Original subtitles

[Shadow Love]

[Episode 30]

So I will

take Li Shuang away from Yunjing as soon as possible.

Su Muyang

fears the Changfeng Army's power,

so he won't dare move against you.

What if Shuang refuses?

As long as you don't stop me,

I'll find a way.

And if I do stop you?

Then I'll stick around until you give in.

Good.

Only someone with your character

can truly protect her.

Shuang insists on returning to the capital

because she doesn't want to implicate the Li family and the Changfeng Army.

She always feels she owes me her life.

Loyalty, filial piety, propriety, and righteousness—

these values that shaped her

are also close to destroying her.

Right now,

only you can break

these deadly constraints

and set her free.

Grand General, I won't let you down.

This Dragon Sword has been with me for years.

Today, I give it to you

as a gift

for your future wedding with Shuang.

From now on,

keep her safe for me.

If she refuses to leave

and keeps being stubborn,

show her this sword and tell her,

"You are Li Wei's daughter."

If she enters the palace,

she'll only become a hostage,

a pawn His Majesty will use

to purge or control me.

Only if she escapes far away

will I be free of worry.

I understand.

I won't disappoint you, Grand General.

Master,

as you instructed,

the flag has been cleaned

and restored completely.

[Annan]

This is the military flag of the Black Armor Army

under Prince Annan Duan Aodeng of Yao State.

Back then, during the Battle of Lucheng,

when the Emperor of Yao State reached the border area,

I led a team

to pursue him.

Grand General,

the wheel tracks lead that way.

This is our only chance to capture the Emperor of Yao State alive.

You guys stay here.

If we haven't returned

by dawn,

go back to camp and report.

Grand General!

This mission

is certainly perilous,

but if it can end the war between the two nations,

it will be a blessing.

This is the Emperor of Yao State's carriage.

Let's split up and surround them.

Duan Aoze.

Li Wei?

Today, my victory may not be honorable,

but for the sake of all people,

I must capture you alive.

At present,

Yao State has sent envoys to negotiate peace.

There are some conditions we cannot concede,

but we should return prisoners of war

to show sincerity.

This military flag

will be returned as well.

What's wrong with you?

Forgive my rudeness.

I suddenly feel unwell.

I'll take my leave first.

Come and catch me!

Wait for me!

I'm coming for you! I'm coming for you!

Hurry up!

Aodeng,

are you alright?

Long live Your Majesty!

This military flag

is also a trophy taken that day.

Did you really see it clearly?

I dare not speak recklessly.

Though that person's behavior

was completely different from Prince Annan,

their voice and appearance

were very similar.

This matter is extremely serious.

Therefore,

I rode back as fast as I could to report to you.

How did he react

when he saw you?

He was indifferent.

So I couldn't confirm his identity.

However,

he seems to have some conflict

with the Emperor of Taijin

because of General Li Shuang

of the Changfeng Army.

Jin Wujian hasn't returned to report yet.

He is most likely already dead.

This person must certainly be Duan Aodeng.

Since we can no longer control the shadow puppet,

I absolutely cannot let him return alive to Yao State.

Your Majesty,

although we declared early on that Prince Annan was dead,

his former supporters in the court

have never accepted it

and have been secretly searching for him.

His Majesty is still young

and his position is not yet secure.

Whether this person is Prince Annan or not,

I think

we cannot afford to be careless.

You just said

Su Muyang had a falling out with him

because of that female general?

Yes.

Everything in the world—

even when two nations clash—

seeks

only advantage.

As long as my offer is generous,

I believe

Su Muyang will be willing to help me with this favor.

You're wise, Your Majesty.

[Imperial Palace of Taijin]

Your Majesty,

regarding the case of Jia Shihong embezzling disaster relief funds,

after thorough investigation,

the evidence is now conclusive.

Your Majesty,

why are you hesitating to convict him?

The judgment

of this case

rests with His Majesty.

You have repeatedly interfered

and spoken disrespectfully

before His Majesty.

Are you

intending to rebel?

Throughout history,

any wise ruler

would first share the worries of the people.

The disaster relief case

concerns the livelihood of the people.

Your Majesty,

please do not fear the powerful officials

and allow the law to be applied unfairly.

Your Majesty,

please do not fear the powerful officials

and allow the law to be applied unfairly.

