Original subtitles

[Fated Hearts]

[Episode 34]

[In Reverence, Song Cheng]

[Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Li Hu] [Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Chen San]

The First Prince I knew

was a loyal and righteous man.

[Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Gu Yu] [Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Hound]

There's no way you'd ever plot treason.

You must have been framed.

So I secretly investigated

and found

the bodies of our brothers.

I buried them quietly.

[Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Gu Yu] [Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Hound]

Before we avenge them,

we have to swallow

all the tears and bitterness.

Our brothers are still watching us from above.

Your Highness,

leave Murong Jie to me.

I swear

I'll take his damn head myself!

Good.

The Murong father and son framed Feng Suige.

They won't spare the Feng Battalion either.

The Feng Battalion

has already been controlled by Murong Yao.

Impossible.

Everyone in the Feng Battalion has fought side by side with us.

They'd never betray His Highness.

Anyone who refused to yield to Murong Yao

was killed by him.

I pledged my loyalty to Your Highness

and refused to serve under Murong Yao,

so I

retired early.

Now I'm just a commoner.

Your Highness,

we've been

searching for you.

Such a huge upheaval in Susha

must have raised suspicions.

The entire court

is controlled by the Murong family.

No one dares to question this matter.

However, during my investigation,

I found someone

secretly looking into this.

It's Shen Wu,

the Minister of Rites.

Shen Wu is an opportunist.

He definitely didn't want to investigate it himself.

Someone must be pulling his strings.

The Murong father and son and Empress Zhuang

all know the truth.

They're too busy concealing it

to investigate.

So,

there's only one person

with such power and the desire

to know the truth.

Chengyang.

Song Cheng,

I want to meet Shen Wu.

Can you help me?

No problem.

[Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Li Hu] [Memorial Tablet of My Friend, Chen San]

Brothers,

I swear

I'll make them pay for blood with blood.

Mother, you've come at a good time.

The lamb chop from Susha

is incredibly delicious.

Everyone out!

-Yes. -Yes.

Stop.

Mother, just say what you want to say.

If they dare to breathe a word,

just kill them.

I know why you've come, Mother.

Bring it here.

Mother, can you tell

whose hamlet this is?

It's Liang Pin's.

How could you kill him?

I am the Emperor.

What's wrong with me killing Liang Pin?

He was the Imperial Military Commander!

What commander?

Wasn't he just your dog?

Mother,

you tried to kill my woman.

So what if I killed your dog in return?

He was not even as good as a dog.

Calling him that

insults dogs.

Princess Xiyang arrives!

Greetings, Empress Dowager.

Xiyang.

Come.

This is the lamb chop from Susha—

quite delicious.

I'll cut a piece for you myself.

Your Majesty,

why are you protecting this bitch

like this?

Here.

How does it taste?

It seems you're determined

to go against me.

Great.

My Jingyan has grown up.

You raised me well, Mother.

How about this?

Go enjoy your golden years

and stay out of state affairs.

I wouldn't dare.

I'm afraid you'll ruin Jinxiu

for this cheap Susha woman.

Mother, you really care about Jinxiu.

But this is my kingdom.

I can ruin it however I want!

You always say I'm incompetent,

but that's because you can't see my talent.

What I'm good at

isn't ruling a kingdom.

It's destroying one.

Liang Pin was the first

to dare kill my woman.

I hope

he's the last.

Empress Dowager,

please have some tea.

Mother, calm down.

Please take care of your health.

If you're truly a filial son,

get rid of Feng Xiyang for me.

Whether you're truly filial as a son,

we'll see by what you do.

I can't stand

that bitch Feng Xiyang any longer.

Mother,

I understand.

[Linfang Hall]

Princess, you're here all alone.

You must be troubled and have come here

to clear your mind.

Prince of Zhennan,

you must hate my guts.

All this concern

and polite talk…

what are you plotting now?

Why would I hate you?

There's no one else here.

Why ask what you already know?

Bai Shouzhuo died because of me.

Shouldn't you hate me?

Why do I see

hostility in your eyes?

The eyes see what the mind thinks.

What's on your mind

is what you see with your eyes.

If you view me as an enemy,

of course you'll sense hostility.

You make a good point.

But tell me,

how have we ended up

as enemies?

You forgot?

The first time we met,

we were already enemies.

Thank you for reminding me.

Since

we've been enemies all along,

I feel much better.

Are you here to kill me?

Yes.

Then why haven't you done it yet?

Because I still owe you a favor.

Someone like you

actually cares about that?

Because I'm hypocritical enough.

That's actually

the most honest thing I've heard from you.

So,

since I'm being honest for once,

let me give you

one last piece of advice.

