Original subtitles

Chaoyan,

I was waiting to die in the mass grave,

and you saved me.

Your parents treated me like their own.

Now that you're about to get married,

can I still ask for something from you?

Of course.

As long as I have it.

I want

your life.

Chaoyan.

Junlan,

you're poisoned.

I haven't been poisoned for long.

I just bled.

Take me to the clinic.

Okay.

Xian...

God won't bless me,

and my fate is not in my hands.

But I, Gu Chaocao,

even if I die

and become a ghost,

I will never let you off.

Hurry up.

Congratulations on your promotion.

You're just one step away from the top.

Mr. Zhou.

No, Mr. Zhou.

You're favored by His Majesty

and have a loving wife.

We're so jealous.

Yeah.

Thanks to His Majesty

and my colleagues,

I will work hard for the country

and live up to your expectations.

Please, please.

Lord Zhou,

the wine is here.

Put it over there.

Yes.

Please enjoy.

Thank you.

Enjoy, everyone.

Okay.

Please.

Ms. Fang.

Prince Wu'an.

Where are the two jars of wine I ordered?

Please forgive me.

Today, all my Frost Moon Whites are sold out.

We've been waiting here all day.

You're telling me now?

And you took our deposits.

How could you go back on your word?

I can double it back to you.

You...

Forget it.

Let's go.

Today is the anniversary of the late Prince.

Are you going to pay tribute to him?

Lord Zhou,

I heard he loved drinking Bai Wine.

I just

have one jar left.

I'd like to give it to you

as a token of my respect.

Sorry, Prince Xuan.

What a pity.

But he was beheaded for treason.

He's probably in the enemy's afterlife.

He can't drink the wine

poured on our land.

There's still some wine left.

Help yourself.

No, thanks.

Are you upset with Zhou for speaking out

and impeaching your father,

or are you still resentful

of His Majesty's judgment?

His Majesty is merciful,

considering the past merits of the Peis,

he specially pardoned Pei to inherit the title.

This is a great favor.

How could I not be upset?

She's just being filial.

Stop joking, my dear.

Thank you for the wine.

The music is like a sobbing cry,

as if a ghost is pleading for justice.

It's like the clash of golden spears,

with a sound of injustice.

It's resounding and passionate,

like everything is burning down.

Gu Chaocao,

Xian...

This lady is so strange.

and even her veil.

My Lord,

a guest ordered a pot of Frost Moon White.

He asked me to deliver it to you.

Great.

No need.

Have you found out who she is?

Her name is Ji Yunchao.

She owns a clinic at the outskirts.

Chao, you really are something.

You think changing your name

will make us strangers?

Perfect.

I've been missing her lately.

Xian,

you're innocent.

Be careful with her.

Careful of what?

I've never harmed her.

It was her who

ran away with another man.

Zhao!

It doesn't hurt.

Don't struggle.

Don't hurt yourself.

Don't come closer.

Chaocao.

Junlan.

You're poisoned.

Take me to the clinic.

OK.

Xian...

Junlan, your

hairpin is beautiful.

You can comb my hair every day.

OK.

Bad news!

The bride broke off the engagement!

What's wrong?

Did you run away with a man?

What did you say?

How could you run away?

Mr. Lu.

Are you okay?

Five years of hardships have hardened my bones.

This time, returning to the capital,

I swear to settle

all the old and new grievances.

This is my signature pearl milk tea,

developed exclusively by our boss, Mrs. Qiu.

Please enjoy.

Why did you invite me

to come here?

He said he wanted to catch up with an old friend.

It's my first time in the capital.

What do you mean?

I don't know either.

Please enjoy.

If my father hadn't forced me,

I wouldn't have come to see you.

Your father was sentenced to death.

And you didn't do anything.

even by His Majesty.

No one dares to marry you.

She is the pride of Lord Jiang.

I'm not worthy of her.

You're always talking about your family.

But Zhou Junlan, from a humble background,

is hardworking and accomplished.

Marquis Xuanying,

being a royal family,

is accomplished nothing.

I see.

Lord Zhou is indeed young and promising.

Of course,

I, Jiang Yue,

should be with a man like that.

But such a man

would surely have a better woman by his side.

Why are we here?

To watch the play.

Gu Chaocao,

you've returned to the capital?

You've mistaken me for someone else.

You eloped with me before our wedding.

What?

Have you forgotten your former lover?

After you eloped with me,

you've had one lover after another.

Now that you're back,

do you still want to be my lover?

How dare you come back

after abandoning Lord Zhou?

How can you compare

to Lady Qiu?

Humans are not goods.

Why should we be divided into high and low?

Is that so?

But I'm not good enough.

Clouds and pines stand out in the forest.

But in my opinion,

the weeds that hibernate in the mud

through the harsh winter

are no less vibrant than the spring.

I'm not Gu Chaoyan.

If what you said is true,

according to our laws,

who abducts a decent girl to elope

shall be whipped 50 times.

Admitting guilt in broad daylight

is arrogance and ignorance.

Slandering a woman's reputation

is despicable and vile.

So, do you still dare to admit

what you said just now?

I...

I dare.

Good.

Then let's go to the court.

I'll just get beaten up.

And you,

as a woman, you'll be executed for eloping.

Do you dare?

I'm not her.

Why wouldn't I dare?

How do you prove you're not her?

You're the one who insulted her.

You're the one who slandered her.

Why should I prove myself?

Now you need to provide evidence.

or kneel and beg for forgiveness.

Otherwise, you'll face another charge.

What charge?

Harassment of a respectable woman.

Twenty strokes.

If she's engaged,

one hundred strokes.

You?

How could you be engaged?

My fiancé

is talented, handsome,

and virtuous.

Others are just

Toad?

Your parents have found you so many talents,

and you call them

toads?

Who is the man

you're talking about?

You're lying.

She's lying.

Don't be fooled by her.

Prince Xuan Ying, Pei Yan.

Prince Xuanying, Pei Yan.

Prince Xuanying?

A woman is willing to marry him?

I think she's not a virtuous woman.

They are a good match.

Prince Xuanying,

I've traveled thousands of miles,

from winter to spring,

just to come here

and give you a key.

A dead man is walking to a dying man.

What key?

A key that can unlock your chains.

I'm not a criminal.

I can come and go as I please.

What chains are there?

Unable to speak,

unable to see,

and unable to control your own body.

Isn't that like being shackled?

You...

Who is that woman?

Why is she so harsh?

Yes.

No matter how fallen he is,

he is still a prince.

My lady,

Princess Qingyang is waiting for you.

The play is good.

My dear,

let's go.

Lady,

you're looking for the wrong person.

After years of waiting,

you're really patient.

I admire you.

But now the key is in my hand.

How dare you not even look at it?

You're just bluffing.

If his hemophobia is exposed,

it's easy to harm him.

The old Marquis has already...

I'm afraid our family will have no successors.

My Lord!

Are you okay?

My Lord!

Pei Yan!

Pei Yan!

Open your eyes!

It's just plum blossom.

Yan,

if someone knows your weakness,

keep it in mind.

If necessary,

kill him.

Who are you?

How do you know?

I told you.

I'm here to give you the key.

Prince,

your mother should have told you.

She and the leader of the Medicine Valley

had arranged a marriage.

I am the leader's daughter.

Ji Yunchao.

The Marquisate has fallen.

Things are different now.

So what?

This is still

a hand meant to hold a sword.

Xian, what's wrong?

I just saw Chaoyao.

Gu Chaoyao.

But she seems to resent me for marrying Junlan

and our parents for taking me in.

She refuses to acknowledge us.

You and Junlan are meant for each other.

She stole him away first

and ran off with him.

You forgave her and took care of her.

Why should she resent you?

Well,

I'll meet her tomorrow.

Princess Qingyang sent someone

to invite you to a banquet tomorrow.

To the Zhou residence?

Yeah.

It's Mr. Zhou who holds the banquet,

but it's Princess Qingyang who invites you.

It's strange.

In that case,

I have to go.

It's not a good sign.

It's okay.

Pei Yan should be there, too.

He has accepted you as his fiancée.

You're wrong.

Swords are dangerous.

I don't want to be involved.

Do you mean the sword

or me?

The promise of my ancestors

doesn't have to be kept.

A promise is a promise.

How can you break it?

Then I'm

untrustworthy.

He admitted it.

Congratulations, Lady Qiu.

You look so beautiful today.

I'm always beautiful.

Of course.

Lady Qiu.

Sister.

You really came.

Princess Qingyang invited me.

How dare I not come?

Zhao.

I asked His Highness to invite you.

Mrs. Qiu,

you've invited me to meet you many times,

but you never tell me what for.

What do you want?

Zhao,

are you angry with me,

so you don't want to meet me?

I'll say it again.

I'm not Gu Zhao.

Words are empty.

Why should we believe you?

Why should we believe you?

Who am I?

I don't need to prove myself to anyone.

Even if you're a princess,

you have no right to...

Chaocao.

Is it really you, Chaocao?

Are you really alive?

Why didn't you

come home earlier?

You've got the wrong person.

No.

You are Chaocao.

How could I not recognize you?

Since you left,

My mother has been bedridden.

Since you're back,

why do you still hurt her?

Do you have any grievances?

My Lady,

please go back and rest.

Here.

Zhao.

Zhao.

She wouldn't be so cruel to her parents.

It seems I was mistaken.

Please.

Please take me to Minister Jiang.

I'll say hello and leave.

This way.

I'm willing to prove it.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be safe

in the capital in the future.

If that's the case...

Gu Chaocao has a plum blossom birthmark on her right shoulder.

Are you asking me

to take off my clothes in public?

Everyone here is a woman.

What's the problem?

Yeah, exactly.

Why not? Are you afraid?

You invited me over,

is this how

royals treat their guests?

Enough.

If you weren't Gu Chaocao,

I'd have compensated you.

Fine.

Since I'm not,

please give me 100 taels of silver.

How about that?

100 taels?

Just 100 taels?

I agree.

She'll take off her clothes for 100 taels.

What's the difference between her and a prostitute?

What a show!

I'll tell the ladies about it when I get back.

Don't dawdle.

Take it off.

Why is he here?

He's not a man of good conduct.

Does he know her?

Prince Xuanying,

what's your relationship with her?

Yeah.

What's our relationship?

She's my

fiancée.

Fiancée?

Really?

I don't know either.

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

She agreed to take it off herself.

That's right.

I agreed.

I never break my word.

My promise

is as good as gold.

Then I'll take it

as a broken promise.

No.

No birthmark.

Is she not her?

No birthmark.

Now

you can't deny it.

I'll use the 100 taels of silver

to buy medicines for the poor

in the name of Princess Qingyang.

I'm here to set up a clinic

to benefit the people with our medical skills.

I didn't mean to get involved.

Please help me clear my name.

I'm grateful to you.

You responded to grievances with virtue.

