Original subtitles

[Shadow Love]

[Episode 7]

I was so immature before.

Big Brother, thanks to

your guidance yesterday,

I've got it all straight now.

"Big Brother"?

I've heard everything.

That day when Huo Du held me hostage,

it was you who risked your life

to save me.

Big Brother, your kindness

saved both my life and soul.

I'm here today

in the hope of becoming

sworn brothers with you.

I appreciate it.

But there's no need to.

Ever since I was little,

despite how my father and sister

cared about me,

they've never really talked to me kindly.

They always speak harshly,

making the home feel unwelcoming.

But after our conversation yesterday,

I finally felt a bit of warmth.

You and Li Shuang

are siblings.

If we become sworn brothers,

then she and I...

What does our brotherhood have to do with her?

Besides, I'm absolutely honest

with my brothers.

If you're interested in my sister,

feel free to ask me anything.

Come on, brother.

Heaven above and Earth below,

please be our witnesses.

Today,

I, Li Ting,

and Jin'an

solemnly swear brotherhood.

From now on, we'll

respect and care for each other,

never parting ways.

Big Brother,

let me drink to you.

From today on,

I can finally say I have a family.

By the way,

I want to ask about your sister...

Fairy Physician's medicine

is incredibly effective.

You're really something.

This medicine is very potent,

yet you've come around so fast.

Where are we going?

We're heading back to the capital.

You went through all this trouble

just to take me back to the capital?

Although you saved my life,

you're still the murderer who killed Huo Du.

I don't know why Shuang

is being so indecisive this time.

But I know

only by handing you over to the court

can we quell His Majesty's suspicions of the Li family

and the Changfeng Army.

Some matters take priority.

Big Brother, I'll repay

your favor in the next life.

You've seen it clearly?

That shadow puppet

was indeed in a coma.

That young man from the Li family

smuggled him out of the General's Residence.

The two of them

are now on their way to the capital.

Master,

you once said

that shadow puppets should be immune to all poisons.

According to this,

no knockout drug is supposed to work on him.

But given today's situation,

something's fishy about it.

Seems like

Jade Linglong hasn't smoothly integrated

into the shadow puppet's body,

making his power

unstable and beyond his control.

Moreover,

in the stone chamber and secret forest,

he recklessly used his power,

causing severe damage.

If he hasn't been nourished

by the blood master's blood in time,

then he should be

at his weakest right now.

In this case,

isn't it like luck is on your side, Master?

I'm serious.

The trap was real,

but so was our sworn brotherhood.

As those six incense sticks burned out,

our oath has reached the heavens.

This time, I betrayed your trust.

Whatever the consequences,

I'm willing to bear them alone.

If you really see me as your Big Brother,

then please hear me out.

I never intended to shirk responsibility

for what happened to Huo Du.

Right now, I can't leave your sister at will,

or my life would be in danger.

If I die on the way,

your Li family would only face

more accusations with no way to defend yourselves.

Nonsense!

What do you mean you can't leave her?

Even though you're my Big Brother,

I can't let you tarnish my sister's reputation.

If you're going to act, at least make it convincing.

Who are you?

How dare you block the Li family's carriage?

A silver needle?

You're the ones who stirred up trouble in the military camp!

As expected of a shadow puppet.

You're really quick-witted.

Leave now.

If you die,

the Li family is done for.

Last time, I failed to transform

and lost all my power.

But that day, under the flowering tree with Li Shuang,

my wounds miraculously healed again.

Now with life hanging by a thread,

no matter what,

I have to try.

No matter what happens later,

I won't hurt you.

Don't tell your sister

about what happened today.

A-Are you

a demon or a god?

Don't be afraid.

Why should I be afraid?

I can't admire you more.

Had I known you were this powerful,

I wouldn't just call you Big Brother.

I'd worship you as my god.

G-Give me a punch.

Transformation is something

that comes from within.

It's still treacherous here.

Let's return to the General's Residence first.

Okay.

Let's go.

How did you get changed just now?

Want to learn?

Both of them are missing?

Have you searched carefully?

We've searched everywhere.

But they're still nowhere to be found.

He must have been

taken away by the Young Master.

It was my negligence.

Please punish me, General.

Both of them?

Both of them.

Could it be...

Bring our men

and go after them with me!

Don't bother.

I've already brought him back.

He's in the side room.

Sorry, I was wrong.

We have failed your trust, Master.

