Original subtitles

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

Why aren't you wearing the hairpin I gave you?

You said you didn't put a lot of care into having it made.

I figured you didn't like it, so I didn't wear it.

How could I have had it made casually?

I put a lot of thought into that gift.

Thank you, my lord.

You truly carry yourself like an immortal drifting on clouds.

Master Gao Heng's verses are impressive.

I don't think so.

They're just flowery nonsense.

Oh? You write as well?

I began my studies at five,

painting at seven.

When I was a child,

Yan and I studied under Scholar Meng,

Senior Scholar of the State Academy for twenty years.

Meng of the North is famed for painting.

Zhang of the South, for calligraphy.

How could someone like Gao Heng compare to Meng or Zhang?

I'm sure you've heard of Meng of the North.

So you've truly been hiding your talents.

You should've written the poetic exposition.

I might not do worse.

I might even do better than he did.

I saw you wished to

promote the Deer Hunt,

but I've been busy with work.

So I asked someone to invite Gao Heng.

Right,

I was the one who invited him for you.

Yes, that's true.

You handle everything well.

You're so broad-minded

and gracious to men of talent.

Surely, the people will sing your praises.

Gao Heng's ornate verses

exist only because Wei State thrives.

If the times were turbulent,

his words would be bleak and sorrowful.

Isn't there a ballad in Bianzhou?

"Soft grows the sorrow grass,

thoughts drift far and slow.

When the gentleman departs,

worries weigh on the heart."

You're so sweet with your words.

My lord,

on New Year's Eve,

we should bury the casks of the new brew.

Where shall we bury them this year?

My lord?

Where shall we bury the casks of the new brew?

Well,

you decide, sir.

Just this once,

I'll overstep a little.

My lord,

is something troubling you today?

No, not really.

Perhaps it's just

the year's end is near.

The festival is coming up,

and I feel unusually joyful.

Reporting!

My lord,

Master Zhenshi wants to see you.

Did you write this?

I wonder,

does Her Ladyship know music?

Could she play and sing

the piece I composed?

Better not to let her try.

Her Ladyship…

Her Ladyship dislikes attention.

So please,

don't compose for her again.

I didn't expect Her Ladyship to possess

such noble virtue and gracious humility.

I'm in awe.

I thought you excelled only in poetry.

I didn't realize

your music was equally fine.

I'm not so talented.

Once I received the task,

I studied for three days

to composed this piece.

You only just learned it?

You have such talent?

Better keep it hidden

and don't let her find out.

I mean

you're truly learned and gifted.

We mustn't let word get out,

or they'll invite you away from Yujun.

That would be a great loss for Wei.

Your Lordship flatters me.

I was merely traveling through, hoping to rest here for a while.

If there's any writing you need done, I'd be happy to help.

No, no. That won't do.

I can't keep you here for my own selfish reasons.

Your gifts

deserve to travel far and wide.

You should…

Ah, that reminds me.

You've often spoken highly of the Moya Inscriptions.

Why not allow me to arrange for an escort to Yunzhong,

so you may see them for yourself?

No, no.

I wouldn't dare trouble you, my lord.

You're most welcome.

You two,

escort Master Zhenshi to Yunzhong.

What…

I…

Whatever you need, just say the word.

We'll make sure you feel right at home in Yunzhong.

Is it necessary to rush off to see the inscriptions?

Of course.

For a writer, inspiration is everything.

You should travel as much as you can.

Only then can you capture the grandeur of the Yongning Canal.

Besides,

Her Ladyship has long wished to go but never had the chance.

Now, you may go in her stead.

Watch your step.

Thank you for the trust.

I'll keep The Ode to Yongning Canal close to my heart.

And I will remember you as well.

- Mr. Wei. - Mr. Wei.

What is this about?

Please rest assured.

I'll see Master Zhenshi safely out of the city.

Mr. Wei!

Thank you, thank you.

There is something you may not know, Mr. Wei.

Farewell, Master Zhenshi.

Master Zhenshi was entrusted by His Lordship

to view the inscriptions in Yunzhong.

Yunzhong?

That's a small, barren corner on Wei's border.

The road is long and winding.

He won't be back for months.

Sir, you may not know.

I passed through there on my travels.

