Original subtitles

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

I…

It's you?

My lord.

It's been a while.

So, he's the one you spoke of?

Don't you know that he attacked Yanzhou mere months ago,

causing us tens of thousands of casualties?

I offended you before.

But may I now have the chance to redeem myself?

If we join hands this time,

we could help you reclaim true authority

and take back Panyi for Yanzhou.

Panyi?

What nonsense are you talking about?

Governor, you're a man of great talent,

wise and formidable in battle,

much like the late Lord Qiao.

But your brother has long coveted your position.

He has plotted carefully.

Now he controls the troops

and has Wei Shao as his son-in-law.

As the Governor of Yanzhou,

can you truly accept being beneath him?

What's the point of these words?

If Wei Shao falls, Yanzhou will be the strongest force.

Qiao Ping will be left without support.

If you will not submit to him, why not take a chance?

You want to kill the Lord of Wei?

Wei State now draws strength from all regions to build the canal.

Soon, their strength will be unstoppable.

If we don't act now,

there may never be another chance.

Over the past months,

I've reached out to many forces

and rallied troops to resist Wei State.

Xue Tai, a valiant warrior, has also pledged support.

We'll strike from two fronts.

Everything is ready,

except your resolve

to cast off Wei State's yoke.

So, you've come to persuade me?

I have come today

only seeking a powerful alliance with you

to crush Wei State

and divide its lands.

Ping, my brother.

It's been a long time since we had an evening like this,

just sitting and drinking together.

Let me take this chance to toast you first.

Bottoms up.

I know I'm mediocre.

All these years,

it's you who held everything together.

I'm proud of you,

but also ashamed that I've done so little.

Here's a second cup

to show my respect.

Yue,

please don't put me on a pedestal.

If not for you,

who always showed such grace,

what could I have done alone?

I should be the one to toast you.

Very well.

As long as we stand united,

there's nothing we can't overcome.

Cheers.

I have something

to tell you, Ping.

Please go on.

I've decided

to lead Yanzhou

into an allegiance with Liu Yan, Lord of Liangya,

and sever all ties with Wei Shao of Wei State.

Why?

No…

Wait.

Why didn't you

say a word of this beforehand?

Ping, what do you mean?

Must I seek your permission for every decision?

That's not what I meant.

Right now,

the realm is in turmoil and its future uncertain.

Yanzhou, for the moment,

can still hold its own.

In my view,

we should wait and observe.

It's unwise to turn to Liangya so hastily.

Yue,

have you considered the fact

that our Qiao clan and the Wei clan are in-laws now?

If one is in trouble,

the other should come to their aid.

Even if we don't,

we shouldn't betray them.

So in the end,

you just want to tie Yanzhou's fate

and the Qiao clan's

to Wei Shao?

Am I right?

Back when our families proposed the marriage alliance,

Yue, you supported it too.

But now,

at the first sign of trouble,

you're ready to turn your back on them!

How is this

any different

from being a turncoat?

How dare you speak to me this way?

Do you still see me as your elder brother?

Remember, I am the Governor of Yanzhou!

I have no sons.

I treat Ci as my own.

Why do you think I'm doing this?

Do you really believe it's for myself?

I'm doing this for Yanzhou's future!

Know this.

My alliance with Liangya

is not open to your objections!

You…

You drugged my wine!

No, I didn't.

- I didn't. - My eyes…

You traitor!

Traitor…

Is he dead?

He's still breathing.

What did you give him?

Why can't he see anything?

I don't know.

Liu Shan gave me the drug.

He said it was much stronger than ordinary knockout drops.

It must be his rage that did it.

It must have triggered temporary blindness.

He might recover in a few days.

My lord, our top priority must be to seize control,

take back command of the troops,

and take charge of the situation.

How is Ci right now?

Wait.

Only restrain him. Do not harm him.

Rest assured, my lord.

I've sent trusted men to guard him closely.

BOYA

Look over here, Li.

Ma'am!

There's a letter from Kangjun.

Is it from Ci? What does it say?

I HEARD YOU HAD A SON.

I HOPE YOU AND BI ZHI RETURN TO KANGJUN TO ENJOY FAMILY TIME.

It's from Father.

He heard I have a son and wants to meet Li.

He hopes we can bring him back to Kangjun for a while.

I know grandparents have a special bond with their grandkids.

