Original subtitles

BASED ON THE NOVEL "THE PRISONER OF BEAUTY" BY PENGLAI KE

You think I'm gullible, don't you?

Your clan is far too naïve.

Do you think a betrothal

can wipe out 14 years of hatred?

Did you truly believe your beauty alone

could enchant me?

That crafty rat Qiao Gui played his cards well,

sending a granddaughter here to act all gentle and sweet

just to trick me into allying with Yanzhou.

Was this how he fooled my grandfather back then?

Let me tell you this.

We won't fall for

your clan's tricks twice.

Lord Wei,

are you breaking off the engagement?

No.

I'm just exposing your robbery-like deal.

For the sake of this seal,

I'll spare your life.

However,

pack your things immediately and get out of Xindu.

Oh, and by the way,

tell your family to prepare themselves and wait for me.

I'm coming for them.

- Guards. - Here.

Drag her out.

Don't touch me!

I misjudged you.

Everyone, hurry up!

General, what exactly is going on?

Why are you taking my quilt? Give it back.

Give it back.

Mother, why are they taking our things?

- What's going on? - What happened?

- Hurry up! - Stop!

That's my chest.

Wait.

What are you doing? We're moving things out.

On whose orders?

Mother, take this and that chest.

Quickly!

- Yes. - Hold on.

Wei…

Don't move, don't move.

Wei…

Duang.

Duang who? My name is Wei Liang.

Whatever. Why are you taking our things?

General Wei Liang,

didn't we agree that we would discuss marriage?

Why are you expelling us from Xindu?

So many questions!

- Take these away. - Hurry up!

Come on.

- Hurry. - Get up.

Take it away.

What are you doing?

Stop, Xiaotao.

- Stop, Xiaotao. - Stop.

- Let go. Let go. - Don't fight.

- General Wei Duang… - "Wei Duang"?

It's Wei Liang. Wei Liang!

There must be some misunderstanding.

Miss Xiaoqiao has gone to see His Lordship.

Surely soon, the Lord of Wei will order the marriage.

Expelling you from Xindu was his order.

This chubby girl is quite strong.

What?

Hurry and send them away.

I…

Why are they expelling us?

No idea.

Miss Xiaoqiao fell into their trap.

How can I face His Lordship now?

What should we do?

What if Miss Xiaoqiao comes back?

Quick, load the carts.

Okay.

This, this…

Don't…

PANYI ANNALS HUMANITIES, SITUATION

My lord.

This isn't good, right?

We've exchanged the Letter of Marriage.

We should proceed with the marriage as agreed.

What's not good about it?

The Qiao clan can break promises,

but our retraction is not allowed?

But they have already offered Panyi.

Even if they hadn't offered it,

I'd have taken it myself.

That's true.

Moreover,

she wasn't sincere in offering it to me anyway.

She is just compromising

to bind me in marriage to her.

If I don't expel her,

they'll only push us more.

Do they really think

this overwhelming hatred

can be wiped away so easily?

It makes sense.

What do you think?

- I don't see the problem. - Makes sense.

- It's reasonable. - Indeed.

But she is, after all, a woman.

Get out of Xindu!

Don't come back!

"When a hen crows, the family will perish!"

That's nonsense!

In family matters, we must never let women decide.

Xiaotao.

The most important thing now is planning our next step.

We must find a way to get to Panyi and oppose Wei Shao.

Protect Miss Xiaoqiao!

Charge!

Kill them!

It's Young Master Liu.

He's come to save us.

- Kill them. - Kill the traitors!

Young Master?

Young Master, the Wei rebels have been cleared.

He's not a good person either.

He might be here to take advantage of the situation.

Are we just going from the frying pan into the fire?

My lady,

what should we do?

Xiaoqiao!

I came late.

Were you frightened?

Go check it out.

Yan.

Xiaoqiao.

- I knew you would come to save me. - Xiaoqiao.

Xiaoqiao, don't be afraid. Am I not here now?

But…

it's all my fault.

I delayed the marriage between us because of family matters.

