Original subtitles

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

Xiaotao.

- Let me tell you something. - What is it?

There's a great place nearby.

The delicacies there are absolutely delicious.

If only we could go and eat there.

How do you know that?

A good buddy of mine

gave me a guide.

The guide says so.

Don't you also wish

His Lordship and Her Ladyship would grow a little closer?

Of course.

Look at them now.

It's so awkward.

The guide says

if we follow it on this journey,

their relationship

will definitely improve.

- Really? - Yes.

The first step in the guide

is to have sour plum juice.

Think about it.

In this scorching heat,

how refreshing would it be

to have a chilled cup of sour plum juice?

Come on.

We can literally see our breath now.

Chilled, seriously?

Well.

It can cool them down, right?

Fair enough.

I'm getting a runny nose because of the heat now.

Then

we'll go have those delicacies.

What do you say?

Sounds good.

If anything goes wrong along the way,

we'll just turn back.

It's not far.

Now that you mention it,

it kinda makes sense.

But right now,

Her Ladyship…

Are you even listening?

Yes.

This canal construction will involve a lot of manpower

and may affect the balance of power here.

So, he might not be willing.

Besides, he has support from Wei Dian.

Let me ask you.

- Can I trust you? - Of course.

- Can you guarantee it? - Yes.

- Can I count on you? - Just believe me.

All right. I'll go tell Her Ladyship.

- You agree? - Yes.

I'll get things ready.

SOUR PLUM, RICE BALLS, HOT SPRING, PURPLE SEA, SOUP DUMPLINGS

Wei Liang…

Is this the place?

That's right.

Head 20 li east and then 15 li south,

go through a forest,

and we'll see a mystical village shrouded in mist and clouds.

My lord, that's right. There must be sour plum juice here.

Are you sure?

The smell is sour, that's for sure.

Why's it turned into an outhouse?

OUTHOUSE 10 ZHU PER PERSON

My lord, I get it now.

Who says there can't be sour plum juice in an outhouse?

Ma'am.

Ma'am!

Was this place originally for sour plum juice

and only recently turned into an outhouse?

Since my grandfather's day,

it's been an outhouse.

Come on.

The next stop

is the Fanghua Hot Spring.

Ma'am?

Thank you.

My pleasure.

Hot spring?

This is it?

No way.

It must have been a hot spring a few years ago.

Put that guide away.

Let's just go back.

Yeah, stop dragging us into this mess.

Look. The water's warm.

There must be a spring.

Why don't we dig a little deeper?

It could be a hot spring.

Wait.

My lord.

Where are you going?

We're going back to get our clothes.

You dig first. Call us when it's ready.

No, no. My lord.

Do you not trust me now?

No, I just don't trust my judgment anymore.

Wait, my lord.

Give me one more chance. I swear I'll take you somewhere amazing.

Look.

If we go another 20 li west,

we'll reach the endless Chaoyin Cave.

We can stay there for a few days, have some local delicacies,

and then go inside the cave.

Let me see.

Where did you say to go?

- West? - All right.

Let's go east

to the Purple Sea.

What?

It should be here.

My lord!

Water's coming out, my lord.

Look, my lord!

This is the Purple Sea.

This is the sea.

Come and see.

Come and play. Come on.

The waves are chasing me.

Let's play, my lord.

Have you ever seen anything like this?

There are even seashells.

Look, seashells.

Hurry. Seashells.

Isn't this just a regular sea?

What Purple Sea?

Where did you get that guide?

Come on.

This has nothing to do with the guide.

Just tell the truth.

Whose idea was this?

Do you know Qilin?

No.

He's got

a guard named Geng.

I can trust him with my life.

He gave me the guide.

I didn't know it'd turn out like this.

So you were fooled.

Tell your friend named Geng this.

His friend has a bad name.

He can't be a good person.

Tell him to stay away from him.

Let's go.

I'm going with you.

You stay here and play.

- Yeah. - Just stay.

Stay here and play.

Look, little shells.

Go and play. Go and swim.

My lord,

there's a peach blossom grove over there.

How about checking it out?

My lord!

PREFECT'S MANSION, RONGJUN, WEI

Do you remember what I told you?

Yes.

- Good. - General.

Make way.

Why haven't you returned to Hanjun?

Leave us.

