Original subtitles

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

Why

are you here?

Mr. Wei,

have some honeyed drink to sober up.

I understand your feelings now.

I also admire you.

I'm willing to stay by your side forever.

With great virtue

and extreme beauty,

you were born to soar like the phoenix,

yet you're trapped in Wei

like a caged bird.

The world

only sees your beauty

but not the pain in your heart.

If

the world is united someday,

and you're free from this turmoil

and able to truly be yourself again,

will your heart

feel a bit more joy?

Tell me.

Do you long for that day?

If you do,

I want to help you.

If you do,

I want to help you.

The orchid from Yanzhou.

The woman Mr. Wei painted

is actually Lady Qiao.

Why are you dressed like this?

I know

you have a goddess in your heart.

But the goddess is unreachable.

I'm willing to dress as her,

wearing an orchid,

just to stay by your side.

What do you know?

Last night,

you were drunk

and mistook me

for the Lady of Wei.

But I am willing.

I'm willing

to dress like her

to stay by your side.

Listen carefully.

I'll have Zhu Quan give you enough wealth

to settle comfortably elsewhere.

Starting today,

leave here.

Mr. Wei, look at me.

Her Ladyship is now your cousin-in-law.

There is no possibility of love between you two in this life.

Shut up.

If you dare leak a single word of this,

I'll make your life worse than death.

Mr. Wei.

HUADIAN

- How about this? - Any more of these?

Yes. These are our newest items.

The styles are all very lovely.

Ladies, take your time to browse.

These ones are quite nice too.

Take a look.

Let me pick a few more.

- There's more. - This one suits you.

- Ma'am. - Thanks.

- This one? - Sir, you're here.

We've prepared it for you.

- Please wait. - This one's pretty too.

Did you hear?

A few days ago, Mr. Wei dismissed all his concubines.

Why the sudden change?

Maybe he's fallen for some noble lady

and is keeping himself for her.

In that case, won't Lanyun be sent back to Luozhong Tavern?

Exactly.

A pheasant is still a pheasant.

Even if it perches high in the branches, it won't become a phoenix.

Sir, your item is ready.

Here.

- Thank you. - Take care.

I like this one.

Is what they said true?

Yes.

Overnight,

all the concubines in the mansion were dismissed.

They were all crying, unwilling to leave.

What a spectacle.

Interesting.

You're here.

You haven't left your study all day.

You must be troubled by the route change.

No matter how busy you are,

you mustn't neglect your health.

I had the kitchen make some snacks.

I'm not hungry right now.

Don't worry.

I'm fine.

There's always a solution to every problem.

I know you'll figure it out.

You've already overcome so many hardships alone.

Now, you have me,

Mr. Gongsun,

and the strength of Yanzhou.

How can the route issue not be solved?

Do you want to eat some treats from Kangjun?

My lord, aren't you busy?

There's no rush.

I heard from Wei Liang

that there's a shop with delicious snacks.

I'll get some for you, okay?

Sure.

My lord.

Whoa.

WEI MANSION

Why did you come out?

My lord.

My name is Lanyun.

I'm from Mr. Wei's mansion.

I know who you are.

What do you want?

I came today to inform you of something.

Your cousin, Mr. Wei…

has shown disrespect to Her Ladyship.

What?

Mr. Wei is not home today.

Please wait for a moment.

Zhonglin, it's only natural

that others also admire the woman you admire.

If you think she's wonderful, so will others.

But what if someone tries to force their way in?

What would you do?

I suppose this is fate.

Hurry, hurry.

- Mr. Wei. - Mr. Wei.

You're finally back.

Just now, His Lordship came to see you.

While waiting in the study, he accidentally knocked over a candle.

Luckily, no one was hurt.

Who was here?

- His Lordship? - Yes, His Lordship.

Where's Lanyun?

WEI MANSION

My lord.

If you tell anyone about this, I will execute your entire clan.

Do you understand?

My lord.

- My lord. - My lord.

- Where is Her Ladyship? - In Lady Xu's chamber talking with her.

She will be back soon.

Good.

Her Ladyship loves the incense warmer Mr. Wei gave her last time.