They're rebuilding the roads over there.

He'll be gone much longer than just a few months.

Is that so?

All the better.

It solves His Lordship's biggest problem.

WUSHAN STATE

Ehuang,

feeling better after the herbal soup?

We can't stay here much longer.

If we stay,

Chen Pang's men may catch up to us.

That physician's remedy is too mild.

Find another physician,

one who uses stronger doses.

We left in such a hurry,

money…

Money's a little tight.

Who are you?

General Xue, for the late lord's will,

you've truly given your all.

You even

disguised yourself as a farmer.

His Lordship was kind to me.

It is only right I do all I can to find you for him.

If that is so,

please allow me a moment, General Xue.

I'll go pack up some clothes and valuables

and then return to Danjun with you.

I shall confine myself

to the Yulou Pavilion for life.

I swore to fulfill His Lordship's final wish,

but never to imprison you in the Yulou Pavilion.

Instead, I will honor your will and keep you safe.

Once I die,

my uncle will surely seize power.

And I fear

he may bring harm to you

and Her Ladyship.

Her Ladyship

will be left all alone.

I swear to serve Her Ladyship to the very end.

So it was never my husband…

who meant to lock me in the Yulou Pavilion.

It seems…

I didn't marry the wrong man.

Please don't be sad, my lady.

Wei State is soon to host the Deer Hunt.

Its true purpose remains unclear.

Tensions stir beneath the surface throughout the realm.

My lady, please come back to Juejun with me.

Are you saying

that Wei is about to hold the Deer Hunt?

Lord of Wei is inviting all the great powers.

Governors and prefects from every region

will gather in Yujun.

Did you receive an invitation?

At present, Juejun has become a land without order.

How could he possibly invite me?

This Qiao-Wei alliance

is much more stable than expected.

Qiao Yue scours the land for beauties,

claiming he means to gift them to the governors.

To find you,

I went alone to Kangjun just days ago.

The region is in turmoil.

My lady, you should return with me to Juejun as soon as possible.

I cannot return to Juejun with you.

Wei Shao is preparing the Deer Hunt, inviting all the powers.

I intend to go to Yujun to seek a way forward.

So, you mean

to remarry?

No.

My heart still belongs to my late husband.

I ought to mourn him.

However,

rather than retreat into sorrow,

I would rather

stand and fight to fulfill my late husband's final wish.

If Bianzhou falls to Chen Pang,

then from now on, my late husband will never rest in peace.

I must go to Yujun,

find a way out,

and reclaim Bianzhou.

I once vowed to His Lordship

to serve you to the very end.

I'll give my life if needed

to keep you safe and sound.

I command 50,000 elite soldiers in Juejun.

This is the military tally.

XUE TAI, JUEJUN

We're at your command, my lady.

XUE TAI, JUEJUN

The ceremony begins.

Please step forward, Your Ladyship.

Purify your hands.

By Heaven-Earth's divine craft,

we prosper in joy and harmony.

Where golden wheat grows abundant,

there yeast and grain unite.

Through sages' enlightened wisdom,

a thousand vessels transform.

With divine blessings' guidance,

grace flows through all ages.

We honor Heaven, Earth, and our ancestors

for protecting Wei State and blessing us with a bountiful harvest.

The new brew has been made.

Today, the casks open.

Your Ladyship,

the people have brewed this using rice

freshly harvested this year.

Please have a taste,

choose the finest,

and celebrate with the people.

Your Ladyship, please taste the new brew

and celebrate with us all!

Your Ladyship.

Thank you, Your Lordship.

Thank you, Your Ladyship.

Would you dance with us, my lady?

I…

Advisor.

Xiaotao,

can we…?

No way.

I haven't said anything yet.

Still no.

SOIL-GOD SHRINE

Thank you for celebrating with us, my lord.

And thank you all.

Today is New Year's Day.

Hurry home and reunite with your families.

Thank you, my lord.

The path is muddy.

I'll carry you.

Climb on.

How could I ride on your back, my lord?

All my days to come,

you alone hold my reins.

Come on.

You've worked hard to prepare for the ceremony.

Go home early today.

I'll wait for you.

All right.

WEI MANSION, WEI STATE

I've never seen snow with His Lordship.

Mr. Wei.

