Original subtitles

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

Xiaotao told me to go to Liancheng,

saying Manman had gone to Boya to seek reinforcements for you.

I thought she was bluffing.

Manman and His Lordship share a deep affection.

For my sake, Xiaotao even asked Young Master Ci to help me.

Her Ladyship is even more thoughtful and loyal.

She went to the front lines, lending His Lordship her strength.

Although Boya's reinforcements arrived a bit late,

I'm sure there's a reason for the delay.

Thoughtful and loyal, you say?

She only cares about her Yanzhou.

Enough.

You go rest with the main troops.

Later, I'll head upstream of the Yang River

to do a patrol

and see if the remnants of Liu Yan's army are still causing trouble.

I'm going too.

Me too.

I want to go to Kangjun to see Xiaotao.

I didn't say I was going to see Her Ladyship.

I'm just doing a routine patrol.

Then you go. I'm not going.

Since Manman and His Lordship are both here,

why don't we return to Kangjun together?

- Return to Kangjun together? - Yes.

Panyi was originally Yanzhou's gateway.

It was later given to Wei,

so Liancheng became the gateway.

If we go upstream from Panyi, we'll reach Kangjun directly.

Manman has been away from home for a year.

Father, Uncle, and Aunt all miss her dearly.

"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."

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.

My lord, you and Manman have been married for so long,

yet you haven't met our family, right?

Sir, are you feeling unwell?

We still have the prescription that once helped Grandfather.

Let's go home so you can try it.

No need. I'm fine now.

Lady Xu and Lady Zhu must miss His Lordship dearly.

It's best to return to Yujun soon.

Forget it. I'm not going either.

I need to prepare to propose at home.

We can't make this trip.

After fighting for days, the soldiers just want to go home early.

I feel the same.

Ci is right.

Here's what we'll do.

Tomorrow,

you go pick up your sister and return home with her.

What about you?

With you and the Boya soldiers escorting her, I can rest easy.

Promise me you'll take good care of your sister.

When she's had enough fun, send her to the Wei border.

I'll be waiting for her there.

I need to go home too.

My family is waiting for me.

All right, rest early tonight. We set out tomorrow.

- Yes. - Yes.

You have your family to see,

and I have mine

that can't be forgotten.

So, is His Lordship really homesick?

Are you stupid?

Did you forget what His Lordship once said in Xindu?

You covered my ears back then. How would I know that?

Fine.

Back in Xindu, His Lordship swore that one day,

he would reach Kangjun and kill the traitor.

Wipe out the Qiao clan.

Burn their ancestral shrine.

And end their bloodline.

So, His Lordship can't go to Kangjun.

But I want to go see Xiaotao in Kangjun.

It's true.

How about this?

I'll go ask His Lordship

if I can escort Her Ladyship home.

It's settled then.

Just come back.

Wait, what are you two doing?

- Going to bed. - I'm looking for His Lordship.

Don't think about it.

- I want to see Xiaotao. - His Lordship needs rest.

Be good. Let's go.

Let go of me.

WEI

BOYA

The people came to thank us on behalf of their families,

but the Yanzhou woman who benefited most didn't show up.

We risked our lives for her homeland,

and now we're right here,

but she won't even come out to meet us.

How disappointing.

Who's disappointed?

Stop talking nonsense.

My lord, I meant Xiaotao.

She's in Kangjun, yet she didn't come and see me.

Why are you mad?

My lord, Boya is just ahead.

Shall we go in and visit?

No need.

Since Her Ladyship brought the Boya reinforcements with her,

the Commander of the Boya Forces must've gone with her.

Since the host is absent, we shouldn't disturb them.

My lord,

it was right in this forest.

I saw it with my own eyes.

The Commander of the Boya Forces is terribly strong.

He took down a live deer with a single punch,

threw it over his shoulder, and brought it over.

- General. - General.

Why are you here?

My lord, this is General Bi Zhi, the Commander of the Boya Forces.

General, this is the Lord of Wei.

My lord.

You didn't personally lead troops to fight at Panyi?

Why should I have?