- Yes. - Yes.

You're still worried about state affairs.

YUAN WANG PREFECT OF RONGJUN

Yet you don't know a disaster is coming your way.

What disaster do you mean?

His Lordship and his group

are heading here with wheat seeds from Yanzhou.

Those steamed ones from the banquet?

Yanzhou sent a new batch later.

A weasel is helping a chicken.

How could it mean well?

His Lordship believed Lady Qiao

and actually wants to try planting Yanzhou's seeds on our land.

Lady Qiao has His Lordship under her control.

If I had known this,

I would've strongly recommended

that His Lordship take a concubine at the memorial rituals.

There's more to this.

If they were only escorting the seeds,

why would His Lordship come in person?

There's something else?

According to internal reports from Yujun,

escorting the seeds is only a pretext.

Their real purpose in coming here

is to extend the Yongning Canal from Xindu to Rongjun.

Though it's for planting grain,

we both know well

that Rongjun is far from Yujun,

which has been conducive to preserving

your and your family's years of power and glory.

If the canal is built,

Rongjun will be closely connected to other places.

Then Rongjun

will become the Wei clan's backyard.

This is a move to weaken local power.

His Lordship's influence is growing.

We knew this day would come sooner or later.

What should I do?

That's easy.

Can you guarantee

they won't have

any accidents on the way?

Do you have a headache?

How about I pressure some of your acupoints

to relieve your fatigue?

All right.

Are my hands too cold?

No.

Pressing the Fengchi point

can refresh and sharpen the mind.

No need to panic.

All right.

Just relax, my lord.

I'm going to Rongjun

to teach the method of planting Yanzhou's winter wheat.

Most importantly,

I want to be with you.

I don't want to be alone at home

while you're out for official duties.

I don't want us to be apart for too long.

Aren't you afraid

that I'll send you back

right after your teaching task is done?

I came with you to take care of your daily needs

and also

to assist you with state affairs.

I'm not a man.

I can't accompany you to the battlefield.

But I don't want to stay in the boudoir all day,

watching you leave early and return late.

If there are trifles like this in the future,

you can hand them over to me.

If you want me to go back,

you can still send me back

once we reach Rongjun.

You can easily decide

where I go.

My lord?

I just want

to get closer to you.

Over time,

you'll grow closer to me too.

POST HOUSE

SOUR PLUM, RICE BALLS, HOT SPRING, PURPLE SEA, SOUP DUMPLINGS

Wei Liang.

My lord.

Please give me one more chance.

No.

Turn around.

Tell me

if Lady Qiao is looking this way.

No, she isn't.

Everyone, be careful.

We're under attack.

Protect Her Ladyship!

- Yes. - Yes.

Protect Her Ladyship!

My lady!

Do you know who we are?

Watch out!

- My lady! - My lady!

Jump! I'll catch you.

Hurry!

Jump!

I told you I would catch you.

My lord.

You're hurt.

It's nothing. Just a minor injury.

Let's go.

My lord.

My lord?

My lord!

POST HOUSE

The arrow was poisoned.

Fortunately, it only grazed the skin.

His Lordship is strong. His life isn't in danger.

However,

he won't wake up until most of the toxin is cleared.

Where did those bandits come from?

How dare they poison their arrows?

There's something odd

about them.

Rongjun borders Gaonan of Bianzhou.

The border has always been chaotic.

Bandits are common.

But we were on the official road.

Bandits normally only show up on backroads.

From what I observed,

these weren't ordinary bandits.

They knew tactics

like trained soldiers.

What do you mean?

This attack

must be related to our trip to Rongjun.

You mean the Prefect of Rongjun sent the bandits?

I've heard His Lordship mention him.

He wouldn't dare.

But he and Wei Dian are close.

If this mission succeeds,

it will shake the foundation of power in Rongjun.

That means Wei Dian's interests would suffer.

Do you think Wei Dian

would try to ambush His Lordship?

Yes.

Wei Dian has never been loyal.

He probably saw this as a chance to eliminate His Lordship.

Let me kill him now!

I'll go too.

No.

It's only suspicion. We have no proof.

If we confront him too soon,

what if he accuses us of slandering a loyal official?

He's not loyal at all.

We all know what kind of man he is.

But the people don't.

Besides, we're in his territory.