Leave this place.

I can help you.

Xia Jingshi,

don't tell me you want me to turn back now?

Feng Xiyang,

no one in this world

understands what you're thinking

better than I do.

Because I've walked every step

of the path you're walking.

Your facade,

your despair,

and your desperate gamble— I understand them all.

After my father died,

I just wanted to survive.

Is it wrong for someone to just want to live?

But if I wanted to survive,

I had to depend on the Empress Dowager—

just like how you are

using Xia Jingyan now.

Eventually,

driven by despair and revenge,

you'll follow in my footsteps

and become like me.

I've never been a good person,

but you are

the kindest person I've ever met.

Let go of all this.

Let go of revenge.

Live a peaceful life.

It's not too late.

Xia Jingshi,

I've already fallen into the abyss,

and only now do you offer help.

I won't be grateful for this.

I only find it even more disgusting!

You might as well not help me at all.

Just be the villain you are.

You've made me what I am today,

and now you want to save me?

You think I'm pitiful, don't you?

I don't need your sympathy!

You don't deserve it!

Since that's the case,

so be it.

Princess Xiyang,

His Majesty said you've been gone for a while picking flowers,

so he sent me to check on you.

An enemy is an enemy.

Next time, don't pretend to be concerned

or convince me to turn back.

You just think killing me

would interfere with your plans.

Xia Jingshi,

no one knows better than I do

what's on your mind

in this very moment.

What's wrong with you?

Do you still want this job?

First Prince?

You…

you're still alive.

I didn't see anything.

I didn't see anything.

I know nothing!

You know nothing?

Then there's no need for you to live.

I'm still useful.

I'm still useful!

Your Highness, please don't kill me.

What do you need me to do?

I will do whatever you ask.

[Personal Guards: Li Jianxin, Zhao Yunhai, Zhang Moying]

Just as you predicted,

the Empress Dowager

really did plant spies among Xia Jingyan's

personal guards.

That's just how she is.

She has to

have everything

under her control.

The Royal Guards protect the imperial palace.

Military Commander Liang Pin was her man.

The personal guards protect Xia Jingyan.

So naturally, she has her people there too.

She wants to control everything.

Yet Your Highness has seen through it all.

They're digging their own grave.

Where did this list come from?

Wang Encheng provided it.

Among the personal guards,

there's a team leader named Zhang Ming.

He's close to Wang Encheng.

[Personal Guards: Zhu Tieyi, Chen Shuangjian, Zhong Jingsong]

Zhang Ming told him in private

that these particular personal guards

had reported secretly

to the Empress Dowager before.

Does Zhang Ming know

Wang Encheng is

investigating for us?

Rest assured.

Wang Encheng is tight-lipped.

He's never mentioned his connection to us.

Your Highness,

did you request this list

because you

already have a plan?

This is a gift for Xia Jingyan.

There's already a rift between Xia Jingyan and the Empress Dowager,

but they haven't

completely fallen out yet.

So I'm going to

fan the flames.

Find a way

to get this list to Xia Jingyan.

Just make sure

no one realizes

it's from us.

Yes.

What did you say?

I really did

meet with the First Prince.

He wishes to meet with you in private.

Given the urgency,

I had no choice

but to agree

to relay the message to you first.

Please forgive me.

You did well.

Your Majesty,

are you going to meet him?

Of course.

Why wouldn't I?

You're my confidant.

Speak freely.

Then, allow me to be frank.

Prime Minister Zhuang died

at the First Prince's hand.

If that

hadn't happened,

the throne

would have

belonged to him.

I've spoken out of turn.

Please forgive me.

You've only spoken the truth.

There's nothing to forgive.

Get up.

But I believe

Suige

would never harm me.

Go make arrangements immediately.

I'll set out tonight.

But you must

not tell anyone.

This must remain secret,

especially from my mother.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Minister Shen.

I've been watching you for some time.

You met His Majesty

in private again and again.

You seem to be in a hurry.

What is it about?

Just official business.

You understand

which way the wind blows.

Don't be misled into choosing

the wrong side.

I'm giving you one last chance

to tell the truth.

What?

It's absolutely true.

The men we placed

among the personal guards

were just executed by His Majesty's order.

How did His Majesty discover them?

I secretly looked into it.

It's said that

after His Majesty killed Military Commander Liang,

he searched his residence

and found that list.

Nonsense!

Liang Pin had nothing to do with the personal guards.

How would he know?

Liang Pin is now dead.

Dead men tell no tales.

No one will ever know

where that list really came from.

I doubt

His Majesty had any real evidence,

but he had them executed all the same.

