Original subtitles

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

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.

Let's go.

This used to be my favorite place.

In summer, the trees grow thick and full.

I would dance as Cousin played the konghou.

Those days seem long gone now.

Maybe

some still linger.

You're really lucky today.

Cousin feels like playing again.

Her konghou is of exquisite craftsmanship.

How about this?

I'll play a piece for you.

No need today.

I've heard you play before.

Spend some time with your cousin today.

I'll go for a stroll.

Manman!

Don't get up.

You're with child now.

How could you come all the way out here alone?

Do you still see yourself as a young miss?

Soon, you'll be a mother.

We've been apart for so long.

Meeting here in Kangjun is a rare chance,

so I came early to wait for you.

Cousin, if ever you miss me,

just come back anytime you want.

When I left,

I didn't bring this konghou with me.

But now,

my fingers itch to play.

It's perfect.

I would be delighted to hear you play.

I would be glad if you don't mind.

What's wrong?

Manman and I

feel distant now.

It'll be all right.

Why do you look so downcast?

I just feel

Cousin and I are no longer as we once were.

That day in Xindu,

when Yanzhou was under siege,

I went to her for help.

She told me…

You know it's dangerous up ahead.

Are you going to send him to die?

You are capable and responsible.

You can save the people of the realm.

But I'm different.

I'm just an ordinary woman

with no ambition and no grand vision.

Even if I give it my all,

I can only protect one person.

I'm not like you,

who pushes her husband fight and die for the Qiao clan,

and for the people of Yanzhou!

I… I can't do it.

Did I make a mistake?

Even Cousin knew

not to want her husband to take such risks.

But I pushed you, pressured you, and even schemed against you.

I've been so afraid that you'd think the same.

That I care nothing for your safety.

In that situation,

you had no other choice.

Besides, I know…

my Manman

is not like other women.

She loves me,

her family,

and the people even more.

So you did nothing wrong.

Also,

I'd love to be your spear and shield,

to fight for you,

to guard your path,

to make your every wish

come true.

I have one more wish.

What is it?

"May you be safe and sound."

You just said you would make all my wishes come true.

All I wish is for you to be safe and sound.

Don't worry. I will be.

You startled me.

Over there.

- Feel free to have a look. - Thank you.

It's beautiful.

Isn't it?

- Does it look good? - It does.

It really does.

See? It looks just like you.

This one?

Like me?

This chubby little thing is exactly like you.

What's wrong?

I'll keep my distance.

I'm chubby. I don't want to crowd you.

It's cheerful and bright.

Everyone,

you've fled far and suffered much.

For now,

please settle here.

Stay warm and well-fed.

Prefect, that's so kind of you!

Prefect, that's so kind of you.

- I never thought he'd gave us shelter. - Exactly.

Prefect, you're so kind.

He doesn't look down on us Liangya people.

Exactly.

In the days ahead, we'll do what we can for you, Prefect.

Thank you, Prefect.

No need for formality.

Please rise.

Distribute the food.

Mother.

This is for you.

You eat that.

Prefect,

our food was already scarce after the war.

Now, I fear we won't hold out much longer.

Pass my order.

Stop all wine brewing.

We should save the grain first.

Yes.

GRAIN

Your Lordship.

May I ask why you are here,

and what this is for?

These are military supplies I brought to Kangjun.

I hope they will be helpful.

Also, grain from Xindu will arrive in a few days.

Your Lordship, you've lifted a great burden from us!

On behalf of the people, I thank Your Lordship.

Please rise.

No need for formality.

Although you thank me,

there's something I want to ask you.

Because of Liangya, Yanzhou lies in ruins now.

Why do you shelter these stragglers and refugees?

Moreover,

some of them may have fought against you in Liancheng.

These common folk are war-torn innocents.

They are pitiful souls with nowhere to go.

Does it really matter where they come from?

Who among them

ever wished for war?

They had no choice.

You built canals for the realm

and gave up troops.

You never asked who helped or opposed you,

nor cared about past kindness or grudges.

You did it for the people, and so do I.

That's true.

If peace ever comes

one day,

I'll guard it with all my heart

and ensure it lasts for generations.

Even if peace lasts only for a moment,

a sincere heart can make its echo last for generations.

If every region

followed Your Lordship's example,

then true sincerity

could dissolve hatred

and bring peace to the land.

I will stand by your side,

helping to complete the canal,

facing hardships together,

bringing water to all regions,

ending wars,

and dissolving hatred with genuine sincerity,

to bring peace to the whole realm.

I hope that day will come.

At the end of the day,

since they've come to Yanzhou,

I can't simply watch them starve.

But I'm sorry for causing you trouble.

You shouldn't have burdened Wei State because of this.

You're welcome.

