Original subtitles

[Shadow Love]

[Episode 14]

Timing is key when using

the dragon blood herb in medicine.

It must be simmered

over low heat for four hours,

not a moment less.

Otherwise,

it'll lose all efficacy.

The medicine is ready.

I've tasted it.

Not bitter at all.

Really.

You liar—

Right?

I didn't lie, huh?

Isn't this candy really sweet

and not bitter at all?

Time for your medicine.

What tricks do you have today?

No tricks today.

Finish the medicine,

and I'll perform

anything you want,

as you command.

Chew on Chinese goldthread dry!

Jin'an.

Hey, brother.

Wait!

I need to talk to you.

Come on.

You need me?

Let's have a chat.

Sit.

Good wine and food.

Is this a trap?

You've been getting along

well with General, yeah?

Sort of.

Teach me your ways.

T-Teach you?

Teach you w-what?

There's a girl I'm interested in.

But I thought Lu Xin was

already spoken for?

It's not Lu Xin.

-You like her too? -You like her too?

You go first.

Qiao!

Good taste.

I thought...

So you like Qiao?

Yes.

Isn't she wonderful?

The first time I saw her,

she lifted a carriage with her bare hands.

She's stronger than me

and eats way more than I do.

She's all I can think about.

It's true

that she has

quite a temper,

always hitting and kicking me for no reason,

but...

but she's

really wonderful

and very kind.

I really like her.

Sorry about that.

You're such a go-getter.

Don't worry.

Count on me.

You have a plan?

What strong legs!

What are you doing?

There are rain,

grass,

flowers,

and sheep;

delightful.

Miss, you know,

I've recently

fallen in love with reading.

Are you sick in the head?

What do you need?

No, nothing.

Your practice is more important.

Go on.

Switching on and off;

darting in the river;

my fair maiden;

your gentleman...

Your gentleman...

What nonsense are you reciting?

This is a poem I wrote for you.

Do you like it?

A poem?

Yes.

Then tell me

what this poem

is supposed to mean.

What it means?

What it means is...

It means

I'm...

i-inviting you to a river stroll

and then a meal together.

What kind of meal?

Gentle meat and mushroom stew.

Didn't I just mention it?

Plus a pot of wine.

A hearty meal of meat and wine,

now that's heaven.

Here you go.

Yes.

Come on,

you too.

Time for your medicine.

Time for your medicine.

Seriously? You're always

making me drink medicine.

Even my hiccups smell like medicine now.

The last dose.

You said the same thing yesterday.

It seems this medicine really works wonders.

Just a few days and you already

have the energy to talk back.

You're recovering better and better,

and I no longer experience any strange symptoms.

Seems you won't

have to suffer from the backlash anymore.

This trip to Cang Mountain

has truly been worthwhile.

There's fresh osmanthus cake at the market.

They're really good.

Once you finish this,

I'll take you there.

No!

Just one sip.

Nope.

Come on. Just one sip.

Half a sip?

Come on now.

I-I'll drink it myself.

When I was sick,

you took care of me like this.

Now, it's my turn.

Here.

Did you...

add honey?

Not so bitter, is it?

By the way,

we've been so busy in battle

that I hadn't thought about this,

but the man who held me hostage at the hot springs

was desperate to draw you out.

Perhaps he's connected to whomever caused your memory loss.

If we find him,

all our problems could be solved.

But that person is so elusive.

If he doesn't show up voluntarily,

we have

no way to track him down.

I remember what he looks like.

People can search for him

with a portrait.

Since he failed,

he wouldn't have gone far.

Then it's settled.

Go get some paper and brushes,

and I'll do the painting.

Meet me

by the stream.

Have you ever heard of Wuling Mountain?

Nope.

Lu Xin told me

there are geniuses there adept at using unusual methods

with healing stones.

In this world,

perhaps only they can effect

such changes in humans.

If we locate this place,

would I be able to

get leads about my origins?

I've sent people to locate it,

but it might take some time.

Knowing my origins would be good.

I'd feel more whole

to know I have roots.

It'd also give me some closure.

But it's fine if we find nothing either.