Lady Qiao.

I didn't expect you to prepare a festival gift for me.

I really like it.

I gave everyone in the household a gift,

including you, Mr. Wei.

I've also prepared one for you.

Go ahead, open it.

It's an incense warmer.

Thank you, Mr. Wei.

I heard the Soil-God Shine Ceremony was especially lively this year.

You didn't attend?

I thought you'd know.

Snow is rare in Kangjun, isn't it?

It's colder here than in Kangjun.

It rains a lot back there.

You know what?

When we were children,

Zhonglin and I loved snowy days the most

because it meant we didn't have to rise early to go to drills,

and we could go hunting hares.

Back then, Zhonglin was soft.

Even when he caught one, he couldn't kill it.

He would always sneak it back.

His Lordship has a kind heart.

If you're leaving, please take this path.

Then I'll take my leave here.

All right.

Thank you for the gift, Mr. Wei.

I'm glad you like it.

I'm glad you like it.

It's a thoughtful gift.

It happens to be what you like, my lady.

The others were fine too.

All these gifts are quite valuable.

It shows both Lady Xu and Lady Zhu

hold Her Ladyship in high regard.

The more distant the tie, the more lavish the gift.

If it were Lady Ding,

she'd go to great lengths to find something

that truly suited Her Ladyship,

not just throw silver at it.

Grandmother and Mother are willing to spend on me.

That shows their kindness toward me.

No need to compare them to Aunt.

I grew up under her care.

She absolutely knows best what I like.

But if I wish Grandmother and Mother to treat me as their own,

we'll need to spend more time together.

I wonder

how Aunt and the others are doing now.

How do they celebrate the New Year?

My lord.

I saw people setting boat lanterns

on the way here.

So,

I thought you'd be into

these flashy little things.

Yeah,

I do enjoy such shallow pleasures.

Let's go take a look.

Hello, would you like to set boat lanterns?

We've got brushes and ink over there.

You may write your wishes upon the boat lanterns.

As they drift downstream, the River God will receive your prayers.

It's really magical.

If a single boat lantern could grant wishes,

surely peace would have come long ago.

Don't ruin the mood.

I'll take two.

No problem.

Here you go.

No need. You go ahead.

I don't need one.

I'm not into this.

Sincerity brings miracles.

Sir, it doesn't cost that much.

It's fine. Keep the change.

Sir.

This is for you.

Okay. Thank you.

Take care.

Here, this is for you.

TRUE AS STRINGS TUNED AS ONE…

TRUE AS STRINGS TUNED AS ONE NEITHER DEATH NOR TIME SHALL REND

You're not done yet?

If you read it, it won't come true.

Fine. Go ahead and write.

Hurry up.

It's getting late. Let's go home.

All right, you go ahead.

I'll go handle some work at the office.

You're working this late?

Yes. It just came to mind.

I'll have Tan escort you back.

Tan.

Escort Her Ladyship back.

Yes, my lord.

I'll take my leave then.

All right.

Aren't you leaving, my lord?

You go ahead. I won't be long.

Check over there.

My lord,

we're skilled with weapons,

but fishing lanterns out in this cold is a different story.

Shut up. Just do it.

Bring that one over.

My lord.

My lord,

may I offer a small, tiny suggestion?

These are people's wishes.

If you tear them open, the wishes won't come true.

What?

Whose side are you on?

You don't even try to hide it now.

Ever since he gave that gold dart to Xiaotao,

he's been acting all sentimental.

That's not true!

Keep searching.

Bring that one over.

My lord.

I'm the Lord of Wei.

I must understand what the people think

and what they wish for.

And more importantly, what Her Ladyship wishes for.

Why are you staring at me?

You're just making excuses.

That one looks right. Fish it out.

My lord.

Yes, this is the one.

"May Yanzhou enjoy peace and prosperity.

May Aunt and Uncle have smooth days ahead.

May Father stay in good health.

May Ci succeed in his studies.

May Cousin and Bi Zhi grow old together."

One person is missing.

No, everyone's here.

No, someone's missing.

Who's missing?

Qiao Gui.

Her Ladyship only cares about those few.

Let's go back.

My lord, aren't we going to check the rest of the wishes?

She didn't mention him.

You're back, my lord.

