was

the strongest and toughest woman I've ever seen.

If you say so.

But isn't this County Princess a little too tough?

She's not gentle at all.

You don't understand.

Every flower blooms differently.

If all were meek and docile,

proper and prim,

how boring would that be?

It's precisely women like her

who are more charming.

It's just that...

What?

It's just

that a tough woman

is still not meant to outshine me.

- Yes. - Yes.

I thought my suppression technique

could keep Zhen in check

and bend more to my will.

Unexpectedly,

that's all I got.

All these years,

how much money have you spent on that person?

You got nothing in the end.

If you ask me,

that person ought to be held accountable.

Indeed.

It's time to find him.

(The ink demon news has reached Quzhou. Leave Chang'an since it's settled.)

(Mei Zhuyu is indeed of our sect. Don't provoke him further.)

Why are you smiling?

The benefactor shared the news.

Mei Zhuyu is indeed a Celestial Master of Changxi Palace.

So what?

Mei Zhuyu must have hidden his identity

for a reason.

His fate with Zhen is unlikely to go smoothly.

They won't reach the end.

He'll still be the loser.

And I

will sit back and watch.

No, Sir.

You want a bath as soon as I got back.

I've squatted forever. My legs are numb.

Why aren't you in the water yet?

What do you know?

Bathing is important.

But before I enter the water,

I must draw on the power of the full moon

to restore my demonic power.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

We could fetch a big tub at home.

I'd sit by with a chair

and keep you company all night.

This Qiu Pond in the east

is where our kind was born.

It's not the same.

So?

You're still just a little loach.

What do you know?

I'm almost done.

Fine.

Master Xuan Hui.

Do you even know how to swim?

Don't tell me you've been swept away.

Sir.

Sir.

Sir!

Little mortal.

Don't you recognize me?

Sir.

You...

You've grown so big.

Well?

Don't I look rather imposing?

Indeed,

but...

But you scared me.

Little Loa...

Master Xuan Hui.

So this is what you look like.

Go away.

Kid.

Keep touching me,

and I'll bite you.

Adorable...

Oh, Sir.

Let go of me.

Aren't we friends?

Friends?

Friends?

Young Lady Liu.

Young Lady Liu.

Here's the surprise I told you about.

I even said I'd bring him to keep you company.

This is the "surprise" you spoke of?

And this is the Young Lady Liu you mentioned?

Since when does Serpent Master

befriend mortals?

Wait.

What did you call Young Lady Liu?

Even you can mingle with mortals,

why can't I?

Why can't you what?

That day, you couldn't defeat me.

Who would have thought

you'd end up taken in by him?

Yes, I took him in.

"Took me in"?

It was a delaying tactic.

Delaying tactic?

No, what are you two talking about?

I don't understand a word.

Can you explain?

- Quiet! - Quiet!

Fine, you two talk.

Wicked demon, Xuan Hui,

massacred demons

and bears unforgivable sins.

Do you admit your guilt?

Why?

Guilty?

What crime have I committed?

They deserved to die.

Why did they deserve death?

What right do you have to decide their fate?

Today,

I will drag you back to Demon Prison.

Enough talk.

I'll never return to Demon Market.

Young Lady Liu, look out!

- You just shed your skin. - Young Lady Liu.

You're weak.

If you want to catch me,

it's not that easy.

Don't you dare harm Young Lady Liu!

Why did you rush out?

You can hurt me,

but don't hurt Young Lady Liu.

Young Lady Liu?

You're protected by a mere mortal.

You haven't changed.

You're still as shameless as ever.

It's my duty

to capture you and bring you to justice.

How impartial.

Not even sparing your own kin.

Zhen?

Kitty?

This...

This...

Zhen my foot.

She's the Cat Master of Demon Market.

Cat Master?

There's even a Cat Master?

Kitty.

What are you doing?

Si.

By right,

we shouldn't reveal our powers before mortals.

But you've been with Xuan Hui for so long

and even saw Serpent Master shed its skin.

I doubt we can keep it from you anymore.

Cat Master?

So you all knew from the start.

Si, I'm leaving too.

Alright, Zhen.

This strike

is for colluding with Hui Sect

and setting fire against me at Sky Lantern Festival.