Because no matter who I am,

I prefer being Jin'an.

When you retire,

let's find

an idyllic abode away from the world,

enjoying every day

drinking wine,

practicing swordplay,

and ignoring worldly affairs in peace.

Who said I want to spend my life with you?

Ouyang Jun has many friends among the outlaws.

Get him to seek him out

with this portrait.

What's this smell?

Seek...

Go on.

Seeking him out

with this painting of yours...

What's wrong with my painting?

I've never been good at painting.

It's more or else accurate. That's good enough.

You do it if you're so capable.

I'll give it a go then.

Jin'an really has a way with her.

When Shuang gets angry,

she usually draws her sword,

but now she's actually being coy.

That rascal Jin'an is always

clinging to General.

Who knows what he's really scheming.

Isn't it obvious?

They're clearly in love with each other.

What a perfect match.

Ridiculous!

General is extraordinary and worldly.

She wouldn't fall for this weak, pretty boy's

cheap tricks.

If you ask me,

only that righteous masked hero

barely qualifies

to be with our general.

Choosing a lifetime partner

isn't picking soldiers for battle.

You should pick one

with a pretty face

and a sweet tongue

to keep by your side.

Your future days

will be much more enjoyable.

The man in black is incredibly strong

and admired by many.

I'm very strong too.

That man in black...

Where is he?

That man in black

always appears with a mask over his face.

He could be

super ugly with pockmarks all over.

But handsome men are never reliable.

Nonsense!

Anyway,

I know Shuang best.

If you don't believe me,

want to make a bet?

If Jin'an wins,

you'll have to

grind 15 kg of herbs for me.

Deal.

If the man in black wins,

I want the biggest sword

from Wang's Blacksmith.

It's a deal.

Your painting is...

quite decent,

but compared to mine,

it's not much better.

You're right, General.

Various painting styles have been recorded in history.

Your painting and mine are

just of different styles.

Your painting is...

exceptionally wild.

Are you mocking me?

What a strong push!

Sorry,

I keep assuming you are as formidable as the man in black.

I forgot that you're a weak kitten now.

Am I really

that inferior to him?

Yes.

Don't go!

Did I say anything wrong?

Enjoying the smell of pickles?

Nice to run into you!

It smells good and tastes good.

Try some.

Weren't you two just making a bet?

I want in too.

All-in on Jin'an!

Just like me!

Impulsive people sure are big spenders.

Ouyang Jun.

Lady Li.

Make copies of this

and distribute them to your buddies.

Seek this person out.

Yes, ma'am.

Remember,

this mystery man's unbelievably skilled.

Don't confront him head-on.

Safety comes first.

Yes, ma'am.

Lu Xin.

Don't you find the pickles smelly?

Not at all!

I like it as much as the flies.

Alright.

Master.

I just received news

that a team has secretly departed from Yao State,

apparently sent by Zuo Chengzhi

to search for Prince Annan.

If the shadow puppet's identity is exposed,

it'll be disastrous.

Should we make our move now?

If we kill this team,

they'll just send more people.

Then what do you suggest?

They've reached Taijin's border,

so they won't dare cause too much commotion.

Keep an eye on them secretly.

When we find out who they're in contact with,

we'll strike.

Understood.

Master.

The shadow puppet is formidable to begin with.

Even if punishment is necessary,

the Empress Dowager's methods seem far too extreme.

You may go.

Yes, sir.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Does Your Majesty remember

that today is my birthday?

Where is Aodeng?

What have you done to him?

Your Majesty is being difficult again,

always bringing up

people who aren't relevant.

I risked my life to save Your Majesty,

only to be with you

as equals in marriage

and share our lives together.

But Your Majesty

only thinks about your brother.

Doesn't that make

all my efforts in vain?

I suppose for the next three days,

Your Majesty won't even need to drink water.

[Cangyun Pavilion]

So?

Recall anything?

I told you

this condition isn't easy to cure.

No matter how eager you are,

you can't go against medical principles.

This won't do.

Again!

Again?

You think this is a game?

Honestly,

why are you suddenly

so impatient to recover your memory?

Oh, please, it's as clear as day.