The weather is dry. Let's use it today.

Wait.

What incense warmer?

My lord,

it was a gift from Mr. Wei on New Year's Day.

PANYI CHRONICLES

Inside are Her Ladyship's cherished items.

There's also the hairpin from you.

Please calm your anger.

You may leave.

Yes.

What's wrong with you?

Why take out your anger on my makeup box?

This box contains your treasured things?

Yes.

Why are there things given by other men?

Gao Heng has been gone for days.

Besides, the things he gave me aren't here.

I'm not talking about Gao Heng.

I don't know any other men in Yujun.

What about this?

It was a gift from Mr. Wei on New Year's Day.

He's family.

You suspect me and Mr. Wei?

All men in the world can try their best to get you to like them, but he can't.

If any other man dares come near you,

I won't hesitate to kill him.

Even if Mr. Wei's reputation is poor, at least he is honest.

If he has other thoughts, that's his own business.

Why did you break my makeup box?

You're always so suspicious.

I am not interested in all the men in the Wei clan.

My lady.

My lady,

His Lordship left with red eyes.

A man can't avoid troubles outside, so he comes home upset.

But his heart is still soft.

It's not about you.

GOVERNMENT OFFICE

We've sent out many envoys and lobbyists,

but Liu Yan is unmoved.

One day, I'll conquer Chijun.

Let's see if he'll keep whining then!

Shut your mouth.

What's wrong?

My lord,

there's a letter from Bianzhou.

We can go through Bianzhou to build the canal.

Actually, if we reroute the canal through Bianzhou,

it'd be much easier than going through Liangya.

This canal project has nothing to do with Bianzhou.

Why would Chen Pang offer this?

He wants us to hand over Mr. Wei as a hostage

and have him go to Danjun at once.

How dare he dream of that?

Send my orders!

Expel Bianzhou's envoys now.

Tell them to go back to where they came from.

My lord, the envoys from Bianzhou visited Mr. Wei without permission.

Where is he?

Who?

Chen Lie from Bianzhou.

He's long gone.

Tell me.

Did you agree to return to Bianzhou?

Zhonglin, I have a question.

Answer me first.

You know it, right?

No.

Why lie to yourself?

Zhonglin, I admit…

I was momentarily confused.

Have you ever thought of me like a brother?

Yes.

Good.

All you have to do is promise me

to stop loving her from now on,

and this matter will be over.

I will treat this as if it never happened.

Never happened?

I don't want your pity.

Whenever I make a mistake,

you and Grandmother only protect me.

You spoil and protect me.

Yes, you carefully protect me.

We are family.

I'm not a guest.

Sometimes, I wish you could scold me

and even hit me.

This kind of careful, cautious protection and wariness

only makes me feel like a pet.

No one has ever thought about it that way.

We've been like brothers for years.

Can't you see that Grandmother and I are sincere to you?

Yan.

As I said before, you'll always be my cousin.

We're doing this only because we want you to stay here,

not return to Bianzhou or keep in contact with them.

I've said all I needed to say.

How you decide

is entirely up to you.

Let me.

Your eyes feel sore?

- Close them for a bit. - Go away.

Look at my face.

I fought with Yan today and got beaten like this.

That's between you and your cousin.

What business is it of mine how badly beaten you got?

Stop.

Sorry.

That day,

I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you.

I know it's been hard enough already

for you to manage those family affairs,

and you've been treating Yan like family

for my sake and Grandmother's.

I understand you have no other intentions with him.

That day, I was angry,

so I said those foolish things.

Please don't be mad anymore.

Well, if you're still angry,

go ahead and hit or scold me.

Just don't hurt your health.

You train every day.

Your skin's thick and tough.

If I hit you, you won't feel it, but my hand will hurt.

Then you decide.

I'll hit myself.

Enough.

If you get new wounds, you'll blame me again.

Does it hurt?

Yes.

It hurts so much.

I haven't even touched you.

Don't let Grandmother

or Mother find out about this.

Don't trouble them.

I understand.

As long as you and I are united,

I'm willing to share any problem with you.

You're not mad, right?

