Original subtitles

[Fated Hearts]

[Episode 33]

Aren't you always

by His Majesty's side?

How could

Bai Shouzhuo be killed out of the blue?

And he was working for Prince of Zhennan?

Your Majesty,

Eunuch Bai proclaimed his innocence until death.

It was all the Princess of Susha's accusation.

The Princess of Susha?

She was involved?

It was the Princess of Susha

who took His Majesty to arrest Eunuch Bai.

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

The Princess of Susha

never leaves His Majesty's side.

I dared not tell you.

I am guilty.

Your Majesty, please punish me.

You are indeed guilty.

But I want to give you

a chance to atone.

Go kill that bitch.

Whatever method you use,

I just want her dead.

I've been in Shengjing for so many days,

and the Emperor has kept me locked

in Yeting Palace

and only today allowed me to see you.

Your Highness,

what happened in Yujing

has spread throughout Yeting Palace.

What are we going to do now?

You still have me.

Trust me.

One day I will take you home.

But we are in enemy territory.

And you're all alone, Your Highness.

Perhaps I'm not alone.

I've inquired about the situation in Yujing.

It seems no one

has seen my brother's body.

I've been thinking these past days

that he must still be alive.

Did you also feel Elder Zhou

was acting strange today?

His words today

seemed like he was testing us.

If you are determined to leave,

will you fight your way out?

Indeed.

There was murderous intent in his eyes.

I could feel it.

He seemed to really want

me to fight my way out.

Ning Fei,

you've been here the longest

and know this place best.

Tell us.

What kind of person

is Elder Zhou?

Usually,

he doesn't seem strange at all.

He always talks about being content

with a simple life.

Wait.

I remember now.

After I recovered,

he came to see me.

At that time, he asked me many questions

about His Highness...

About Xia Jingshi.

He even inquired

about my relationship with Xia Jingshi.

After learning about

my history with Xia Jingshi,

he hinted that I should introduce him to Xia Jingshi someday.

He wants to ally with Xia Jingshi?

But he's a member of the Storm Alliance.

He can't possibly leave this place.

Unless he's been planning to leave all along.

Elder Zhou saved my life.

I didn't want to overthink it.

But today I could feel

he was subtly

hinting to us

that the key to leaving this place

lies with Elder Lei.

Could it be

that he wants to use us

against Elder Lei?

He came

right after you quarreled

with Lei Lie.

Maybe

he wants to exploit

the conflict between you two.

Oh, right.

I just remembered

something else suspicious.

I once accidentally saw some of

Elder Zhou's close followers practicing martial arts.

They're scholars.

They don't need to practice martial arts.

Does anyone else

in the Storm Alliance know about this?

No one does, I think.

He's been secretly building his own force,

maybe to stage a rebellion.

It seems he might be

really planning to move against Lei Lie.

Once you go any farther, you'll be outside the Storm Alliance's territory.

What are you two doing here?

Bro,

we were ordered by an elder

to gather herbs on the mountain.

The people from the Woodcutter Branch

will soon notice something's wrong.

According to the plan,

set up the ambush.

Yes!

You two,

guard that entrance.

Yes.

[Great Shelter Hall]

Godfather.

Zhou Hao is trying to sneak out of the Storm Alliance

with some people from the Studying Branch.

How is that possible?

It's absolutely true.

My men

spotted their trail;

they left not long ago.

Gather everyone

and go after them!

[Storm Alliance]

Let's go!

How is it?

Nothing.

Nothing.

Follow me.

Protect Elder Lei!

Lei Lie!

Zhou Hao.

What are you doing?

Lei Lie,

if you don't die,

I'll be trapped here forever.

Even if I'm fortunate enough

to escape from here,

with your temper,

you'd still hunt me down

to the ends of the world.

Am I right?

Are you saying

you want to kill me?

Brothers of the Storm Alliance,

calm down.

Let's sit down and talk this through.

I saved your lives.

Today I'm going to kill Lei Lie,

and you're standing in my way?