When does His Majesty

ever need evidence to kill anyone?

Summon the Prince of Zhennan to see me.

Yes.

[Yangyue Palace, Yuxiu Palace, Hehuan Hall]

Are you troubled by something?

Come, come.

I thought all you did was play around

without a care for state affairs.

But you're

actually diligent sometimes.

State affairs?

What state affairs?

If I had to

handle state affairs myself,

then what's the point

of paying all those officials?

Come.

Sit.

Look at this.

[Jiyue Hall, Linhua Palace, Pixiang Hall, Shuhua Palace]

I ordered the palace staff

to pick some new residences for you:

Jiyue Hall, Linhua Palace, and Pixiang Hall.

I have no idea

which one you'd prefer.

How about this?

You take a look.

Choose whichever you like.

So this is what you were studying?

Yes.

If you like them all,

I'll give them all to you.

I guess a few

pedantic old officials

will object.

But don't worry.

Whoever dares to object,

I'll have them beheaded.

I don't need a new residence.

I can just stay in the Mirror Room.

The Mirror Room is too shabby.

Just a place to sleep!

If you ask me,

the Mirror Room is no different

from all these palaces.

Feng Xiyang!

I have so many palaces,

and you don't like any of them?

If you continue to be so unappreciative…

I'll build you a new palace.

How about that?

Xia Jingyan,

instead of thinking about these things,

why don't you help me figure out

how to kill the Murong father and son?

What's the rush?

Once they're killed

and you get your revenge,

you'll want to leave.

You want to go back on your word?

You're the ruler of a kingdom.

A king's word is law.

You can't break your promise to me!

I am a ruler, that's true,

but I'm also a man.

Isn't it normal for a man

to lie to a woman?

You…

Wait, wait.

Don't get upset.

I was just joking with you.

Alright.

I never lie to women,

especially not to you.

It was you who used that...

that bet

to stop me from attacking Susha.

You have to give me some time

to come up with a new plan

to kill the Murong father and son.

Alright. Be patient.

You just want me to stay.

You want this imperial palace

to become my cage!

Your cage?

What a great idea!

Why didn't I think of that?

I'll immediately

build you a new palace

that looks like a cage!

You're sick!

Don't go yet!

I have a gift for you.

[Fuxin Pavilion]

I asked you to kill the Princess of Susha,

yet you still haven't done it.

You've really let me down.

Forgive me, Mother.

His Majesty has

assigned personal guards

to protect her.

I really haven't found the chance.

Mother,

could you temporarily

remove the personal guards

so that I can…

I only gave you this one task,

and you still need my help?

Calm down, Mother.

Forgive my incompetence.

Forget it.

You have the will but lack the means.

After all, this is

not your Pingling City.

It's Mother's Pingling City.

I was away for so many years

guarding Pingling for you.

All land under heaven belongs to the Emperor.

It's His Majesty's Pingling City.

You weren't guarding it for me.

Don't say such foolish words

ever again.

Get up.

His Majesty has become

increasingly difficult to understand.

Officials proposed attacking Susha,

but he refused.

It must be Feng Xiyang interfering.

I planned to restore

your military command,

but it keeps getting postponed.

After all these years outside,

being able to return

and serve you with filial devotion

isn't such a bad thing.

Rather than a filial son,

what I truly need

is the Prince of Zhennan who lets me rest easy.

Mother, you mean...

You fool,

you're in real danger without realizing it.

His Majesty has always wanted you dead.

In the past, I could hold him back,

but now,

with Feng Xiyang messing with his mind,

he barely even

acknowledges me as his mother.

If he ever insists on killing you,

I may not be able to stop him.

Please enlighten me, Mother.

How can I protect myself?

Right now, with peace between the two kingdoms,

he thinks you're useless.

But when war breaks out, it'll be different.

That's why Feng Xiyang must die,

and Susa must be attacked.

However, I don't want

this matter

to create a rift between His Majesty and me.

I understand.

I'll first kill Feng Xiyang

and frame Susha for it.

Then I'll provoke His Majesty

into waging war against Susha.

Since I can't go after

Feng Xiyang in the palace,

I might as well…

try something outside.

How could His Majesty

possibly let her leave the palace?

The opportunity will come soon.

Mother,

the Qianqiu Festival is approaching.

Will your brother stand with you?

Chengyang and I

may not be brothers from the same mother,

but I watched him grow up

all these years.

I've always treated him

like my own brother.

I know his character well.

He might be completely in the dark,

unaware of the truth,

believing what his mother has told him.

No matter

what Empress Zhuang told him,

it must be full of loopholes.

In such a just world,

no one can truly turn black into white.