I was rude just now.

You solved the crisis

and won people's hearts.

You've made progress.

[It seems that Mrs. Qiu is determined]

[to mistake me for Gu Chaocao.]

[What do you want?]

[But I don't care anymore.]

[This game]

[is getting boring.]

Great.

I'm willing to keep my distance

from you.

Gu Chaocao

or Ji Yunchao

are just characters in a book.

Are you waiting for me?

You're my fiancée, aren't you?

I thought you'd be angry.

You kept your word.

How could I be angry?

Thank you for helping me today.

It's my duty to help.

I have nothing to repay you,

so I can only

give you a gift.

What?

A drop of blood.

What are you doing?

and faint at the sight of blood.

I'm at the mercy of others.

How have you survived these years?

I'm not talented,

but I have ways to protect myself.

Prince Wu'an,

what do you want to do with him?

When did you start

keeping an eye on me?

Since you started watching me.

What's your intention

to approach me deliberately?

Have you forgotten?

I told you.

I traveled thousands of miles,

from winter to spring,

just to bring you

a key.

Five years ago, on the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month,

Zhou Junlan impeached your father for treason.

The emperor was furious and sentenced him to death by hanging.

His body was hung

on the city wall for ten days

and was subjected to a thousand cuts.

Eleven.

You may leave.

Since then,

Zhou Junlan has risen to power,

while the Marquisate has declined.

Am I right?

Marquis Xuanying,

what exactly do you want to say?

In these five years,

Zhou Junlan has repeatedly helped His Majesty,

as if with divine assistance.

But Marquis,

is there really

a god in this world?

Please, gods above,

save my lord!

He's innocent!

Please, gods above,

save my lord!

Save my lord!

Please, gods above,

save my lord!

He's innocent!

Please, gods above,

save my lord!

If there were a god,

Prince Wu'an wouldn't have spent half his life in the military,

only to end up in a dark prison,

not waiting for that winter New Year's Eve.

If there were a god,

Lady Pei wouldn't have died in sorrow.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival,

in the midst of a thousand lights,

you

lost your only family.

Have you ever thought about

who is helping Zhou Junlan?

Even if there's a god helping him,

we can still

bring him

to justice.

Are you up to it?

Don't look down.

There is a ray of moonlight

in front of you.

A ray

of moonlight.

Within an hour,

go to the courthouse and turn yourself in.

the person who ordered you to kill.

Otherwise, you'll die in agony.

You can't do that.

You're not afraid of death.

Then I'll throw

the antidote away.

Wait.

You mean

the assassin failed

and went to the court to identify me?

Yes.

who is a vicious criminal,

who would believe him?

Besides,

he should be dead by now.

My dear, you're so fast.

She's just a healer.

Why bother?

You believe she's from the Ji Yun State?

Whether it's the Ji Yun State or the Gu State,

they're all ants.

But she came back when you were

one step away from becoming the PM.

She must have come prepared.

With Xian's help,

she can't make any trouble.

The position of Secretariat Chief

will be mine.

There is an opportunity.

You must seize it.

Tomorrow afternoon,

the Crown Prince will sneak out of the palace

to have fun on the Camellia-Salt Road.

At that time...

Sir, slow down.

Be careful not to fall.

Sir.

My lord!

Hurry!

-Call the doctor! -Yes, sir!

Hurry!

My lord!

What's wrong, my lord?

What's wrong?

My lord!

My lord!

Remember,

only my method can save him.

How did he know Xian's trick?

My Lord.

Your Highness.

Are you alright?

Are you alright?

Thanks to Prince Xuanying today.

It's my duty.

If Lord Zhou had found you first,

he would have saved you too.

Thank you, Lord Zhou.

It's nothing.

My Lord.

Here, let me add some more for you.

Thank you.

After today,

many people will come to

flatter the prince's savior.

With connections,

you'll have a way out.

You invited me here to drink tea,

but met the prince.

It's not a coincidence, right?

Just a coincidence.

For five years,

Zhou Junlan has risen

step by step.

I heard

he worshipped a god

who can foresee the future.

You

can also foresee the future?

Are you targeting Zhou Junlan

or the god behind him?

They tried to assassinate me last night.

They're already set on killing me.

And you're provoking them today.

What?

Are you scared?

I'm not hiding.

They'll

come after me first.

Why?

You should be afraid.

What?

I'm not afraid of death

and don't want to live.

I'm a dead man.

But you're a young woman

in your prime.

Why would you risk your life?

I'm not in my prime.

Gu Chaocao died five years ago.

The current Ji dynasty

is just clinging to life.

At the tavern that day,

your zither sound was like shattered jade.

Miss Ji,

no matter whose life you want to take,

it's not worth

your own life.

Gu Chaocao.

Miss Ji,

who are you?

I'm Zhou Junlan.

I don't know her.

A few days ago,

she had a quarrel with my wife.

Lord Zhou,

you came here today

because your wife sent someone to kill me?

It was just a misunderstanding.

It must be because of

the Prince Xuanying and you fighting for credit.

She's connected with the Prince Xuanying,

and she's been obstructing me.

Is it because she has a grudge against me and my wife?

What are you laughing at?

I laugh?

You've come from the same mud.

How dare you ask such a stupid question?

How dare you?

Do I need a reason

to deal with you?

You're just in my way.

There's only one path to the top.

Why can't I take it too?

While you trample others on your way up,

have you ever thought

you might become someone else's stepping stone?

Lord Zhou,

we have plenty of time.

Junlan,

we have plenty of time.

Who... who are you really?

I'll say it one last time.

I'm the daughter of the leader of

the Medicine Valley.

[Could she really not be Gu Chaoyao?]

[How could there be two people so alike?]

Xian,

look how startled you are.

Am I that scary?

Not at all.

You are the most beautiful woman in the world.

Really?

I'm very happy with what you said.

Then I'll reward you tonight.

Xian,

I didn't save the Crown Prince today.

Why?

Pei Yan saved the Crown Prince

with the method you taught me

before me.

How did he use that method?

Ji Yunchao was there at the time.

I guess the Medicine Valley also knows this method.

Ji Yunchao taught him.

Pei Yan saved the Crown Prince and made a contribution.

There must be people who will flatter him.

If the power of the Marquis's Mansion rises again,

it will be detrimental to my position as the Secretariat Chief.

Xian,

in your opinion,

who can be of use to me

in the court?

If you serve me well,

I will tell you

what to do.

After all,

only I know the direction of the story.

Lady Jiang,

here is the calming sachet you asked for.

There is a medicine in it

must not be exposed to alcohol.

Once exposed,

it will have a stimulating effect.

Therefore,

when you wear the sachet,

you must not drink alcohol.

I see.

You put quite a bit of that medicine in there.

Lady Jiang's insomnia is severe.

Of course, I had to increase the dosage.

Moreover,

I have clearly stated

the contraindications of this medicine.

She's responsible for her own actions

and their consequences.

Minister Jiang.

Please, please.

Good wine.

What is this?

Minister Jiang,

this is a humble gift from the young.

I've heard that you...

Attorney Zhou.

Sages and heroes have always been lonely,

only the drinkers leave their names behind.

I've always been fond of wine.

I don't need

the gift.

Our friendship

is in the wine.

Cheers.

I drank a bit too much.

Sir.

We'll drink together next time.

I'll take my leave.

I'll take my leave.

Old fox.

Sir.

We'll drink later.

Father, are you drunk?

No.

Not yet.

Take me home first.

I have something to do.

Yes.

Let's go.

Mr. Zhou.

What a coincidence.

It is.

What can I do for you?

I...

I've had a crush on you for a long time.

I'm willing to be your wife

and accompany you.

If you're willing to marry me,

my father will definitely help you.

I have a promise with my wife.

She is the only one in my life.

I'm sorry for being rude.

Please don't blame me.

I propose a toast to you.

Cheers.

Can that thing

make him fall in love with me?

You drugged the wine?

I...

Have you thought about the consequences?

I'm sorry.

What are you doing?

-Let go of me. -As you wish.

I didn't mean for this to happen.

What are you doing?

Mr. Zhou, snap out of it!

Let go!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help!

What's going on?

I... I didn't expect this.

I'll handle this.

You go home now.

I'll prepare some medicine for swelling

and send it to you tomorrow.

Ji Yunchao,

I'll remember

this favor.

Do you know

I practiced so many times

to hide my emotions

and appear before you flawlessly.

For three whole years,

I've been lying in bed, unable to move,

enduring the excruciating pain of burning heart.

Even if I kill you a thousand times,

it can't ease the hatred in my heart.

Dying like this

would be too easy for you.

There are many ways to approach Zhou Junlan.

You don't have to sacrifice your reputation for this.

As long as my purpose is achieved,

I don't care about reputation.

What are you doing?

I want to see how my fiancée

sacrifices her reputation.

What are you doing?

Acting.

It's hard to be realistic.

Why are you laughing?

This mark is too fake.

Then bite me.

Here.

Harder.

What's wrong?

You dare not?

I'll find someone else to help.

Lord Zhou, you're awake.

Why are you here?

Don't you remember what happened last night?

Help!

Let go! What are you doing?

Help!

You took the aphrodisiac yesterday

and almost lost your dignity.

I happened to pass by

and gave you an acupuncture to neutralize it.

Just a coincidence?

What do you think?

Did I do something inappropriate

to Miss Ji last night?

You just bit me

when the drug was acting.

I don't care.

You don't need to blame yourself.

Ji Yunzhou from Ji's Clinic

why did they come out of the tavern together?

Look at them.

They must have done

something ridiculous last night.

I heard that Lord Zhou and his wife are deeply in love.

Men...

I've seen it all.

Xian,

you spent a wonderful night with Ji Yunchao.

How did it feel?

I...

My dear,

you and Gu Zhouzhi...

We were young,

and we laughed together.

We lost ourselves in the moment.

I understand.

Xian,

you misunderstood.

If I truly cared for her,

I wouldn't have been with you.

My love for you is as clear as the sun and moon.

Last night, Jiang Yue gave me an aphrodisiac.

When the drug took effect,

Ji Yunchao happened to pass by

and used acupuncture to neutralize the drug.

Is that so?

Then she appeared just in time.

If I lie even a little,

I'll be damned.

Remember,

I can help you rise to the top,

or easily bring you back to your original form.

Of course.

Where are you going, Lady Qiu?

She's probably going to settle the score with Ji's Clinic.

I heard last night...

Wait.

That's not the way to Ji's Clinic.

Mrs. Qiu,

what's this about?

I know what you want.

I'm here to present the betrothal gifts.

Betrothal gifts?

Are you using the gifts for a concubine?

In my eyes,

people are all equal.

Since you love Junlan,

why not be his concubine?

True love

can't be measured by status.

Come back with me.

We'll serve Junlan together.

Wait.

I'm the Lady of the Jiang family.