Lei Lie,

after all that's happened,

you've left me no choice!

Raise the net!

[Great Shelter Hall]

Go!

Hurry!

Go.

This is their family matter;

let them handle it themselves.

[Storm Alliance]

I still don't understand

why you want to kill me.

I understand if others don't get it.

But you?

Why?

Didn't your two sons

also die

right in front of you?

Have you forgotten

those desperate looks in their eyes

before they died?

I haven't forgotten for a single day.

You say you haven't forgotten,

but in your heart you already have.

But I dare not forget.

My dead husband

and my unborn child—

this blood debt—even if it turned to ash,

I dare not forget.

So I will kill Feng Suige!

Do you understand now?

I will kill him!

But he is Qingyu's son.

How many people in the Storm Alliance

are alive today

because of Qingyu's kindness?

What about my child?

What about your sons?

Did they die for nothing?

You want to repay kindness

and seek revenge at the same time?

Dream on!

You've also heard that

our enemy

might not be Feng Pingcheng.

What if we're really wrong?

I can't afford to be wrong.

The whole Storm Alliance is watching me.

[Storm Alliance]

If I point to the wrong enemy,

everyone will follow me into the same mistake.

Why bother discussing this anymore?

At this point,

I accept our defeat.

If you want to kill me, then do it.

No need for this pretense.

She is full of hatred

that cannot be eased right now.

I don't blame her.

You're well-educated.

Why did you do this?

So you know I'm well-educated?

Scholars should pass the imperial exam, serve in office,

govern the country and bring peace to the world.

[Storm Alliance]

By trapping me in this cage,

you ruined my future.

Was it I who ruined you?

When you were young, you obsessed over the imperial exam,

trying for years and never passing.

Because of that, you fell into poverty

and were nearly beaten to death by creditors.

If Qingyu hadn't met you

and saved you,

would you be alive today?

The Storm Alliance is everyone's home,

never a prison!

If it's truly a home,

there shouldn't be so many unreasonable rules!

Every rule was established

for a reason.

Without these rules,

this family would have fallen apart long ago.

If it's meant to fall apart, why force it to stay together?

I'll kill you!

You saved Feng Suige.

Why can't you

let go of the rules?

You keep saying

it's for the good of the Storm Alliance,

but in truth,

you just can't give up

that bit of power!

You want everyone

under your control!

We've known each other for so many years.

We've overcome so many challenges together.

Is this how you see me?

[Storm Alliance]

Is that how

all of you see me?

Godfather!

[Storm Alliance]

What's wrong, Godfather?

Godfather!

Godfather!

Are you alright?

[Great Shelter Hall]

Move!

Godfather!

Move!

Godfather!

Elder Lei!

Godfather.

Elder Lei.

Elder Lei.

Elder Lei, are you okay?

Elder Lei.

Godfather.

Elder Zhou,

you're a healer.

You're the only one here with medical knowledge.

Please save him!

Godfather.

Elder Lei.

I believe you won't stand by and watch him die.

Godfather.

Zhou Hao, what are you doing?

Don't worry.

Elder Lei is fine now.

His anger

caused his qi to stagnate.

If he hadn't been able to release that blocked energy,

he would have died for sure.

Didn't you want to kill me?

Why did you save me?

My defeat is already certain.

Whether I kill you or not

doesn't matter anymore.

Godfather.

[Storm Alliance]

I heard your argument

from outside just now.

Don't let impulse

make you do something you'll regret.

Whether you believe it or not,

Feng Suige and I have both experienced

the pain of brothers turning against each other—

and we understand it all too well.

To be honest,

I was a child

without a home.

You don't know

how much I envy you.

Because of that,

and because

I've experienced such pain myself,

I can't bear to see

you fall apart

and lose your unity.

[Storm Alliance]

A family

will inevitably argue

and clash,

but a home is always a home,

a place that shelters you from the storm.

Family

will always be family;

they are each other's support.

Elder Zhou,

you only wanted to kill Elder Lei before

because you hadn't thought it through,

right?

