Original subtitles

Episode 28

Yan Zheng.

You told me something would happen last night...

that'll prove that you're not a spy.

But never happened.

By chance,

I found these letters...

under the tiles in your room.

These are letters from the empress.

That's impossible.

This is not real.

Someone must have copied the empress' handwriting...

to set me up.

Your Highness.

Please let me explain.

Why would I...

You will regret this.

Wei Guang has successfully sowed distrust...

between Yan Zheng and the Princess Royal.

Yan Zheng has been executed by Prince Guang Ding.

They've just lost their most important advisor.

I believe they'll put their plans on hold.

We've more time to prepare now.

This is also what I'm worried about.

I'm getting more forgetful by the day.

For so many years,

I've been covertly assisting His Majesty,

so that he could face less opposition as the emperor.

But lately,

my body hasn't been able to keep up.

Your Highness.

We need you to control the big picture.

You must take care.

I brought you here...

in order to entrust everything with you.

Entrust everything with me?

I have Lang Kun helping me...

and many more spies who are gathering information for me.

Before I become completely senile,

I want to pass all of them to you.

Can you help me support His Majesty?

Your Highness.

Are you saying that...

Do you remember that you once asked me to stop the empress?

After that day, Eunuch Li told me...

how you suppressed the turmoil in the royal harem and court.

I'm thankful to you from the bottom of my heart.

You understand the importance of stability in the government.

Because of your vision and character,

I decided to entrust everything with you.

Your Highness.

I'm worried about...

letting you down.

You...

don't love His Majesty.

Am I right?

But I promised him that...

I won't leave him.

But I also hope that...

I can leave one day.

I know you're being honest with me.

But, have you thought about it?

You're already shouldering a great responsibility.

The moment you decided to fight against the Princess Royal,

you picked up the responsibility.

Is this something you can put down?

Their advisor Yan Zheng is dead.

If the Princess Royal doesn't give up,

will you turn a blind eye to that?

After the problem with the Princess Royal,

Liang will face new crises.

His Majesty is the exterior while you are the interior.

You'll still have to take care of these things.

Your Highness.

I promise you that...

I will help His Majesty fight against the Princess Royal.

As for the rest,

let's wait until you get well.

Never mind.

I'll leave it all to Liang's fate.

Eunuch Li.

Yes.

From now on, hand all information...

we received from our spies to Noble Consort Ning.

You will obey her as well.

Yes, Your Highness.

What a shame.

Who's that?

Who is it?

What a shame.

Yan Zheng.

Don't think you can scare me.

I'm not afraid.

What a shame.

It's such a shame.

You killed my younger brother.

You have the nerve to come back to me.

Yan Kuan.

I heard from Commandant Chen that...

you've been sighing all day...

and saying, "What a shame."

I'm curious.

What's so regretful?

You want to know?

Prince Guang Ding.

You look pale.

You're surrounded by bad energy.

Did you run into my brother's vengeful spirit?

How did you know?

I've always had telepathy with my younger brother.

I knew what he was thinking...

and he could sense my actions.

I said it's a shame...

because that was how my brother felt before he died.

Does your brother resent me?

I killed him with my own hands.

My brother doesn't resent you all.

He doesn't even resent Wei Guang.

Wei Guang is a cut above.

My brother accepts his defeat.

Mr. Yan.

You keep claiming that we did your brother wrong.

But we've already proven that...

Yan Zheng was bribed by that foolish emperor.

What you see might not be true.

Even if it seems evident,

it might not be the truth.

Wei Guang is indeed a genius.

But, he has no idea that...

in this world,

I am his biggest rival.

As for how he did it,

I will tell you in the future.

Fine.

I will trust you for now.

Let me ask again.

You said it's a shame.

What exactly is so regretful?

There are 3 things.

First of all,

it's regretful for you.

You could have won the throne easily.

But now, your effort has been wasted.

Secondly,

it's regretful for the late emperor.

He did not intend to pass the throne to the current emperor.

But in the end,

his treacherous son succeeded to the throne.

Thirdly,

it's regretful for the folks.

The foolish emperor is causing their sufferings.

Isn't it a shame?

Tell me then.

What should we do next?

Put your plan into motion.

Now is the time to take action.

Now?

When you see 3 unusual phenomena,

it's the best opportunity to take action.

The first one...

is when you see two moons in the sky.

What does that mean?

How can there be two moons in the sky?

The second one...

is when there is no sun in the sky...

even though there is no clouds.

That's even more impossible.

The secret of heaven cannot be told.

As for the third one,

I'll keep it to myself for now.

When you see the two phenomena,

come back to me.

This is such a bad year.

