Original subtitles

[Shadow Love]

[Episode 29]

I was about to ask you the same.

That day when Shuang and Jin'an

were going to die together,

why did you step in to help them?

I never thought

that love

could really make people risk their lives.

Watching them face death so bravely,

I suddenly felt

that perhaps helping lovers be together

was also a kind of healing.

You always talk like

you don't care about it at all,

but when it really mattered,

you didn't just walk away.

Thank you for saving them.

And thank you

for letting me realize who I treasure most.

You all mean too much to me.

I can't let go.

So,

I probably won't be able to join your sect.

Does "you all"

include me?

In a few days,

everyone will return to Lucheng.

There's still a long road ahead.

We'll meet again if fate allows.

Pour the wine.

Your Majesty,

too much wine is bad for your health.

Please take care of your health.

You may all leave.

Your Majesty,

you're drunk.

If I could really get drunk,

that would be nice.

How are the preparations?

An elite unit of the Imperial Guards is already outside the east gate,

awaiting your command.

Go to Wuling Mountain,

surround it with the Imperial Guards,

and wait for Li Shuang.

Is Your Majesty concerned

that General Li might disobey your order and never return?

But the Li family and the Changfeng Army…

Even the most upright person,

once a knife is at their throat,

will throw aside loyalty,

honor, and filial duty.

Compared with one's own gain or loss,

the lives of others

mean nothing at all.

Selfishness

is human nature.

I understand.

And Jin'an—

he was once the man in black,

involved in too many things.

Bring him along as well.

Bring him back alive if possible.

If not, bring his body back.

As you command.

I won't let them have their way.

I will never let go

of what belongs to me.

Master is recovering in seclusion

and cannot see you off.

He asked us to escort the three of you down the mountain.

Thank you.

Master also asked me

to give you this medicine.

Although your wounds have healed,

you still need plenty of rest.

Take it regularly,

and it will greatly benefit you.

I don't dare take his medicine.

First it's shadow puppets, then it's light puppets.

One thing after another.

Thank you all for your help during this time.

We'll meet again if fate allows.

There's nothing between your master and me.

We're not in a relationship.

He is a perfect gentleman,

and I'm not pregnant.

Stop spreading rumors

so he won't be troubled needlessly.

And this—

please give it to him.

Tell him

he and I are even from now on.

Let's go.

Did she really say that?

Yes.

Master, is there anything else I can do for you?

Nothing else.

You may go.

Loving someone means…

sharing good food,

enjoying beautiful scenery together,

wanting to share all the wonders in the world with them,

and being willing to bear each other's pain.

Why are you sighing?

Shuang,

this is as far as I'll go with you.

You're not going back to Lucheng?

Going back to watch you two being all lovey-dovey

while I'm all alone?

In your dreams.

I'm staying here to continue studying medicine.

Even though the clinic is gone,

I can still become a renowned physician

and help those who need me.

I can tell

that during the time on Wuling Mountain,

you've been really happy.

You are free.

From now on,

you can do anything you want.

After we part today,

we might not see each other again for a long time.

No matter where we are,

you must write to me.

Even if we're not together,

our hearts will always be together.

And you,

treat Shuang well.

If you ever hurt her,

no matter how far I have to go,

I'll make you pay for it.

Didn't you go down the mountain with them?

Why are you back?

I never said I was leaving.

Besides, I can't bear to leave you.

I mean, your Wuling Mountain.

There are so many rare medicines

and medical books here.

I haven't learned them all yet.

Wouldn't it be a shame to leave now?

What do you take this place for?

You think you can come

and go as you please?

You were moved by Shuang and Jin'an,

and you helped them.

That means you're not cold-blooded.

So now that I've returned

after leaving,

aren't you quite happy?

I seem to recall someone saying

we're even from now on.

I've already cleared your name

in front of everyone.

Don't push your luck.

I haven't even given you a piece of my mind yet!

You didn't even come out to say goodbye.

Heartless as ever.

You haven't even become my disciple,

yet you already dare talk back to your master?

So you agree?

Staying on Wuling Mountain isn't easy.

Whether you can pass the test

depends on

your talent.

And here,

take this.

I never take back

what I gave away.

Master!

Wait for me, Master!

[Wuling Mountain]

See?

I told you

Lu Xin couldn't bear to leave Wuling Mountain.

I won

our bet.

Though Mo Yin is eccentric,

he's a man of integrity.