You don't know about the battle in Panyi?

Without reinforcements,

how was Her Ladyship able to turn things around?

It's Lady Qiao, wife of the Lord of Wei,

Capturing her will earn us great merit.

Prepare to cross. Seize Lady Qiao!

Wait.

My lady, why are you here alone?

Are you trying to face our 20,000 troops on your own?

I can't,

but the Yang River can.

General, the river has receded a lot.

We can cross now and seize her.

What are you waiting for?

Shut up!

If they've dammed the river upstream

and are storing water

just waiting for us to cross so they can flood us,

can you imagine the consequences?

Well…

Even 50,000 men could drown here,

let alone our 20,000.

Even if we can't capture her,

our lord has ordered us to support him without delay.

Are we going to disobey orders?

Liu Yan seized power unjustly, killing his own family.

He then forced you to follow him with an iron fist.

Now, he asks you for reinforcements.

If this mission succeeds, you might not be rewarded.

But if it fails, you will be punished.

Following a cruel tyrant,

don't you fear being discarded when you're no longer useful?

My husband, the Lord of Wei,

was helping with canals across the land,

which gave Liu Yan the chance to start a war.

Following a man who is cruel,

unrighteous, disloyal, and unfilial,

even if you drown here,

the history books will only say

that you perished by Heaven's will.

Generals,

do you dare bet your lives and honor

on this with me?

Have Liu Qi

and the Third Young Master

accompany Father

in burial!

The children are innocent.

Our rear is exposed.

Out of fear of being struck, we shouldn't advance.

Retreat.

Withdraw!

My lady.

Are you all right?

I was so worried.

You can't take such risks again.

Your forces are far fewer than Liangya's.

If Liu Yan brings reinforcements,

it'll only get worse.

But don't worry, my lord.

I'll go to Boya to ask for reinforcements

and guard your rear.

At last, I've fulfilled my promise to him.

Did Xiaoqiao come?

She did.

But she left the next day.

My lord, if you came to pick her up, that's too bad.

She's probably returned to Yujun.

No way.

The intel says she's upstream on the Yang River.

If she's returned to Yujun,

then the boat lantern in Panyi…

It must've been put by her.

May my husband be safe

and return unharmed.

General,

when Her Ladyship came to Boya, did she bring troops?

Fan said she brought many people,

and it must mean she loved you deeply.

How many did she bring?

A few hundred, maybe.

What?

A few hundred.

Liu Yan has tens of thousands,

and she was going to ambush them with a few hundred?

Her Ladyship was planning to ambush Liu Yan

with a few hundred against tens of thousands?

That's no different from charging solo into a crowd.

It's extremely dangerous.

Her courage is admirable.

She came alone to save us, and now she's gone home alone.

I wonder what she's feeling right now.

- Deputy. - Yes.

Take the main force and return. The rest, follow me.

- Go. - Yes.

What about me?

I…

What?

Manman went to the battlefield to help the Lord of Wei fight?

Fan, slow down.

I heard it was

to ambush tens of thousands of Liangya troops.

Was she hurt?

How could she take such a risk?

I don't know.

Her Ladyship probably wasn't with the troops.

She should have gone back to Kangjun by now.

The Lord of Wei has gone to chase her.

Fan,

are you all right?

There's something I've been hiding from you.

COMMANDER'S MANSION

Do you think

Manman will be mad at me?

You're her cousin.

How could Her Ladyship be mad at you?

If she got hurt because of this, what am I going to do?

I want to go back to Kangjun too.

Sure. No problem.

Maybe I've been too willful.

I didn't lend Manman any troops,

and now I'm forcing you to come home with me.

Fan,

you're overthinking.

Tomorrow, we'll head back to Kangjun.

Even if you worry about His Lordship,

there's no need for you to risk yourself on the battlefield.

This war started over Yanzhou and Liancheng.

His Lordship was already short on troops, and the army was split in two.

What should have been a sure win

has become much more dangerous.

And Boya…

It's even riskier.

In this situation,

I can only give my all

to fight for a chance for His Lordship.