In chaotic times, the people are the most innocent.

Father, we share the same intention,

so I wish to help.

What did you call me?

I called you Father.

It's been a while since I married Her Ladyship,

but the journey's been rough.

Only now do I get to speak with you.

Your heart is with the people, just like Her Ladyship's.

Father, I hope you don't mind my being late.

I don't deserve to have Your Lordship do this.

This gesture is not from the Lord of Wei to the Prefect of Yanzhou.

It's from a son-in-law to his father-in-law.

Zhonglin, you show such respect.

I feel all the more

uneasy and ashamed.

We're family. There's no need to be so formal.

The night banquet is about to begin.

Let's go together, Father.

Of course.

Of course.

This way, please.

Zhonglin holds no grudge.

But our Qiao clan

still owes the Wei clan a great debt.

Father,

I'd like to offer you a toast on behalf of Her Ladyship.

Thank you for raising her.

Speaking of raising her…

Right.

Yue and Lady Ding have treated Manman as their own,

especially Lady Ding.

She deserves this toast from Zhonglin.

Mother, I'd like to offer you a toast.

Thank you for raising Fan.

Lord of…

Zhonglin.

Here's to the rebuilding of the Yongning Canal.

Everyone,

raise your cups.

To the canal.

Although

you are Manman's uncle,

Yanzhou and Wei State lie between us.

You'd better address me as the Lord of Wei.

The Lord of Wei…

Zhonglin means to speak to me as family,

and to you as an official.

It doesn't conflict.

Um, well, Bi Zhi.

Governor.

You should call me Father.

Father.

I've heard you have repeatedly defeated Xue Tai.

You're pretty talented.

We're short on generals in Yanzhou.

Seems you're destined to join the Qiao family.

Governor, you flatter me.

Call me Father.

Father.

Though I've fought Xue Tai a few times,

I'm just a groom.

I know little beyond that. I merely scraped by.

Fan once said Xue Tai feared

the Lord of Wei and Her Ladyship,

so he never attacked me head-on.

To the Lord of Wei.

Cheers.

Now that you and Fan have both returned home,

settle in properly.

I'll send someone to take over Boya.

Thank you, Father.

Do you truly accept Fan and me now?

Boya is just a small place.

Bi Zhi can still manage it well.

Besides, I've grown used to it.

We will return someday.

That's our real home.

Manman asked for your help, but you refused?

No wonder Wei Shao keeps his distance from me.

Father, don't worry.

The Lord of Wei holds no grudge.

He's still willing to be Bi Zhi's in-law.

You're too naïve.

He's only being polite because Bi Zhi is useful.

I explained the pros and cons to Manman.

I didn't want Bi Zhi risking his life to help them.

Manman understood.

Daughters often grow distant after marriage.

Daughters of others

know to stand with their kin.

Mine ran off with a mere groom.

At the crucial moment,

you turn your back on your family for him!

Father,

Bi Zhi is no longer a groom.

I know.

He's now the Commander of the Boya Forces.

The so-called forces are just a ragtag army.

And you think it's a fine title?

Go tell Bi Zhi,

I'll take over Boya.

He will train my cavalry and raise my steeds.

He should back up Ci

so no one dares trample on me.

I refuse.

What did you say?

Father, since you still see Bi Zhi as a stableman,

I suppose you'll never accept him as your son-in-law.

I'll live in seclusion with Bi Zhi at Boya.

Let's not interfere with each other. Wouldn't that be better?

You…

Do you even hear yourself?

To you, I'm just a daughter

who ran off with a groom.

When Bi Zhi and I were in real danger,

you didn't send a single soldier to help us.

But now that Bi Zhi's gaining power,

you want to use me to use him?

I won't let that happen.

Also,

Bi Zhi not coming to fight against Liu Yan was my decision.

The Qiaos never lent him aid.

I could not let him risk his life for my family.

Manman never blamed me for this.

Governor, you have even less right to!

I am unfilial to Mother,

and I may have wronged my cousins,

but, Father,

I owe you nothing.

- You… - Governor!

If you wish to claim Boya as your own,

send your troops and take it by force.

My lord.

Mr. Zhang,

look at me now.

Do I look like a patriarch to you?

Both ladies are now backed by powerful husbands.

They're no longer easy to control.

But I believe both of them still hold loyalty

toward Yanzhou.

They're loyal to Yanzhou, but not to me!

Tell me,

what caused all of this?

My lord,

refugees have been flooding into Kangjun lately.

The prefect's reputation

may now outshine your own.

What's wrong?

Fan,

you'd defy your father for me.

That saddens me

but also makes me happy.

You fool.

I'm not defying him.

Father has always bullied the weak and feared the strong.

I won't blindly obey him

just because he raised me.