Ministers, there is no need to argue.

I have already made my judgment.

Jia Shihong, governor of Jiuqing County,

abused his power for personal gain

and embezzled disaster relief funds.

The charges have been verified.

Effective immediately,

he will be dismissed, investigated,

and all his property confiscated.

His relatives

and clansmen

will be executed for the same crime

as a warning to others.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Let go of me!

I am the Prime Minister.

How can I be arbitrarily implicated?

Prime Minister, you repeatedly claim

to be very close to this guilty official—

how can you call it false accusation?

Moreover,

if I hadn't considered your service in two reigns

and sent someone to investigate thoroughly,

we might never have uncovered

your crime of regicide.

How dare he?

Su Muyang!

You...

Bring in Jin Bao.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Spare my life, Your Majesty!

Prime Minister! Prime Minister!

Save me, Prime Minister!

Prime Minister, please save me!

You!

Fine!

Your Majesty!

It was Mr. Ji.

Mr. Ji forced me to do it.

He had me secretly switch

the late emperor's elixir.

How dare he commit such a heinous act?

Mr. Ji wields immense power.

I dared not disobey, Your Majesty.

Have mercy, Your Majesty!

Immediately

throw Ji Lan into the Imperial Prison.

Execute the entire Ji family

to the utmost penalty.

They truly deserve it.

Your Majesty!

Please spare me, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Please spare me, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

[Li Residence]

Greetings, sir.

Mr. Quan,

where are you rushing off to?

In a few days,

it will be the Master's birthday.

I'm hurrying

to the wine shop

to order some birthday wine.

Such an important occasion—

why haven't I heard anyone in the residence mention it?

Our Master

has never liked extravagance.

Even on his birthday every year,

he only has a simple meal.

So I thought,

this year,

with you, the Miss,

and the Young Master

all here,

it's a rare gathering.

We should make it lively,

right?

I'm off then.

Your Majesty, you're in quite a good mood today.

In the past, if you had

no business with me, you wouldn't take

a single step inside my palace.

Now that I'm in this Imperial Prison,

you actually enjoy coming.

Why did they

give you such harsh treatment?

Drop your hypocritical act.

Haven't you fawned and played

the submissive role long enough?

Don't think I don't know.

Once I, your only obstacle, am removed,

Li Shuang's coronation

will be just around the corner.

Even at this point,

all you care about

is still the position of Empress.

With such limited vision,

how could you ever stand on equal footing with me?

From beginning to end,

you've always treated me as if I didn't exist.

Besides the position of Empress,

what else could I possibly care about?

If I hadn't condescended to marry you back then,

giving you access to the Prime Minister's power,

would you even be alive today?

Your arrogance

is exactly like your father's.

Do you really think

that I've survived until today

because I had the Ji family's support?

It was the late emperor who didn't want me dead,

because my life,

just like our marriage,

was just a pawn to block misfortune for him.

I seized this empire with my own hands,

yet your Ji family

wanted to reap the benefits.

How could I

possibly forgive that?

We are husband and wife.

Have you ever, for even a moment,

treated me as your wife?

It's precisely because

you are my lawful wife

that I cannot bear

to see you executed publicly.

Haven't you always coveted the position of Empress?

A posthumous title

will serve just as well.

Father-in-law,

you haven't eaten for days.

I assume

you've given up on life.

You ungrateful bastard.

So

all this time since you entered the capital,

pretending weakness before me,

it was just a staged performance

to lure me into arranging Jin Bao,

trapping me in your

two-birds-one-stone scheme.

That way, I could kill Father

and get rid of you at the same time.

A temporary humiliation

was nothing to me.

I won't die.

Even if I must,

I will expose you first!

Your right hand?

I do intend to kill you,

but I won't let you die so easily.

Do you really think

that the entire court

doesn't know what really happened?

Even so,

today

I already hold absolute power

that cannot be shaken.

Father-in-law, didn't you say

that I was incompetent and had no achievements,

unable to command respect?

Your death

will be my first political accomplishment.

Tianjiao!

Su Muyang.

You will

die a terrible death!

You want to execute me publicly

to establish your authority.

I absolutely won't let you

have your way!

Your Majesty,

he has already died.

Issue my edict:

the criminal official Ji Lan

shall be beheaded,

and his head displayed at the city gate for 3 days

as a warning.