How loyal you are to His Lordship.

His Lordship treats me the same.

I don't want to fail him.

If I was alone,

I could sacrifice myself for him like today.

But I have my family

and the people of Yanzhou.

His Lordship will surely understand your intentions someday.

Has Ci been settled?

Yes.

My lady,

the rain is getting heavier.

I wonder how annoying tonight will be.

It hardly rains in Yujun.

I kind of miss it

after returning to Yanzhou.

His Lordship has probably gone back to Yujun, right?

Don't say that.

Do you think Her Ladyship doesn't miss him?

She wishes His Lordship

could accompany her back this time

to meet her family.

My lady, the rain is really heavy.

We need to hurry and cross the river,

or the water will rise and block our way.

Let's hurry then.

If the bridge is flooded, we won't get across.

This is the border of Yanzhou.

Shall we stop by for a visit?

Sail upstream and we'll reach Kangjun.

Then let's meet up with His Lordship and return to Kangjun together.

TEA

You've been married for a year.

How could you visit your maiden home alone?

We're not an ordinary couple.

I'll wait here till tomorrow.

TEA

If he wants,

we'll go back together.

If not,

I won't force it.

The bridge ahead is flooded. You should turn back.

INN

After rushing all this way, we still missed them.

The bridge has been flooded.

We have no choice but to stay here tonight.

We've checked all the inns near the ferry.

Her Ladyship should have crossed already.

Then we'll stay here tonight and try the next ferry tomorrow.

- Okay. - Sir?

- Coming. - Sir?

- Any rooms? - Yes.

- Wei Xiao. - My lord.

- My lord. - Qiao Ci.

Where's Her Ladyship?

My lord.

I thought you'd crossed the bridge already.

No.

It's been raining hard these past few days.

It's been dangerous on the way.

When did you arrive?

We just got here.

Good then. You two have met.

But if I want to see Xiaotao, I have to go to Kangjun.

I did it.

Though I couldn't bring you reinforcements,

I stopped Liu Yan's men.

How could you take the liberty?

Even if you couldn't get help,

you should've reported to the commander.

Doing this in the military could get you caned.

Got it?

Did you get hurt?

Yes, it's my fault.

I disobeyed military orders.

In this situation, you should cane me

over a hundred times when you see me.

Anything less would be lenient, right?

My lord,

Her Ladyship went to the battlefield for your sake.

She feared reinforcements wouldn't arrive

and you'd be wounded in defeat.

These past few days, she's been missing you constantly.

How could you hurt her feelings now?

My lord,

you finally saw her again.

Can't you say something nice?

He just doesn't think before speaking.

Oh, please.

Why can't you sing the tune you just learned?

Weren't you reciting the lyrics just fine on the way here?

Why can't you say something nice?

Is your mouth on fire?

When did the Lord of Wei learn to sing?

Enough.

Is that how you speak to His Lordship?

Get some rest.

Come on.

Try to be gentler.

Let's go.

The riding's been torture. Help me in.

Time to sleep.

Let His Lordship think himself.

Why are you here instead of resting in your own room?

Thank you.

Your stove's not warm enough.

Aren't you cold?

You're cold?

No.

I'm worried you'll catch a chill at night.

Chunniang went to bring me some bedding.

This quilt looks too thin. It's not good.

There are two quilts.

They'll be warm enough.

Even two aren't enough.

The fire in my room is much stronger.

Xiaozao went to get firewood.

If you're still cold,

why not send your mighty guards to chop more wood?

That'll be enough for the entire inn.

I'm cold, okay?

These past few days

have been awful for me.

I was always thinking about you.

When I woke up in the middle of the night

and realized you were not there,

it felt empty.

I've missed you.

Thank you for saving Yanzhou.

Thank you for coming to find me.

The secret path…

was my fault.

Let's not bring up the past.

Today,

I also did something wrong.

I acted out of worry.

I had questions to ask you

but didn't know how to start,

so I just blurted things out.

I didn't mean to be harsh.

What did you want to ask me?

I wanted to ask,

after being refused reinforcements,

why didn't you return to Yujun?

