Original subtitles

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

Mr. Wei.

Your calligraphy is elegant and refined,

just like your character.

Even the ink smells fragrant.

It suits you…

perfectly.

You flatter me, cousin.

With Grandmother's birthday banquet approaching,

I'm just making some simple preparations.

I didn't mean to display my poor skills before you.

I've run out of ink sticks.

I'll go fetch some more.

Wait a minute.

I came today

to thank you personally.

I've done nothing for you. There is no need to thank me.

Regarding Rongjun,

in the past,

I had some misconceptions about you.

I had no idea you'd do so much for the people of Rongjun.

To relieve the famine there,

you even wrote to your family for wheat seeds.

I also learned

you studied the Local Records of Rongjun

and included in your letter the local climate, rainfall,

and the people's preferences,

all for obtaining suitable seeds.

Yet I was narrow-minded.

I thought you were writing to Yanzhou

to seek outside aid.

Had it not been for Zhonglin,

who read the letter to me word by word,

I'd never have known

how righteous and devoted you are.

On behalf of the people of Rongjun, I thank you.

This is too much.

Wei Liang must have known all along.

I even helped him calculate how to transport grain to Rongjun.

Will you be quiet?

Stop making things worse.

I just can't bear to see her being treated this way.

She married far from home

and merely confided a few words in her letter home,

but he even insisted on inspecting that.

Reading it was one thing,

but to read it to his cousin?

Exactly.

Prepare the ink.

I'm sending another letter to Yanzhou.

Again?

My lord,

Lady Wei has sent another letter to Yanzhou.

Read it.

Come here.

Read it.

I'll give you the chance to read Her Ladyship's letter.

Why don't you read it?

Well,

no need to read it.

I can pretty much guess what it says.

It's probably about the famine in Rongjun,

asking for more wheat seeds

and things like that.

She still cares for Wei.

My throat's sore.

You read it. Come.

Here, take it.

I don't read much.

There are words I don't know. I'll check later.

I've always told you to read more books,

but you never listened.

Now, even the simple…

My lord,

no need to read this letter.

Indeed.

Didn't I already say?

I can pretty much guess what's written in it.

At most, she added some flattering words.

Something like,

"My lord cares for all under heaven."

"To have such a ruler is a blessing for the people."

That's about it.

Forget it. Don't read it.

Tan, send it to Yanzhou.

It can't be sent to Yanzhou.

It has your name on it.

It must not be sent.

Let me see it.

Give it to me.

What's gotten into you today?

SHAME ON WEI SHAO

My lord, calm your anger.

She must've found out about you checking the letters.

Indeed, it was your…

Our fault.

Yes, that's right.

Don't act rashly.

That's right, my lord.

At worst, hide in the study tonight

to avoid a storm at home, right?

Hide?

Are you serious?

I must confront her.

That fierce woman is getting bolder.

I've had a long day at work.

I'm tired.

I'll rest now.

Overseeing everything yourself,

it's no wonder you're exhausted.

Yes.

You've also worked hard these days preparing for the banquet.

Get some rest.

The menu for Grandmother's birthday banquet.

Please have a look.

You can decide on your own. It's such a small matter.

I only just came here.

I still don't know everyone's tastes and dislikes.

If I prepared something that displeased someone,

it would be inappropriate.

It's best if you check it yourself.

Fine.

Everything looks excellent.

No complaints.

Get some rest.

And the banquet purchase accounts.

Please have a look.

If any discrepancies appear on the day,

it would not be proper.

Everything is detailed.

No problem.

When I was preparing invitations,

I wasn't sure which character to use.

There are eight styles in this scroll.

LONGEVITY

Please look them over and decide.

Wei Shao, get up!

Get up!

- What did you just call me? - Does it matter?

Why did you read my letters?

Wait. You…

How dare you call me by name?

Listen up.

You were fierce enough before,

but now you're also rude and disrespectful.

I have nothing to say to you.

Only I would have married you.

Count yourself lucky for that.