I won't be a concubine.

Servants!

Yes.

Send her away.

Yes.

My engagement to the Jiang family

is now common knowledge.

Do you think

she can marry anyone else

besides being a concubine?

Are you threatening me?

If you've made a mistake,

you should accept the consequences.

If I leave,

she might not even

have a chance to be a concubine.

I...

Such a person

can only be controlled by me

even if she enters the mansion.

I...

Madam Jiang,

I'm here to bring you medicine.

You really love to stir up trouble, don't you?

Why are you everywhere?

Lady Qiu made such a big fuss

to force Madam Jiang to be a concubine.

Aren't you afraid of ruining your good reputation?

What?

Is it kindness to give her

my place as wife?

Stop it.

The whole court knows about it now.

How can I face anyone?

People's gossip

can hurt you.

If you can keep your heart clear

and not be affected,

no one can hurt you.

If I can keep my heart clear

and not be affected,

You're full of grand theories.

But last night, you sneaked into my husband's room

when he was unconscious,

and everyone knows about it.

Unfortunately,

you don't even have the right

to be a concubine

in our family.

Ji Yunchao is the future mistress of my family.

Her marriage

doesn't need your concern.

Mrs. Qiu,

you're a woman too.

Why do you have to force other women

just for your own satisfaction?

If you go too far,

you might end up hurting yourself.

Why didn't you discuss with me

about the betrothal to the Jiang family?

What?

Are you blaming me for acting on my own?

Of course not.

I understand your intention.

You're trying to help me marry into the Jiang family.

But,

I promised you

I'd never take a concubine.

You'd better believe that.

Of course,

in the Jiyun Dynasty,

Don't get too cocky.

Next one.

It's your turn.

Princess, be careful.

It seems that the Lantern Festival

will be very lively tonight.

Smell this.

It smells good.

Slow down.

Come on.

Wait for me.

Isn't she Zhou Lian's woman?

Why is she with Prince Xuan?

Who knows?

Women are unpredictable.

Even Prince Xuan likes such a woman?

A traitor's son

and a loose woman.

A perfect match.

A perfect match.

What is he doing?

Haven't you heard?

We...

A perfect match.

It's unfair to let you be

the object of public discussion.

It doesn't matter.

I've been used to

these gossips.

Prince Wu'an,

at the Lantern Festival,

you must win

the glass lantern in Princess Qingyang's hand.

Princess Qingyang will be in danger tonight.

You need to be close to her

to save her.

Okay.

You trust me so much?

Through many experiences,

I've already believed you can see the future.

But if you don't want to tell me,

I won't ask.

Five years ago,

I was on the brink of death.

Luckily, I was saved by the heavens.

In my dreams,

I occasionally see

some fragments of the future.

What I see

is not up to me.

If there is indeed a god

behind Zhou Junlan,

I will not let him down.

I will kill him

and make him lose everything.

Why are they here together?

Lord Zhou is here too?

The rumors have not been quelled.

How dare Marquis Xuanying bring Ji Yunchao here?

afraid others don't know you're a cuckold.

Lady Qiu,

aren't you also cursing Lord Zhou?

Lord Zhou,

do you admit you're the lover?

You...

Lord Xuanying, don't misunderstand.

That night, Ms. Ji helped me,

but her reputation was damaged.

I should have clarified it sooner.

I hope you can forgive me.

Lord Zhou's apology,

we both accepted.

Princess Qingyang is here.

The princess is here.

I have a riddle here.

Whoever answers it best

will get this glass lantern as a prize.

It's so beautiful.

What a beautiful lantern.

Listen carefully.

The riddle is:

The galaxy shines brightly in the endless night.

The red and silver flowers reflect the light of the sky.

The moonlight follows with the steps.

The lanterns accompany the people.

Let me.

Lord Zhou.

The scenery unfolds like a scroll.

Laughter fills the courtyard.

Tonight, we'll drink under the moon.

Deep in the bamboo forest lies a fairyland.

Bravo!

Your Highness.

I'd like to join in.

Please.

The night is almost gone.

The night is open for all.

People are happy and laughing.

Enjoy the good time.

Good.

Enjoy the good time.

Good.

My Lord,

this is yours.

My face.

Xuan Ying,

how dare you!

How dare you hurt His Highness!

Arrest them!

Yes.

My face!

How could this happen?

What's wrong with it?

When Qingyang is in danger tonight,

don't save him.

Did you find something?

When the Crown Prince was in danger,

Pei Yan took your credit.

The people in the Medicine Valley

can't know the method I taught you.

Xian, you mean

Ji Yunchao or Pei Yan

has the same ability as you?

I remember the original book...

Oh, I remember now.

It's Ji Yunchao.

I see.

If Pei Yan continues to take credit tonight,

it will confirm this guess.

At that time,

we'll send him off.

Prince Xuanying,

You wanted to be a hero but hurt her face.

Your greed for credit

made His Majesty angry.

He ordered me to convey his decree.

You won't be released

until her face is restored.

Your father was a great general.

You're his only child.

How could you do this?

I'm sorry.

What are you laughing at?

You're just a fox borrowing a tiger's might.

How shameless!

Bring a basin of water

to help him clean up.

Yes, sir.

Do you know there's a method in prison

that always works?

Blindfold the prisoner,

cut his wrist,

and listen to the blood drip

until he breaks down and dies.

Listen.

Just kidding.

I'm just kidding.

Bandage him up

when he can't stand it.

Yes, sir.

Are you going to break into the prison?

I'm going to make a house call.

But no one came to see you today.

Are you going to the Princess's residence?

It's not appropriate.

Healing the Princess's face

the evidence of the birthmark is invalid.

Qiu Xian'er will take the opportunity

to accuse you of being Gu Chaocao.

Once your identity is exposed,

you can only leave it to fate.

It's all in our hands,

not fate.

You and Qiu Xian'er

already know each other's trump cards.

You should be more cautious in the future.

There must be Zhou Junlan's people in the court.

Now that Pei Yan is in prison,

I don't know how much suffering he's going through.

I'm the one to blame for getting him in trouble.

I must save him.

Wait.

Thank you, Master.

Remember to come home for dinner.

Okay.

Your Highness,

Ms. Ji from Ji's Clinic requests to see you.

Ms. Ji?

The fiancée of Prince Xuan Ying.

Ji Yunzhao?

Yes.

It's said that she's a great healer.

Why not let her...

Here she comes.

Xian,

what brings you here?

I'm here to enjoy tea with you.

I've been holding the sweet cakes

and they're still warm.

You silly girl.

It's better to let the servants do this.

There's an even dumber one outside.

He's standing in the sun.

Is he here to apologize to the Sun God?

If you do this,

it seems that I'm heartless.

My Lord.

My Lord.

Zhou Junlan has spies everywhere.

I can only get rid of others

before I dare to let you down.

You've suffered.

You are so good at acting.

I don't blame you.

Besides,

you've been hiding here for years.

It's not easy for you.

Thank you.

We are willing to do this.

We just want to

rehabilitate the late Marquis one day.

By the way,

I have some news about the person you want.

Where is he?

Sui State.

But there's a flood there.

And you're trapped here.

Should we send someone there?

No.

I'll

go there myself.

My lady,

please go back.

I see.

You can't go in.

I'm here to see Your Highness.

I've been a doctor for many years

and I've learned a good prescription

that can solve your urgent problem.

You can cure my face?

You're really amazing.

The imperial physicians in the palace are at a loss,

but you can cure it.

Yeah.

Words are not proof.

How can I believe you?

If Your Highness don't believe me,

if I can cure my face,

I can cure your face.

Crazy.

Come here.

This is a carefully prepared prescription.

Apply it once a day,

and you'll be cured in three days.

Go and collect your reward.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Xian.

Xian.

You're pouting so hard,

the sweet cakes have gone cold.

We can't drink tea now.

It's so boring.

Let's play Ma Diou.

OK.

Give me your hand.

Wait, Xian.

Your hand.

Xian, be good.

Be good.

It's you.

Listen to me.

Your hand.

Good girl.

Xian, this...

This poison is called Halfstep Madness.

You're testing poison on me?

It's colorless and odorless.

Whether ingested, applied, or inhaled,

it causes rashes all over the body.

The antidote is the only cure.

Why is it called "Laughing Madness"?

I like it.

Chaocao,

after a long separation,

I've prepared a special gift for you.

Qingyang,

I brought this special fragrance from the south.

Smell it.

It smells like

an orchid.

I'm so nice to you.

I'll never pay back the money I lost to you

in the game.

Your Highness, it's almost time.

Let's start the test.

Okay.

Qingyang, Qingyang,

my dear sister,

don't mention the money we lost yesterday.

Who's asking for money?

Let me help you remove the plaster.

No.

I'll introduce you

some handsome colleagues.

Okay.

Mrs. Qiu, this is not a joke.

You can't mess around.

You can teach me.

Princess Qingyang,

You're a skilled healer.

I'm at ease with you here.

Let's get started.

Wet the surrounding area

and gently peel it off.

Sister, your face...

My face?

Why are there so many rashes?

Oh my, it wasn't like this yesterday.

My face is peeling.

The peeling is because...

My hand...

and my hands.

Are you doubting me?

It's your medicine that's tainted.

If that were true,

my face and hands

should be covered in rashes.

Maybe you took the antidote first.

I think you just want to

take out your anger on your fiancé

who's in prison.

You...

Guards!

Take Ji Yunchao down!

Yes.

Your Highness, something's fishy.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Let go.

Your Highness.

Poisoning the incense burner

is the most obvious.

So, where do you think

the poison should be placed?

Marquis Xuanying is in prison.

You're no better.

You two are in this together.

You two are quite a pair.

Thank you for the compliment.

The world is vulgar.

People seek nothing but wealth and honor.

But indulgence

and pleasure

are nothing compared to one thing that pleases me.

Guess what it is?

Persistent in evil.

Exactly.

I love peeling your skin,

pulling out your sinews,

and breaking your bones.

♪I'll watch you get up again and again♪

I'll supervise the execution on behalf of

Princess Qingyang and ask you for something.

It was you

who broke my spine.

Guards!

Don't!

Don't cry.

I hate it when girls cry.

Miss,

do you know where Dr. Ji is?

I look like a young lady?

Of course.

A beautiful one.

But my face...

Beauty and ugliness

are judged by their eyes,

but I judge by my heart.

If I were like Princess Qingyang,

arresting a doctor

without knowing the truth,

that would be unattractive.

That man deliberately disfigured her face.

I studied under the same master as Dr. Ji.

I know her character.

She's not a despicable person.

So you're planning to break her out?

Yes.

She has an old illness.

I'm afraid the Princess will misuse her power,

and she won't endure it.

Princess Qingyang is not so heartless.

That's hard to say.

Since you and Ms. Ji are from the same school,

can you cure facial scars?