Now I've been driven out of Xindu by Wei Shao.

Fortunately, you didn't abandon me and were willing to come save me.

But I fear that if Wei Shao learns of your actions,

he might take it out on Liangya and start a war.

That's not what I want.

Yan,

why don't we take down Wei Shao in one move

to eliminate future troubles?

Xiaoqiao,

we are a fated couple,

sharing glory and shame.

For now,

let's settle in Panyi first and then plan carefully.

But I lost Panyi's seal.

Xiaoqiao, you are the seal.

With you here, we can enter the city.

You're right.

You must be tired from travel.

Rest in the carriage first.

We'll depart immediately.

Okay.

She's just some dumped woman.

Why are you so hung up on her?

She's not some dumped woman.

She's a treasure in this world.

Rest assured, Uncle.

I won't forget our priorities.

Good that you know.

Remember,

none of the Qiao clan are good people.

They judge people by their status.

They wouldn't even offer a dowry of 10,000 taels of gold when it was you,

but when it was Wei Shao, they gave away all of Panyi as a dowry.

My lady, you're a fast learner.

Quite impressive.

Your hypocritical act was the same as the Lord of Wei's.

Xiaotao.

Looked real, right?

Let's go.

QIAO MANSION, YANZHOU

Say that again. Where's Xiaoqiao?

She went back to Panyi with Young Master Liu.

She sent me back

to report to her grandfather.

What did she say?

She said

that Panyi is a gateway to Yanzhou.

She won't hand it over willingly.

Why bother? Why compete with Wei Shao?

Even if Panyi is lost, I won't blame her.

- Indeed. - This…

Why bother?

Yue,

we should send troops to Panyi

and bring her back.

This…

That isn't necessary.

Manman has a stubborn streak.

She can't be stopped.

But…

Aunt,

I won't fool around from now on.

I'll study hard.

I'm incompetent.

I couldn't protect my own family.

Ci,

as long as you have ambition,

unlike your weak-willed uncle,

you can become one of Yanzhou's finest.

OUTSKIRTS OF YANZHOU

Sit.

Have some water.

I miss my mother somewhat.

I don't know how she's doing now.

I also miss Manman.

These past few days, I've thought many things through.

She must've lied about wanting to marry the Lord of Wei.

I wonder how she's doing now.

Fan,

when passing by a nearby teahouse, I heard that…

she was expelled from Xindu by the Lord of Wei.

She went toward Panyi with Liu Yan.

If you're worried,

let's go to Panyi to find her.

Or…

if you want to reunite with your family,

I can take you back to Kangjun.

As much as I want to stay with you,

I can't bear to see you in tears every day.

Fan.

Rest assured,

I'll always be there for you.

Bi Zhi,

let's go to Panyi.

If you say Panyi,

then Panyi it is.

Things in Xindu are pretty much settled.

Tell the soldiers

we'll take Panyi tomorrow.

- Yes. - Yes.

My lord.

Why so flustered?

A report from Panyi.

Liangya's Young Master Liu Yan

entered Panyi last night and took over the city's defenses.

What did he use to open the city gates?

Lady Qiao.

Which Lady Qiao?

The one you drove out.

I should have killed her long ago.

Pass on my order.

Lady Qiao has eloped with Liu Yan

and is hiding in Panyi.

Tell the soldiers

to follow me in another battle.

Yes.

My lord, wait.

In my view, this matter is suspicious. Maybe there's a misunderstanding.

We should find Lady Qiao and ask her first.

You're right.

Find Lady Qiao

and kill her to boost morale.

Wake up.

Having nightmares?

I won't let this nightmare come true.

Have some water.

My lady, the Young Master requests a meeting.

Young Master.

Xiaoqiao.

Xiaoqiao.

It was late yesterday,

and we only met briefly before we hurried on.

Now that we've settled in Panyi,

I've come to speak with you about our marriage.

I understand your intentions.

But such important matters should not be rushed.

I need to consult my uncle and my father and get their opinions.

Can we discuss it when we're back in Kangjun?