[Storm Alliance]

Elder Zhang,

when Elder Lei

fell ill earlier,

you couldn't bear to see it either,

could you?

Ask yourselves honestly:

just now, weren't you worried

something would happen to Elder Lei?

Isn't he

your most important family member?

[Storm Alliance]

What do you mean?

Don't you want to kill me for revenge?

I'm giving you a chance.

Feng Suige,

you know I want to kill you.

Why did you still save me?

The last words I said to my father

were that

our father‑son bond

and the duties between ruler and subject

were completely severed.

That was because I discovered

that my mother's death was connected to him

and that my life

had been manipulated by him.

I didn't kill him

only because he was my father.

It's not a choice I can make;

I can only accept it.

You hate me.

You want to kill me.

This too is not something I can choose.

But I will uncover the truth.

If all of this

was truly my father's wrongdoing,

I will bear it.

If you want revenge,

I will accept it.

[Storm Alliance]

Many of you here

hate me deeply

because I'm Feng Pingcheng's son.

So what I said just now

was also meant for you to hear.

Whether you believe me or not,

I will uncover the truth.

Elder Zhang,

only when you know the truth

can you truly have your revenge.

Since you're willing

to do anything for revenge,

why can't you be a little more patient

and wait for an answer?

Will you really give me this answer?

I, Feng Suige, always keep my word.

Fine.

I'll wait for your answer.

Elder Lei,

are you willing to wait for the truth?

It doesn't matter anymore.

Whether I'm willing or not

is no longer important.

[Storm Alliance]

I want to ask all of you a question

I've never asked before:

do you want to strictly follow the alliance rules?

You want to leave too?

[Storm Alliance]

I beg you to tell me the truth.

Godfather,

I don't want to lie to you.

I see.

So it turns out

I've been the only one wishing for this all along.

Godfather!

Actually, Elder Lei

has his reasons.

Many in the Storm Alliance

have never seen

the dangers of the outside world.

They only long to go out,

but they don't appreciate

how precious this paradise is.

A person won't know

the taste of pain until they fall.

You've been through so much pain

that you've come to this realization.

And haven't you as well?

The pain you've experienced

is greater and deeper

than mine.

Today, you said

you're an orphan without a home.

But now it's different.

Now you have me.

I will always be your family.

We've been through so much together.

Because I lost my memory

we went from enemies to lovers,

and when you lost yours

we nearly went from lovers back to enemies.

But even so,

you're still willing

to be my family.

Thank you.

After all we've been through,

don't you feel bitter?

With you here,

how could I?

I'll always be here.

I'm sure after this,

Elder Lei won't be

so rigid in following the rules;

we should be able

to leave soon.

Wherever you go in the future,

I will be with you.

When we return to Susha,

we'll reveal the truth.

It's not just for revenge,

but also to show the world

that Xiyang's brother isn't a villain

who killed his father and king.

I'll send word to Xiyang

to tell her I'm alive.

I can't bring her back

with peace of mind

until I've personally killed our enemies.

Murong Zhong and his son

haven't found your whereabouts.

They certainly won't give up.

When we return to Yujing this time,

it'll be full of danger.

After leaving here,

let's first find someone

to get a clear picture of the current situation.

This person is completely trustworthy.

Okay.

Killing Murong Zhong and his son won't be easy.

Why did you agree to that

so readily?

When my army

breaks through your Susha,

taking their heads

won't be hard.

You're still going to send troops to attack Susha?

Our two countries have finally achieved peace.

What good would attacking Susha again

do for you?

What?

Now you suddenly care about

the people of Susha?

I only agreed to help you kill them;

I never agreed to how I'd do it.

I only want Murong Zhong and his son dead.

I don't want innocent people to suffer.

You're angry?

It doesn't matter.

As long as I'm happy.

Whether to send troops

isn't for you to decide, is it?

Isn't your mother

the real ruler of Jinxiu?

Dare you say that again?

Am I wrong?

Dare to make another bet with me?