Yes.

Shuang.

Father.

I just received word

that Ji Lan and his daughter

have died suddenly in prison.

Was it His Majesty?

When the rabbits all die,

the hounds are no longer needed.

Now that he sits on the throne,

he won't allow anyone to control him anymore.

I just didn't expect it all to happen so quickly.

You and Jin'an should pack immediately

and depart at once.

If you delay,

who knows what could happen.

Father.

With the Prime Minister's faction fallen,

the Li family will surely be the next target.

How can I leave at a time like this

and leave you to face this alone?

Didn't he tell you

what I said to him?

Don't worry about me.

Leave immediately.

The Li family's reputation

has been built over years

with blood and loyalty.

Moreover, the Changfeng Army is still under our command.

Even if His Majesty wants to make things difficult for me,

I don't think he would go too far.

But Father...

His Majesty is here!

Come here.

Back in Lucheng,

I wanted to give you

this hairpin,

but you refused it.

Now,

it's finally in your hands again.

Wear it

when you attend the coronation, okay?

The Prime Minister was scheming his whole life,

yet in the end,

his arrogance blinded him.

Unaware of the predator lurking behind,

he died suddenly in the palace.

I just didn't expect

that so soon after their deaths,

you would already be arranging the empress's coronation.

You truly are busy with national affairs daily,

without a moment's rest.

Are you accusing me?

Three years ago,

if not for the late emperor's arranged marriage,

how could we have been separated?

I only wish to make up for past regrets.

Is that wrong?

I know

your heart belongs to Jin'an.

But I can grant him high office, wealth,

and a lifetime of prosperity

as compensation for him.

Your Majesty, may I ask,

is this compensation really for Jin'an,

or for the unease

in your own heart?

Jin'an possesses divine power.

How could he be easily abducted?

It was you

who put Kongqing Water in his wine that day

to suppress his power.

Prince Li died suddenly,

and you claimed Jin'an did it.

That's because you knew—

like a lamb entering the tiger's den—

he wouldn't stand a chance of returning alive.

You shifted all the blame onto Jin'an.

Aren't you afraid that one day

you'll face divine retribution?

Your right hand...

That's right.

I did it all.

With this very right hand,

I killed Su Muli.

And it was I

who tried to let Jin'an

bear the guilt of fratricide for me,

to die with scheming and injustice,

with no place to be buried.

Jin'an risked his life alone

for you.

How could you repay him with betrayal?

The victor takes all.

That is the way of the world.

To ascend to the throne,

I can sacrifice

parents, siblings,

relatives, and even my wife.

Yet I gave you

the only bit of true heart I had.

And you want to betray me for another man.

Even so,

I forgave you.

I even allowed you to go to Wuling Mountain to save him.

I have repeatedly yielded

for your sake,

showing the utmost benevolence.

I am the Emperor.

Whatever I desire,

I will obtain.

Whether you're willing or not,

I will keep you by my side forever,

letting you, just like me,

love without being loved in return,

forever deprived of hope.

All who defy me

will meet a bitter end.

Bro,

do you think this man

could be Prince Annan?

He does look quite like him.

But seeing his carefree attitude,

I'm not certain.

That's impossible.

That day, I clearly heard

what Bai Kun secretly reported

to Empress Dowager Qin.

There can be no mistake.

Moreover,

Chen Kuan and his group

also disappeared after arriving in Lucheng.

And this man

came from Lucheng

with the female general of the Changfeng Army.

I don't think

this is mere coincidence.

Keep following him.

You two have been following me all day.

What exactly do you want?

Could it be that you plan to kill and rob me

right under the Emperor's nose?

Sir, you misunderstand.

We

are not bandits.

It's just that your appearance

greatly resembles our long-missing master.

That's why

we've rudely disturbed you.

What's

your master's name?

My master's surname is Duan.

A year ago,

he suffered great misfortune.

Everyone said he was dead,

but we two brothers know

it wasn't

our master

in that coffin.

Therefore, we have been

searching for him tirelessly ever since.

Right now,

we've just arrived in Yunjing

and are unfamiliar with the place.

We humbly ask you

for some guidance.

We

would be eternally grateful.

I cannot help you find him.

Judging by how weary and travel-worn you are,

you must have suffered much along the way.