Chengyang can tell right from wrong.

I trust him.

Although I've never met Feng Chengyang,

after hearing what you've said,

he sounds like

a reasonable person.

To maintain a kind heart,

even with blood ties to the Zhuangs—

that's really not easy.

I was worried

that you brothers would become enemies.

So many royal siblings

like you would fight

to the bitter end

for the throne.

Surprisingly,

you two are the opposite.

That's truly rare.

If it weren't for the throne,

my buddies like Gu Yu

wouldn't have ended up like that.

You are the most important person to me.

After everything,

I still have you by my side,

and Lu Ke, Yun Fang, and Yun Qing,

who are not blood relatives

but are more than family,

by my side.

I'm already very content.

I didn't expect

His Highness to suffer so much

in the Storm Alliance.

Thankfully, Miss Yixiao was

by his side through it all,

pulling His Highness

back from the brink of death.

Let's not talk about that.

How are you?

Let me see if it's healed.

Just superficial wounds. They're all healed.

Don't bother.

Why are you acting shy like a girl?

Just let me check.

What's wrong with you?

You wanna fight?

Never mind.

I won't fight you.

You're still recovering

from your injuries.

If I beat you,

it wouldn't be honorable.

You beat me?

Have you ever beaten me?

Have I ever fought you seriously?

Didn't I kill

20 more enemies than you

on the battlefield?

Fine, fine.

You're the best, okay?

Just you wait.

After I avenge His Highness

by killing the Murongs,

we can

have a proper match.

I'll always be

one step ahead of you on the battlefield.

Fine.

I'd like to see

who will really come out on top.

It's a deal then.

It's a deal.

This is a bow with a draw weight of over two piculs.

Yes.

I thought Your Highness had died

and planned to assassinate the Murongs

to avenge you.

But they always have

guards protecting them.

I can only shoot

from 150 paces away.

At that distance,

you can hit six or seven out of ten.

They're both military commanders.

They wear armor when they go out.

From 150 paces away,

a kill shot is extremely difficult.

At best, you could hit a vital spot.

But regular bows and arrows

can't penetrate armor

even if you hit,

so you have to use

a heavy-tipped arrow and a strong bow.

Yes.

A few days ago,

I secretly got this bow.

If my brother found out,

he'd stop me from taking risks,

so I kept it stashed outside.

However, I've only

ever used a two-picul bow,

so I can't guarantee

a kill shot with this one.

I can try it.

The Moon-Shooting Bow I used before

had a draw weight of over two piculs.

No.

Lord Ling said

you can't draw a strong bow.

I've completely recovered.

Look.

Yixiao.

With this bow,

I can lend you a hand

and help you deal with the Murongs.

But if you hurt yourself again

just to kill them,

it's simply not worth it.

Don't worry,

I know my limits.

Don't forget,

I'm Fu Yixiao after all.

Mind your step.

Someone's coming.

These are

Song's scout bells.

Once someone gets near this area,

the bells will be

triggered to ring.

Your Highness,

someone is coming this way

with guards.

It's Chengyang.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

I'll wait outside

for you.

Who are you?

Your brother is waiting for you inside.

Let me see

what Chengyang looks like

as an emperor.

Suige,

it's so wonderful

to see you again.

You also thought I was dead?

In the past, every time you returned

from a victorious campaign,

I'd go welcome you back.

Once, you didn't come back with the army.

They said you died in battle.

I was devastated.

Later, I told you

that unless you saw my body,

you shouldn't believe

any rumors from anyone.

Because your brother

is the invincible God of War.

Murong Yao said

your body was left in the wilderness

and couldn't be found.

I didn't see it with my own eyes,

so I didn't believe it.

Come.

Sit.

Brother,

actually,

ascending to the throne

was not my wish.

I know.

I already learned about

what happened between you

and Grandfather in the past.

Suige,

why didn't you tell me?

Telling you would only have worried you

needlessly.

There's a perpetrator for every injustice.

None of this should have come

between us brothers.

Why trouble yourself?

Chengyang,

I've heard

you've been secretly investigating

the truth behind Father's assassination.

The fact that you came to see me today means

that you still

care about me as your brother.

Brother,

how did Father really die?

And who set you up?

The Murong father and son.

They forged an imperial edict

to lure me into the palace.

By the time I saw Father,

he had already passed away.

Who else was involved?

An event this big…

I don't believe the Murongs did it

all on their own.

You're asking me this…

because you already

have an answer, right?

Brother,

I want to hear it from you directly.

Was my mother involved

in the attempt to murder you?

I have no proof,

but she must have been involved.

Chengyang,

I called you here today

because I hope

you can prepare yourself in advance.