Come back here.

You're no better yourself.

Suspicious all day.

If you can't win an argument, you just run off.

There are plenty who'd want me.

Small eyes and an even smaller heart!

Your height is the only good thing about you!

You dare throw it at me?

I…

I'm going to let that go.

What now?

Why wouldn't I?

LUOZHONG TAVERN

Watch from the sidelines.

Report any new developments

immediately.

Yes, heir.

That young lady

dared to call Zhonglin by name?

How interesting.

My lady,

would you like to try some first?

If someone's done wrong, isn't it just a matter of apologizing?

What's wrong with him?

Yeah.

First, he slept in the study last night,

and now he won't even come home for meals.

So petty.

Xiaotao, Xiaozao.

Stop badmouthing him.

When he returns,

you mustn't show him attitude.

Understood.

I wouldn't dare.

My lady,

speak with him properly when he returns.

There's nothing that can't be talked out.

We live under his roof now.

It's best to get by peacefully.

I know what I'm doing.

Yes.

My lady, Tan is here.

Let him in.

Yes.

My lady.

My lord sends word that he won't return for the meal.

See?

He's clearly avoiding her.

My lady didn't say a word,

but he's playing the victim.

Enough.

Bring me a brush and ink.

I must write to Cousin now,

lest she write anything important in her next letter.

Yes, my lady.

BOYA

QIAO

Dear cousin, may this letter find you well.

Since your husband took Boya,

there have been many matters in Yujun to attend to,

so I haven't written until now.

But the Lord of Wei and I miss you deeply.

We only hope you and your husband

find peace and joy in Boya.

If you run into trouble, just write to me.

When the Lord of Wei and I see the letter,

we'll send someone to Boya right away.

General.

Fan.

Dear, you've worked hard today.

How's the construction going?

All is well.

Fan, don't worry.

Is this a letter from Lady Wei?

She must be reminding us again to live well in Boya.

Manman said

now that Yanzhou has taken Boya,

the Lord of Wei is wary.

She reminded me to be cautious in our future letters.

PEACE AND PROSPERITY

My lord,

Lady Wei gave me this.

She said it's a sutra copied for Lady Xu

and asked you to review it.

Even the sutra needs my review?

Lady Wei said

it must be checked by you.

If there are any errors, it'd be disrespectful

and might upset Lady Xu.

That fierce woman.

She never lets things go.

She also asked when you'll be returning today.

Go tell her

I'll sleep in the study tonight.

The study window is drafty.

You couldn't sleep because of the cold.

If you stay another night, you might catch a chill.

You…

- My lord. - My lord.

Wei Duo?

Greetings, my lord.

When did you return?

Just now.

He came straight here to report the good news.

What good news?

My lord, the Yongning Canal is now open.

I haven't slacked off a bit.

This is from Yang Feng, Mayor of Panyi.

He personally copied down the details

and asked me to bring them back for your review.

YONGNING CANAL CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Is Yang Feng

trying to claim credit?

Only after visiting Panyi did I understand the benefits of abundant water.

Yanzhou owes its prosperity to water.

Panyi's wheat yield is high, with many tillers.

Each grain is full and heavy, and the taste is excellent.

This is wheat from Panyi,

and this is from Xindu.

The mayor said that now that the canal is open,

Xindu's wheat will be just as good as Panyi's.

If it brings such benefits,

why not extend the Yongning Canal all the way to Rongjun?

That'd ease future concerns.

If we keep improving irrigation,

we'll need to invest more people and funds,

and that will draw on Wei's troops.

If Yanzhou invades now,

Wei may not be able to protect itself.

My lord,

are you worried the Qiao clan might benefit from this?

In my view, my lord, there's no need to fear them so much.

Canal construction might ward off Yanzhou's fate by a few years,

but it's the common people of Rongjun

who'll truly benefit for generations in Wei.

Let me think it over.

My lord,

we're on duty outside the city tonight.

If we don't leave now,

it might delay our duties.