Miss Xiaoqiao,

let's not bother with all these rules at this point.

If we keep dragging on, everyone will be exhausted.

In my opinion,

we'd better keep it simple.

We've already asked the Mayor of Panyi, Yang Feng,

to receive the rites on behalf of the governor and the prefect.

Simple, isn't it?

Isn't it perfect?

Now!

Here are the betrothal gifts from Liangya's royal family.

A pair of wild geese,

a pair of mandarin ducks,

one million coppers,

ten duan of silk,

ten duan of multicolored silk,

twelve hu of sake,

twelve hu of baijiu,

twelve hu of rice,

twelve hu of proso millet,

and one lynx.

My uncle is a bit impatient.

But if I'm to take control of Panyi,

I must marry you to legitimate my claim.

You're right.

I'll follow all your arrangements.

But I fear Wei Shao may come for revenge.

It might cause you trouble.

Rest assured,

I already have a perfect plan.

He's walking straight to his doom.

You rest well.

I won't disturb you further.

Guard strictly.

Close the gates.

Young Master.

Mayor, why are you here?

YANG FENG, MAYOR OF PANYI

I heard Miss Xiaoqiao had woken up. I came to visit her.

She was badly frightened in Xindu.

Don't bother her unless necessary.

What if it is?

Then report to me.

I'll handle everything regarding Panyi.

Good. There is one matter.

Thirty li away, Wei Shao…

That Wei rebel is leading troops here.

They will arrive soon.

He really came.

He won't return alive.

Although you used Lady Qiao's influence

to open Panyi's gates,

don't forget,

that Wei boy has Panyi's seal.

So to completely block him outside,

we must mobilize the people's strength.

Stir them up.

Remember,

the people's power is limitless.

OUTSKIRTS OF PANYI, YANZHOU

I heard that Wei Shao has three eyes and four arms.

The four great generals under him are all bloodthirsty.

If they break in, they'll massacre the city.

- He even chopped Li Su into pieces! - Really?

The Qiao and Wei clans are enemies.

If we fall into his hands, won't he skin us alive?

Don't let him enter the city.

- You're right. - Yes.

With Liangya's Young Master Liu helping defend,

plus our own desperate fight, we definitely can win.

Right!

Young Master Liu was chosen by Lord Qiao for Miss Xiaoqiao.

Liu Yan uses these rumors to stir up civilians to oppose Wei Shao.

To conquer the mind is no marvel.

But using common people to fight…

Isn't that somewhat unkind?

Greetings, Miss Xiaoqiao.

GRAIN

Is this the grain ordered by Young Master Liu?

Indeed.

Why such a strong sulfur smell?

What will it be used for?

I'm just a humble mayor.

I can't possibly know what plans Young Master Liu has.

Even you, miss.

He won't let me meet you.

Mayor Yang, you must be careful.

By using this to harm the people,

he may be able to deal with Wei Shao without needing to do battle.

But it can't be allowed.

Understood.

Wasn't it you who built the Yongning Canal?

Indeed.

I haven't been there yet.

Can you tell us the way?

No problem.

Just go straight ahead.

Xiaoqiao, why are you here?

The canal's been abandoned for years. There's nothing worth seeing.

I'm not here for the canal.

I went to the temple for spirit inquiry.

Spirit inquiry?

About us?

About tomorrow's weather.

What did it say?

The wind will come from the southeast.

If you plan to use sulfur against Wei Shao,

remember to place sulfur southeast for maximum fire effect.

You already know?

Fire is an unexpected tactic,

but you must be careful with it.

Don't place it in the wrong direction and harm the Panyi people.

You misunderstand me.

Panyi will be my territory.

They'll be my people.

How could I sacrifice them?

Then I overthought it.

Hope you won't take it to heart.

What I seek

isn't just Wei Shao's life,

but the entire Wei State.

Fourteen years ago,

the Qiao and Wei clans were friendly

and built the Yongning Canal together,

using Yanzhou water to irrigate Wei land.