And I hope you can understand me.

Because what I'm about to do

is to kill my enemies with my own hands.

Brother,

I'll return the throne to you.

But may I ask you one thing?

Spare my mother.

I will take her away from Yujing

and never come back.

I'm the only family

my mother has now.

All her mistakes were for my sake.

Her sins are my sins.

Let me pay the price for her.

What have you done wrong?

You and I are merely

pawns of circumstances.

Chengyang.

I promise you:

I will not kill your mother.

Qianqiu Festival?

Xia Jingyan's Daily Chronicle says

that every year at the Qianqiu Festival,

he leaves the palace to visit his ancestral home.

If we want to kill him,

that's the best chance.

But for such occasions,

security is always tight.

There will be countless guards protecting him,

both openly and secretly.

That's why we need to use the Empress Dowager.

When Xia Jingyan leaves the palace,

he'll certainly bring Feng Xiyang with him.

No one wants Feng Xiyang dead

more than the Empress Dowager.

She will secretly

help us reassign most of

Xia Jingyan's guards.

If that's the case,

our chances of success

will be much greater.

But will the Empress Dowager agree?

She definitely will.

She's eager

to provoke a war between the two kingdoms.

Only then

will Xia Jingyan need to rely on her again.

We need to prepare in advance.

It's time to send word to Pingling City

and call in more people.

Understood.

What are you doing?

Prince of Zhennan,

His Majesty summons you.

You're angry?

Who's the fool

that upset Her Highness?

It couldn't be me, could it?

Why would I be angry?

Xia Jingyan,

don't think I can't

take revenge without you.

Interesting.

Then tell me,

what's your plan?

Did you

just come here to mock me?

I came to help you.

Get out.

The more ungrateful you are,

the more I like you.

Bring him in!

Why did you bring him here?

I don't want to see him!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

May I ask why

you've summoned me?

You tried to kill my woman,

and you still don't know why I summoned you?

Your Majesty, what do you mean?

I don't understand.

You forgot quite quickly.

Why did you

go to the Flower Hall?

You've been visiting

the Empress Dowager repeatedly.

What task did

she assign you?

The same as Liang Pin's?

To kill her?

I was merely paying

my regular respects to the Empress Dowager.

Still won't admit it?

Good.

You pay your respects more often than I do.

You're filial.

I'm not.

Is that what you mean?

You misunderstand.

Then what were you doing

at the Flower Hall?

Were you perhaps rekindling a romance?

I...

Think carefully about your answer.

If you were rekindling a romance

with my woman,

I'd be very displeased.

If not,

I'd be even more displeased.

You don't find my woman attractive?

If I'm displeased,

someone's head will roll.

Tell me.

Tell me, why did you go to her?

Was it to rekindle a romance?

If you want me dead, Your Majesty,

why bother with finding excuses?

Who do you think you are?

Do I need an excuse to kill you?

At the Flower Hall,

I had something to say to him.

Prince of Zhennan, have you forgotten?

I was the one who stopped you at the Flower Hall.

I asked if you had ever,

even for a moment,

imagined growing old with me.

I...

You...

You were rekindling a romance with him?

Don't say that again!

He and I broke ties long ago.

There's no romance!

I just

wanted an answer.

What was your answer?

Never.

♪ Roaming freely ♪

♪ Unafraid of wind or frost ♪

I see.

♪ The wet wings ♪

♪ Will carry me far away ♪

You crazy woman,

♪ Don't cry, don't cry ♪

are you serious?

Xia Jingyan, I've told you,

I can still get my revenge

without you!

Let go of me!

Let me kill him!

-Take him away! Now! -Let me kill him!

♪ I'll remember the way home ♪

Xia Jingshi,

I'll kill you!

Listen to me!

You're from Susha.

If you kill him,

his followers won't let you go,

nor will the people of Jinxiu!

Then why did you

bring him to see me?

I just wanted to humiliate him

and scare him a bit to make you feel better!

Xia Jingyan,

remember this:

I was

never joking about revenge.

If you dare toy with me again,

I won't let you off!

You crazy woman.

What did you say?

I said I'll remember!

You've seen your brother,

but why are you even more upset?

He came to see me today

because he cares for me as his brother.

But I told him terrible news.

Chengyang has already lost his father.

How will he face

his mother from now on?

Usually at times like this,

wouldn't you offer me

words of comfort?

Why are you silent this time?

I was just thinking:

how can there be someone

as kind as you in this world?

His mother

caused you to lose your mother,

yet you're still worried about

how he will

get along with his mother.

After all you've been through,

I'm really glad

you still have a younger brother like Chengyang.