I'm listening.

I bet your mother

doesn't care about your opinion at all.

She sees me as a thorn in her side.

She will find a way to get rid of me.

Fine.

I'll take that bet.

In 15 minutes,

the Royal Guards will be back here.

We must be quick.

Your Highness,

the water's getting cold.

You've been bathing for a long time.

Shall I help you dress?

No matter how long I bathe, it's no use.

[Yujian Pavilion]

I won't get clean.

[Yujian Pavilion]

Kneel!

Get out.

You may leave.

Yes.

I killed the person who wanted to kill you

with my own hands.

So?

From now on,

no one in this palace will dare kill you.

I won again,

didn't I?

[Storm Alliance]

[Storm Alliance]

Elder Lei,

what are your plans for the future?

I...

I'm not going anywhere.

I'll stay here.

In case they come back,

someone needs to be home.

If I'm not mistaken,

you're also here to say goodbye.

Yes.

I saved you,

and you saved me.

You and I

are even now.

Since I gave you my word,

I'll do everything I can

to find out the truth.

May I

ask you for one favor?

Please speak.

You're both capable people

who've seen all kinds of storms.

If any member of the Storm Alliance

runs into trouble out there

and comes to you for help,

could you—

for my sake—

not let them go hungry or cold?

You can send them

back to me.

Alright.

I promise you.

Of course, Elder Lei.

Please rest assured.

Lei Lie has agreed to let them leave the mountain.

I have more good news for you.

From now on,

anyone who wants to leave the Storm Alliance

can do so at any time.

I'm here to say goodbye.

Before I leave,

there's one more thing.

I lost our bet, didn't I?

I'm giving you Zhengnian Villa.

Who wants your stupid villa?

You said it yourself.

No take-backs.

Well...

a bet is a bet.

I can't owe you anything.

As long as it's within my power,

just tell me what you want.

I want you to drink this.

Mushroom?

Drink it.

I've already had some. What are you afraid of?

Once I drink this,

we're even, alright?

Yes, we'll be even.

What is this?

A new medicine I developed.

It dispels dampness.

I...

How would I know?

Why is this...

dampness-dispelling medicine so strong?

I want you to drink it.

You don't know?

And you made me drink it?

I'm dying of laughter.

Your injuries are mostly healed,

but they still need time to fully recover.

This medicine can nourish the body and restore your energy.

Take 2 pills a day for 5 days,

and you should recover about 70 to 80 percent.

Thank you, Young Mistress Ling.

What about you, Xueying?

What are your plans next?

I just went to find my father

at Lady An's place.

He left me a note

saying...

he went traveling with Lady An

and told me to go back

and look after Zhengnian Villa.

Yixiao.

Ning Fei.

I prepared some dry rations

for you to eat on your journey.

Thank you.

Yes.

Here.

Thank you.

Ning Fei has agreed

to return to Zhengnian Villa with me.

That's good.

You can look out for each other,

which puts my mind at ease.

You must take care of yourselves.

After I send Xueying back,

I'll come join you.

Maybe I can be of some help.

Okay.

I'll thank you in advance.

Why are you being so polite again?

I told you we're brothers now.

This list names so many officials

to be promoted.

[Li Boyong] [Zhang Ziyu]

Yes.

The new emperor has just ascended the throne,

and state affairs are in disarray.

All the departments are short of people.

We really need to add more people.

Did you draft this list?

I discussed it

with the other ministers at court.

They had no objections.

Once His Majesty approves it,

I can send the appointments to each department.

Your Highness,

you are truly devoted to Susha.

You've reached the age

when you should be enjoying retirement in your hometown.

Yet you're still managing state affairs

for this widow and her orphaned son.

I am truly moved.

I only wish to dedicate myself fully

and help ease His Majesty's burdens.

However,

selecting officials is a matter of great importance.

Let's wait until I have discussed it with His Majesty

before making any decisions.

Very well.

I'll return to my residence

and await your news.