With him by Lu Xin's side,

I can rest easy.

Where did everyone go?

Why is nobody here?

The fire is still burning.

Could they have gone hunting?

The Changfeng Army is strictly disciplined.

Without orders,

they wouldn't act on their own.

General Li has been away from the capital for days with no word.

His Majesty misses you greatly

and has ordered me to escort you

and Mr. Jin'an back to the capital.

Being emperor really changes a person.

But do you really think

you and your men can stop us?

Move.

General Li left her post on an imperial mission.

It's totally fine.

But as border guards,

they abandoned their posts.

It's a crime punishable by execution of their entire families.

I'm merely following orders.

If you cooperate, General,

I'll ensure the safety of your men.

By the way,

your father and brother

are waiting for you in the capital.

General,

shall we?

[Imperial Palace of Taijin]

[Imperial Study]

Your Majesty,

I have fulfilled my mission.

Jin'an, Li Shuang, and her subordinates

have all been escorted back to the capital.

The two of them are now waiting outside the palace

for Your Majesty's summons.

This was no easy task.

I didn't expect it to go so smoothly.

Your Majesty,

General Li is concerned about her family's safety,

so she naturally complied.

As for Jin'an,

I've learned

that his extraordinary strength

came from a sacred relic of Wuling Mountain in his body.

Now that the relic has been returned,

he's nothing more than a common warrior,

completely at Your Majesty's mercy.

The man in black was once unmatched in bravery.

What a pity.

Recently,

the Yao State has expressed the wish for peace.

Their envoy entered the city yesterday

and will

seek an audience today.

During the late emperor's reign,

they provoked us repeatedly

and never showed any desire for peace.

Why the sudden change of heart?

The transition of imperial power

is indeed

the best opportunity to shift from enemies to allies.

But my rule is not yet steady.

I fear

their peace offering is merely a pretense,

and their real aim is to test our strength.

Let my order be known:

a banquet will be held in the palace

to entertain the Yao State's envoy.

Li Shuang and Jin'an are to

attend as well.

General Li has defended the border for years,

fighting the Yao State time and again. She ought to be there.

But Jin'an...

He once dealt the Yao State a crushing blow.

How could I exclude him

from such an occasion?

Besides,

he once did me a great service.

As the Emperor now,

I should reward him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Summon the envoy of the Yao State.

[Xianyang Palace]

I'm Bai Kun, envoy of the Yao State.

On behalf of our Empress Dowager and Sovereign,

I congratulate Taijin's new emperor for his ascension to the throne.

Since you've come to our court,

why do you not kneel before His Majesty?

I came to Taijin

under the command of the Yao State's Empress Dowager and Sovereign

to seek peaceful coexistence between our two states.

There is no reason for me to bow and call myself your subject.

Sir, you're being so aggressive.

Does this mean

your court's desire for peace is not sincere?

Mr. Bai, you are mistaken.

If you can help facilitate a peace treaty,

it'd fulfill the wish of the people of both states.

The Changfeng Army has guarded the border for many years,

and this is all we seek as well.

The envoy has traveled from afar.

It must have been a tiring journey.

But since we are

still in national mourning,

it's not proper to hold a lavish feast.

So today,

I've arranged a simple banquet

to welcome you.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I have long heard of General Li Shuang's unmatched bravery.

Seeing you today,

I can see that the rumors are true.

However, Taijin is actually

relying on a woman to defend its borders.

Is there truly no man in your court

more capable than her?

In Taijin, we employ people

regardless of gender.

There may be differences in rank,

but there is no difference in loyalty.

Besides,

haven't all your elite generals

been defeated by me, a woman?

Your Majesty,

I have come not only

to pay my respects

but also to deliver a peace treaty.

To show our sincerity,

we have only 2 conditions.

First,

return the captured soldiers of the Yao State.

Second…

Disband the Changfeng Army.

If Your Majesty agrees,

our state is willing to cede 2 cities:

Qingchuan and Helan.

From then on, the two states shall never go to war again

and will remain allies forever.

General Li,

what do you think?

Your Majesty,

the Changfeng Army

is one of Taijin's most important defense forces.

How can it be disbanded just because of the words of a scheming envoy?

Actually, when all is said and done,

it's because the battles were so brutal

that your emperor became wary.

But since both states have decided

to make peace,

making a compromise

is not impossible.