Why did you go alone to the battlefield to intercept Liu Yan's troops?

Weren't you afraid?

Of course I was.

But the man I love was still out there fighting.

I promised I'd help defend him.

I couldn't go back on that.

I love him.

I'd give everything for him.

If he wins, I'll be there beside him.

If he loses, I'll fall with him.

I didn't want him to think I'd stopped liking or loving him.

I understand.

I do.

It's just…

It's just that I couldn't gamble…

with my family's safety

or with the lives of Yanzhou's people.

But I wanted him to know

that to me,

he's just as important as they are.

I understand.

It's all my fault.

Manman,

tonight,

there's also something I want to tell you.

All this time,

I've asked you to be honest with me,

yet I ignored how hard things were for you.

When I rushed back from Boya

and heard you'd gone to the battlefield for me,

I finally realized how torn you must have been.

You did so much for Yanzhou, Wei,

the Qiao clan, and the Wei clan,

yet I still didn't understand you.

Even your cousin blamed you.

But the truth is, no one could've done better than you.

With your relationship with me,

no one else could've done better.

You've been caught

between the two clans.

The slightest shift…

will hurt you first.

I've thought

about letting go of my hatred.

I even believed I had already backed down enough.

But on the day you asked me

if I would give up revenge,

I suddenly realized

that from the very beginning,

I never gave you any promise,

and you've lived under that pressure all along.

When I heard you came to help me,

honestly, I was scared.

I was scared you'd regret it

and you'd think I wasn't worth it.

So when I turned around to chase after you,

I kept asking myself this over and over again.

If I were…

If I were

to lose you,

then so what if I wiped out all my enemies?

Even if I won the whole world,

the rest of my life

would be meaningless without you.

I'm a jerk.

You've done so much for me,

and I never knew how to cherish and love you.

I once told you

that if I ever made you angry, you could hit me as much as you like.

Today, I made you sad.

You can hit and curse me,

but don't you dare push me away.

Don't you dare doubt how I feel about you.

I've never doubted your love,

and you're not allowed to doubt mine.

Hit me.

I'm right in front of you, right?

Manman.

I'd like…

to go with you to Kangjun.

I'm curious

about where you grew up,

about your family,

and about your people.

Grandmother also told me

to let go of hatred.

So I think

that maybe only once I've seen Kangjun…

will I truly be able to let go.

You've indeed done so much for me.

That's because

you never left me behind

when danger struck.

Whoa.

Whoa.

Soldiers!

- Rest here! - Yes!

Pass the word!

Rest here!

Rest here!

Rest here!

My lord.

Please have some water.

My lord, in this campaign,

we deployed a total of 100,000 troops.

56,938 of them are dead.

4,276 of them are wounded.

18,052 of them ran away.

We still have 36,934.

Among those,

only three generals

and

five deputy generals

survived.

That's barely one in ten.

My lord, please regroup and strike Panyi again

to avenge our fallen brothers.

My lord, please don't.

Even with superior numbers, we still lost this battle.

If we keep charging ahead blindly,

I fear Liangya may be wiped out completely.

We lost this fight

only because Lin fled in the heat of battle!

If not for that,

our banner might already be flying over Panyi City's walls.

If we had escaped any slower,

the Wei banner might be planted on your bones right now.

- You… - Enough!

My lord.

Forgive me for speaking out of turn.

The subordinates

were already dissatisfied with your succession.

Now, after such a defeat,

if you continue to act on impulse,

Liangya may fall into chaos.

If anyone disobeys, kill them.

Now is not the time to come on strong.

I think

we should appease

the clansmen and officials.

Once we return,

I am willing to appease the clansmen and officials on your behalf.

He doesn't need to show goodwill to his subordinates.

My lord, just give the order, and I will eliminate them.

Liu Xiao.

Yes.

At Panyi, the reinforcements were delayed.

General Lin fled the battlefield with 20,000 soldiers.

I order you to capture him.

If he resists,

kill him.

Yes.

The rest of the troops

will return with me to Liangya to rest and recover.