It's a matter of life and death.

You want me to cure your face now?

I'm the most favored maid of Princess Qingyang.

If you cure my face,

I'll plead for you with the princess

to let her off.

You can really bear it.

But you can do better.

As you wish.

Qingyang,

I've avenged you.

Are you happy?

A swordsman healed my face

with your prescription.

He said my face peeled off

because your ointment

can peel off the face.

I'm sorry.

I let you suffer

before I find out the truth.

I will investigate this matter to the end.

By the way,

The Prince Xuanying is free now.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Ms. Ji,

you may leave now.

No,

I still have someone to treat.

Who?

The real murderer.

You suspect me?

At that time,

I was under Ms. Ji's guidance

the mud you applied to Qingyang?

Yes, Miss Ji.

Everything I used today

was checked by you.

What if she hid the poison in her sleeve?

Sleeve?

She applied the poison to her sleeve beforehand,

washed her hands,

and then rolled up her sleeve to touch

Your Highness's face.

I tested the water again afterward,

but since there was no poison in the water,

I didn't notice anything unusual.

Interesting.

Do you have any proof?

Lady Qiu,

how about your rash?

Of course, it's healed.

Is it?

Miss Ji,

as a healer,

you should know that everyone's body is different.

Maybe I just recovered faster.

If you suspect me,

you should provide solid proof.

Besides,

I'm like a sister to Qingyang.

Why would I harm her?

May I check your sleeve?

I'm the wife of the Vice Minister.

How dare you check it?

I dare not.

It's me.

Lanzhi.

Why?

Your Highness is irritable

and capricious.

He's always strict with me.

I was possessed

I just wanted to take a little revenge.

Take her away.

I shouldn't have

done such a foolish thing.

Your Highness.

Go.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

It seems that I misunderstood Mrs. Qiu.

Since the real culprit has been found,

I'll take my leave now.

Ms. Ji, please wait.

Qingyang is ill.

We are worried about her.

So we misunderstood each other.

I ask you to be a witness.

I'll drink this wine with Ms. Ji

to make peace.

Is that okay?

Are you afraid that the wine is poisoned?

It seems that

Ms. Ji doesn't want to forgive me.

Yes.

I don't want to...

Qi stagnation.

Heart and spleen not working together.

Your old illness has flared up again.

You need to bleed to detoxify.

Although you are not in danger of losing your life,

for caution,

you still need someone to take care of you.

This guy is afraid of blood.

Here, take it.

The door is there.

Go play by yourself.

I'm clumsy.

I'll leave decocting the medicine to you.

As for the blood phobia,

if you need help

but don't want to ask,

just pull the hairband.

I'm always here.

In that case,

I can use the therapy of facing fears

to treat his blood phobia.

Master, you can go out first.

I'll go out.

Doctor Ji.

The door is there.

Go play.

Close your eyes.

I spared your life

out of old feelings,

and banished you from the capital,

never to return.

Yet you come back to me.

You're quite bold, aren't you?

Mrs. Qiu,

for years, I've informed you

of every word and deed of the Princess,

her likes and dislikes.

I even shielded you from that disaster.

I'm here just to remind you

to keep your old promise.

You said

if I...

Shut up!

I'll make sure you live a rich life.

I've prepared a carriage.

You can leave tonight.

Are you nervous

because you're guilty?

You dare

to call me guilty?

When Ms Ji accused you of poisoning

and trying to harm Princess Qingyang,

if I testified for her,

I don't know

how much she'll give me.

Just say it.

How much more do you want?

If I have to leave the city,

you should prepare a residence for me.

If I have a residence,

I need to hire three or five servants

to manage my daily life.

If I have servants,

I need a continuous flow of money.

I forgot to tell you,

I have little patience.

I can't wait even for half an hour.

What's wrong?

My dear.

You're so taciturn.

What can I do for you?

Are you awake?

Yes.

I'm tired.

Tell me a joke.

Have you ever had lotus root with meat?

Lotus root stuffed with meat.

Fried in oil.

It tastes pretty good.

Do you know how it came to be?

No idea.

How did it come to be?

Long long ago,

Nezha offended the Dragon King

and committed suicide to atone for his crime.

Taiyi Zhenren found lotus root

and used it to create his body.

King Zhou boiled Bo Yikao alive

and made him into a stew,

then served it to his father, the King Wen.

On that day,

Bo Yikao and Nezha had a quarrel in the Heaven

and fought each other

until they became lotus cakes.

I'll never eat lotus cakes again.

I also have a story about lotus cakes.

Alright,

let's get down to business.

What are your plans?

I'm going to Suizhou.

Suizhou is rainy in summer and prone to flooding.

Why would you go there?

My father was framed for treason

and executed.

None of his loyal followers survived.

When I went to collect the bodies,

I couldn't find

the body of a young general named Wang Bowei.

I suspect he knew something.

I've been searching for him for years,

but I found nothing.

But recently,

I received a secret report

that he is in Suizhou.

He has long hidden his identity

and changed his appearance.

If you want to go to Suizhou,

you must have a legitimate reason.

Relief.

Many counties and cities in Suizhou have been flooded.

The people are starving and homeless.

It's urgent to help them.

I hope Your Majesty will send someone there.

Three years ago,

I sent Song Hongjian to the disaster area.

Within half a month,

he committed suicide,

leaving only a confession.

The waters of Suizhou are deep and treacherous.

Minister Jiang,

who do you think

is fit for this position?

Zhou Junlan is at the height of his power.

The position of imperial commissioner

is likely already his.

However,

Water overflows when full,

and the moon wanes when full.

Too much power at a young age

might make you a target.

Are you feeling unwell?

I was just thinking,

if you're going to Suizhou,

I want to go with you.

Why?

A royal envoy died there before.

I'm not sure

about you going alone.

Thank you.

Why?

You are so smart

and clever.

You didn't despise me,

and you've been working hard

to help me.

You're welcome.

I did it

not for you,

but for myself.

I'd like to know more.

Junlan,

the past is gone.

Why bring it up again?

Just remember,

I helped you gain power for my own reasons.

It's not that I'm at your service,

but rather you're at mine.

I spoke out of turn.

Xian,

isn't this the gift you gave to Qingyang?

Yes, it is.

She returned it.

Why?

Perhaps it's because of the events in Ji Yun State,

she now harbors resentment towards me.

don't you care?

You said she had the late emperor's will,

which might help us in the future.

Why are you laughing?

Stop it.

You killed Qingyang's maid

on a whim an hour ago.

I helped you clean up the mess.

Aren't you afraid of getting caught

and being haunted by her spirit?

How can you laugh?

My dear husband,

I know you well.

As the Deputy Minister of the Secretariat,

you won't be thrown into a panic over a life.

You're just afraid that

Pei Yan will take your position.

His Majesty is wary of my power.

But the relief in Suizhou is urgent.

No one else is available.

He should have sent me.

But Pei Yan came out of nowhere.

You can see the future.

Tomorrow,

who will be sent to Suizhou?

I can see the future,

but what I know is shifting.

Shifting?

Why?

The butterfly effect.

What... what does that mean?

A butterfly flapping its wings

can cause a storm thousands of miles away.

A small change

can lead to unexpected developments.

Who changed?

Gu Chaocao.

I'm the butterfly.

I created her.

Storm.

Enough.

Stop laughing.

You're ordering me?

I'm just...

Laugh.

Xian.

Laugh until I'm satisfied.

You need me to teach you everything.

Even how to laugh?

Kneel down.

Good girl.

Come on.

Open your eyes.

You said you were a stray dog.

Why don't we

team up?

Team up?

What can you offer me?

Pei Yan.

As long as we team up,

I'll help you get what you want.

and rise to prominence.

Interesting.

I want to go to Suizhou,

but I have no way to get there.

How can you help me?

Suizhou urgently needs talents for relief efforts.

But Minister Jiang won't recommend Zhou Junlan.

Because

His Majesty would suspect him of colluding with power-hungry ministers.

He won't shirk responsibility either,

because His Majesty would suspect him of being rebellious.

He will only recommend those

with the least power in the court.

It so happens

that you are one of them.

What's more,

Jiang Yue, the daughter of Lord Jiang,

owes me a favor.

Even if he recommends me,

His Majesty may not use me.

Prince Wu'an,

His Majesty summoned you to the palace tomorrow.

As long as you can meet His Majesty,

there will be a chance.

Who gave you the chance?

Minister Zhou Junlan

and Prince Xuanying, Lord Pei Yan,

greet Your Majesty.

As long as I can meet the Emperor,

I have a chance.

Who gave you the chance?

The Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince?

Have you forgotten?

His Majesty doesn't know

that you saved the Crown Prince's life.

What do you want?

I'll help you rise to the top.

You'll be my stepping stone.

Why?

To ascend

and slay the gods.

Rise.

Father.

It's him.

He saved my life.

Let him pass.

Why?

Are you angry?

So cute.

Why?

It's always Pei Yan.

Good girl.

Suizhou is a den of thieves.

This trip will

be one-way for him.

What are you laughing at?

Ji Yunchao.

What's wrong?

Why did he follow us?

He is a skilled physician.

He can solve urgent problems.

How about this?

It's boring to travel by boat.

Pei Yan,

do you have any jokes?

He

tells jokes?

Dr. Ji,

do you like lotus root boxes?

Yes.

By the way,

I brought some

Here you are.

Eat it while it's hot.

I'm not eating.

I'll eat it.

Right.

You said you wanted to tell a joke.

Legend has it that

a long time ago,

Nezha offended the Dragon King

and committed suicide to atone for his crime.

I'll never eat lotus root again.

Prince Wu'an,

my humble residence is quite modest.

If there's anything lacking,

please forgive me.

Thank you for your hospitality.

Prince Wu'an,

if you need anything done,

just let me know.

Please.

Help! There's a fire!

Hurry! Hurry!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Help! Fire! Water!

Open the door!

Is anyone there?

Help!

There's a fire!

Help!

Help put out the fire!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Hurry! Put out the fire!

Go help them over there.

Hurry up. Fetch water.

Go over there.

Hurry up.

Yun State.

Prince.

Yun State. You can't go in.

Get out of my way.

An imperial commissioner has died in Suizhou.

You can't die here.

Let me go.

You can't do that, Prince.

Yun State.

Prince.

Let me go!

Yun State...

I'm here.

You're dreaming.

What time is it?

It's 3:25 AM.

You've been asleep for two hours.

I seem to remember someone

promised to wake me up after half an hour.

I didn't break my promise.

I did.

But you were sleeping soundly at that time.

You even fought with him in your dream.

yet you still cursed me.

Shout out,

get lost!

Luckily, he doesn't kill in his sleep.

Otherwise, I and the Yun State

would perish in Suizhou.

Sorry.

I had a nightmare.

Thanks to her.

Wake up!

Wake up!

Wake up!

Don't sleep.