Of 32 counties, we lost 22.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You look flustered.

What happened?

I've bad news regarding Qing Yun County and Bai Le County.

Those two have been prosperous and peaceful counties.

What happened?

It's all because of natural disasters.

Some time ago,

a strange phenomenon took place in Qing Yun County.

There were two moons.

There was a moon in the moon itself.

That's the sign of a huge storm.

As expected, a storm struck and caused a huge flood.

Countless of folks were killed.

Yet, it's the complete opposite in Bai Le County.

It hasn't rained for almost one month.

That caused a locust plague.

Locusts are blotting out the sun.

It's been more than 2 months since they last saw the sun.

If the situation is so serious,

hurry up and send them aid.

Your Majesty.

On top of that,

the disasters might spread to other places.

The entire country is at threat.

I understand.

We're having bad luck indeed. There's been so many bad news.

Summon the Grand Treasurer...

for a discussion in the palace.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Mr. Yan.

It's no wonder the late emperor made you the State Preceptor.

You can really predict the future.

Your two prophecies have come true.

Didn't you say that...

the third unusual phenomenon...

marks the best opportunity?

What is the third unusual phenomenon?

The third one is no unusual phenomenon.

It's your resolution.

Take me out of this prison immediately...

and leave with me.

Upon returning to Beidian,

appoint me as your chief commander...

and declare your independence.

I want all 32 counties...

to rebel at the same time.

Hurry.

Commandant Chen.

Please uncover the mat. I'd like to check.

He died because of a seasonal epidemic.

He might spread it to you.

I don't think you should look.

If he died because of a contagious disease,

why are you all carrying him with bare hands?

I must check.

Your Majesty.

I ran into the Princess Royal,

Prince Guang Ding and Yan Kuan who have rebelled.

I was outnumbered.

I could not arrest them and they got away.

Close the city gates at once...

and search the entire city!

If they manage to escape,

they'll be a huge threat to us!

Yes!

Your Majesty.

I went to order the Imperial Guard to hunt them down...

and found out that the generals in the western camp...

were assisting them.

They've escorted those traitors out of the palace.

I can't believe so many generals pledged allegiance to them.

Where are they headed?

The northwest.

Your Majesty.

They must be returning to Beidian to initiate a coup.

Please allow me to pursue them.

I will surely bring them back.

Alright.

All armies are yours to command.

If you can't bring them back,

execute them on the spot!

Yes.

Your Highness.

Don't mind the formalities.

How's it going at Wei Guang's end?

Did he manage to capture them?

Wei Guang is back.

He pursued them one whole day.

But those traitors...

were protected by a massive army and untouchable.

He was forced to stop outside of Lin Chi County.

From there, it's the territory of those traitors.

You wouldn't be able to return if he did not give up at that point.

Your Highness!

Looks like a war...

is inevitable.

Your Highness.

At this point,

it's pointless to worry.

We can only act according to the situation.

My children...

still chose war.

Ning Zhi.

His Majesty is weak-minded.

You need to help him.

Don't worry.

I will do my best.

The Ministry of Defense just reported that...

the two traitors have fled to Beidian...

and established a regime called Later Liang.

They appointed Yan Kuan as their chief commander...

and now they are marching from 4 directions...

in attempt to capture Yandu!

What?

Your Majesty.

At this point,

there's no turning back.

War is the only solution!

I'd rather...

pull out these thorns in my flesh at a time...

than let them hurt me forever!

Wei Guang.

I confer you the title of Grand Commander of Defense.

You shall command all armies...

and guard the northern route.

Yan Kuan is at the northern route.

You shall confront him head-on.

Yes, Your Majesty.

But I have something to say to Your Majesty.

We're in a critical situation. Just go ahead.

This war is unlike the war against Wuci.

In the war against Wuci,

it was a battle of forces and wits.

But this time, the key lies in the people's support.

Yan Kuan is a manipulative man.

As such, I have 3 requests.

First of all,

there is a rumour among the folks that...

Your Majesty is not the legitimate heir to the throne.

Yan Kuan will surely make use of this rumour.

The late emperor once issued an order...

to execute those who discuss this in private.

Even though it put an end to the controversy,

it only made it seem as though Your Majesty is guilty.

As such, I suggest that...

Your Majesty annul the order...

to show your integrity and magnanimity.

As it is the late emperor's order,

I cannot annul it without a good reason.

But you've a good point.

I shall annul this rule right away...

to display the virtues of the royal family.

What is your second request?

Secondly,

after my departure,

Your Majesty must not do anything that might upset the people...

with no exception.

Of course.

What is your third request?