We're willing to accept harsh punishment.

We're willing to accept harsh punishment.

Master.

Jade Linglong entered his body by accident.

He's not a perfect shadow puppet.

Yet he can control such formidable power.

It must be his growing intimacy with the blood master

that has allowed Jade Linglong

to merge with him even better.

Seems like it's not a good idea

to seize it by force.

You took Jin'an away without permission

to hand him over to the court

and save our father.

But Jin'an saved your life.

If something happened to him,

you'd bear all consequences

by yourself,

even at the cost of your life,

right?

How could you put yourself in danger with no regard for your own safety?

It was dangerous, and that was exactly why

I must do it.

Father is imprisoned,

and you, Shuang, are constantly on alert,

unable to rest well at night.

As Young Master Li,

how could I stand by and do nothing?

I just wanted to do something for you all.

I'm just glad to see you back safe and sound.

Shuang,

aren't you going to scold me?

Ting.

You've grown up.

I'm very happy about that.

But some things

aren't as simple as you think.

Now His Majesty

is wary of our Li family.

Our future is dim.

It's not something you can solve by mere audacity.

Besides,

Father sent you to Lucheng

so that I could protect you.

If something were to happen to you,

I would fail Father's entrustment.

Since I was little,

no matter what happened in our family,

you and Father have always kept it secret from me.

I understand

that you both want to protect me.

But I'm also a member of the honorable Li family.

I don't want to be a useless loser,

living under the protection

of you and Father throughout my life.

Ting.

In my heart,

you've always been that little boy

following me

and asking for candy.

I forgot

that you've grown up

into a real man.

That's my fault.

I know

I'm still not full-fledged yet.

But someday,

I'll be as strong

and capable as you,

protecting our state and people.

When that day comes,

Shuang, you can live

for yourself

the way you like it.

Okay.

Good!

Stop crying.

Stop.

Do your knees hurt?

Nope.

Really?

Then give me a smile if it doesn't hurt.

Why should I?

Just give me a smile. Come on.

Who cries and smiles at the same time?

So I'm your big sister.

I said, smile.

You're annoying.

-Give me a smile! -Don't touch me.

I'm leaving!

Stop there!

Leave me alone!

Stop chasing me!

I said, stop!

No!

I won't stop!

Stop there!

Li Ting!

That's enough.

Just smile.

So annoying.

Is it so hard to smile?

Li Ting?

Given Ting's stubborn character,

he wouldn't change his mind easily.

Did you persuade him?

He's not as unreasonable

as you think.

He acted on impulse today

and offended you.

I hope you can forgive him.

Also,

you were right.

Some things, if not said,

will never be heard.

Thank you.

Esteemed Immortal,

please forgive us for not greeting you sooner.

I'm just a medicine deliverer,

not some immortal.

Thank you for the medicine from Wuling Mountain.

Immortal,

are there any special instructions this time?

Just take it. That's all.

Your Highness,

everything has been arranged.

Please rest assured.

Were it not for Father's obsession with immortality

and his desperate search for elixir,

we wouldn't have gotten this opportunity.

After taking the medicine, His Majesty

appears more energetic,

but his health deteriorates day by day.

The imperial physicians

would never figure out the reason.

Control the dosage carefully.

I need my dear younger brother

to die before Father does.

[The Imperial Palace of Taijin]

By order of His Majesty,

[Xianyang Palace]

the court is dismissed today.

Your Excellencies,

you may leave.

I've heard

about the Crown Prince attending to Father frequently

with great diligence.

No wonder Father has started seeking your counsel.

You're quite the actor,

good at winning people over.

Brother, you've got me wrong.

I know

I cannot ease Father's burdens,

so all I can do is

attend to him by his side

to show my care.

Is that so?

Then why did you use your audience with Father

to constantly speak up

for the Li family?

Brother,

your concern for the state

and fear of the Li family's military power overshadowing the throne

are understandable.

But you shouldn't

fixate on persecuting the Li family

and constantly make things hard for them.

The entire Li family

is devoted to our state.

Your actions

will only discourage

the loyalty of our subjects.

Just because you're the Crown Prince

doesn't mean you can ascend the throne.

You're a cripple.

Let me see how long your glory can last.

[Crown Prince's Mansion, Lucheng, Taijin]

[General's Residence]

What are you doing?

That's the third plate?

It's all your fault!

You must make it up to me!

Make up for my pastries!