Come with me.

Prince Wu'an.

Prince Wu'an.

Doctors,

are you alright?

The fire last night

was my fault.

How about

we get down to business?

I'm busy.

What

business do you have?

Let's talk about the fire.

Sui State has been raining for days,

and the houses are still damp.

But the fire broke out the day I stayed.

This is not a natural disaster,

but...

but a man-made disaster.

That's reasonable.

The county office opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 7:00 p.m.

There are guards on duty at night.

Anyone entering or leaving must register.

But the fire

broke out at 9:00 p.m.

Did anyone enter or leave the county office last night?

No.

It's 11:00 AM.

The gate of the courthouse is closed.

No one went in or out last night.

The arsonist is inside the courthouse.

I've ordered a thorough search.

No one is hiding in the courthouse.

That means

there's

an inside job.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Be careful.

Thank you.

Hold it tight.

Thanks.

What's wrong?

A woman fainted at my clinic.

I'm here to get some porridge.

The relief grain from the court

should be enough for the people of Suizhou

for at least half a month.

Why would anyone still be hungry?

Bitch!

How dare you?

You've already had three bowls.

These rascals are so arrogant.

They're already full but still want to grab others'.

The magistrate told us

to give them only one bowl a day.

But

with just one bowl,

they still try to grab others'.

Magistrate Zhao is kind-hearted

but lacks strict measures.

He should

punish them severely.

Who is it?

Come out!

Let me do it.

Trust me.

Is it you?

It's me.

Your dart is poisonous and will go off at the slightest touch.

You'd better not make any rash moves.

Why should I trust you?

Do you feel the pain in your belly?

I was wrong.

Can you save me?

Move after a full meal.

you'll definitely have a stomachache.

It'll be fine in a while.

How dare you play me?

If you dare to make trouble again,

I can't guarantee

whether your porridge will be poisoned.

Just you wait.

Why did you

add sand to the porridge?

I thought this lady was a good person.

I didn't expect...

Why did he...

Right.

My Lord,

you're...

Relief efforts.

Since you're awake, have some porridge.

Thank you.

The bride has backed out of the marriage

and eloped with another man.

You...

What's wrong?

You are...

I'm a doctor

from the Ji's Clinic in Ji Yunzhao.

Ji Yunzhao?

Do you feel uncomfortable?

I'll take your pulse again.

No.

No need.

I'll leave the rest

to you.

Don't worry.

I'll take care of it.

Long time no see.

Wake up.

I dreamed that

my belly...

My belly hurts.

What are you doing?

It's midnight. Why not sleep?

It's her.

She's back.

She's back.

Thanks to that healer.

She added sand to the porridge.

Those rascals who had eaten it

left in a hurry.

Those who couldn't get porridge before

got it now.

I'm tired. You can go now.

and the arsonist.

I've found a way to test him.

It's called the Serpent's Lie Detector.

We just need to take a jar...

Yan.

I'm tired.

You can leave.

Yes.

You're so arrogant

when you're new here.

It makes me look incompetent.

You're not only incompetent,

but also jealous of talent.

Who is it?

Of course,

a beauty.

Guards,

stay overnight with Miss Chunhua.

27 taels.

Dining Mr. Wang, 53 taels.

Mr. Zhao, you're still a good man.

13 times of

prostitution a month.

No wonder you're so weak.

Give me the account book.

Give me my account book.

Shout louder.

Let your son hear it too.

Let him hear his father's account book.

Who are you?

Why are you here?

How do you know these things?

Guess.

I remember now.

I've seen you.

You are the wife of Lord Zhou.

You...

I...

am God.

Ridiculous!

How can there be a God in this world?

If there is no God,

when you wake up at midnight,

the ghosts of Lord Zhao and Song Hongjian

come to take your life.

Who will protect you?

How do you know all these?

God knows everything.

and can do anything.

So tell me,

what should

I do?

Why not try the same trick again?

She has expelled all the sand.

Don't feed her anymore.

Thank you.

Thank you, doctor.

Thank you, doctor.

Here, take it slow.

Help, help me!

Don't panic.

Tell me about your symptoms.

Years ago,

I accidentally witnessed a murder.

To protect myself,

I became an accomplice.

Now I can't sleep at night,

and I'm in great pain.

You have a hysteria.

You need to take tranquilizers.

It's my fault.

I had no choice.

Bupleurum, Codonopsis, Scutellaria.

You recognized me, didn't you?

That's why you poisoned the porridge

to make me have a stomachache

and forced me to come to you.

I'm here.

Ramulus, Poria.

Steep in water and take.

How do you know medicine?

You really aren't Gu Chaocao.

Who is Gu Chaocao?

Nothing.

Thank you, doctor.

Wait.

Your face needs medicine.

Remember,

this medicine is for external use only.

It's not for internal use.

And

you won't treat your stomach pain?

It's not so painful now.

That's good.

The painkiller is all out today.

Come back tomorrow at this time.

Doctor,

I'm feeling unwell.

Please take a look.

I heard that the price of rice in Suizhou has suddenly risen.

Do you know why?

I'm also very puzzled.

I hope you can give me some guidance.

His Majesty sent me on a southern tour.

I guess someone is behind it,

working with local tycoons to inflate the price of rice,

and trying to use this opportunity

to accuse me.

Who dares to be so reckless?

Who is it?

Mr. Zhao.

Prince Xuanying.

The price of rice is soaring.

The people are starving.

I'm afraid...

Leave us.

But...

Don't you see

we're discussing something important?

Leave us.

This clerk is a kind man.

Prince Xuanying.

Do you have any idea

about the price of rice?

Let it soar.

Prince Xuanying.

The people are suffering.

Can you bear to see them die?

I have no way out.

Let them die.

I worked hard to earn half an ounce of silver,

and you only bought this much rice?

Half an ounce of silver is only enough for this?

You're lying!

I could buy three bags of rice the other day!

Did you embezzle the silver again?

No!

Did you embezzle it again?

I didn't!

Just like you hid the gold ingot back then,

if I hadn't found it,

would you have kept it till you died?

Till you died?

I swear I didn't.

The local gentry raised the price overnight.

I can only afford this.

How dare you talk back?

How dare you talk back?

How dare you talk back?

It hurts.

The porridge is ready.

I'll get some.

Remember,

this medicine is not for internal use.

It could be dangerous.

You can't see it, can you?

Stop crying.

You've cried away all your luck.

Why are you so down?

It's nothing.

By the way, Dr. Ji,

how is Yuan doing?

Still unconscious,

but her condition has improved a lot.

That's good.

Why are you blushing?

Do you like her?

No, I don't.

I'm just concerned about her.

How did the truth-telling method

I taught you work?

I gathered everyone from the county

and told them there's a venomous snake in the jar.

If they lied,

they'd be bitten to death

by the snake if they put their hands in.

There was no snake in the jar.

Exactly.

If someone was guilty,

they might smear sulfur on their hands

to repel the snake.

If the person's hand is placed in the water,

it will turn slightly red.

So,

the liar's hand

will turn red in the water,

right?

Yes.

But I've tested everyone

in the county office.

No one is lying.

You've tested them all?

Yes, all of them.

No.

There's one more.

Who is it?

Father.

How dare you!

How dare you!

There's a venomous snake in the jar,

which is quite intelligent.

If the liar puts his hand in the jar,

he'll be bitten

and die of poisoning.

Would you like to try?

Where are you going?

I'm going to deliver the medicine.

You suspect me of setting the fire?

Yan,

it's not me.

Do you dare to test it?

[No wonder she insisted on coming to Suizhou.]

[It turns out you're here.]

[The show is about to start.]

What... What are you doing here?

I don't know him.

He wanted to kill and rob rice.

So I...

You bitch!

Wait.

Who are you?

Get out of my way.

Or I'll cut you down too.

How is it?

Is your heart disease cured?

Yes.

Completely.

Dr. Ji, you're amazing.

Cut the crap.

How to deal with him?

There's a dry well in the yard.

I swear there's no such thing.

Yan,

stop fooling around.

There must be someone who got away.

I'm still alive.

I'm finally free of this gambling man.

Not only the mental disease,

but also my poverty.

No debts to pay,

no beatings,

no fear.

his house,

his fields,

his money and rice

will all be mine.

All mine.

All mine.

When the truth comes out,

you won't blame me

for everything, will you?

No, no.

Absolutely not.

I swear.

It hurts so much.

Why does he seem

to be able to move?

Bitch.

I'll kill you when I get up.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Cover the manhole cover in a while,

and no one will find it.

The last question.

What?

What is more enduring than love?

What are you doing?

Hate.

Hate lingers a thousand times more than love.

Just like how I

long for you day and night.

You...

You are...

How have you been?

Sun Fengxi.

Gu Chaocao.

On our wedding day,

you left me to die

and pushed me off the cliff.

I still remember your face

counting money on the cliff.

Why are you

not smiling?

But I think

you look more beautiful

when you're not smiling.

They forced me.

They forced me.

Then you deserve to die.

If others ask, you'll say

I forced you to kill your husband.

No.

I can vouch for you.

I can clear your name.

I can make it known to all.

I can tell them

you didn't elope with a man.

That's not what I want at all.

Then what do you want? I can give it to you.

I want justice served.

Evil must be punished.

Bitch, stop hitting me.

You're down too?

Help me, Gu Chaocao. I'll kill you now.

I'm sorry. Help me.

Help me. I'll take you down with me.

What are you doing here?

It's hard to find me.

I'm here to deliver medicine.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to protect the person

who delivers medicine.

You're so arrogant.

Pei Xiaomao.

Pei Xiaomao.

Don't come over.

Bitch, I'll kill you.

You're scared?

No way.

I thought

someone as bold as you

wouldn't be scared of anything.

So fierce.

Then you admit defeat.

You win.

Of course.

Chaocao, you're too soft.

I'll help you again.

Yuan, you're awake.

What are you doing?

This is a lie detection method

taught to me by Dr. Ji Xiao.

There must be an informant in the county.

But I haven't found the suspect.

No need to look for him.

It's me.

Is this the evidence you mentioned?

Yes.

But you have no grudge against me.

Why?

I didn't mean to harm you.

I intended to kill him.

Three years ago,

the embankments in many counties of Suizhou collapsed,

leaving the people starving

and homeless.

The situation was urgent.

Your Majesty sent my father, Song Hongjian, to provide relief.

The embankments collapsed,

and the people were suffering.

But he colluded with the wealthy to raise rice prices

and enriched himself.

Get the horses ready.

I'm going to the capital to report to the Emperor.

Dad, dad.

Dad.

As you wish.

I can't go.

Go.

Over there.

Hurry.

Go.

Go.

Where's that little one?

Search!

Dad,

there's something here.

It's a man.

Carry him inside.

He usually stayed in the eastern wing.

That night, I set fire there,

but he gave it to the imperial envoy

and stayed in the western wing.