I foresee that...

once the war breaks out,

Your Majesty would spend the treasury's money...

on military needs.

However, I do not think it is a good idea.

The country is currently plagued by natural disasters.

If we do not relieve the people in time,

the people might rebel.

I suggest that...

Your Majesty allocate adequate funds...

for disaster relief.

But our enemy forces are strong.

Without adequate military funds, we might not be able to cope.

The people's support is more important...

than military forces.

Please trust me, Your Majesty.

Alright.

I shall take your advice.

Your Majesty.

I also wish that you donate half of...

the royal family's wealth for disaster relief...

to show that your benevolence...

is unmatched by the traitor.

This will help earn the people's support.

Don't worry.

As long as you win this war for me,

I will definitely...

fulfill your requests.

Come here and sit down.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

I came today...

in order to bid farewell to you.

Where are you going?

Have you recovered?

I feel much better now.

I plan to bring my brothers...

in the Winged Tiger Army to the front line...

to gather information...

and assist Wei Guang.

You really love to keep yourself busy.

Lang Kun.

Do you think...

we can really win this war?

Both parties are equally strong.

It's hard to tell.

Your Majesty.

Just to be safe,

you need to plan for yourself.

I know.

It's true that I should start planning.

But you're the same.

Don't just worry about others.

You need to protect yourself too.

You've put your life on the line for so many years.

Aren't you tired?

After this war,

you should return to Xiu Lan's hometown...

and lead an ordinary life.

It's been so many years. I've gotten used to it.

I'll plan after the war.

I'm departing tomorrow morning.

I shall excuse myself.

Go back and get some good rest.

Less than a year after the invasion of Wuci,

the temporary peace was broken by natural disasters and civil war.

The second war befell Tianqi Era.

Chief Commander Wei Guang entered the battlefield once again...

with the people's hopes and support.

However, it was a civil war caused by the competition for the throne.

Regardless of the result,

Liang dynasty was bound to be devastated.

You may all retire.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

I heard from the ministers that...

you annulled an order issued by the late emperor...

that prohibited discussions about the succession to the throne.

How come I didn't know anything about this decree?

The late emperor issued that order...

in order to prevent...

controversies surrounding the succession to the throne.

Of course you had no knowledge of it.

It's true that...

my father intended to make Prince Guang Ding his successor.

But, men are fortune's fool.

Right before Prince Guang Ding's coronation,

he was diagnosed with small pox.

His high fever wouldn't subside at all.

The imperial physicians spent months to treat him...

but to no avail.

Out of no choice, my father...

made me the heir to the throne.

Surprisingly,

a few days after my coronation,

he recovered from his illness.

Because of this, Prince Guang Ding feels that...

I stole what belonged to him.

So, he joined hands with my sister the Princess Royal...

and spread rumours about me,

saying that I poisoned him...

and caused his small pox.

I see.

No wonder Prince Guang Ding is so jealous and resentful of you.

That has always been the case.

Your Majesty has nothing to hide.

Rumours will not affect you.

If everyone is as understanding as you,

I wouldn't have to worry so much.

Chief Commander Yan.

You did a great job in the last battle.

We were returning to Beidian...

when we heard that...

you captured two cities in a row.

We were so happy that...

we decided to come over to reward the army...

and drink with you to celebrate.

Don't be too happy yet.

Our real opponent...

is Wei Guang.

Wei Guang?

He's a decent military leader.

He can still handle Wuci.

But, if you're his opponent,

he doesn't pose a threat at all.

Chief Commander Yan.

Based on your estimation,

at this rate,

when will we reach Yandu?

I plan to bide my time...

and negotiate with the emperor.

Negotiate?

Chief Commander Yan, what do you mean by that?

We have a huge advantage now.

Why don't you just attack?

Why should we negotiate with that foolish emperor?

I'm not just going to negotiate.

I'm going to request that he send a certain person to talk to us.

For our side,

we'll have to trouble the princess.

I will request that the emperor...

send the empress to negotiate with us.

The empress?

Why that woman?

Chief Commander Yan.

Are you planning something?

Of course I've my own reason.

If he agrees to send the empress, we'll negotiate.

If he refuses,

we'll attack.

You will soon know...

what I'm planning.

Sir.

What are you thinking about?

Well,

Yan Kuan continues to attack after his victory.

He doesn't seem to know that I faked my defeat.

There are two possibilities.

The first is,

he's a fool in disguise...

because he can't even see through our simplest strategy.

The second is,

the result of these battles doesn't matter to him at all.

While he's battling us on the surface,

he’s actually plotting something.

Chief Commander Wei.

Yan Kuan stopped advancing all of a sudden...

and proposed a negotiation.