Besides, now that peace reigns throughout the land

and the borders are stable,

it's time for General Li to lay down your armor

and return home to get married.

When that time comes,

if the envoy visits Taijin again,

she and I

will prepare wine to welcome you,

and we can catch up

as old friends.

General Li,

don't you agree?

Your Majesty is right.

If so,

leave the maps of Qingchuan and Helan.

As for the other conditions,

we'll discuss them later.

Your Majesty,

do you mean to seize two cities without giving anything in return?

As the ruler of a state,

how could you go back on your word?

Watch your mouth!

How dare you be so insolent

and insult His Majesty?

Though the Yao State desires peace,

we are not weaklings to be trampled upon.

If Your Majesty has no wish for peace,

we do not fear war.

When blood runs in rivers,

all the officials here

will bear witness.

Sir, you must be mistaken.

If His Majesty wished to reject peace,

he wouldn't have arranged this banquet.

It was merely

a test of your state's sincerity.

Your Majesty,

allow me to speak

on the envoy's behalf.

Taijin and the Yao State have fought dozens of battles.

Countless soldiers died,

and the people at the border

were displaced.

What they've longed for all their lives is nothing but peace.

If the two states

could cease fighting,

it would be a blessing for all.

Please, Your Majesty,

cast off the old, begin anew,

and bring a fresh start for the people.

The Changfeng Army cannot be disbanded.

However, if your state

cedes 2 cities as you offered,

half of the captives

can be released.

Envoy, what do you think?

Half of the captives

for 2 cities?

Your Majesty,

don't you find that greedy?

Greedy?

As the defeated nation, the Yao State

should have expected harsh terms.

Now,

the advantage lies with Taijin.

I choose peace or war as I please.

I am the ruler of the world.

Whatever I desire,

I shall have.

I am a guard under General Li.

It's my honor to be summoned by Your Majesty,

and I believe

there's a special reason for it.

No need to be modest.

Back in Lucheng,

you helped General Li greatly.

I summoned you to give you a reward.

My humble efforts deserve no credit.

However,

since Your Majesty has offered,

there is one thing

I'd like to request.

I beg Your Majesty

to grant me a marriage.

Since you've asked,

I shall make arrangements.

But

you may have to wait until after I get married.

I've already agreed with General Li—

the Changfeng Army's commander, General of the North, Li Shuang,

will resign from her military post

and enter the palace as my consort.

Yunjing is truly extraordinary.

I've finally

seen these green tiles and red walls.

This is where you grew up.

I know you're upset.

Instead of bottling it up,

why not just…

Why should I be upset?

Do you really think

I'm the biggest fool in the world?

If I still couldn't understand you by now,

how could I say I love you?

If I'm angry at anything,

it's that

you didn't

tell me sooner.

It must've been hard

to endure all this alone for so long.

It really has been a long time.

To save me,

you've suffered so much.

Leave everything to me from now on.

We'll face

whatever comes our way.

The only thing that matters is—

you are

my wife for life.

That will never change.

I know

my words must be very touching.

But could you please

not cry all over my clothes?

If you're so fussy about tears and snot,

how are we going to spend a lifetime together?

Normally, it's fine,

but I'm about to meet my father-in-law.

I can't show up looking sloppy.

Without our parents' consent

or a matchmaker's proposal,

you can't call him

your father-in-law yet.

That's not true.

With my charming demeanor,

once your father meets me,

he won't be able to say no.

Sorry, Father,

I let you down.

I'm glad you're safe.

Father,

this is the one I told you about—

Jin'an.

Come here.

It's your honor

to meet me.

It's my honor

to meet you.

Shuang!

Shuang!

I finally caught up with you!

You left in such a hurry last time.

I quit my studies and rushed back,

but I still missed you.

I heard that after I left Lucheng,

there were a few more tough battles.

How have you been?

Were you injured?

Here I am, safe and sound,

standing right before you.

It's you.

Not done staying at the General's Residence,

so you followed her to Yunjing?

Young Master,

were we

very close before?

We only had some small disagreements before.

Do you really have to pretend you don't know me?

That's not what I meant.

I had a bit of an accident.

I don't remember much

of what happened in the past.

Quit pretending.

He just recovered from an injury.

Don't mess with him.

Y-You're favoring your lover over your own brother.

Ting.

Quan.

Yes.

Prepare a guest room for…

our guest.

Yes.

You put your lover before your brother.

Keep your voice down. Keep it down!