If there's nothing else you need,

then we'll take our leave now.

Well,

just go.

Let's go.

My lord,

it's this late and you still haven't returned home.

Are you still fretting about the letter?

How could that be possible?

It's no such thing.

I'm glad to hear that.

Your lady should be waiting for you to return home.

Yeah.

Maybe.

Very well.

I'll take my leave now.

It suddenly occurs to me

that it's been a long while

since I last visited Madam at your home.

It's all right, really.

No, no, no.

There's no better time than now.

How about this?

I'll drop by for a short visit

and greet her.

Let's go, sir.

Very well.

Very well.

Who would've thought he'd keep us this late?

Only taverns are still open.

Taverns are great. Wei Duo is a grown man now.

- Time to see more of the world. - Right.

Where to?

My lord.

Aren't you on duty?

My lord.

It's my fault.

My lord, they meant well, to welcome me.

Just punish me.

- Punish me. - No, punish me.

- It was my mistake. - No.

- I shouldn't have done it. - It was my idea.

- Punish me. - Enough.

My treat.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Thank you, my lord.

My lord, where are we heading now?

We've been walking for a while.

To see Grandmother.

Lady Xu likely went to bed hours ago.

It's so late now.

I'm afraid only Luozhong Tavern would still be buzzing.

Zhonglin.

Since I came of age,

I've never suffered like this.

I've always been surrounded by beauties.

Yet now,

there's a towering man

by my side.

I came with good intentions.

It's just too late to return home,

so I'm staying the night.

Just one night.

You're being stingy.

Cousin.

I don't mean to blame you.

I just want to know

why you told her I'd read her letters

even though I know

you see her as an outsider and don't fully trust her.

I don't believe Qiao and Wei

have ever truly trusted each other.

I wanted to know,

when it comes to the canal construction,

are they really free of other motives?

As for the canal…

I've made my decision.

I believe

your heart has made its choice.

Zhonglin…

Do you still kick off your quilt when you sleep?

Get some sleep.

Please, heir,

kill the Lord of Wei

and eliminate trouble for Bianzhou.

No.

I've noticed tension between Zhonglin and Lady Qiao.

Just wait patiently

a while longer,

and we can shatter their alliance in one blow.

If he starts canal construction in Rongjun,

Wei will surround Bianzhou on all sides.

But if the Lord of Wei falls,

Bianzhou will have nothing more to fear.

This is a plan for the long term.

Right now, he's staying in your residence.

I've laced his tea with knockout drops.

Heir, please,

do not let mercy

spoil this chance to eliminate our foe.

I have no objection to breaking the Qiao-Wei alliance.

Even if you intend to poison Lady Qiao,

I will not interfere.

But I've made it clear already,

no one

may take my cousin's life.

Absolutely not.

You consider yourself part of the Wei clan,

but they don't see it that way.

You are gifted in strategy and martial skill,

yet they've humiliated you for years.

They spread rumors that you were a servant's illegitimate child

so you'd never be trusted or promoted.

How unjust is this?

Were it not for your journey to Bianzhou last year,

and your reunion with your father,

who knows how long you'd have suffered?

Grandmother has always treated me with kindness.

Yes.

You were raised by Lady Xu.

But all these years, she's never intervened in your matters.

Nor has she ever reproached you.

Yet, she is strict with the Lord of Wei.

Can't you see her intentions?

She was guarding against you

to stop you from gaining military power.

Say no more about my grandmother.

If you dare bring this up again,

I won't let you return Bianzhou alive.

Heir.

Leave.

Why are you still asking the governor for wheat seeds?

My uncle is always calculating.

Whenever help is needed from him,

he tends to make excuses.

He fears any loss to himself.

I must write him another letter

to stress how serious this is.

He must not take this lightly.

I don't understand.

He trusts you so little.

Why are you helping Rongjun get wheat seeds?

He'll never appreciate your efforts.

How do you think he treats me?

It's inconsistent.