Negotiation?

The situation is so advantageous to them on the surface.

Why would they want to negotiate?

Who are the representatives...

and what is the venue for the negotiation?

His Majesty will select the venue.

But they will decide on both parties' representatives.

The Princess Royal is their representative.

But, they want to talk to Her Majesty.

Her Majesty?

Yes.

They said that...

they'll call it off if Her Majesty refuses to go...

and continue to attack.

Why the empress of all people?

What is Yan Kuan up to?

Get ready to deliver an urgent letter.

I need to write a secret letter to His Majesty.

Yes.

Stop reading it.

Wei Guang is being paranoid.

He's a good military leader.

But I know how to handle a negotiation.

He'll just have to fight properly.

Your Majesty.

Please think twice.

If Chief Commander Wei took the trouble to send a letter,

he must have foreseen that...

the negotiation is a bad idea.

Don't you all want me to avoid war and bloodshed?

Why are you all opposed to the negotiation now?

Based on the content of this letter,

Chief Commander Wei is not opposed to a negotiation.

He's just against the idea of following Yan Kuan's instructions...

and sending Her Majesty.

That's correct,

but he didn't even give me a reason.

I don't know what he's thinking.

If he gave me a reason,

I'd consider it.

Yes.

It's true that he did not state a reason.

But, I too feel that...

Yan Kuan's sudden proposition...

and special request...

must be a trap.

As such, Your Majesty,

we must not act as he wishes.

Enough.

I don't see a problem.

It's completely reasonable.

Who else can they talk to?

Me?

Those traitors are too ashamed to face me.

Both the Princess Royal and empress are women.

They are of equal social status. So why not?

-But Your Majesty... -Enough.

As the emperor, I must keep my word.

Besides, the empress agreed to go.

I've said yes to the negotiation.

Do you want me...

to take back my word?

I dare not.

Your Majesty.

Have you talked to His Majesty and the Grand Marshal about...

the conditions of peace?

We can only act according to the situation.

They have the upper hand this time.

We don't have a lot of bargaining power.

Did His Majesty mention to you that...

Wei Guang is against the idea of sending you?

Why?

I'm not sure either.

But I think...

something is fishy.

I'm the mother of the nation.

It's time I do something for the country.

I never concerned myself with the court affairs...

because I was angry with His Majesty.

But now,

I've learnt to let go.

Whether or not His Majesty comes...

doesn't matter to me anymore.

Lang Kun told me what happened...

in Hua Xiang Palace that day.

To me,

what really touches my heart...

is the true love between you and Wei Guang.

That's the kind of love that will never die.

It moves me.

You don't want to know.

I was so scared that I could barely hold the crossbow.

Write a letter to Wei Guang.

Tell him that if you all could do so much for the country,

I can do the same.

Alright.

For those words of yours,

I will manage the royal harem properly...

while you're away for the negotiation.

If anyone dares to compete for power and affection,

I will punish her severely like you did.

What do you mean by that?

Are you ridiculing me?

I dare not.

Alright. Now tell me.

Didn't you say that...

I'll always be the most important one...

and that you'll forever be the least important one?

What else?

Also,

you're my elder sister...

and I'm your younger sister.

You're always the official spouse.

I'm just a little concubine.

That's more like it.

Alright. Let's sit down and talk.

Sister.

You must promise me that...

no matter how unreasonable the Princess Royal is,

don't get into a fight with her.

You must endure...

and come back for planning.

Do I need you to tell me that?

I will pray for you.

Alright.

-Greetings, mother. -Greetings, mother.

You're departing?

When will you return?

It takes 3 days to reach Shaheli from the palace.

The round trip alone takes 6 days.

If there are details to discuss,

it might take a longer time.

Don't worry, mother.

That bad daughter of mine has always been arrogant.

Now that she has the upper hand,

she might give you a hard time.

You are the mother of the nation...

and the most important woman in the country.

You have your pride and prestige.

However, you must...

restrain yourself by then.

Do not get into a fight with them.

If the negotiation doesn't work out,

the people of Liang will bear the consequence.

I will keep your words in mind, mother.

I will be tolerant.

Don't worry.

How are you, Your Majesty?

Sit down.

Forgive me for showing up late.

There's been so many disasters.

I don't think it's a good year.

Your Majesty has gotten even more stuck up.

Alright. Let's be frank.

His Majesty, Prince Guang Ding and I...

share the same mother and father.

If we become enemies,

I don't think we'll be praised by the historians.

So,

I'm willing to negotiate.

We can split the country into halves.

You all can have that part.

We'll take this part.

With this,

you will still be Liang...

while we will be Later Liang.