During the battle at Lucheng,

you stormed the tower alone and captured Li Zhangyi

so impressively.

But who would've thought

a mysterious man in black would appear

and fight alongside Shuang,

totally stealing your thunder.

If it were me, I'd be anxious too.

Am I really that petty?

You think he's better than me too?

What I think doesn't matter.

What matters is what Shuang thinks.

You only came to me

because you're worried you're not worthy of Shuang

with your memory loss, right?

But what if

you recall everything

and realize that

you're just average?

I'd rather be average,

as long as I know who I am.

By the way,

Shuang told me...

Who?

You told her...

By the way,

General told me

that you told her about Wuling Mountain.

What else do you know?

I only know rumors.

People talk about that place as if it's magical,

but no one has ever seen it.

Maybe it doesn't even exist.

So everything you told me was a lie,

including your promise

to cure me?

You can doubt my medical skills,

but don't question my medical ethics!

This is

my latest concoction,

specifically for amnesia.

It's not identical

to your condition,

but it might still be of use.

If you've got the guts,

give it a try.

I've tried everything else.

This won't kill me!

How do you feel?

My mouth feels numb.

Numb mouth...

My chest feels warm.

Warm chest...

My face is a bit itchy.

Itchy face...

And...

I think that's it.

I hope that's it

for the side effects.

No, let me check again.

Medicine

needs time to take effect.

I'm suddenly so tired.

I'm going for a nap.

If you need anything,

don't bother calling me.

Alright, go ahead.

Jin'an.

Jin'an!

The food is ready.

What are you doing?

I'm...

not eating. You all go ahead.

Are you not feeling well?

Let me take a look.

No!

I've caught a cold.

What's with the blanket?

I don't want to pass it to you.

Oh, please, I take tonics every day.

A mere cold is nothing to me.

Let me see.

No.

-Let me see! -No!

Go eat dinner.

I know my limits.

I won't neglect myself.

Fine then.

In that case,

you should rest up.

You got me worried for nothing.

I'm used to seeing you clean-shaven and fresh,

but this rugged look

actually

has its own charm.

I asked Lu Xin for help

to speed up my memory recovery

and for info on Wuling Mountain.

But after taking her medicine,

I ended up like this.

What's wrong with this?

Now, you look

quite manly.

I think it really suits you.

So you do prefer masculine men.

Like...

the man in black.

You don't have a fever.

Mister,

aren't you the man in black?

Right.

But also not.

You don't get it.

What's not to get?

Come, follow me.

Go have dinner. Don't worry about me.

I can ignore the man in black,

but not you.

It's just a bit of a beard.

At worst,

I'll shave it for you.

You will?

A freshly-sharpened blade,

sharper than a tiger's fangs.

Dear lord.

I've been saying I'd teach you,

but things kept getting in the way.

Now,

while we're out sightseeing,

let's catch up on all the missed lessons.

Taking lessons while sightseeing

doesn't sound right.

Doesn't sound right?

You really think so?

Fine.

Today,

we'll start with something useful.

Was this...

painted by you?

May the bright clouds and moon

carry my longing to my dear ones far away.

I didn't expect you to have such good handwriting.

Who knows? Perhaps I was

a somewhat educated teacher before.

Look,

your handwriting

is strong and powerful,

bold and heroic.

As they say, your handwriting reflects who you are.

I believe you must

have an extraordinary background.

If I'm not mistaken,

this must be the Double Dragons Formation from The Art of War.

As they say, warfare is the art of deception.

My forces are now moving to surround you,

so be careful.

As they say, the student surpasses the master.

Passable.

Anything else?

Stop!

What kind of technique is that?

Buddy, you don't know this,

but martial artists

prefer to be spontaneous.

Spontaneous, indeed.

But

the guqin

has its own rules.

Sit properly.

Hands in position.

Curl your fingers.

Good.

Let's begin.

Oh, my mighty general,

your music pierces the ears.

Perhaps it could drive away enemies on the battlefield.

Stop!

Take a break.

Must you

be that harsh?

Our Shuang's music

may not be as sublime as the classics

or very aesthetically pleasing,

but

it's at the very least music that lingers.