Father must be so happy to be a grandfather now.

He must have forgotten past arguments.

I hope so.

But Father really does love children.

When we were young, he treated us so well.

He's fallen asleep.

I'll go find some fast horses. We'll set out at once.

No rush.

We're going back to Kangjun.

KANGJUN

There they are.

Fan, get down.

- Father. - Father.

We've waited so long for you.

Where are Mother, Uncle, and Ci?

They're all waiting in the mansion.

I heard you've been good to Fan.

You often pick sour plums for her?

Yes.

I learned the recipe to pickle them from a kitchen maid.

She loves them.

What a coincidence.

The plums in Kangjun are ripe now. They're in the West Hill.

Go pick some for her.

Let's have a taste as well.

- Yes. - Father.

We've only just arrived.

Don't send Bi Zhi off on errands right away.

Besides, back when Mother was in Boya,

I stopped him from picking sour plums.

He's a respected leader now.

Since he's my son-in-law,

he ought to show some filial piety.

Earlier, I acted rashly, driven by anger toward Wei Shao.

I did something inappropriate.

You and I share the same blood.

I should treat Bi Zhi well.

The two of you should hold a proper wedding ceremony.

Now that you have a son, it's time to make it official.

Father, I'll be right back.

Good, don't be long.

- Bi Zhi… - Don't worry.

I'll be right back.

Come to the mansion with me.

Li is still in the carriage.

We'll fetch him in a moment.

Bi Zhi! Come back!

Father, what are you doing?

- Gag her. - Let me go!

What are you doing?

Bi Zhi!

Bi Zhi,

stop right now,

or she'll get hurt.

So, you're Bi Zhi, the green-eyed stableman.

Just as Xue Tai said, you're hard to handle,

but you love your wife deeply.

All the better.

You'll make a fine weapon against Wei Shao.

I once swore an oath

that I would never harm the Lord of Wei or Her Ladyship.

In that case,

she'll get hurt.

Stop!

Kneel.

Kneel!

From this day forth,

be you a stableman or my slave,

you will stay by my side and obey my commands.

If not…

Well then,

you can try and see whether you're faster than my blade.

KANGJUN, YANZHOU

Stop.

State your name and purpose.

I'm Wei Liang from Wei State,

here on the Lord of Wei's orders to invite the Prefect of Kangjun to visit.

General Wei, please wait a moment.

General, Wei Liang has arrived.

Shall we let him in?

General Wei, you may enter.

KANGJUN WHARF

Shopkeeper, do you have any fine orchids from Yanzhou?

The fine ones are back at my home.

They're costly, though. Still want them?

Price is no issue.

Give me the best.

Sure. Follow me.

Move aside!

- Out of the way! - Move it!

Shopkeeper, has Kangjun been peaceful lately?

Thanks to the prefect,

every home sleeps with their doors wide open.

But why are there so many patrols on the street?

I don't know why.

There are more patrols lately, that's true.

Let's go.

Governor.

General, your arrival is sudden. May I ask what brings you here?

Her Ladyship misses her father,

so His Lordship sent me here to invite Prefect Qiao

to stay in Yujun for a while

until Her Ladyship gives birth.

They can enjoy some family time.

To invite the prefect?

Manman is about to give birth.

He is a man, after all. He can't help much there.

He'd only cause trouble for the Lord of Wei.

How about this?

Once Manman gives birth safely, I'll visit them with Ci.

Governor, you're overthinking.

It's no trouble at all.

How about we ask Prefect Qiao and hear his thoughts?

My brother hasn't been well lately.

He's resting at home now and not seeing guests.

He's sick?

Then I should visit him to show His Lordship's filial piety.

I'll go right now…

He just took some herbal soup and is asleep.

I'll send someone to check if he's awake.

Mr. Zhang,

go and take a look.

Yes.

This kind of small thing should be left to servants.

Why trouble your advisor with such things?

Zhang Pu is more thoughtful.

Where's Young Master Ci?

I haven't seen him in a while. I truly miss him.

Ci went hunting in the hills.

It's getting late and he's not back yet?

He's still a kid and really playful.

By the way,

I heard in Boya

that General Bi Zhi and his wife were invited to Kangjun too.

Did they bring their child? May I visit them?

General, must you ask about every single member of my family?

General,

was Ma'am's delivery smooth?

General,

you…

Governor, you want to side with Liu Yan?