After Xindu was captured,

Yongning Canal was abandoned by Li Su,

causing a great drought in Wei.

Xiaoqiao,

this Panyi Dam has blocked water for 14 years.

If the water were released all at once,

what would happen to Xindu?

Yan, you mean the sulfur won't be used against Wei Shao?

Instead, it will be used as explosives

to destroy the dam blocking the Yongning Canal

and Xindu will be flooded.

Then Wei will suffer from the chaos of flooding.

It'll be a perfect time to attack.

Wei Shao deserves death, but the people are innocent.

It's for the greater good.

Blame it

on their being born in Wei.

So you only love

your own people.

When Panyi becomes my territory,

I'll love them as well.

Miss Xiaoqiao, why are you so anxious?

Did that single engagement with Wei Shao

make you believe that you'd become part of Wei?

She just pities the people.

Even Wei Shao tore down the People's Wall to comfort his people.

Your plan is more cruel than Li Su's three-day massacre.

I've planned all this for you, Xiaoqiao.

You and Wei Shao have a deep hatred.

If I don't scheme against Wei today, he'll flatten Yanzhou tomorrow.

He won't.

But you…

you're just using my name to satisfy your own ambitions.

These days,

the city is unstable.

It's better not to wander around.

Escort my cousin back

and guard her closely.

Though Panyi is Miss Xiaoqiao's dowry,

we still need to make it profitable.

- Take her away. - Yes.

What are you doing?

Move.

What are you doing?

Young Master Liu ordered you to protect us.

He didn't mean for you to tie us up.

Shut up.

This is protecting you.

Think about it.

Once tied up, you can't move.

What accidents would you have?

- What? - This is the greatest protection.

What nonsense is this?

Untie us!

- Guard closely. - Yes.

Bah!

My lady, are you okay?

I thought Liu Yan would treat us politely.

Who could have guessed he'd treat us like prisoners?

Even the Lord of Wei was better.

Now you think he's good?

Though the Lord of Wei looks fierce and speaks harshly,

he didn't tie us up.

He still expelled Miss Xiaoqiao from Xindu.

At the end of the day, Young Master Liu only needs to treat Miss Xiaoqiao well.

Now is not the time for this.

Think about how to escape

and keep your voices down.

Walls have ears.

Enemy at the gates! Alert!

PANYI, YANZHOU

Yes!

Wei rebels.

Despite their schemes,

Panyi is now in my hands.

Fire!

Young Master!

Wei State!

Fire arrows!

Panyi is hard to attack.

Even if Wei Shao has the gods' power, he won't make it.

Hold him up for two days.

When the sulfur is ready,

Wei will be doomed.

Attack!

My lady,

let me bite it loose.

With your teeth?

How long will that take?

My lady, what are you doing?

My lady.

No, my lady! You'll hurt yourself.

Shh, the guards are outside.

Don't, my lady. You'll get hurt.

Why suffer like this?

Seeing you like this, I'm heartbroken.

Panyi is hard to attack.

If Wei Shao is held up for two days,

Liu Yan will have all the sulfur ready and destroy the dam.

The water will flood Wei.

What about Wei's people?

If Wei Shao wants to take Panyi,

we must coordinate inside and out.

Have you forgotten how the Lord of Wei treated you?

This is my fault.

I originally wanted to fight fire with fire,

only to get burned myself.

I can't let the people die for nothing.

You don't even know where sulfur is.

That day, I saw grain carts.

They probably carried sulfur.

I think the sulfur is in the granary.

You're safe here. Wait for me.

My lady.

You can't act alone.

It's dangerous.

Come back!

Who's there?

How did you get in?

The granary is restricted.

You're not allowed here.

Who are you?

Halt!

What are you doing?

Halt!

Stop!

You search over there.

Yes.

Be careful.

Quick.

Quick, someone!

Be careful.

My lord.

Though it was just a feint,

Panyi's defenders fought like crazy.

Many common people joined them too.

We took heavy casualties.

Liu Yan only arrived a few days ago.