If he's cornered,

he might smear His Lordship's name.

The canal project will also become harder.

So what should we do?

His Lordship is in no condition for a long journey.

Luckily, we haven't come far.

We can head back and let him recover.

He can't recover on the way,

and if we retreat now,

they'll think these tactics work.

They'll try it again next time.

Also, the best time to sow winter wheat is near.

If we miss it,

the grain heads will be small, and the yield poor.

We must plant the seeds during the autumn equinox.

This concerns the people's livelihood.

So does the canal.

If it's not built, the people will suffer.

My lady,

I'm just worried.

We're not even in Rongjun yet, and it's already so dangerous.

Who knows what will happen once we arrive?

You should take His Lordship back to rest.

I'll go to Rongjun.

I understand your concern,

but it's even more dangerous to stay here.

This is no-man's land.

That's why Wei Dian dared to send assassins.

Once we're in Rongjun,

even if Wei Dian makes a move,

the prefect won't dare.

We await your command, my lady.

THE STREETS OF RONGJUN, WEI

RONGJUN POST HOUSE, WEI

My lord.

You're awake.

- What happened? - Easy, easy.

Take it slow.

You were unconscious for two days.

The arrow was poisoned.

Where are we?

We're in Rongjun now.

By the way,

is Lady Qiao all right?

She's fine.

We were lucky to have her with us this time.

PREFECT'S MANSION, RONGJUN, WEI

Switching to winter wheat?

Yes.

It's planted in the autumn equinox

and harvested in the fifth month next year.

It's perfect for easing food shortages between seasons.

Why choose Rongjun?

Rongjun is suffering from severe drought.

It urgently needs a solution.

With winter wheat,

the people won't have to fear famine again.

But I heard winter wheat isn't drought-tolerant.

What affects Rongjun's crops is mostly drought.

Your method may seem reasonable,

but it's actually absurd.

Winter wheat

is indeed not drought-tolerant.

It requires twice as much water

as the spring wheat currently grown here.

But the Yongning Canal

is about to be extended from Xindu to Rongjun.

With improved irrigation and good weather,

you'll have no reason to worry about the harvest.

Can you guarantee the harvest

of winter wheat?

Yanzhou has long grown winter wheat.

It yields well.

I've only got your word to go by as to whether it's good or not.

I've governed Rongjun for years.

I can't let the people take risks just because of your word.

Are you

refusing me?

I wouldn't dare.

I'm simply thinking of the people

and speaking on their behalf.

If His Lordship orders us to plant winter wheat,

then we will have no choice but to comply.

But that will depend on how much he values public opinion.

If there's nothing else,

please leave, my lady.

PREFECT'S MANSION

He gave so many excuses.

Clearly, he just wants to refuse.

It seems like he's rejecting winter wheat,

but in truth, he's rejecting the canal.

The canal is a state-level project.

He can't say no directly,

so he uses the wheat as an excuse to challenge us.

How bold.

Aren't they afraid to be killed?

If you ask me,

you should give the order on behalf of His Lordship.

We didn't bring an army.

He's close to Wei Dian.

If anything happens in Rongjun,

Wei Dian will surely send troops.

It's not the right time to push.

Is there really no other way?

Let me think.

RONGJUN POST STATION

My lady.

His Lordship has just

woken up.

He's sitting up asking for soup.

You're finally awake.

My hand hurts.

It feels like you still have a fever.

Wei Liang.

I'm fine now, don't worry.

By the way,

they said you met Yuan Wang?

Yes.

What did he say?

He acted like he was against switching to winter wheat,

but really, he's opposing the canal.

He's just using it to test us.

Yuan Wang

has been here for years

and has Wei Dian's military support,

so he dares to act so defiantly.

Don't worry.

I'll have Wei Liang go back to Yujun to mobilize troops.

I could deal with enemy generals.

My subordinates are nothing.

I know you fight with great courage,

and in a few days,

Rongjun will be in your hands.

But if it comes to war, the people will suffer.

Moreover, if we mobilize troops now,

we might miss the planting season by accident.

That would be bad.

Here's a piece of advice.

Sowing discord is the best solution.

How?

I heard Lady Qiao wants to meet you.

She'll try to persuade me.

You surely know what to do.

Of course.

Wei Dian is deeply suspicious.