This strike

is for the ink demon chaos,

where you sowed discord.

If you insist on dragging me back to Demon Market,

you might as well kill me now.

That's not for you to decide.

Wait.

Do you know

why he committed those crimes?

He's a wicked demon.

I don't care what his reasons are.

I retrieved his Mirror of Clarity

and uncovered his past.

Take a look.

Give it back.

Give it back.

Don't move.

Here, get up.

Little Ying Dragon.

We meet again.

Don't move.

How could this be?

Young Lady Liu.

Those lesser demons bullied him so cruelly,

leaving him humiliated.

Has your Demon Market

ever punished those lesser demons?

The Ying Dragon clan rose from nothing.

Especially the black serpents.

They were looked down upon when they were young.

I saw the wounds on him

and thought it was just rough play among lesser demons.

I never expected...

You call these wounds

"rough play among lesser demons"?

"Fight back yourself".

This is what you told me.

I did as you said,

so why punish me now?

I'm not wrong.

I'm not wrong.

I'm not wrong!

Serpent Master.

You handled

his case.

Now you know the whole story even better.

You can decide

his punishment.

Xuan Hui.

You slaughtered many demons.

Your sins are well-deserved.

But you're worthy of sympathy.

The punishment before

was indeed too harsh.

In the name of Serpent Master,

I pardon the remaining 20 years

of your sentence.

Even so,

I won't return to Demon Market.

I will become a Ying Dragon.

Then don't return.

Though he made mistakes,

he had his reasons.

I think

we can trust him once.

Since you're about to ascend,

spend this time

in the mortal world.

Si.

Zhen, I swear

I won't say a word of this to anyone.

Once we're back in Chang'an,

keep an eye on him.

Zhen.

I'm just a mortal. Keep an eye on a demon?

Are you sure?

Aren't you two friends?

I'm just worried I can't keep him in line.

You call him Sir?

He told me to call him that.

In the demon world, by seniority,

Xuan Hui

has to call Young Lady Liu "Sister".

So what should you call Young Lady Liu?

Sir's Sister?

Which means I have to call Young Lady Liu...

Grandaunt.

Come on, support me.

Sir.

Is Young Lady Liu so senior

in the demon world?

Enough nonsense.

What are you doing here?

I'm waiting for you.

I have something to tell you.

I've been living here for a while now.

It wouldn't be appropriate if others saw.

Now that Young Master Pei's matter is settled,

I should head back today.

I don't care what people say about me.

But I care what they say about you.

♪Sighing at the fleeting lights of the human world♪

♪Flowers bloom in splendor, then wither away♪

♪Old dreams linger in my heart♪

♪The past gets engraved, yet leaving no trace♪

♪Flickering candle shadows stir the sorrow of parting♪

♪The seasons turn, time slips away♪

♪The night rain falls sparse♪

♪Even tears remain silent♪

♪They drift away with the stars♪

♪One glance back, and the years are worn with age♪

♪You are my one desire, lasting♪

Does it hurt?

♪The end of time♪

♪If the story could be rewritten and all things changed♪

Sorry.

It's my fault.

From this day on,

I will never allow myself

or anyone else to hurt you again.

What if I hurt you?

♪Memories remain, never leaving my side♪

Why would you hurt me?

♪An unwavering devotion♪

Who knows?

I've got a bad temper

and poor character.

As long as you wish it,

you can do whatever you want.

♪Apricot blossoms flutter, in an instant, all else fades♪

♪Leaving only the bitterness brewed from memory♪

♪Promises of forever written into drifting smoke and waves♪

♪Without you in this world, what worth remains?♪

♪Joys and sorrows of the past entangle in dreams♪

♪But nothing cuts deeper than that moment of farewell♪

♪The rest of my life I'd give just to grow old with you♪

♪Yet still what I seek I cannot reach♪

♪Watch as petals fall one by one♪

♪If I fall in love, how is that wrong?♪

♪Moonlight dries the air, breath turns cold♪

♪I hold you close, but you stay silent♪

♪Watch as petals fall one by one♪

♪If I fall in love, how is that wrong?♪

♪Eyes flicker, memories overflow♪

♪How could I say goodbye when you turn back to look?♪

♪How dare I hope for anything after?♪