Remember this.

In this realm,

no one can use me to control you.

Fan, I'm not scared.

Everything I've done was for your happiness.

Being with you makes me happiest.

I only hate myself for not giving you the honor

that the Lord of Wei can.

If I cared about that, I wouldn't have left with you.

What I care about

is your honest heart.

Sour plums.

That's exactly what I wanted.

It's cold outside.

Let's go inside.

I love this room.

It's filled with your scent.

It just smells like your wine now.

Does it?

Can you still smell it?

You cheeky rogue.

We're returning to Wei State tomorrow.

Is there anything else

you'd still like to do?

Tell me.

I'll go with you at first light.

There's nothing else.

I never imagined a day like this

before I married you.

You weren't just pretending to be happy

for my sake, were you?

If I said I was,

you wouldn't believe me.

Then if you want to make it up to me,

how about

we strike a deal?

Whatever you want, say it now.

If it's something I can do,

I'll give it my all.

How about…

giving me a child?

You want a child from me?

What do you mean, from you?

It would be our child.

And…

I want it now.

I promise I'll give you a new home,

one filled with children and joy.

KANGJUN

There's not much time.

You still need to hurry back to Yujun.

I won't insist on keeping you.

I only hope that next time,

you'll stay a little longer.

Governor, you're so kind.

Father,

we'll take our leave.

Please take care of your health.

May I have a word with you?

Of course.

Is this the direction to Wei State?

That's right.

- Father… - Father.

On behalf of the Qiao clan,

I bow from afar

to the spirits of the late Lord of Wei,

your late father, and your late brother.

I don't dare to seek forgiveness.

I only wish to express my deepest gratitude.

I'm grateful to Lady Xu

and Lord of Wei

for your magnanimity.

Back then, at the Battle of Xindu,

it was the Qiao clan's fault.

We brought disaster upon your kin.

I feel deep remorse.

My guilt is beyond words.

The grudge between our families

was settled long ago

by my grandmother.

You bear no resentment,

but I cannot pretend to forget.

All I ever wanted

was for Manman to marry someone she loved.

A man who would cherish her

and live a peaceful life with her.

But fate had other plans.

On my late father's deathbed,

he took advantage of the situation

and arranged this marriage with you.

If the Qiaos and the Weis

had traded places,

I must admit

I wouldn't have treated an enemy's daughter kindly.

But Lady Xu has been gracious and generous.

She has cared deeply for my daughter.

You didn't turn her away.

You've shown her great care.

Even for her single request,

you dropped everything

to personally escort her home

and stepped into Yanzhou.

That made me all the more ashamed.

Now I see that all my doubts

came from judging you

by my own narrow heart.

Father,

I'm ashamed as well.

I, too,

once made things difficult

and treated Her Ladyship harshly.

When did you ever treat me harshly?

I'm just a man of little worth.

Life and death, honor and shame,

they're fleeting to me.

All I care about

is my daughter.

Today, I'd like to take this chance

to entrust Manman to you, the Lord of Wei.

Please protect her

and let her live a life of joy.

Here and now, I offer you my sincere gratitude.

Father,

you have my word.

From now on, I will cherish Manman even more.

Please,

trust me.

I trust you.

I really do.

YUJUN, WEI STATE

WEI MANSION, WEI STATE

My lady, these are the ceremonial items prepared for tomorrow's memorial rite.

Please take a look.

GIFT LIST OF THE MEMORIAL RITE

His Lordship won a great battle

and honors his father and brother.

You've worked so hard for this,

but will you be allowed to attend and step into the ancestral hall?

Forget it.

Back when we first arrived in Yujun,

we were left outside of the city gates

just to avoid taking part in this very rite.

According to tradition,

a new wife who hasn't paid her respects at her husband's ancestral hall

is not accepted or recognized by the family.

Whether they accept me or not

depends on His Lordship's attitude.

Besides,

to ask Grandmother, Mother, and His Lordship

to let me into the ancestral hall

is asking too much, isn't it?

Why bring trouble upon myself?

My lady,

this was rushed by His Lordship's orders.

He reminded them again and again,

worried it might delay tomorrow's memorial rite.

My lady, this is the ceremonial robe.

My lord.

Let's get inside.

WEI

SPIRIT TABLET OF THE LATE LORD WEI SHANG

Cleanse your hands.

Offer incense to the spirits.

SPIRIT TABLET OF THE LATE LORD WEI LUN

Grandfather.

Father.

Brother.

This is Lady Qiao,

my wife.

SPIRIT TABLET OF THE LATE LORD WEI LUN

SPIRIT TABLET OF THE LATE LORD WEI JING

SPIRIT TABLET OF WEI BAO MY LATE BROTHER