Original subtitles

Episode 40

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Chief Commander Yan.

Rise.

Thank you, sir.

With Pang Kang as our hostage,

we've an extra bargaining chip in this war we're bound to win.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

Pang Kang will be a great help.

You've contributed significantly.

You're promoted to 3 ranks higher.

Thank you, sir.

-Let go of me! -Stand properly!

Listen!

If you behave,

I'll guarantee your safety.

If you dare to go against me,

I'll have to be mean to you even though you're my nephew!

Understand?

Stand properly!

-Stand still! -Take him away.

Send more men and guard him carefully.

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

Let's go!

Let's go!

Chief Commander Yan, this is my territory.

What are you worried about?

This little prince has a special relationship with Noble Consort Ning.

Whenever it concerns Noble Consort Ning,

that man will always appear.

That's even better.

I'm waiting for him.

Fire! Put out the fire!

-Fire! -Hurry!

Put out the fire!

Help!

Help!

-There's water over there! -Fetch water!

Help!

Hurry up!

-Help! -Here!

Hurry!

Put out the fire!

Hurry!

Wei Guang.

Your Highness.

The little prince is still nowhere to be found.

He was probably taken away from the palace.

If that's the case, go out and search for him.

Yes.

Sister, are you done considering...

my 3 conditions?

I heard you were trained in a circus troupe.

You'll just have to act crazy.

Isn't it easy?

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Kang Er.

Kang Er!

Who abducted Kang Er?

It was that shameless man Yan Kuan.

His Majesty has arrived!

Consort Min?

Why are you here?

I...

I heard that Kang Er went missing.

I was worried.

But luckily,

he has been found.

Kang Er.

Kang Er.

Kang Er.

Let me see.

Kang Er, are you alright?

I'm alright.

I'm glad you're fine.

I'm glad you're fine.

How did Kang Er go missing?

It was Yan Kuan.

He abducted the little prince.

Consort Min came to talk to me.

Although she did not admit that she abducted the little prince,

she knew everything about the whole incident.

I know Consort Min very well.

If the same thing happens again,

I won't be forgiving.

You too!

If this happens again,

you'll pay with your life!

Yes.

Ban Ling Er is such a vile woman.

I won't spare her again.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

We received a report from the front line.

We've lost Mu He County and Wu Ning County.

Our army of 200,000 soldiers...

had been wiped out.

Wiped out?

No way.

No way.

Your Majesty.

Now, the only person who can save Liang...

is Wei Guang!

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I heard from the Grand Marshal that...

twenty old generals requested to meet you.

They all want to contribute strategies.

In fact, the folks are volunteering to join the army...

to protect the country.

I'm not worried.

I'm only worried about...

you.

Consort Min, tell me honestly.

Were you the one behind...

Kang Er's abduction?

Your Majesty, why are you questioning me?

It must be Noble Consort Ning.

It must be her.

This is false accusation.

It's not because I believed what Noble Consort Ning said.

The spy I sent to monitor Yan Kuan...

just reported to me that...

you were involved in...

Kang Er's abduction.

Your Majesty, I'm innocent.

I resent Yan Kuan so much that I'd kill him with my own hands!

Why would I collude with him?

You've the nerve to lie to me!

I've sent men to investigate...

Zhou Guan Zhong's case.

Your Majesty, I thought you said...

the case has been closed.

You even ordered...

not to let anyone...

reinvestigate the case.

Stop denying it!

I only believe in evidence.

I only believe in...

my own eyes!

Your Majesty, I was just trying to help you.

In order to make Wei Guang go to the front line,

I told Noble Consort Ning that...

I had information of the abducted prince.

I know what you did.

Say no more.

Your Majesty!

I...

I threatened Noble Consort Ning...

in order to help you.

She's your imperial consort...

and yet, she's in love with another man!

I can't believe you'd even make up a lie like this!

How many times have you lied to me...

and deceived me?

I did not, Your Majesty!

I did not.

While I was...

busy dealing with the two traitors,

you messed with the court!

You ostracized the loyal and honest officials...

and promoted all the fawners!

Guards!

Yes!

Take this shameless woman...

to Yong Lun Palace...

to await further punishment.

Yes!