Since Wei Shao's lackey is here,

there's no way you'll make it back alive.

Bi Zhi, you green-eyed scum!

You'd betray the Lord of Wei too?

Bi Zhi,

what are you waiting for?

Don't you care about your wife and son?

Go get him!

Hurry! Go get him!

My lady.

I've prepared some food for Ci.

By His Lordship's order,

no one is allowed inside.

Insolence!

How dare you speak to me like this?

Am I not the Lady of Yanzhou?

I need to check the food box, my lady.

Do you need to search me as well?

I wouldn't dare.

Let her in.

- Aunt. - Ci.

- Ci. - Aunt.

What happened out there?

How is my father?

Why did Uncle lock me up?

Don't call him Uncle anymore.

He's allied himself with Liu Yan and is plotting against the Lord of Wei.

Your father and cousin are locked away too.

Even Bi Zhi is being forced to serve them now.

General Wei Liang came unexpectedly, and they attacked him.

We don't even know if he's still alive.

Ci, your top priority now is to get out of here,

rescue General Wei Liang,

and inform the Lord of Wei.

My lady!

Step aside!

- Young Master Ci, calm down. - Step back!

- Step back! - Make…

Make way!

Ci! Ci!

Get out of the way, all of you!

If anything happens to Ci,

how will you explain it to the governor?

Move!

Go on.

Ci?

Move aside!

Ci?

Young Master Ci, please stay calm.

Don't follow me.

Aunt,

take care.

- Go get him! - Ci!

Ci! Ci!

Are you all right, my lady?

Ci…

My lady.

Stop right there!

Go after him!

Don't run!

Stop!

Stop!

- Don't run. - Don't run.

Go get him!

Bring the orchids to Wei and tell them,

Boya has rebelled!

Kangjun has rebelled!

General!

Tell Xiaotao not to wait for me!

Xiaotao,

don't wait for me.

My lord, be careful.

Where is Ci?

He escaped.

I've sent men after him.

He escaped?

Whatever happens, don't take his life.

My lord.

In this case,

our secret plans will likely be exposed.

Then we will no longer hide it. Let's start the war.

We'll attack Panyi and catch them off guard.

If we control the Yongning Canal,

we control the lifeline of every region.

Seriously?

Panyi is heavily guarded.

It's not easy to take.

Exactly.

That's up to you, Governor.

Can you find a way

to knock the gates of Panyi open?

Well…

Yang Feng, the Mayor of Panyi,

once served my father closely.

He's a slippery one though.

Let's hope he doesn't stop us.

PANYI CITY, WEI STATE

PANYI

WEI

Open the gates!

Open the gates now!

Open the gates.

Open the gates now!

What's going on, General?

Mayer, look.

Why would they suddenly show up like this?

Both the Governor of Yanzhou

and the Commander of the Boya Forces

have come here together.

General, let me ask them.

Governor,

why have you brought troops here?

Yang Feng,

Liu Yan attacked Kangjun.

Luckily, Bi Zhi saved us.

Open the gates quickly. I seek refuge.

Please wait a moment, Governor.

General,

Wei State and Yanzhou are bound by both marriage and alliance.

Please allow the family of the late Lord Qiao

to take shelter in the city,

and send a message to Yujun without delay.

Well…

Thank you very much, General.

All right. Open the gates!

Open the gates now!

Governor, please enter quickly.

General… General Bi Zhi, what are you doing?

Yang Feng,

I've allied with Liangya to resist Wei State.

From this day on,

Panyi returns to Yanzhou's rule.

You once served my father closely and are a man of intelligence.

I trust you know

what must be done,

don't you?

Yes, I do.

Governor,

your march here with so many troops.

Has Xindu noticed?

Xindu?

In this realm, who could possibly rival Bi Zhi?

True.

And what about Zhen Zhi?

Bi Zhi.

He lacked your subtlety and tried to stop us.

He fell in the line of duty.

Governor.

My lord.

Mayor Yang, please inform all regions

that the sluice at Yongning Canal is now under my control.

All forces and nobles must reconsider where their loyalties lie.

Yes.

I understand.

PANYI, WEI

QIAO

You fell in the line of duty?

If I had known this would happen,

I would've had a drink with you…

back in Rongjun.

Liu Yan's evil heart never dies.