He narrowly escaped.

He...

Is he my father?

Yes.

Zhou Yuan,

why do you repay kindness with hatred?

How ironic!

Zhao Yan,

your father Zhao Peng embezzled and colluded.

To cover up,

he slaughtered my entire family.

Nonsense!

My father was a good official.

I planned to kill him when the court official

arrived.

and then surrender to the imperial envoy.

When I'm beheaded,

I'll make it public

to clear my father's name.

Now that the plan has failed,

I won't let him off the hook.

I, Song Ruquan,

accuse County Magistrate Zhao Peng...

I, Song Ruquan,

accuse County Magistrate Zhao Peng...

I, Song Ruquan,

accuse County Magistrate Zhao Peng...

Speak up.

What's the matter?

Song Hongjian,

the imperial envoy who died in Suizhou,

I should have killed his family.

But his daughter

came to me.

How did you know?

I know everything,

and can do everything.

I had her locked up.

But Prince Xuanying and the healer

came back and knew about it.

They're in the dungeon

to listen to his complaints.

What should I do?

Write a letter.

What letter?

Pei Yan, the imperial envoy, allowed the rice prices to skyrocket

and neglected his duty.

This letter is of utmost urgency.

It must be delivered to the palace.

If he is dismissed before you,

how can you overturn the case?

How can you be tried?

In that case,

I can rest easy.

Where is Song Hongjian's body?

Aren't you all-powerful and all-knowing?

Don't make me ask again.

Do you know

your account book has been sent to my husband?

If I want,

I can destroy you anytime.

Under the tree in the suburbs.

Knowing that Suizhou is rainy,

you still buried it under a tree.

You'd better pray that you're lucky

and they don't find any evidence of your crimes.

If they find out,

What should I do?

If they find the evidence,

then

kill them.

Open the coffin for an autopsy?

What's wrong?

I'm a doctor,

not a coroner.

What's the difference between

diagnosing the dead and the living?

Master, are you scared?

I'm not afraid.

I just don't want to

disturb the grave

and the coffin,

and cause misfortune.

You don't need to worry about that.

The thunderstorm knocked down the trees

and the roots

brought the coffin out.

The coffin has been taken to the county.

Where is it?

Why can't I see it?

It's right here.

I'm going to lose my life!

Sorry to bother you.

May the dead rest in peace.

Sorry.

I'm going to die young.

Give me the knife.

I'm going to lose my life.

Report!

There is a traitor among us. He wants to run away.

I have an appointment

to do something.

Can I come back later?

I hope you can approve it.

Approved.

Prince Wu'an.

Where's the money?

It's in the bag. It's half of your fortune.

Do you have any other orders?

It's so little.

But

it should be enough.

What's your name?

Gou Pei.

Brother Gou,

since we're all businessmen,

let's be honest.

I heard you're buying our rice.

How much per bushel?

2,000.

200.

Ridiculous.

200?

We usually sell it for 180.

20 profit per bushel.

Isn't that good?

Better to make a small profit

than to lose everything.

Lose everything?

The people have been drained by you.

How can they afford to buy rice?

If Suizhou continues like this,

His Majesty won't stand by.

Once relief grain is distributed,

your rice will be worthless.

1000 wen per bushel.

If you don't buy, forget it.

Sui State is hot and humid.

You've stored so much rice in the granary.

Be careful to take care of it.

In case it gets moldy...

I forgot

you have so much rice that you have nowhere to put it.

It's piled up in the yard.

800 wen.

Rarity makes things valuable.

You have plenty of rice.

But I need money.

You can only feel safe when you have money in your pocket.

600 wen.

Didn't you just say you didn't want it?

Didn't you just try to lower the price?

500 wen.

Why 500 wen again?

You were the one who lowered the price first.

Think it through before you speak.

This person...

Seriously.

Don't cut off someone's livelihood.

Didn't we agree?

If you dare to offer 400, I'll offer 300.

Song Hongjian didn't commit suicide by poison.

but homicide.

What's your next move?

There's an imperial sword in the palace,

which can be used to punish the tyrant and the traitor.

I'm going to get it.

Say it in plain English.

Get me a horse.

I'm going to make a complaint to the Emperor.

I can't let others get there first.

You'll go to the Wang family to get the food

and distribute it to every household.

But what about tomorrow?

If the price

keeps rising,

-the Marquis's estate... -No need.

The price will drop

within three days.

Isn't that your carriage?

Lady Ji,

where are you going?

I found the evidence.

I'm going to the palace.

Alright.

Be careful on the road.

Stop! Stop! Don't run!

Don't move!

She's gone.

Follow the blood trail.

Go!

Ask the city's clinic

if any women with arrow wounds came for treatment.

Yes.

Who are you?

Do you know this is the princess's residence?

Excuse me,

is there a maid favored by the princess?

Please, save me.

Go away.

Who's at the door?

Such a commotion.

Just now, there was a suspicious person

with serious injuries at the door.

He insisted on being saved by your favored maid.

Who are you?

You are...

Ji Xiao?

You...

Why are you dressed in women's clothes?

I like to wear women's clothes.

Is it not allowed?

What a strange hobby.

But

I can accept it.

Why are you wearing the princess's clothes?

I like to wear the princess's clothes.

Is it not allowed?

What a strange hobby.

But

you look beautiful.

Guards!

Help!

I'll go get a stretcher.

There's no stretcher in the mansion.

What should I do?

Hold him.

No, no.

My lady image will be ruined.

What should I do?

It hurts.

Lanfu.

Go.

Come on, Lanfu.

Come on, Lanfu.

Come on, Lanfu.

Come on.

Come on, Lanfu.

Pei Yan went south to relieve the disaster,

and let the price of rice rise sharply.

Many starved to death,

and many people

are dissatisfied.

It's a pity

not to use this as a trump card.

As long as you know it.

When to use it

and how to use it,

I don't care.

Don't let me down.

Qiu Damei Shu.

Zhou Junlan.

Who are you looking for?

Zhou Junlan, come out.

Ji Yunchao.

What are you doing?

Come up.

Why?

I want to enter the palace.

Without a pass.

But you can.

What are you doing in the palace?

To appeal to the emperor?

You want me to help you do that?

Yes.

Without any evidence,

how can I do that?

Corrupt officials are rampant,

loyal ministers die in hatred,

and the people are starving.

Is it more important to win or lose

or to save the people?

Is it more important to follow your rules

or to uphold justice?

Trust me.

I don't believe you.

Then why?

Just take a chance.

That's all.

What are you betting on?

The way to save the people is right in front of us.

I bet

you will act with fairness

and integrity.

Give me your hand.

Hold on tight.

What did you say?

You and I

clear the way for the world.

You said there's injustice in Suizhou.

I'll draft an imperial decree

and send it by pigeon.

Command Prince Xuanying to investigate.

Is that acceptable?

Birds always get there first.

Your Majesty, you've thought of everything.

That's perfect.

As for the imperial sword,

deliver it personally to Prince Xuanying.

Minister Jiang will handle the rest.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You may leave.

When will you use it?

How will you use it?

Don't let me down.

Anything else?

No.

I'll take my leave.

I hope

I've made the right bet.

As you ordered,

I've been investigating in the city.

The price of rice has gradually returned to normal.

The Emperor has issued an edict,

ordering me to investigate the case of Song Hongjian.

All of you,

follow my order.

Yes, sir.

Arrest Zhao Peng, the magistrate of Suizhou County,

and his accomplices.

A dream of yellow millet.

Awakened by the collapse,

the fate is yet to be decided.

Speak your mind.

It's too early.

This...

This is the death warrant you gave me?

Not satisfied?

I am.

I am satisfied.

Prince Xuan Ying is engaged to Ji Yunchao.

She killed two people in Suizhou.

His Majesty ordered him to interrogate me.

I took the initiative to seize his weakness.

It's like heaven is helping me.

Heaven is helping me.

There is a decree from heaven.

I wish to fulfill the will of heaven.

No matter what torture you endure,

before I speak,

you must not reveal a single word about this.

Remember,

how he interrogates you tomorrow,

when the truth comes out,

you can force him to interrogate his own woman.

What a clever plan.

avenging the torture

and the deceit.

Brilliant!

But...

Release me.

Marquis Xuanying is interrogating me now.

He lacks physical evidence

and needs my confession.

If Ji Yunchao returns with evidence,

he won't need to interrogate me.

He can directly convict me.

It takes only five days to get to Suizhou.

If you don't confess in five days,

and I was sent to the guillotine five days later.

So when do you plan

to tell me?

Take a guess.

I guess

your riddle is too long.

I forgot it.

Can you make it shorter?

I say

I have a friend

who is of noble birth

and beautiful.

But she fell in love with a

a wandering rogue.

How can she

win his heart?

May I ask

what's his background?

He's good at everything.

He likes to dress as a woman.

He seems to be poor.

Dress as a woman?

I think he doesn't like women.

Nonsense!

He hugged me the first time he saw me.

And he touched my face.

That's worse.

He touched you the first time you met.

He's a bad man.

But

you said

my friend...

No need to explain.

I know.

You know?

He first teased your friend

and then teased you.

He's a playboy.

Next time you see him,

kick his ass

and punch him

and slap him.

Where are you going?

To chop wood.

I... I have something else to tell you.

What?

What's your name?

Sanzhuyue.

We've been on the road for three days.

We'll arrive in Suzhou in one day.

It's getting late.

We should rest here

and set off

tomorrow.

I have a question.

Go ahead.

You have many connections.

Why didn't Prince Xuan

do anything about

the rising

you already knew, right?

Yes.

Why didn't you report him to His Majesty?

How did you know?

If His Majesty was dissatisfied with Prince Xuanying,

he wouldn't have asked you

to hand over the Imperial Sword to him.

If Prince Xuanying really stood by and did nothing,

he wouldn't have a wife like you.

I'm just his fiancée.

Life is full of uncertainties.

Maybe in the next moment,

I'll die.

You like it?

Yes.

You're still as sharp as ever.

Or should I call you

Wang Bowei?

You're forgetful, Your Highness.

It's easy to forget my name.

How could I forget?

I collected the bodies of my father's men.

All were buried,

except Wang Bowei's coffin

was empty.

Maybe that man

or

eaten by

wild dogs.

I remember

he had a habit.

Whenever he made a mistake in the army

and was questioned by my father,

he would always press his thumb against his index finger

to relieve his nervousness.

Just like you.

A person can change his name

and appearance,

but habits

but it will accompany you for life,

hard to erase.

If you say so,

everyone with this habit

is a defected general.

I noticed when I first met you,

your bowing posture was different from others.

Just a slight knee bend.

My Lord,

are you and the two doctors alright?

Soldiers in armor find it inconvenient to bow,

so they just slightly bend their knees to show respect.

You've served in the military?