We'll coexist in harmony.

If we do that,

you all will gain half of the country.

Princess.

What are you?

A robber?

Your Majesty.

I invited you over...

for a negotiation.

We're in Shaheli,

not the palace.

I'm giving you a chance to beg for peace.

I'm not here to put up with your arrogance.

Yes.

"Beg" is the right word.

But, it was mother who begged me...

to put up with her treacherous daughter.

Looks like...

you're not here with sincerity.

I return the same words to you.

You can be arrogant after you capture Ningzhou,

Han City and ultimately Yandu.

I have my proposition for the division.

You don't have the final say.

Tell me about it.

You can have the 6 counties northwards from this point.

You can take it as your dowry from the empress dowager.

You've a little brother who's dying to be an emperor, right?

He can rule the 6 counties.

Six counties?

The entire country belonged to Xiao Yu.

Your despicable husband stole it from him with an underhanded trick.

I'm not here...

to discuss rumours with you.

I came to stop the war.

Fine.

Let's carry on.

We're taking the 12 counties we've occupied.

You can have the rest.

I won't compromise any more than this.

If you disagree,

this war...

will have to go on.

You can have the others.

But you can't have Mei Cheng County and Dong Lai County.

The people in these two counties are loyal to His Majesty.

In fact, they are all trained in martial arts.

Most of their ancestors...

sacrificed their lives for Liang.

As descendants of these patriots,

they won't leave Liang.

If you insist to have them,

you might face rebellious folks...

and bring troubles upon yourself.

Princess.

The empress dowager's birthday is just around the corner.

Why not you gift these two tiny counties...

to her as her birthday gift?

I believe you don't want...

the folks to call you a disloyal and unfilial daughter.

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Sister.

How did it go?

The empress is really difficult to deal with.

I used both hard and soft approaches.

She wouldn't give us more than 10 counties.

I haven't agreed.

What are your opinions?

Ten counties?

That foolish emperor can dream on.

Do not be angry, Your Highness.

The result of the negotiation doesn't matter at all.

It's just for the show.

I'm after something else.

Chief Commander Yan.

What exactly are you planning?

Isn't it time to tell us?

When the time comes,

Your Highness will know.

Your Highness.

Please send someone to tell the emperor that...

the negotiation didn't work out...

because the empress was too arrogant and stuck up.

If he still wants to negotiate,

he must depose her...

and send her to the Cold Palace.

What I want is the throne.

The empress has nothing to do with my plan.

Your Highness.

You will understand later.

Now, we need to...

win a few more battles.

True.

We're going to face their elite troops next.

It's not going to be easy.

That's not a problem.

You've people and god helping you.

In fact,

you also have the help of a spirit.

Chief Commander Yan.

What do you mean by that?

I am the mortal assistant...

and god will keep the natural disasters coming.

The folks are starving and suffering.

On top of that, they have the taxes to pay.

They've no choice but to rebel.

As for the spirit,

Prince Guang Ding saw him once.

You'll see him very often.

But, you don't have to worry.

He's not here to harm you.

He's here to help you.

Empress.

What was my bad daughter's reaction?

Would she accept your conditions?

It's hard to tell.

It'll also depend on Yan Kuan and Prince Guang Ding.

I actually sent you...

just to test the waters.

The natural disasters should be coming to an end.

Yan Kuan is just a manipulative man.

He has no experience in the battlefield.

I don't think he'll pose a huge threat.

Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Your Highness.

Your Majesty, we received a letter from the princess.

This is absurd.

Guess what they said.

What did they say?

They claimed that you were arrogant during the negotiation.

They also demanded that...

I depose you and send you to the Cold Palace...

or else they will call the negotiation off.

Your Majesty, was there an argument during the negotiation?

No.

I did not get into a fight with the Princess Royal.

My sinful children!

Why did I give birth to these heartless things?

-Mother. -Your Highness.

Calm down, mother.

Sit down.

It's been more than a month since the war broke out.

On the surface, we've lost 3 battles.

But, I was merely testing their forces.

They are much weaker than we thought.

However, there is one thing I am extremely worried about.

Yan Kuan demanded that Your Majesty depose the empress...

in order to carry on with the negotiation.

After much deliberation,

I concluded that it must be a trap.

Your Majesty must not fall for it.

Do you remember what I said before I left?

In this war, the key lies in the people's support.

The empress is the mother of the nation...

loved by the folks.

If you depose the empress,

you will lose the people's support...

and the Princess Royal will gain an advantage.

As such, regardless of the circumstances,

never depose the empress.

Otherwise, Yan Kuan will be able to effortlessly...

earn the people's support and win this war.