Does it still hurt?

Yes,

but I need a hug for a while.

Why did Zhonglin and Shiyuan fight?

I heard that His Lordship accidentally knocked over a candle yesterday,

which burned Mr. Wei's study,

so they fought at home today.

Maybe it's just brotherly play.

There must be more to it.

Go get Tan and Zhu Quan.

I want to ask what really happened.

Yes.

WEI MANSION

Greetings, Grandmother.

How did you get that wound on your face?

I fell accidentally. It's nothing.

You're already the Lord of Wei,

but you're still so careless.

You're right.

Where is Shiyuan?

Someone went to fetch him.

Grandmother, do you miss me?

It's still early.

Grandmother sent someone to get you because she knew you'd be late.

How did you get the wound on your face?

I drank last night and fell.

You're grown-ups now.

Why are you both so careless?

Yes.

I heard Shiyuan's house was burned.

Grandmother,

I am to blame.

That day I went to Yan's mansion

and accidentally knocked over a candle, which caused the disaster.

I have already discussed it with Her Ladyship,

and we will take this opportunity

to properly repair Yan's mansion as compensation.

No need.

I can fix a trifling matter like that myself.

You're truly like siblings,

just like Cousin and Ci are to me.

When I was still home,

even if there was some friction,

we never held grudges.

Yes.

I've known Yan for 20 years, and we've never had a falling out.

Yan,

once the house is repaired,

let's pretend this never happened.

We'll still be like brothers.

What do you think?

Yes.

You're family.

Let's act as if it never happened.

They'll fix your house.

You can ask for whatever you need.

But don't take what is beloved.

As the saying goes,

"Don't covet a friend's wife."

I may spoil you,

but I always let you yield to Zhonglin.

Do you blame me?

I'm older and he's younger.

That's how it should be.

I'm glad you know that.

The most precious feelings in the world

are not just romantic love.

Of course…

I can move on.

I've never seen such a good horse.

When he was here, Wei Qu said that Wei was prosperous

and even better than Yanzhou.

If you like it, feel free to ride it.

This is your horse.

I won't ride it lest your cousin blame me.

I'll take it to the stable first.

Ci.

You look different after this trip.

The Deer Hunt really broadened my horizons.

As Grandfather described, heroes from everywhere gathered there.

Practicing martial arts with experts

is much more useful than training alone at home for years.

Weapons are blind. Did you get hurt?

Don't worry.

I just got some minor wounds,

and now they're mostly healed.

At the feast, I followed Manman's instructions

and stole the thunder for the Qiao clan.

Manman said

it was to show that I'm the future of Yanzhou.

You've really grown up.

Then

how is Manman?

She is well.

The Lord of Wei treats her kindly.

Did she mention anything about Bi Zhi at the Deer Hunt?

I heard he wasn't invited because…

there was no time to send letters,

but I don't know much more than that.

During this trip to Yujun,

I met Mr. Wei, His Lordship's cousin.

He said I was a young hero.

- He also said… - Enough.

You've had a tiring journey. Go unpack first.

We'll eat soon.

QIAO

Ehuang.

How did the task I assigned you go?

Lanyun went to find the Lord of Wei as planned.

He knew about it but didn't blame Lady Qiao.

Ehuang,

your plan

might fail.

Their marriage is tangled with vested interests.

If they don't care…

I'll just add more fuel to the fire.

Mr. Wei has someone he likes again.

Mr. Wei is fickle and never settles down.

Half the women in the city have had relations with him.

Yet it's different this time.

The woman he likes now

is Her Ladyship,

his cousin-in-law.

Mr. Wei.

Mr. Wei.

Look.

How can you trouble yourself with such a trifle?

Let me take this to Lady Xu.

No need.

I'll take it myself.

I'd like to visit her.

You can visit her tomorrow.

Let me go.

What's wrong with you today?

Why are you stopping me?

Well…

Tell me.

Mr. Wei,

there have been rumors outside lately.

You should avoid going out.

When have I ever feared rumors?

Mr. Wei, the rumors say you have had an affair with Lady Qiao.

Don't worry.