If you want pastries, have someone else make them.

Why go to all this trouble?

Why did you put so much charcoal in the pot?

Stop talking nonsense.

You know nothing.

These are Shuang's favorite pear-blossom pastries.

Your sister likes these?

I've caused Shuang a lot of trouble.

Before I leave,

I should do something for her

to make amends.

Leave?

Yes,

I'm leaving.

As the Young Master of the Li family,

how can I stand aside at a time like this?

Even if I can't do much,

I should stay by my father's side

through thick and thin.

I'm sorry for what I did

to you.

I once thought

that for the greater good,

I could disregard everything else.

But how can it be called the greater good

if it means sacrificing the lives of others?

You've saved me twice.

I'll definitely

repay your favor one day.

Okay.

I'll wait for that day to come.

But before that, you should

promise me something.

Haven't you got this backwards?

Aren't you supposed to repay me?

I don't care.

You boast exceptional martial skills and supernatural strength.

If Shuang ever encounters any danger,

you must do everything in your power to protect her

and make sure she doesn't get hurt.

Otherwise,

I'll widely

spread the word about your secrets!

Your sister is a general after all.

She can take care of herself.

Father has always been stern.

Since childhood,

be it studying or training,

she's never been allowed to slack off for a bit.

Shuang never had the chance

to be pampered or spoiled

like other young ladies.

She was taught from childhood

to spare no effort to protect

everyone and everything around her.

But no one has ever told her

that she could also be protected.

Shuang

once had a chance

to be cared for by someone.

Unfortunately,

fate played a cruel trick,

and she and Muyang ended up splitting up.

Muyang?

The Crown Prince,

Su Muyang.

He and Shuang grew up together

as childhood sweethearts

with unwavering feelings

deeper than any ordinary ones.

Then why didn't he

come to your sister in person?

He

certainly has his reasons.

Anyway, Muyang treats my sister really well.

They've been apart for three years,

but he misses her every day.

If so,

why did they split up?

He obeyed His Majesty's order

and married someone else.

But

Muyang also had no choice.

Besides,

knowing my sister's love for biographies, he's sent people

to search for them everywhere.

Why are you laughing?

It should be a piece of cake

for him, the Crown Prince,

to get some biographies, right?

Also, forget about

his talk of missing her.

Everyone can say

such sweet words.

In my opinion,

truly caring for someone

is more like what you're doing.

Despite your incompetence,

you're showing genuine care.

We're willing to give our all

for those we hold dear.

Even if I'm genuinely caring for her,

what's the point if I can't do it well?

Whether it works or not

is beside the point.

The sun is about to set.

If you still can't pull it off,

Shuang might lose her appetite.

Are you going to help me?

Didn't you ask me to make up for your pastries?

Besides,

you can consider this

the condition for keeping my secret.

What brings you here?

Li Ting sent me over.

He also had me bring you

your favorite pear-blossom pastries.

Where is he?

He got shy,

saying it was too mushy

and too embarrassing to come.

Did he make these?

Of course they didn't look like this at first.

I followed his recipe

and made some adjustments.

Try them and see

if they taste good.

Also, here are

some biographies Li Ting asked me to give you.

He said

Muyang

entrusted him to pass them on to you.

Li Ting really has a big mouth,

spilling everything he knows.

Since you two share such a deep bond,

then

why didn't you stick it out till the end?

Perhaps

you would've ended up a loving couple.

Life rarely offers perfect endings.

I was an orphan.

My father brought me back to the General's Residence.

Only then did I get a new identity and name.

Besides,

a war is about ot break out between Taijin and Yao State.

I have no mind to think of anything else.

You once said

you couldn't leave me.

If you truly want to stay,

you have no choice but to get dragged into this mess.

The battlefield shows no mercy.

Are you sure about this?

You're willing to keep me here?

Since I can't leave you,

actually,

I've long been ready for this.

No matter what happens,

I swear I will protect you.

I think

you remind me of someone.

Get some rest early.

[Xianyang Palace]

Father,

the case of Huo Du

has been open for over a month.

But Li Shuang

still hasn't turned in the person

who killed Huo Du.

I'm afraid

there's more behind it.

Prince Li, please speak with caution!

Your Majesty,

Li Shuang's thoroughly investigated Huo Du's remaining accomplices.

Huo Du secretly colluded with Yao State.

There's solid evidence for it.