No.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

I'm innocent, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

-Greetings, Your Majesty. -Rise at once.

Wei Guang.

If I hadn't sent a spy to monitor Yan Kuan,

I would have been deceived by Ban Ling Er.

Noble Consort Ning.

I'll leave this entire case to you.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Also,

I had covertly investigated...

Zhou Guan Zhong and Yang Ming's cases.

Those two were indeed wronged.

Don't worry.

I will announce my findings nationwide...

to clear their names.

I will leave Ban Ling Er...

to you as well.

Yes.

Wei Guang.

I made a huge mistake by not taking your advice.

Now, I've...

gotten rid of Ban Ling Er and her cronies.

Tomorrow,

the loyal and honest officials will return to the court.

Would you...

go to the front line once again for me?

Wei Guang.

Once you return triumphant,

this time round,

you must plan for yourself.

Your Majesty.

In this war,

sacrificing my life to kill Yan Kuan...

is already the best possible outcome.

Perhaps, this is my way out.

Wei Guang, you've never lost.

The political situation has been unstable for years.

Ban Ling Er harmed the loyal and honest officials...

and our soldiers are incompetent.

Liang has only...

an army of 70,000-80,000 soldiers...

while Yan Kuan commands an army of 400,000 soldiers.

I,

Lang Kun in heaven,

Noble Consort Ning...

and you.

The four of us are one.

If we win,

we shall raise our glasses and celebrate.

If we lose,

we shall all die together.

Wei Guang.

I had gone through many difficult moments over the years.

Each time I felt like giving up,

do you know...

what supported me?

It was the letter you wrote to me back then.

You made me promise you one thing.

Do you still remember?

"Live".

I was still young back then.

The first time I received your letter,

I was extremely excited.

It was an encouragement in a crisis.

It's getting late.

It's time I get back.

We'll see you off.

No thanks.

It's also time...

we say goodbye.

Kneel!

It's alright.

Yes!

Did you bribe those physicians...

and make them put poison in Mr. Zhou Guan Zhong's medicine...

which caused continuous bleeding...

and made him believe that he was dying?

His Majesty authorized me to do so!

He sent me to help the disaster victims...

and punish the bad officials!

If you think I'm sinful,

then His Majesty is the one to be blamed.

My question is,

did you bribe those physicians?

Noble Consort Ning.

It's too early to be happy.

Now, you're humiliating me.

In the future,

you will end up like me.

Even if I've to die,

I've no regrets.

I was powerful and influential.

Officials bootlicked me like dogs.

What regrets would I have?

I've obtained the statements of those physicians...

and local officials.

They are all with me.

Ye Ning Zhi.

Do you know...

what a woman really needs?

It's a man's love.

Regardless of how His Majesty treats me today,

we were once in love.

But, look at you.

The two of you were never in love.

The loser is not me,

but you.

The loser is not me,

but you.

Ban Ling Er.

His Majesty has never loved you.

You've never loved him either.

You were just fighting for...

love from a man you don't love.

What you won...

was just a meaningless position.

That was all.

Noble Consort Ning.

I beg of you.

Please don't make me drink poison.

Don't make me hang myself either.

Didn't you tell me that...

Yong Ling Palace is the highest building in the palace?

I want to...

jump to my death from there.

We were sisters.

Please do me a favor.

Alright?

Ban Ling Er, your trial is not over yet.

We've yet to clear the names of those who were wronged.

You can't die yet.

I'll question you again.

Take her back.

Yes!

Move!

This is the land of Later Liang.

The country still belongs to Pang family.

It's just that the emperor...

is me, Pang Yu.

It's taking them so long to finish the embroidery.

There's no hurry.

Wei Guang has come to the front line.

This war...

won't end so soon.

With Wei Guang at the front line,

the war will only end sooner.

Why?

Now that Wei Guang is leading their army,

all military forces...

will gather at Longxi.

Everyone will focus on...

the showdown between me and him.

By then, you'll lead an army of 100,000 soldiers...

and charge directly into the palace...

to kill that foolish emperor.

Wei Guang's troops...

will surrender without a fight.

You came.

Ban Ling Er.

My last moment has come.

It's time I leave.