Why do Panyi people trust him so?

It must be deception.

They must have been bewitched by Liu Yan and Lady Qiao.

That's why they take us as invaders.

Wheat.

Sulfur.

What happened?

My lord, it's sulfur.

Sulfur smells strong.

It makes horses snort.

Sulfur?

Fire attack.

Fire attack!

It would harm civilians.

Liangya produces much sulfur.

Liu Yan plans a fire attack.

I expected Liu Yan to be despicable,

but I didn't expect him to be this vile.

Seems like there is enough sulfur to burn down the city.

It's likely they'll ignite it all at once when we enter the city.

If it succeeds,

Panyi will become hell instantly.

Liu Yan's cruelty

exceeds Li Su's back then.

This wretched guy.

Killing him would be letting him off easy.

My lord, I'll order the soldiers

to halt the attack and wait for the right moment.

Fire!

Quick, put out the fire!

Yes.

The granary is on fire!

Quick, someone!

- Fire! - Put out the fire!

Put out the fire!

Quick, put out the fire!

The granary is on fire.

Come put out the fire!

Come put out the fire!

Quick!

The granary is on fire!

Quick, get water!

Put out the fire!

Report!

Panyi's granary is on fire.

It ignited the sulfur. It's in chaos.

What?

It's in the granary.

Liu Yan reaps what he sows.

The remnants of the Liangya forces are in chaos.

Heaven helps us.

Pass my order.

Full-scale attack!

Yes!

Avenge my lord's stolen wife!

Go.

Someone!

Where are they?

Young Master!

Young Master!

The soldiers can't handle it.

We must abandon the city.

There's no time to hesitate.

No.

I must find Xiaoqiao.

Young Master!

Personal guards!

Follow me!

Yes!

Capture Lady Qiao!

Kill her to boost morale!

Capture Lady Qiao!

Kill her to boost morale!

My lord.

Where's Liu Yan?

Not found yet.

What about Lady Qiao?

We're still dealing with Liangya's remnants.

There's no time to find her.

Liu Yan fled the city.

He might have taken Lady Qiao with him.

We must find Lady Qiao,

alive

or dead.

Yes!

Let's go!

Go!

This is Lady Qiao's place. Search it carefully!

Yes!

General Wei Liang!

General Wei Liang!

General Wei Liang.

- General. - I've been looking for you.

- Where's Lady Qiao? - She went to set the fire.

Her hands were still injured. Please help me find her.

Don't let Liu Yan catch her.

Do you mean she started the fire?

Yes.

Wasn't she eloping with Liu Yan?

Why help our attack?

That's not important. Please…

Greetings, my lord.

Generals, I'm Yang Feng, the Mayor of Panyi.

Miss Xiaoqiao was abducted by Liu Yan.

She was held captive.

Even I wasn't allowed to visit her.

The elopement rumor is false.

Miss Xiaoqiao learned that Liu planned to use sulfur

to destroy the dam blocking the Yongning Canal and flood Xindu,

so she sent me to stop it.

Destroy the dam and flood Xindu?

- Yes. - Yes.

Miss Xiaoqiao cares for the Lord of Wei,

so she started a fire and created an opportunity for your attack.

Do you mean she was forced to come here?

Yes.

Lord Wei, if you doubt it, please look at these betrothal gifts.

What a mess!

She even received betrothal gifts.

What's this?

The betrothal beast.

They didn't want to bother hunting a lynx,

so they hunted a weasel instead.

Lord Wei,

please save Miss Xiaoqiao before it's too late.

Liu Yan's men are seeking her.

So are our men.

Why are you seeking her?

- For morale. - Morale?

Go.

General Wei Xiao.

Liu Yan plans to destroy the dam and flood Xindu.

What?

Did you think I came to save you?

At the Battle of Xindu,

if the Qiao clan hadn't betrayed us,

my father and brothers wouldn't have died,

my mother…

wouldn't have died of grief,

and I

wouldn't have become a wild child fighting wolves for food.

So,

all members of the Qiao clan

deserve death.