And Li Shuang already used fake maps

to lure the enemy deep into the trap at the border

and defeated the Yao Army.

But Father, the matter of accomplices cannot be proven as the suspects are dead.

Your Majesty,

the Li family has guarded the border for years

and would never dare deceive you.

Father, I'd like to report to you

the recent memorials

from numerous imperial censors,

all impeaching Li Shuang for deceiving

the court, colluding with Yao State, and framing loyal officials,

with the intention

of exonerating her father, Li Wei.

I believe

it's imperative and urgent to send Imperial Censor Li Zhangyi to Lucheng

as a Military Supervisor

to conduct a thorough investigation.

By my decree,

Li Zhangyi shall

head for the border immediately

and take over as Military Supervisor of the Changfeng Army.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Father, you are so wise.

[General's Residence]

Go back and tell Father

that everything is fine here.

Tell him not to worry.

Father and I can definitely do better

in the capital than here.

And Muyang will be taking care of us.

So don't worry, Shuang.

But you're

far away at the border,

always sharing good news, never the bad.

Remember,

we all worry about you.

I'll take good care of myself.

Well,

I'm such a burden. Now that I'm leaving,

will you feel more at ease, Shuang?

You're not a burden.

You're my weakness.

I'll be going then.

Have a safe trip.

Big Brother.

This is the recipe for pear-blossom pastry.

If my sister gets homesick,

please make some for her.

Also,

remember

that you've promised me

to protect her well.

Thank you, Big Brother.

Don't worry.

Have a safe journey.

I'll be waiting for you in the capital.

Be careful on your way!

"Big Brother"?

When did you two become so close?

Before he headed back to the capital last time,

we became sworn brothers.

He was the first friend

I made after losing my memory.

I'll remember him forever.

Why are you laughing?

I'm laughing because you don't know

how long "forever" actually is.

Indeed.

Perhaps in the past, I also thought

there would be many things

I'd remember forever and ever.

General,

I've finished investigating.

The Ninglan Commercial Guild Master

is called Zang Budu.

Zang Budu

has dominated this area for years

with a very high reputation,

but...

But in recent years,

Ninglan

has been caught between the two states,

forming its own force.

He must be difficult to deal with.

The Yao Army is on the move now.

The area around Lucheng is easy to defend but hard to attack.

To gain the upper hand,

Ninglan

is the key.

General, do you intend

to get the map of Ninglan

from Zang Budu?

In this case,

we should bring more troops

to prepare for any accidents.

If we have spies,

the Yao Army can have theirs too.

This time when we go,

we must keep a low profile.

You're right, General.

Then I'll go pack my things

to go with you, General.

No need for that.

I have

other plans this time.

Go prepare something for me.

You're taking me to Ninglan?

Ninglan

is located at the junction of Taijin and Yao State.

Though it's a small town,

it's still a commercial hub of great importance.

Therefore,

it's bustling and crowded

with all sorts of people.

We must be very careful during our stay there

and avoid causing any trouble.

Understand?

Why are you so happy?

It's clearly official business,

yet you insist on bringing me along, an unrelated person.

You must fear that the long distance between us

would cause me

to suffer great pain, right?

You must've

thought about me

out of concern, right?

You talk too much.

Hold on.

I carefully selected this.

It's for you.

You look quite idle!

Go to the backyard

and chop some firewood.

How can you be so unreasonable?

In the General's Residence,

I call the shots.

Yes,

General.

Did you get shy just now?

On my way to chop wood.

Is everything packed and ready?

Thank you for your care, Your Highness.

[Li Zhangyi, Military Supervisor of Taijin]

Everything has been arranged properly.

We can set off early tomorrow morning.

I will not

disappoint you on this mission, Your Highness.

I have given the Li family

so many chances, both openly and secretly.

Not only did they ignore them,

but they also secretly joined Su Muyang's clique.

This time,

I'll definitely teach them a lesson.

Yes, Your Highness.

By all rights,

you are His Majesty's eldest son, versed

in both literature and military affairs, respected by all officials.

Everyone expected you

to succeed the throne.

Yet three years ago, when His Majesty named his heir,

why did he choose Su Muyang instead?

Father must have

his reasons for doing this.

Yes.

Besides,

there's no telling

if a cripple can secure his position as Crown Prince.

Remember,

during your stay in Lucheng,

you should both show mercy and put pressure.

If Li Shuang insists on not changing her mind,

then...

Yes, Your Highness.