We will pause the fight for now.

My lord! This…

Any objections?

No, my lord.

My lord, you're wise.

When we return to Chijun,

I will do my best to help you appease the clansmen and officials.

However,

you should also show humility and admit your mistakes

to make them believe you.

After all, you're still young.

Sometimes, you need to listen to the elders' advice

to avoid detours.

Isn't that right, my lord?

KANGJUN, YANZHOU

Young Master Ci is back.

Father.

Uncle.

Aunt.

I brought Manman and His Lordship back.

I knew I should wait at home.

I knew Her Ladyship would surely return.

Whoa.

My lord, your arrival is a great honor.

This is your first visit to Kangjun.

It marks a big step in relations between Wei and Yanzhou.

We must celebrate it properly.

- Why pull me? - Why weren't you looking for me?

Why would I look for you?

- Father, Uncle, Aunt. - I was looking for Her Ladyship.

I'm glad you're back.

I told you to serve the Lord of Wei.

How could you forget the rules after leaving us?

You even made him support you.

I wanted to support her myself.

Of course you can do that if you want.

Manman, that's your fortune.

Father.

I'm glad you're back.

My lord.

Cousin and Bi Zhi are here.

Fan is back.

Great!

Both my girls have returned.

Today, we celebrate the arrival of His Lordship.

Ignore the others.

We've prepared food and drink at home.

Please follow me.

Father, Mother. Uncle.

My lord, rest assured.

Today, you helped me reclaim Liancheng.

If you ever need anything, Yanzhou will never refuse.

Long time to see.

You are now the Commander of the Boya Forces.

No matter your rank,

if you treat Fan well, you're family to us.

Uncle.

My lord, you must be tired from the journey.

Please come home with me.

Oh, I forgot to thank you that day.

If not for you, I might not have found Her Ladyship.

Thank you.

No need for this among the family.

Bi Zhi may be from the Qiao clan, but…

Her Ladyship is right.

Bi Zhi.

We're all family.

We've been talking in the wind for too long.

Let's go home.

Let the Lord of Wei and Manman rest well.

Cousin is with child and shouldn't overexert herself.

- Let's go home. - Okay.

My lord, after you.

With so many people here, be mindful.

Got it.

My lord.

The Lord of Wei recognized Bi Zhi

but hasn't accepted you.

Manman,

Bi Zhi is so capable,

and Uncle still dislikes him.

Uncle hasn't improved at all.

If Grandfather knew, he'd be furious.

Your grandfather didn't teach you to disrespect your elders.

QIAO MANSION, YANZHOU

These servants served you before.

They've been waiting here to greet you.

Welcome home.

- You'll all get rewarded. - Thank you, my lady.

They even made you some snacks and clothes and socks.

They've been thinking of you.

Aunt, what did you prepare for me?

Your room is all set up with the fragrance you liked before.

I remember everything.

The dinner tonight is your favorite too.

Your father arranged it all himself.

At her maiden home, she's being cared for by others.

Everything suits her wishes.

But when she first came to my family, she cared for others.

Mother, please have some tea.

Everything suited my wishes.

I wonder if Manman is tired

and if she feels wronged.

You go walk around with the Lord of Wei.

Make yourself at home.

I'll take your cousin back to rest.

Okay.

Let's go.

Great. I wanted to see where you lived before.

Let's go.

You can go and see some friends too.

Yes.

That was the main chamber.

This chamber is where Cousin and I lived.

Yanzhou really is suitable for orchids.

They're everywhere.

It's warmer here than in Yujun, and the flowers bloom earlier.

There's a pear tree here.

When I was free, I used to sit under it and drink tea.

I'll take you to see other places.

Manman…

Do you blame me?

Why would you say that?

When you were at home,

you were treasured like a jewel.

But in Wei State, you're cautious all the time.

Wei State is not a cage,

but for you, it's no different.

I've never seen you so at ease before.

It's my fault.

You treat me well.

My days with you

are comfortable and happy.

Then it's settled.

Kangjun is your home,

and Yujun

is also your home.