I'll have the people spreading the rumors detained immediately and investigated.

It'll pass in a few days.

Rumors are like water.

Blocking them won't help.

The more you threaten and intimidate,

the more they believe their version is the truth.

In time, lies become facts.

So, what should we do?

Cover it up.

Only that can calm rumors.

Bianzhou wants me to return.

They proposed cooperating on the canal and spread rumors

to damage our brotherhood and force me to leave Wei.

How do you know Bianzhou is behind this?

It has to be Bianzhou.

Cover it up?

With this story?

I heard Mr. Wei has a dancer close by.

Mr. Wei often has her dress like Her Ladyship

and has her dance for him every night at home.

Does he have the dancer dress like Her Ladyship,

or is it the other way around,

that he has Her Ladyship secretly meet him at the mansion?

Can he really do such a thing?

Greetings, Young Master.

If you promise to help me with something…

I'll go back to Bianzhou with you.

All right.

Recently, there have been rumors in the city saying…

Enough. Don't spread this anymore.

Yes.

In a while, no one will talk about it.

Grandmother.

Shiyuan.

I brought you some delicious snacks.

It's too late for snacks.

You must have something to say.

How wise of you to see that.

I heard the scenery at Mount Shuang is unique.

I want to see it for myself.

Mount Shuang…

is close to Bianzhou.

Yes.

Since your birthday banquet, I've stayed in Yujun.

You know me.

I can't stay in one place for too long.

If you are like a bird,

which always comes back,

that will be fine.

Don't be like flowing water

that never returns.

But what if the water runs wild

and hurts my family?

If we can't even stop water,

how can we still be your family?

I don't want to ruin Lady Qiao's reputation,

hurt Zhonglin's dignity,

or see you caught in the middle.

Shiyuan…

I can't bear to part with you.

You can't leave.

This isn't your fault, Shiyuan.

Grandmother,

just think of it as me going out to relax.

Maybe once I'm out,

I'll be able to let go of this fixation on someone and something before me

and move on from the feelings that I should never have had.

A fledgling must eventually leave the nest.

I may never return,

but my heart will always be here.

Grandmother,

take care.

Shiyuan!

What nonsense!

Pass down my order.

Find the one who started this rumor.

Yes.

My lord.

I heard something,

but I'm unsure if I should tell you.

Right now,

the city is full of rumors about Lady Qiao and Shiyuan having an affair.

I trust her character

and can't say things like where there's smoke, there's fire.

Still,

rumors can be hurtful.

Shall we…

What?

Shall we send her out of the city for now to avoid the spotlight?

She's the one being slandered and being gossiped about.

Why should I drive her out of Yujun?

She is the Lady of Wei and my wife.

She's being slandered.

The ones spreading rumors

should be the ones cast out of Yujun.

If I find out who it is,

I will make them pay.

He tried every means possible to seduce Her Ladyship.

Yeah.

Not just Her Ladyship, either. He seduced many women.

What outrageous slander.

- Arrest them now! - Yes!

Stop!

Stop! Don't move!

Stop running! Stop!

My lord.

Mr. Wei, please leave!

The rumor-spreaders were caught. They're spies from Bianzhou.

Why the shouting?

Mr. Wei is here demanding they be released.

We won't let you take them.

Please leave, Mr. Wei.

Mr. Wei, why are you protecting these two Bianzhou spies?

Because I want to.

When Bianzhou proposed a partnership,

I wondered why they insisted that Mr. Wei be the hostage.

Could there be secret dealings between you and Bianzhou?

I've never tried to hide it.

I might as well tell you.

I have been to Bianzhou on my travels.

You've never dealt with state affairs,

but surely you know whether you belong to Wei or Bianzhou.

Today, I will take them with me.

Don't you dare stop me.

Stop!

My lord.

Yan.

Zhonglin, you're here.

You can tell everyone

why I'm protecting these spies,

why Bianzhou wants me as a hostage,

and whether I belong to Wei or Bianzhou.

Release them.

- Yes. - Yes.

Wherever you belong,

you will always be my cousin.

But in this world,

a cousin should never love his cousin-in-law.