Look at you, wearing a flower and a dress.

Get out. Get out.

Stop talking nonsense. Go out.

Fine, I'll have the kitchen prepare some food for you.

Go now, go.

What's wrong?

I can feel

that I was close to Young Master back in Lucheng,

but I can't remember a thing.

I knew I'd gradually forget things,

but I didn't expect it to happen so fast

and so completely.

Then let it be forgotten.

As long as you still remember me,

I'll tell you about the past.

Back on Wuling Mountain, you told me

that we should not dwell on the past,

that every hill and field would be our witness.

Does that not count anymore?

You're right.

Instead of dwelling on the past,

we should cherish the present.

We still have a long journey ahead.

Your Highness,

without His Majesty's permission,

you cannot enter.

I'd like to see

who dares to stop me today.

My beloved concubine, you've grown bolder and bolder.

Now, when you see me,

you don't even show the most basic courtesy.

Concubine?

No wonder the coronation keeps being delayed.

So you really plan to deprive me of my position,

marry Li Shuang,

and make her empress?

You are my lawful wife.

It's only right

for you to be empress.

What's gotten into you today?

Where is this coming from?

Stop pretending.

Don't think I don't know

what you said in front of all the officials and the envoy

at the banquet today.

You've only been emperor for a few days,

and you're already getting carried away.

Don't forget

whose support kept you alive

so you could sit here today.

Who is so audacious

as to sow discord between us

and speak recklessly of state affairs?

I will

punish them immediately.

It was me.

Father!

Your Majesty, have you decided

how you'll punish me?

Father,

today, he...

Go back and rest.

I have a few words to say to my son-in-law.

But I...

Go back first.

We are family,

so I called you my son-in-law.

Please don't take offense.

I wouldn't, Father-in-law.

If I hadn't

taken this seat,

the one sitting on the throne

should have been you.

I am old now.

I wouldn't dare covet the throne.

However,

many royal relatives

are constantly scheming,

and there are rumors in court

saying Your Majesty is incompetent

and unworthy of this position.

Because of this,

I've worked tirelessly

to keep them in check and maintain order.

Father-in-law,

please speak frankly.

Tian Huailiang from the Ministry of Personnel

has impeached Jia Shihong, the governor of Jiuqing County,

for embezzling disaster relief funds,

which I'm sure Your Majesty is already aware of.

His wife

is my cousin.

Since she is my relative,

she is also Your Majesty's relative.

Family shares honor and disgrace.

Surely

Your Majesty understands that.

I have already ordered

a thorough investigation into Jia Shihong's case.

This man is a complete parasite.

Even if I wanted to help,

I'm afraid there's nothing I can do.

So…

Your Majesty means to refuse me?

Do you think Tian Huailiang is

truly acting out of loyalty?

He once served Prince Li.

He is using this

as an opportunity to slander me

and force Your Majesty to cut off your own arm.

Have you already forgotten

how you once came to me

begging and pleading?

If I hadn't fought to put you on the throne,

Your Majesty wouldn't even have the chance

to refuse to help me

with a minor corruption case.

If I

had the power to put you on the throne,

I have the power to drag you down.

I will forever be

grateful

for your kindness.

As for Jia Shihong's case,

you may rest assured.

As mediocre as you are,

you should be content being a puppet.

Even if you're manipulated,

it's better than desperately fighting for survival.

As for Your Majesty's jest

in court today about General Li,

I will pretend I never heard it.

As long as you sit on the throne,

Tianjiao must be

empress.

I

will heed your guidance, Father-in-law.

Good morning, Grand General.

You're late.

Were you waiting for me?

Did you come today…

to tell me something?

After Li Shuang and I

met each other,

we grew close,

faced hardships together,

and fell in love.

I have come specifically

to ask for your daughter, Li Shuang's hand in marriage.

I hope you will give us your blessing.

Shuang told me you've suffered greatly

and lost all your supernatural strength.

I tested you with my sword earlier.

You only have basic martial skills left.

If you marry her,

how will you protect Shuang?

With my life.

You should know

His Majesty won't let her go easily.

That's why I plan to take Li Shuang

away from Yunjing as soon as possible.

Su Muyang

fears the power of the Changfeng Army.

He will not dare harm you.

What if Shuang refuses?

If you don't stand in our way,

I will find a way to convince her.

What if I do stand in your way?

Then I'll keep pestering you until you don't.