How is it noise

to repel enemies?

What a flirt.

If that's the case,

I'll play another piece.

-I'm good. -I'm good.

It seems what you want

isn't just spices.

You're straightforward, Mr. Zang.

Since we're asking for help,

there's no point in hiding our intentions.

We've come today

to inquire about someone.

Who?

You have extensive connections and access to information.

Please help us find someone.

Have you seen this person?

Though you two are disguised as merchants,

the people around you,

with their posture and bearing,

clearly come from military ranks.

Ninglan has always been a neutral territory.

Today's battle has just ended,

and Taijin hasn't withdrawn its forces yet.

Those who need to sneak into the city now

are probably

only the Yao Army.

You're really perceptive, Mr. Zang.

No wonder nothing in the cities beyond the border

escapes you.

We'll have to trouble you

to locate this person.

These today are

just a down payment.

If you find any leads,

I guarantee the reward

will be no less than threefold.

If it were just one box,

I'd be happy to help.

But this generosity...

I dare not take on

such life-threatening business.

What do you mean?

I'm afraid a young man

of this age and build,

worth millions of taels,

and in command of Yao Army

such that the Yao soldiers travel all the way

from the Yao State border to Ninglan in search of him

can only be Prince Annan, Duan Aodeng!

Since you've already figured it out,

you must understand the weight of this matter.

Will you

help me with this

or not?

If I fail,

I'll take triple the treasure.

But if I succeed,

I fear I won't be able to stay in Ninglan anymore.

Then I'll have to become an official in the Yao State,

living off taxes for the rest of my life.

Can you promise me that?

It's a deal.

Deal.

Deliver this letter secretly into Lucheng

and hand it to General Li Shuang personally.

You must tell her

that the person she found is

none other than Duan Aodeng, Prince Annan of the Yao State.

Didn't you just make a deal with those Yao soldiers?

That was just a delaying tactic.

In the previous battle,

the Yao people entered the city and slaughtered our civilians.

Fortunately, General Li kept her promise

and her Changfeng Army arrived in time,

securing Ninglan.

I, Zang Budu, am not a greedy person.

This kindness

must be repaid.

Go along now.

Yes, sir.

Master,

everyone in the Zang Mansion has been eliminated.

We can't handle the shadow puppet,

so we need outside help.

You must now

make sure the people on Wuling Mountain know

they're responsible for

this massacre at Zang Mansion.

[Cangyun Pavilion]

Where's everyone?

I sent them back to Lucheng.

We need to go on a trip.

Where?

Ninglan?

I asked Zang Budu to investigate your background,

but we haven't heard from him.

Ninglan isn't far from here.

Let's pay him a visit.

[Zang Mansion]

A massacre?

Yes.

The incident was reported by

a local farmer who regularly

delivers vegetables to the Zang Mansion.

This time, he found the gates tightly shut

and no one answered.

Zang Budu, his wife and children,

and his servants and stewards—

all 13 members of the household were killed.

Was it a robbery?

I'm afraid not.

There are

no valuables missing from the mansion.

We even found a chest of jewelry

bearing the Yao State seal.

In the battle of Ninglan,

thanks to Zang Budu providing the map,

our army barely managed to win.

If it was truly the Yao State's doing,

they must be harboring resentment.

But that day,

he was under my coercion.

You did nothing wrong.

If you hadn't planned ahead,

the death toll of civilians would've skyrocketed,

Ninglan would've fallen to Yao,

and Lucheng

couldn't have been saved.

This happened because of me.

I should take full responsibility.

Rest assured, Mr. Zang.

From now on...

I'll protect Ninglan for you.

[Mo Yin of Wuling Mountain]

Master.

We've received news

of a man in black in Lucheng.

He's extraordinarily powerful,

akin to thousands of troops,

and helped Changfeng Army repel the Yao army.

He's basically indomitable.

Do you know where he comes from?

No one knows.

Also,

a tragic incident has occurred in Ninglan City.

It seems to be his doing as well.

This matter sounds suspicious.

It must be related to the Jade Linglong.

I guess

I'll have to make a trip there.