But, I really want to go to Yong Ling Palace again.

I want to wear the phoenix robe...

and the crown again.

I want to sit in the phoenix palanquin...

and take a walk in the Imperial Garden again.

Noble Consort Ning.

I want to see those beautiful palace again.

I've no authority to allow that.

But, I will bury you properly.

I don't want to die like this.

I don't want to die like this.

I want to look pretty.

I want to look pretty.

Wei Guang's army has stopped Yan Kuan from advancing.

Even if we cannot...

eliminate the traitors right away,

as long as we fight on,

they will surely lose.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Prince Guang Ding has led an army of 100,000 soldiers...

to cross Mount Fenghua...

and attack Yandu.

Don't worry!

Prince Guang Ding can't lead an army.

Even if he manages to cross Mount Fenghua,

he'll still need to get past Qing Teng County and Liu Feng County.

It'll take at least...

two months for him to reach Yandu.

He can't lay siege so soon.

Tell Wei Guang...

to send half of his troops over...

whenever necessary.

Report!

We've lost Liu Feng County.

What?

We've lost Liu Feng County?

Your Majesty.

Prince Guang Ding's army has reached Yandu.

They'll charge to the palace anytime.

After a discussion with Her Majesty and the prime minister,

I concluded that it's better for us to flee Yandu...

and seek refuge in Nan Long County.

But...

We can return once Wei Guang's army arrives.

There were 5 emperors in the history of Liang.

We're a great dynasty.

Yet, in my own reign,

I've to abandon my capital and flee.

Your Majesty, as long as we're victorious in the end,

you'll still be the emperor.

History is written by the victors.

If you're defeated by Prince Guang Ding,

the future generation will look down on you.

Prince Guang Ding is attacking Yandu...

for the throne...

and Your Majesty's life.

Your Majesty.

There are mountain bandits and insurgents out there.

You can't wear your dragon robe.

Change my clothes.

Your Majesty, we'll disguise as refugees...

and depart right away.

If there's a mountain trail,

the troops escorting us will travel down the mountain.

Once we're in danger,

they'll come to our rescue.

We can't use palanquins or horses on the mountain trails.

You'll have to walk.

My dear.

Send someone to check on Wei Guang.

Now is not a good time.

Let's get to Nan Long County first.

Tell the troops to come!

Hurry!

Charge!

Her Majesty.

Hurry! Look for Her Majesty!

Yes!

Lang Kun?

Lang Kun, is that you?

You... You're not dead.

You're still alive.

I said that...

I'm a cat.

But, it looks like I'm better than cats.

I'm so glad you're alive.

But, what are you doing here?

Why didn't you hide away?

I found out that...

His Majesty is fleeing the capital with his family.

I've been following you all.

Then I saw that your cardiopalmus was acting up.

As it was an emergency,

I brought you here.

I made these pills...

using a new formula.

It's not good enough to cure you,

but it can delay the deterioration of your condition.

Take it.

But, it's dangerous to follow us.

Leave.

Then you must...

take good care of yourself.

I know.

You need to take care too.

Go.

This is ridiculous!

Those mountain bandits are outrageous!

They had the nerve to attack the emperor!

Return to Yandu at once...

and get the Imperial Guard to come!

I'm going to get rid of those mountain bandits!

-Yes! -Your Majesty!

That's a bad idea.

The Imperial Guard is staying back...

in order to stall Prince Guang Ding...

and buy time for Wei Guang.

I've left Yandu.

There's nothing Prince Guang Ding can do about it!

Your flight is just the safest plan.

But, the civilians in Yandu...

are still there.

If the Imperial Guard leaves,

what will happen to the folks?

Noble Consort Ning, as you said,

Prince Guang Ding is after me...

and the throne.

He won't hurt the civilians.

Your Majesty.

This is war.

I was once trapped in Han City which was occupied by Yan Kuan.

I saw with my own eyes...

how Yan Zheng cruelly killed the innocent folks.

Even though Prince Guang Ding wants to be the emperor,

Yandu is now...

a battlefield.

The folks will surely get into trouble.

This is why...

the prime minister and Grand Marshal must stay back...

to command the Imperial Guard.