If such a warmonger gains control of the water source…

GOVERNOR OF YENZHOU

…how can the realm ever find peace?

He wants me to join him?

Never!

I told them to follow the Lord of Liangya…

GOVERNOR OF TAOZHOU

…but they wouldn't listen.

Luckily, we chose our side early.

We might yet claim a share of the spoils.

Wei State is too strong.

GOVERNOR OF YAOZHOU

I agreed to help build the canal only as a temporary move.

If Liangya State really defeats Wei State,

that will be a good thing.

Let's wait and see.

PROCLAMATION: LIANGYA NOW ACCEPTS PANYI'S SURRENDER

My lord, your asthma is acting up again.

Shall I call for the physician?

Liu Yan…

He is dead set on mutual destruction.

We cannot let Shiyuan get dragged into this mess.

Yes.

Young Master.

Shiyuan, you're back.

Son, you've been guarding the border for a while.

You've done well.

It's time you came home.

You've been away too long.

I do miss you.

Governor, I'd like to request command of a military unit.

Is there any unrest at the border?

Are you hurt, son?

No, it's fine.

So,

you want to reinforce Yujun?

Liu Yan caught us off guard.

I just need to help out for a few days to ease Zhonglin's troubles.

Shiyuan!

Given the current situation,

I've held back from attacking Wei State out of respect for your ties with Wei!

As for the rest, don't bring it up again.

Governor!

- Guards. - Yes, my lord.

Escort the Young Master to his chambers.

You must be tired from the journey.

Rest in your chambers for the next few days.

Young master,

this way, please.

ZHONGZHOU POST HOUSE, ZHONGZHOU

My lady, General Xue Tai has arrived.

My lady,

the Lord of Liangya has announced he has taken Panyi.

Our plan has succeeded.

Very well.

In that case,

I need the Governor of Zhongzhou to meet me.

Zhongzhou is a thousand li from Panyi.

Even if they gathered troops, their aid would be slow.

Who said I planned to attack Panyi?

What's your plan, my lady?

Since Liu Yan has taken Panyi and the Yongning Canal,

Wei Shao surely won't sit still.

The moment he moves,

I'll strike straight for Yujun

and wipe out the Wei clan.

I didn't expect that to be your plan.

The Lord of Liangya attacks Panyi to rule the realm,

but what I seek

is so much more than that.

I will walk over the bones of the Wei clan,

wade through their blood,

and rise to the top, step by step.

The humiliation the Weis inflicted on me…

I shall return in full.

Who's there?

YUJUN, WEI STATE

Who are you?

My brother-in-law…

Young Master Ci!

Inform His Lordship!

Ci.

- You're awake. - Manman.

My lord.

I sent Wei Liang

to invite you and Father to visit.

Why are you the only one back?

Xiaotao.

General Wei Liang

asked me to give the orchids to you.

General Wei Liang…

He died fighting.

Are you out of your mind?

Did you hurt your head or something?

He's such a big man.

You say he's dead and that's it?

We waited all night for you to wake up, and what do you do?

The first thing you say is that Wei Liang's dead?

Can you think before you speak?

He has that huge shield.

How could he die just like that?

You're still alive,

but why isn't he?

Believe whatever you want.

I'm going to do the laundry.

Ci.

What exactly

do you mean by that?

Just say it.

Say it!

General Wei Liang

died fighting.

Uncle was incited by Zhang Pu

to ally with Liu Yan

and rebel against you.

Zhang Pu even drugged Father.

Now, Father is blind.

Uncle imprisoned me, Cousin, and my nephew,

and forced Bi Zhi to turn against us.

I don't know why

General Wei Liang came to Kangjun to see me and Father.

Out of fear that the truth would come out,

Liu Yan ordered soldiers to attack us.

We couldn't hold them off.

General Wei Liang fought to get me out of there,

but he…

He…

It should've been me.

It should've been me.

Qiao Ci, look at me.

Wei Liang went to fetch you, right?

Where is he now?

Look at me. Where is Wei Liang?

He went to Yujun, so tell me, where is he now?

Look at me. Where is Wei Liang?

Where is Wei Liang?

Where is he?

It should've been you.

Why did it have to be him? Why not a Qiao?

Wei Xiao!

My lord!

Reporting!

Liu Yan has taken Panyi with his troops.

Pass down my orders.

All troops, stay on alert.

Tomorrow,

we march on Panyi!