Since your master is lost,

why not seek a new path for yourselves?

A loyal servant serves only one master.

We brothers

have sworn a blood oath

that even if we die,

we would follow him to the underworld,

loyal to him alone.

It's been so long,

and there's still no sign of him.

Perhaps he's dead.

I treat you politely only because

you resemble our master a bit.

If you dare speak nonsense again,

I'll kill you!

Wei Heng.

It's been a year,

and your temper hasn't changed.

You...

I am Wang Meng.

I am Wei Heng.

Greetings, Prince Annan.

Don't kneel.

Are you saying

that Empress Dowager Qin sent a letter

and revealed my identity to Su Muyang?

Meng and I rode here as fast as we could

just to reach you first.

Otherwise, once Empress Dowager Qin's message

reaches the Taijin Palace,

it would be difficult for you

to leave.

I will definitely return to Yao State,

but not yet.

Why?

During the Battle of Lucheng,

Empress Dowager Qin took Ze out of the palace.

I hurried there,

and all I remember is a stone chamber

and that I did see Ze.

But what happened afterward,

I've forgotten entirely.

Ze...

How did he die?

I have failed you.

That day,

we followed you there,

but we arrived too late.

When we arrived,

His Majesty

was already lying in a pool of blood.

That day, Li Wei sheathed his sword and tried to escape.

We fought with all our might to stop him,

but he still got away.

Prince Annan,

I heard that you had been

secretly staying close to his daughter,

Li Shuang,

and only recently entered the palace with her.

Is this

a part of your plan?

I was in danger in Lucheng at that time.

It was Li Shuang who saved me.

It seems all of this

was arranged by fate.

Li Wei.

If Li Wei hadn't attempted to assassinate His Majesty,

Empress Dowager Qin wouldn't have come to power,

and Chen Kuan wouldn't have died.

Prince Annan,

you must avenge

His Majesty

and our fallen brothers.

Prince Annan.

Li Shuang has nothing to do with this.

You must not harm her.

The only one we are going to kill

is Li Wei.

Very well.

As long as we can kill Li Wei,

I

am willing to sacrifice everything

to assist you loyally.

I am Duan Aoze,

the sage ruler of Yao State.

Who dares

to intrude?

I am Li Wei, General of Cavalry

of Taijin!

I'm here to end your miserable life!

Aodeng,

save me.

Save me!

Your Majesty!

I am your elder brother!

When we arrived,

His Majesty

was already lying in a pool of blood.

That day, Li Wei sheathed his sword and tried to escape.

We fought with all our might to stop him,

but he still got away.

It's so late.

Why haven't you gone to bed?

I was waiting for you.

Where have you been?

I had nothing to do,

so I went for a walk.

Father said

you had something to tell me.

No wonder people say

a man is a different person

before

and after marriage.

You used to be completely honest with me,

and now you have your own secrets.

You don't have hidden savings, do you?

Don't worry.

I couldn't care less.

That won't do.

You're the only one in this world

who can keep me in check.

I've asked the Grand General for your hand,

and he agreed.

I'm planning to take you away from Yunjing.

Then we can cut ties

with all our troubles

and start fresh,

living the life we want.

You don't want that?

How could I not?

Being with you forever

is all I've ever wanted.

Tomorrow

is the Grand General's birthday.

Once we leave,

who knows when we'll see him again.

How about we stay

to celebrate his birthday before leaving?

Your Majesty,

there's an urgent letter from Yao State.

The land cession hasn't been settled yet.

What trick are they trying to play this time?

Put it here.

Your Majesty,

the birthday gift you ordered for General Li

has been delivered.

General Li's military achievements are remarkable.

And General Li Shuang

has also won great military merit

and will soon enter the palace to serve at your side.

Your Majesty,

if you value the Li family,

why don't you visit personally

to show your imperial favor?

Are you saying

the Li family's achievements

are unmatched,

and even I

must curry favor with them?

I dare not.

I spoke out of turn.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Get out!

Yes.

Recently, I was surprised to learn

that the death of Prince Annan,

Duan Aodeng, under the former ruler was suspicious.

After thorough investigation,

we discovered that he is now hiding in Taijin

under the name Jin'an.

The Emperor of Taijin,

please do us a favor

and spare him any trouble.

Jin'an is actually Duan Aodeng?