They must do their best...

to protect as many folks as possible...

and buy as much time as possible...

until Wei Guang arrives.

The mountain bandits merely retreated.

If they attack again,

do we have enough men...

to fend them off?

Your Majesty, you must trust Wei Guang.

The person I trust least...

is Wei Guang.

Go back to Yandu and tell the Imperial Guard to come!

Also,

as we're in an critical situation,

for the time being, don't look for the empress.

Yes!

Your Highness, it's late.

You should go back and get some rest.

Once the Imperial Guard arrives,

the guards can go search for Her Majesty.

-Your Majesty! -Greetings, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty! Are you alright?

Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

Where were you?

It's a long story. I'll tell you later.

What's with that fiery fire?

It's Yandu.

Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Your Highness.

Your Majesty.

What happened?

Report!

The fire in Yandu spread to the shops on the main street...

and the fire devoured half of the city!

As soon as I received Your Majesty's order,

I led the troops out of Yandu.

I wasn't aware of this fire.

Before you left,

what was Prince Guang Ding's army doing?

Prince Guang Ding was laying siege and we were outnumbered.

Out of no choice,

I shut the gate...

to wait for Chief Commander Wei.

But, after receiving His Majesty's order,

I did not dare to stay.

They couldn't break the city gate.

So, Prince Guang Ding set a fire.

Prince Guang Ding...

is completely heartless!

Yet, he's dreaming of...

He's dreaming of becoming the emperor!

If the Imperial Guard had stayed back,

there wouldn't have been a fire!

Shut up!

Shut up.

Kang Er, we can go home soon.

-Greetings, Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

I came late.

Please forgive me.

You're here at last.

What's the situation out there?

How's Yandu?

Chief Commander Wei has returned to Yandu with his army.

On top of wiping out the enemy forces,

he captured the Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding.

We are just waiting for Your Majesty's instructions now.

Really?

I've waited so long...

for this day.

Return to the palace at once!

I want to see the two traitors myself!

Yes!

Indeed, only Wei Guang...

can save the people of Liang.

Your Majesty, the traitors are here.

You were royalty.

You enjoyed fame and fortune.

You are my siblings.

You could have enjoyed peace and prosperity with me.

This is happening to you...

because you asked for it.

We asked for it?

Did I give up the position of the crown prince myself?

Did our sister give up her love herself?

Pang Tong.

All your life,

what have you done apart from fawning over father?

Are you anywhere...

as intelligent and brave as an emperor should be?

How absurd.

Pang Yu.

I spared your life and allowed you to stand here...

because I'm giving you a chance to turn over a new leaf.

Do you have any idea that...

this sister of yours...

plotted a coup for herself in your name?

She's making use of you.

So what?

When I was still a child,

I was deposed because of my illness...

and she was the only one who stood by me and took care of me.

She cared for me.

She's the only person who loves me.

You think the whole world is being unfair to you?

You've no idea that...

father, the empress and I...

have been kind enough to you.

We've given you enough.

Pang Tong.

Stop acting like a good emperor.

If you're a good emperor,

we wouldn't have had so many supporters.

Do you think that...

we were defeated by your virtues?

The truth is,

we were defeated by someone's blind loyalty.

You're hopeless.

For the sake of the country,

I've no choice but to kill you.

Take them away.

They shall be executed in public.

Yes!

Wait.

Your Majesty, I've something to say.

Your Highnesses.

Whether or not I'm blindly loyal,

I'm not the one you lost to.

The day you led your army to the palace,

Yan Kuan was aware of my plan.

Yet, he did not send any troops to help you.

Because he wanted us to destroy each other.

It was calculated.

Now, he has assembled all 300,000 soldiers...

to take advantage of the situation.

All along, he has been...

biding his time for this.

Also,

he did not make that dragon robe for you.

He prepared it for himself.

I can't believe it.

After such a long power struggle within Pang family,

we end up...

losing our country to an outsider.

Sister.

There's no Pang family.

There's no family here.

I don't need this cruel royal family.

As long as Pang Tong is not the emperor,

I can die with no regrets.

Wei Guang.

At this point,

are you still...

going to protect this foolish emperor?

As long as I'm alive,

Liang will not fall.

Sister.

Let's go.