In front of Wei Yan and Lady Zhu,

he protects you.

He treats you quite well.

But when it comes to the letter incident,

his methods were despicable.

So, he treated you terribly.

It means he keeps his work and his home life separate.

Trouble from Mother and Cousin

are family matters, after all.

He can stand up for his wife and trust her fully.

But my letter to Yanzhou…

DEAR UNCLE

…involving the safety of Wei

is state business.

As the Lord of Wei,

he carries the hopes of the common people.

Of course he can't fully trust the Qiao clan of Yanzhou.

Though you're angry with him, you also separate work life from home life.

WHY NOT OFFER BOTH KINDS OF WHEAT AS A GIFT?

The wheat, while high-yielding,

requires a great deal of water.

I wonder if he'll start canal construction in Rongjun.

Very well.

Send out my orders.

Canal construction in Rongjun

must be scheduled.

Yes.

Generals, a moment, please.

There's one more matter that requires your decision, my lord.

Go ahead, sir.

General Wei Duo,

tell us.

What kind of man is Yang Feng?

He is

best at saving money.

What do you mean?

He and Zhen Zhi were each tasked with building canals.

One in Xindu, and the other in Panyi.

Panyi's canal was completed much faster.

Shorter construction means lower costs.

He's able to adjust plans based on terrain, soil, and weather,

and commands the people well.

They used the silt to enrich farmland, turning waste into treasure.

My lord,

this canal in Rongjun affects tens of thousands.

Our generals are skilled in war, but not in waterworks.

As of now, we have no suitable overseer.

Sir,

are you recommending Yang Feng?

Yang Feng is not only efficient

but is also a trusted aide of Her Ladyship.

If you appoint him,

it would be seen as a gesture of trust

toward Lady Wei and Yanzhou.

It has nothing to do with her.

Yes, yes.

My lord,

think of the greater good.

QIAO MANSION, YANZHOU

Uncle,

Sister just wants wheat seeds as a birthday gift.

Why are you making it so difficult?

You don't understand.

Call it a birthday gift if you want,

but to put it bluntly,

this is stripping away Yanzhou's foundation.

If Wei widely adopts the wheat,

they'll grow wealthy within years.

Who's to say they won't turn their armies against us when that happens?

That's overly severe.

The Qiao and Wei clans are now allies

and are tied by marriage as well.

Such things won't happen.

Sister's there.

She'd never let him start such a war.

Manman's always been clever.

She knows how important it is to Yanzhou.

If it weren't urgent or of great benefit,

she wouldn't have written to ask for it.

Brother,

just give it to her.

Don't make things harder for her.

Father and I are both in Kangjun.

She's thinking of Yanzhou's interests.

All right.

When Father was alive,

he often aided Wei as well.

Since Manman insists on the seeds,

let her have them.

You truly carry the spirit of Lord Qiao.

My lord, you're back.

Seeing you study the map reminds me that

there's news you may not know yet.

I've already decided

to start canal construction from Xindu to Rongjun.

How wise of you.

I pondered this matter for a long time,

but in the end,

I chose to follow your advice.

Are you pleased now?

And what does Advisor Gongsun think?

As for him,

I put in my best efforts to persuade him,

and he has no objections.

So this was his idea all along.

Then I must thank him.

Also,

I've decided to appoint Yang Feng

as overseer of the canal works.

I know Yang Feng is your clan's…

Which makes me more grateful to Advisor Gongsun.

This canal project

affects both Yanzhou and Wei.

If you have any thoughts, share them with me.

You are wise enough to make your own decisions, my lord.

DANJUN, BIANZHOU

Report.

My lord, General Chen Pang seeks an audience.

Every year, we go to Mount Yi to pray.

It's a tradition set by our ancestors.

How could you change the plan

because of a woman?

How will I explain this to our kin

and to the soldiers?

Uncle, calm down.

My lady is unwell today.

It's right that I stay by her side.

As for the prayer,

we can go another day.

Sincerity is what the heavens heed.

Report.