I'm not just going to interrogate Song Hongjian.

I'm also going to

investigate the past.

You're just a civilian.

It's normal

that you're not good at it.

I guess you must be thinking

that I'm lucky,

right?

It's too dark.

I can't see clearly.

How about one more round?

No need.

You like to win.

Then let me teach you.

Miss Ji is already engaged.

Don't overthink it. Load the arrow.

Fire.

Load again.

Fire.

In this case,

you win me by one arrow.

Since you like it,

why kill it?

People like it

because of its skin,

its meat,

and its bones.

They like it

because it's weak and vulnerable,

because it's profitable,

and because it can fill their bellies.

Isn't that also true for you, Lord Zhou?

Look,

this is the rabbit I bought from the market today.

Isn't it cute?

It's so thin.

You were tricked by the vendor again.

I didn't buy it to eat it.

I bought it to raise it.

Raise it?

It's one of my dowries.

When we get married,

I'll bring it here.

I even gave it a name,

Little Monster.

Because it likes eating greens more than carrots.

Is it better to steam,

braise or fry it?

Now that she's dead,

Why do you have to kill her?

She's dead.

Her belongings don't deserve to live.

Do you want to eat?

The rabbit leg is the best.

It has the most meat.

You look like

an old friend of mine.

But your behavior is different.

Who is it?

I forgot her name.

It has Sichuan pepper in it.

You have a weak stomach,

so I picked out all the Sichuan pepper

from it for you.

If there's no Sichuan pepper,

why bother eating it?

Just eat it.

I won't eat it.

You eat it yourself.

Okay.

I'll eat it.

Junlan,

I'm sorry.

I'll throw it away

and make you a new one.

I'll eat it.

I'll eat it.

Zhao Peng is stubborn.

We've interrogated him for five days,

but he won't confess.

Now,

we can only hope that Ms. Ji

will return with evidence soon

to convict the corrupt official.

My Lord,

a woman is requesting to see you.

Yun State?

Escort her out.

I went to Jiangnan to fetch incense for Qingyang.

On my way through Suizhou,

I came to report a murder.

A murder?

Ji Yuzhao, a doctor from the Ji Clinic,

killed two people.

If you're loyal to me,

I'll let her off.

That's a lie.

Ji Yuzhao, the wife of Marquis Xuanying,

killed two people.

Ji Yuzhao, the wife of Marquis Xuanying,

killed two people.

Do you have any evidence?

Ji Niangzi.

Where is Prince Xuanying?

He just went out.

Where did he go?

Let go of me.

Are you scared?

If you're scared, just close your eyes.

What if you collude

to destroy evidence for the Jiyun State?

Then you hide behind others.

But in this entire courtyard,

You're the only one

who suits me.

After you're imprisoned,

I'll help you.

What do you say?

Long time no see,

Yun.

There seems to be a body here.

What is the punishment

for a murderer?

Wait.

It's just a dummy.

frame me for something?

Qiu Xian'er, don't even think about it!

Put the knife away!

Are you okay?

Ji Xiao.

Ji Xiao.

Drink the medicine.

He really is a rogue.

Lanfu,

I need to chop wood.

How did you get in?

Your son is on duty tonight.

I told him I could clear your name.

and let me in.

What a father and son.

How's it going with Ji Yunchao?

Good news and bad news.

Which one do you want to hear first?

Good news.

Then I'll tell you the bad news first.

The murder case of Ji Yunchao

can't be done.

She destroyed the evidence first.

Was my suffering in vain?

Aren't you a god?

Aren't you omnipotent?

God, god, god.

I'm tired of hearing it.

Things change in the blink of an eye.

It's inevitable to make mistakes.

Ask me again,

and I'll cut your tongue out.

What about the good news?

My husband is the one who

mentioned the retrial to Your Majesty.

I guess the evidence of your crime

is in his hands.

I'll destroy it.

Even if you deny it,

your ledger

has been sent to the capital.

There's no physical evidence.

What crime do you have?

What if it doesn't work?

In the trial tomorrow,

just watch me.

Touching my right earlobe means it's done.

What's going on?

I don't know.

Who are you?

I'm the son of the late imperial envoy,

Song Hongjian,

Song Ruquan.

What's the matter?

Three years ago, my father went south to Suizhou for relief.

He found that Zhao Peng, the magistrate of Suizhou,

colluded with local magnates

to hoard rice

and profited from the disaster.

My father had evidence against several people

and intended to report it.

Zhao Peng, in order to cut off the road,

slew all of my family

and burned the evidence.

Is that true?

Zhao Peng,

do you know your crime?

I'm loyal to the emperor and the country,

and care about the people.

What crime do I have?

Song Hongjian secretly

traded one jin of rice for four jin of bran.

He claimed to be distributing relief grain,

but in fact, he was profiting from the price difference.

I discovered this

and intended to report it to the court.

Song Hongjian realized he would be executed,

so he set fire to his residence

and committed suicide by poison.

You corrupt official!

Don't slander me!

Slander you?

Everyone present,

Does anyone remember

the relief grain sent by the court three years ago?

Was it rice or bran?

It was indeed bran.

Originally, it was rice.

But Song Hongjian wouldn't let us have it.

He exchanged one jin of rice for four jin of bran.

The money for the remaining three jin of rice

was all pocketed by him.

That's a real dog official.

Yes, that's a real dog official.

He's a dog official.

Exactly.

Back then, rice prices soared,

and Suizhou was in dire straits.

My father sought help from neighboring counties

to ensure more people could eat.

Ridiculous!

Words are empty.

You accuse me of corruption

and framing the innocent.

Do you have any evidence?

Evidence?

You destroyed it long ago!

How absurd!

Without evidence,

you're framing me!

Yeah.

Where's the proof?

Exactly, where's the proof?

There must be proof! Where is it?

Fellow villagers,

it's worse than that!

The imperial envoy

is colluding with this orphan girl.

They

beat me up

without any proof.

Isn't this forced confession?

Look, it's too much.

How could they treat Mr. Zhao like this?

Without any evidence.

So miserable.

How could they force a confession?

You say I have no evidence?

If there is evidence,

why not show it?

Call the witness, Ji Yunchao.

Greetings, Prince Xuan Ying.

Bring the evidence.

I don't have it now.

It's...

Ji Yunchao asked you for help?

Where's the evidence?

It's destroyed.

Prince Wu'an.

Where's the evidence?

Yeah, where is it?

Where's the evidence?

Show us the evidence.

Show us.

Where's the evidence?

Yeah, where is it?

The evidence is here.

Bring it up.

You saw it yourself last night.

I destroyed the evidence in front of you.

Get the horse ready.

I'm going to complain to His Majesty.

I can't let others take the lead.

Master.

Let's go together.

Before we leave,

let's change our clothes.

Okay.

If you're going to change,

then change completely.

You're the one going to meet the Emperor.

You're taking the fake evidence,

and I'm the one with the real one?

I have no palace pass,

and I'm not a family member of a close minister,

so I can't enter the palace

or meet the Emperor.

Doesn't Pei Yan have a pass?

His family's pass was revoked by the Emperor.

Then how can you enter the palace?

Find Zhou Junlan.

I know he's ambitious but unskilled.

I can persuade him.

Half a tooth?

It's just half a tooth.

How can it be considered evidence?

The dead can't speak,

but their remains will cry out.

Zhao Peng,

you said Song Hongjian died by poison.

I opened the coffin for an autopsy

and found a half-tooth

All 32 teeth were blackened.

We pulled them out and cut them open.

Both inside and outside were black.

It's not a cavity,

but poisoning.

I've already said that

he committed suicide out of fear of punishment.

This poison is called "Midnight".

If someone drinks it,

the poison will enter the stomach with saliva,

then seep into the blood,

and invade the whole body through the meridians.

his teeth and bones

will turn black as night.

Do you know this?

This poison is notorious.

How could I not know?

But when I examined the body,

I found that although Song Hongjian's teeth were black,

his 206 bones

were pale.

And on his skull, ribs,

pubis, radius, and femur,

there were cracks

on a total of 59 bones.

It's terrible.

It's really terrible.

It's so terrible.

So terrible.

So,

Song Hongjian was beaten to death.

The murderer forced him to take poison

and made it look like he committed suicide.

That's why the poison is only on his teeth

but not in his bones.

He was beaten to death.

What does it have to do with me?

I also found some wax-sealed scraps

in his coffin.

If you piece them together,

you can faintly see the content,

which is a page from the letter

you exchanged with the local gentry.

And it's stamped with your seal.

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

How could you...

Maybe you're just feeling guilty.

After you had Song Hongjian killed,

the killer didn't dare to burn his body,

but nailed his limbs in the coffin

and buried him in the forest.

He couldn't even turn over in the grave.

That's why

the note in his belly was preserved.

And the heavy rain

helped

the coffin to be found.

Nonsense!

It's you.

It must be you.

You found a body

and faked evidence

to frame me.

Song Ruvan,

I remember you said

your father was born with six fingers.

Yes.

His coffin is in the county office.

Just ask someone to check it.

Wait.

Everyone knows

you're Prince Xuan Ying's fiancée.

It won't be convincing

if he asks someone else to check.

Zhao Yan,

you go.

Yes.

Your Highness,

the skeleton in the coffin,

does it have six fingers?

Yes.

You can't believe anyone.

But what my son said

can't be false.

It must be true.

He said so.

Can he lie?

It's true.

Zhao Peng colluded with Zhao Qian, Wang Wu, Fang Daxin,

and 13 other local magnates

to raise the price of rice,

plunder the people,

conceal the matter, kill people to cover it up,

and frame loyal officials.

and the evidence is irrefutable.

Any objections?

Arrest the 13 gentry

on this list

and imprison them in the dungeon

for execution.

Yes, sir.

Zhao Peng,

you broke the law.

You deserve to die.

You will be executed in three days.

Wait.

Then,

shouldn't she be executed as well?

I heard

you were picked up by the Zhao family.

Yes.

I also heard

you were dying on the street.

Zhao Yan took you to the clinic.

Zhao Peng paid for your treatment.

Yes.

Frankly speaking,

how did they treat you?

They treated me

very well.

Zhao Peng is your master

and your savior.

Yet you set fire to his residence.

Fortunately, he had exchanged rooms,

and narrowly escaped.

Then you took him to court.

Because of you,

he is now facing execution.

This woman, ungrateful and treacherous,

is about to send her master and savior

to the execution ground.

A servant killed his master.

According to our laws,

what is the punishment?

The punishment

should be death.

But there's more to it

than just the law.

I have a solution.

If you can show some leniency

and spare Zhao Peng,

he won't have to die.

I know

I know he is guilty.

His crime is unforgivable.

You can punish him with flogging, exile,

or even slavery for generations.

I can accept all of that.

But I beg you to spare their lives.

In the next life, I'm willing to repay

your kindness with all my might.