Good. I want to ask you something.

Some ladies from the clan will visit Grandmother tomorrow.

What gifts should I prepare for them?

It's my first time doing this in the Wei…

What's wrong?

You're burning up.

I'll get the physician.

No need.

I just caught a chill from sleeping on the couch.

It's happened before.

You just never noticed.

You should've told me sooner.

Then tonight, you take the bed, and I'll have the couch.

No need for that.

Instead of arguing over the bed and couch,

why not focus on

getting me well soon?

Don't go to the Government Office tomorrow.

Stay home.

Let me nurse you back to health.

Ehuang.

The herbal soup's here.

This dose is strong.

It works fast but can be harsh on the body.

This one is mild.

It works slower

but is much gentler.

What do you think?

Which one will you take?

Ehuang!

You…

I must fully recover

to meet the Lord of Wei.

I'm thirsty. I want some water.

Didn't you say you'd nurse me today?

Tao, my daughter, listen to me.

When you're with General Wei Liang, hold back a little.

- Don't be too forward. - Why?

The more forward a woman is, the more she ends up losing.

My lord.

Can't you say things straight? Why go in circles?

Men of the Wei family never beat around the bush.

You are right, my lord.

Why are you up, my lord?

I need to go out.

But you're still sick.

Anger cured me.

GOVERNMENT OFFICE

I'm so sleepy.

Don't be.

- What… - We're on duty here.

Xiaotao, what are you doing here?

Came to see me, huh?

Get lost.

- I'm here to see you. - Me? Really?

You could've just sent word. I would've come to you.

No need to come all this way.

Wouldn't that be more trouble?

All right, let me ask you something.

What's wrong with His Lordship today?

His Lordship?

He's discussing affairs with Advisor Gongsun in there.

No way.

Her Ladyship said he's been acting strange ever since he returned last night.

Every time you come, you always ask about His Lordship.

Is that all you care about?

Actually, no.

- Oh? - Come here.

- What is it? - Remember that gold dart you gave me?

I've got a little something for you too.

- Really? - Let me see, come on.

Keep it down.

Let me see.

- I haven't got it ready yet. - All right, all right.

So tell me, what's wrong with His Lordship?

Let me think…

Oh, I got it.

But don't tell Her Ladyship.

Don't worry, I won't say a word.

Last night,

His Lordship took the four of us on a very long walk

to find a boat lantern.

At last, we found Her Ladyship's lantern.

After he opened and read it, his mood soured.

It must've been because of that.

I see.

Don't let Her Ladyship know.

Relax, I won't.

See you then.

Take care.

Take care, Tao.

I think we should tell Her Ladyship.

True.

It's fine. Xiaotao never listens to me.

I know her well.

Show me the gift she plans to give you.

So that's the reason.

No wonder he's angry.

My lady,

you wouldn't even write His Lordship's name?

I think His Lordship is being petty.

But look, Her Ladyship has prepared all his favorite dishes to apologize.

It's not his fault.

I was the one who mishandled it.

Then you really need to make it up to him.

It seems he truly took it to heart.

His Lordship does tend to hold a grudge.

You'll need to come up with something special.

I'll go warm this up.

- Xiaozao. - My lord.

- Why are you in such a rush? - You're finally back, my lord.

- Her Ladyship is… - What about her?

Her Ladyship waited so long for you.

Now, she's drunk.

Who says I'm drunk?

My lord!

You're back!

You all serve Her Ladyship.

How could you let her drink like this?

This is disgraceful.

Yes, my lord.

It's my fault.

It won't happen again.

Where are you going?

Come back! Come back here!

I said, come back!

Come back!

Stop right there.

Come back here.

Don't move.

Sit down, sit down.

Lie down, lie down.

Can you please stop being angry, my lord?

Water.

I want some water.

Wait here.

Here, sit up and drink.

Hey, wake up.

Wake up. Water's here.

Do you want more?

You can't hold it. Don't drink so much.

My lord, you're a true gentleman.

How can you be so petty?

I know you're angry

because you feel I don't love you back.

What you wrote was a wish,

while what I wrote was regret.

You're right here,

close enough to touch.

But I can only send my family well wishes from afar.

That's why I only wrote about them, and not you, my lord.