If we exploit that and sow discord,

Yuan Wang will be left with no allies

and will have to rely on you.

Then you'll have the canal

and the winter wheat

as you wish.

My lady,

the Prefect of Rongjun is here.

Greetings, Lady Qiao.

I heard you're a skilled player.

Come and help me solve this game.

Mr. Yuan.

Please.

How brilliant.

I lost.

Thank you for the game.

Do you have time…

for another match,

or are you otherwise engaged?

No.

Not at all.

My lady,

please.

Thank you for the game.

My lady,

it's getting late.

You'd best head back.

Thank you.

Where's my other shoe?

It was windy.

It might have blown into the stream.

Go buy a new pair now.

Yes.

My maid was careless.

Sorry about that.

What did Lady Qiao offer you?

We only played Go, nothing else.

You only played Go?

Yeah.

I find it strange too.

I don't know what Lady Qiao is up to.

I sat there all day.

Even my back is sore now.

I'm going home.

General.

Keep a close watch.

Yes.

PREFECT'S MANSION

Wei Qu acted so sneakily

as if he was afraid of exposing something.

He carried a chest of treasure into the prefect's mansion.

It must be a bribe.

Mr. Yuan.

Her Ladyship had servants search along the river.

Your missing shoe was found.

It's just a shoe.

Thank Her Ladyship for the trouble.

Just as you expected,

the prefect's mansion is under watch.

Wei Dian will definitely know about my visit tonight.

In that case, I'll leave it to you.

I'm going.

Not bad.

You're starting to act like the Lady of Wei now.

The generals are only cooperating with me out of respect for you.

Good that you know.

Would you like some honeyed water?

Sure.

Wait a moment.

I've been lying in bed for days.

I probably smell a bit bad.

Don't come any closer.

Should I help you wash up and change your clothes?

You'd sleep better.

No need.

For now,

just sleep in another room.

Chunniang.

Prepare some hot water.

Yes.

What are you going to do?

No need--

Does it still hurt?

No.

The wounds you got in Xiaogang have only just healed,

and now there's a new one.

It doesn't hurt anymore.

It's inevitable to get injured

when we fight on the battlefield.

Don't take it to heart.

You say it's normal,

but I don't want to get used to it.

I hope you can stay safe and healthy

and never have to get hurt

and risk your life again.

What do you

plan to do next?

I want to borrow two men from you.

Borrow two men?

- Propose? - Propose?

Exactly.

Wei Dian's nephew and Yuan Wang's daughter are engaged.

If we want to sow discord,

we have to start there.

Is Yuan Wang's daughter

pretty?

Does it matter?

Will you marry her?

Am I asking you?

If she were pretty, why not?

Get lost.

Well,

I'm not marrying her.

Don't worry.

Yuan Wang will definitely refuse

because of his ties with Wei Dian.

The marriage won't happen.

No problem then.

That said,

this plan isn't perfect.

So just go and propose.

The sooner Wei Dian finds out, the better.

Leave it to me.

To be honest,

my daughter is already engaged to General Wei Dian's nephew.

As far as I know,

General Wei Dian hasn't written the Letter of Marriage yet.

A verbal agreement is still an agreement.

You may think it's binding,

but Wei Dian might not feel the same.

What do you mean, my lady?

As far as I know,

General Wei Dian is searching all over the state

for a suitable and marriageable young lady.

No wonder he hasn't written the Letter of Marriage.

Since General Wei Dian is doing this,

it's okay for you to have a backup plan.

Why not give the two generals a chance

so you can see who matches your daughter better?

All right, enough already.

What's it to you?

Sorry about this.

General Wei Qu is great.

Father,

I'm Wei Qu,

skilled with dual blades.

My hobby is…

My lady.

My lady.

Are you okay?

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Please, get up.

This must be your daughter.

You

may leave.

Even if you want to use my daughter's marriage to win my favor,

I still cannot agree to switch to winter wheat.

You're overthinking. These are two separate issues.

Even so, I'll agree to neither of them.

Goodbye, my lady.

All right.

Let's go.

Goodbye, Father.

Lady Qiao left the prefect's mansion with a big smile.

Right after, they went to a jewelry shop,

saying they wanted to make

a full set of gold and silver wedding jewelry.

Ask Yuan Wang to come and see me.

Yes.