By the way,

there's another matter

of utmost importance

that I must report to you and His Majesty

for a decision.

Feng Suige has disappeared,

and we don't know if he's still alive.

What did you say?

Isn't he already dead?

His body is missing.

I'm afraid there might be unexpected trouble.

I was planning to wait until the court stabilized

before personally

investigating this matter,

but as I just said,

with all departments short of staff,

I can't leave.

Your Highness,

are you threatening me?

How could I?

Your Majesty, you once said

that our fates

are shared in glory and loss.

I've never

forgotten that.

I'll take my leave.

Servants.

Bring me

the list of consort candidates

prepared for His Majesty.

Yes.

[Murong Residence]

Father,

will the Empress Dowager

agree to that list?

She will.

Most of the people

on that list

are our people.

She didn't raise any objections?

She thinks now that the situation is stable,

she can abandon us.

She wants to suppress our Murong family.

Then I'll make her see

that if I could put her Feng Chengyang

on the throne,

I can just as easily

pull him down.

Yao,

I've told you many times.

At this point,

there's

no turning back for us.

Since we've come this far,

we might as well

go all the way.

When the time is right,

I'll make you emperor too.

Are you ready?

Father,

for the Murong family,

I'll do whatever you say.

A handful of people?

Aside from the Murong family,

the only one who can mobilize the Imperial Guards

is my mother.

Right?

I didn't say that.

I don't know anything.

I don't know anything!

The Empress Dowager has arrived!

[Qi Lingsu]

This

is the eldest daughter of Qi Zheng, Marquis of Huainan

and Grand Commander of Yongzhou.

There are other candidates for consorts as well.

They are all daughters of military generals.

[Qi Lingsu]

Take a look.

Leave us.

Mother,

I've told you before.

I don't want to get married.

Qi Zheng has military merits

and is a trusted aide of your grandfather.

He will be on our side.

If your birth charts match,

we'll grant him the title of prince.

In the future,

he'll not only be able to

rival Murong Zhong and his son,

but also help you

secure your position on the throne.

You talk about these things every day.

Is there nothing else

in your eyes?

If you don't want to be manipulated,

you must do as I say.

Since I was a child,

you've always taught me

to compete,

to gain favor,

to please Father,

to inherit the throne,

but you've never

asked me

what I actually want.

You're already the Emperor of Susha.

What more do you want?

With your position

comes many obligations beyond your control.

Instead of wasting time

on useless thoughts,

you should focus on

how to be a good emperor.

Mother, do you truly want me

to be a good emperor?

Of course.

Why won't you

tell me the truth

behind my father's death?

You said

that my father

was killed by my brother.

Is that really true?

For you,

I've sacrificed so much,

yet you dare question me?

Fine.

From now on,

I will decide everything for you.

I won't consult with you anymore,

and I don't care if you like it or not.

I'll help you secure your throne.

If you want to hate me,

then hate me.

This is the residence of Song Cheng,

a scout of the Feng Battalion.

He's absolutely trustworthy.

Let's find him first

to learn the current situation in Yujing City.

Be careful

not to be spotted by Murong Zhong and his son.

Be careful.

Let's go.

Lu Ke.

Miss Yixiao?

Your Highness?

Yun Qing?

Your Highness.

Yun Qing.

Your Highness.

-Your Highness! -Yun Fang.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

Your Highness, please come in.

Where are the other brothers?

[Song Cheng's Offering]

[In Memory of my friend Li Hu] [In Memory of my friend Chen San]

[In Memory of my friend Gu Yu] [In Memory of my friend Hound]

[In Memory of my friend Gu Yu]

[In Memory of my friend Hound]

[In Memory of my friend Gu Yu] [In Memory of my friend Hound]

Alright!

They all say you committed treason

and died.

I don't believe it.

I'm a scout.

I only believe

what I see with my own eyes.

In my eyes, you're someone

who values loyalty and righteousness

and could never commit treason.

You must have been framed.

So I investigated in secret,

found

these brothers' bodies,

and secretly buried them.