My lord!

The Longevity Hall on Mount Yi collapsed.

All the worshippers within were crushed beneath the ruins.

None survived.

Your huadian

is truly auspicious.

It seems to ward off misfortune.

There was no earthquake

nor heavy storm,

so why did the hall collapse?

Perhaps someone planned this in secret…

with hidden intentions.

Uncle,

I'm tired today,

so I won't keep you any longer.

Darling, shall I call the physician?

It's nothing.

Darling, don't worry.

Although I do not know

if this huadian can help one rule the land,

what I truly wish

is that this huadian will bring blessings

and keep my darling safe and healthy.

You will recover, I promise.

Having you by my side

is truly my greatest fortune.

If you have any worries,

please share them with me.

A scout reported two days ago

that Wei

plans to connect the Yongning Canal directly to Rongjun.

A canal

means grain transport

and swift military movements.

If they come,

Bianzhou will truly be in grave danger.

I'm willing to visit Yujun to resolve this matter.

Darling, do you know

Lady Xu of the Wei Clan is my great-aunt?

I was raised

in the Wei household as a child,

and I endured with the Lord of Wei

the grief of the Wei clan.

Now,

with but a subtle word,

I can stir up old grudges

and shatter the Qiao-Wei alliance.

Zhonglin.

Do you know what's planted here?

Is it…

millet?

Shiyuan,

do you know?

I only know sorghum makes rich wine,

while millet brings a sweet aroma.

But as for this one, I don't know its taste.

You wander all over, yet you don't know about grain.

Grandmother,

if you ask me which region has the finest women,

that, I could answer easily.

Nonsense again.

Lady Qiao,

do you know?

It's Ji.

That's what we usually call foxtail millet.

When it comes to raising children, I'm not as good as your Grandfather, Lord Qiao.

You've been preparing the banquet.

Any difficulties?

I've already started arranging the guest seating.

The guest lists have been sent to each region.

Grandmother, don't worry.

Anything I don't know, I've asked Mother.

About arranging the seats,

it seems simple, but there's actually a lot to it.

Outwardly, it reflects rank and closeness of ties.

But privately,

some guests have close ties, so they want to sit together,

while others don't get along,

so they must be seated far apart.

There can't be any mistakes in this.

Otherwise, people will quietly complain.

I have a guest from Bianzhou who's not on the list.

She's a junior I know well.

Bianzhou?

Could it be…

Lady Yulou?

Yes.

When arranging the seats, place her close to me.

I will.

I'll attend to her with care.

With you here, I'm at ease.

Mother, do you mean Ehuang is coming too?

It's been years since I last saw her.

I wonder how she's changed.

Back then,

I truly adored her.

My lady.

I've found something out.

Just as you predicted,

there is a reason why Lady Zhu praised Lady Yulou so highly.

It turns out that she was once considered for a betrothal with Wei.

His Lordship always seems so proper,

yet he's hiding some old affections from you.

You can't judge by appearances.

My lady, please don't be upset.

I'm not upset.

I'm just thinking,

the Lord of Bianzhou, Chen Xiang,

has always been frail.

He nearly passed away not long ago.

It took many renowned physicians to save him.

Now, Lady Yulou arrives in Yujun for the birthday celebration.

It all feels rather suspicious.

Saved him?

This is just the glow before death.

All the elders know this well.

So, Lady Yulou is about to become a widow.

A true beauty, yet fated to suffer.

Suffer?

I'm afraid she's actually

unusually fortunate.

I've heard Chen Xiang seeks her advice on many affairs in Bianzhou.

Of course he does.

After all, she carries an empress's fate.

They say whoever marries her

will become the ruler of the Central Plains.

Hey.

If that's the case,

since the Lord of Wei didn't wed her,

he can't claim the Central Plains?

Who knows what he was thinking?

What he thinks doesn't matter now.

What matters is knowing

what Lady Yulou's real purpose is for coming this time.

There's Lady Yulou.

So noble.

YUJUN