Please,

please.

He's not a good official,

but he is still my father.

If you don't win,

I'll never lose.

Is that so?

Sentence: Song Rujuan, female, guilty.

Zhao Yan,

do you remember

the day we first met?

You said you'd take me home.

I remember.

I remember.

On my eighteenth birthday,

I made a wish.

You promised me

I wish to trade your lifetime of good fortune

for my every wish to come true.

Do you know

what I want?

To grow old with you?

No, Zhao Yan.

I want to go home.

Go home?

But my home is not here.

My home

is far away.

Zhou Yuan,

Yuan.

Yuan.

Yuan.

Yuan.

She took poison beforehand.

It's incurable.

I'm powerless to help.

Yuan.

That day,

you recited a poem.

Can you recite it again?

If we were

together...

we will grow old together.

I, Song Rujuan,

finally achieved my wish.

Yuan.

Yuan.

Zhao Peng colluded with others for personal gain,

engaged in embezzlement and bribery,

oppressed the people,

and persecuted loyal officials.

According to the law,

he shall be executed.

This time, she won.

a narrow victory.

Since you can see the future,

why did you lose to her?

What are you doing?

You're so thin-skinned.

How can you say such shameless things?

I was busy in Suizhou.

Opportunities to defeat Pei Yan came like raindrops.

It was you

who dodged them one by one.

It's all my fault.

Or what?

That's new.

When Ji Yun State wins by a small margin,

you always complain loudly.

But now,

you're flirting with me.

Did this defeat

make you happy?

How could it?

Why won't you look at me?

Out of sight, out of mind.

You've found a new love,

so you can't stand the old one.

You didn't help me,

so I lost to Pei Yan.

Pei Yan.

I see.

You don't care about my life and death,

because you've found a way out with him.

Why are you laughing?

Laughing at your stupidity.

It seems that in your eyes,

I'm always

competing with Ji Yunchao for men.

Could it be money, power, or fame?

You're such a fool.

You're pretending.

I exposed you for looking for other options.

Angry, aren't you?

Stop it.

If you can find another way,

I can

too.

Why?

Just curious.

I'm not asking about this.

Why did you

watch her die?

You said you didn't.

I did.

If you say no,

I'll believe you.

I do.

You met her in private.

That's when you learned her plan.

When did you find out?

Just now, in court,

I heard you say,

"Song Rujuan, I remember you said

your father was born with six fingers."

You only met her once in the fire.

She was unconscious the rest of the time.

She turned herself in when she woke up.

and imprisoned.

When did you...

When she rushed into the fire to save me.

Don't sleep. Follow me.

Sorry.

I... I didn't know you lived here.

I know what you want to do.

I can help you.

How did you know?

From my...

dream.

Why not save her?

At least give it a try.

You were going to kill her anyway.

I kill her

because the law requires it.

It's against my conscience,

but I have no choice.

But what about you?

What's your motive?

You wanted me to help you take down Zhou Junlan.

You wanted me to clear your father's name.

We each have our own motives.

must rely on power to get what they want.

To climb higher,

you'll face challenges along the way.

No matter what you do behind the scenes,

you must be upright in public.

Killing her will lose me public support.

You don't want to hinder me?

No,

it's your path to success.

You just leave her to die?

I'm not leaving her to die.

I respect her choice.

Besides,

this is

what she wants.

So,

you can disregard human lives?

What about me?

Am I just

a pawn to you?

You decide

whether I live

or die?

I helped you gain power for my own gain.

Not the other way around.

but you're at my disposal.

You're not?

I...

I don't know.

What do you

want to say?

I know

you've been trying to overturn the case for years.

You're right.

There was something fishy about it.

You're dying,

and now you're willing to talk.

I can tell you

everything I know.

But you must promise me one thing.

Go ahead.

If one day

my son is in a desperate situation,

can you help him?

I promise you.

There are two copies of the city defense map.

One is in the palace,

and the other is in the camp.

the city defense map

wasn't leaked by the late Marshal.

Because

I have it.

This map

seems incomplete.

Besides me,

there is another person.

Who?

I don't know him either.

A spy infiltrated the camp.

To prevent the blueprint from being stolen,

my father printed it

on my back and this man's back,

and then burned the original.

He was afraid that spies would know

and steal the whole blueprint.

Then you...

I wasn't captured.

The Hu people defeated us.

Maybe...

Maybe this man betrayed my father.

How can I find him?

Back then,

At the beginning of each month,

all the soldiers will go out to buy some snacks,

such as tobacco.

They will spend all the money in less than half a month.

Only I will

save the money to the second half of the month.

When they spend all their money,

I will raise the price and sell them.

For years,

I have had financial dealings

with almost all the soldiers in the camp.

I have recorded everything

in a ledger.

Where is that ledger now?

It is in the hands of

Zhou Junlan, the Deputy Minister of the Secretariat.

Ask her what she thinks.

He asked you what you think.

Take the account book.

Find someone.

She said you should figure it out yourself.

Don't bother her.

That's not what she said.

I've been holding back for a long time.

We're all sitting together.

Do you have to make me relay messages?

It's been so long since we got back.

Still sulking here?

At the reception banquet later,

Don't give me that face.

It's just a welcome banquet.

Qingyang's birthday

happens to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

We're just invited along.

Master,

I can tell you're

happy about this.

He's got an arrow wound.

A maid saved him.

He's fallen for her.

she's not interested in me,

but in her friend's lover.

Tell me more.

It's

a long story.

It was a sunny day

with birds singing and flowers blooming...

Get to the point.

She likes a playboy.

You want to know?

It's time.

We should go out now.

Why did you stop halfway, Master?

Master.

Minister Zhou.

Prince Xuanying's achievements in the south

are truly impressive.

Then look at me,

not at anything else.

Or I'll pluck out your eyes.

If you're uncomfortable,

I've brought your usual remedies.

Thank you for your concern.

I was just thinking,

how much land must commoners till

to earn even a fraction of this?

The rich feast,

while the poor freeze.

Prince Xuanying.

Minister Jiang.

Your decisive action

cleansed Suzhou of corruption.

Well done.

You flatter me.

This success was not mine alone.

I owe much to my two

friends.

You look familiar.

I'm Dr. Ji Yunchao from Ji's Clinic.

I came to your house

to deliver medicine to Lady Jiang.

Yeah.

She is also my...

future...

Minister Jiang.

Prince Xuanying.

The banquet is about to start.

Please.

Please.

Come on.

Come on, sit here.

Why don't you let me say it?

Say what?

Say you're my fiancée.

Why don't you say

you're my fiancé?

Okay.

Next time.

Say what?

Say I'm your fiancé.

Alright.

Sounds better.

Okay, okay.

Ladies and gentlemen,

my father is unwell,

so he has asked me to come and reward you.

Prince Xuanying.

I'm here.

My father is grateful for your efforts in the relief work,

so he has returned your family token,

and rewarded you with 100 taels of gold

and 80 bolts of brocade.

All of you should follow his example.

I will never let down

anyone who fights for the people.

By imperial decree.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

He's truly young and promising.

Indeed.

He speaks truth

and travels far.

I contributed,

but he took all the credit.

It's so bitter.

With the token,

he can join the court.

Your Majesty fears my power.

and Lord Jiang favors Pei Yan.

They're clearly trying to support Pei Yan

to counterbalance me.

What are you planning?

To prevent the Pei and Jiang families from joining forces,

I've come up with a countermeasure.

You've become quite resourceful.

Tell me about it.

You mentioned that

the clinic needs repairs.

The money bestowed by His Majesty

is entrusted to you.

Even if I buy the clinic,

I don't need so much money.

Then I'll take it myself.

But I can't refuse your kindness.

I'll accept it.

But I don't like

to owe people favors.

Consider it a loan.

What do you plan to do with it?

Money

is never enough.

I'll find a way to make it grow.

Besides the money for repairs,

I'm planning to stock up on new medicines.

If there's any surplus,

I'll give it all to you.

Including interest,

3% per year.

Or you can just be the owner.

What's wrong?

I just find it

strange.

If you're talking about strangeness,

I'm the one who finds it strange.

She said she was a maid of the mansion.

But I haven't seen her all night.

Excuse me.

Is there a lady

named Sanyue in your mansion?

Don't be impatient.

Maybe she is a maid of the princess.

I think

the princess is too proud.

She hasn't come yet.

It's her birthday.

Why can't she take some time to dress up?

Princess Qingyang is here.

Why is he here?

Aunt, what's wrong with you?

I'm a bit cold.

I'll go get another coat.

How do you know I'm here?

You have a shadow, silly.

Why didn't I see you at the banquet?

I'm Princess Qingyang's maid.

I was helping her find her clothes.

Princess Qingyang

looks a bit like you,

but not even a fraction of you.

She's not nice to people.

but you're good.

Nonsense.

Princess Qingyang is good.

She's the best woman in the world.

How is she good?

She's good...

She...

Forget it.

I won't talk about her.

I came to you today

to tell you something.

I...

Her Highness must have her good points.

Let me think about it.

She... She... She is very...

Help!

Someone fell into the water!

Help!

Help her!

Help her!

Make way!

Yue!

Yue! What happened?

Why did you fall into the water?

I was enjoying the moon in the lake.

The crowd surged.

I was pushed into the water.

Fortunately, Lord Zhou saved me.

Although Lord Zhou did it out of kindness,

it violates the rules of propriety.

Ms Jiang's reputation is ruined.

What should we do?

They had rumors before.

Now...

Who will dare to marry her?

Shut up!

I don't need you to

worry about me.

I will ask His Majesty

to arrange the marriage for Yue and Lord Zhou.

I didn't expect Lord Zhou to save me with his life.

Lord Zhou, do you agree to...

Yes.

Really?

Yes.

You asked him to do so?

What's wrong?

You're disgusting.

I think

You should have pushed Princess Qingyang into the water

and married her.

After all, she has the late emperor's will in her hands.

Even if we don't know what it says,

she's better than Jiang Yue.

What?

You planned it all by yourself,

pushed Jiang Yue into the water,

and made her marry into the Zhou family.

I haven't lost my temper yet,

and you dare to give me the cold shoulder.

I'm talking to you.

What's wrong with you?

What's wrong with me?

I'd like to ask what's wrong with you.

It's not easy to marry into the Jiang family.

I'm one step ahead of Pei Yan.

You don't have to be grateful to me,

but you shouldn't mock me.

You promised me

you would never take a concubine.

If Pei Yan hadn't shown his talent,

I wouldn't have done this.

Now I'm in the upper hand,

and you're looking for new excuses to attack me.

You think I'm living too comfortably, right?

I'm helping you deal with Pei Yan.

Really?

Sometimes I really want to know

whether you're helping me deal with Pei Yan

or helping Pei Yan deal with me.

You said you'd show Ji Yunchao who's boss.

But in the end,

it was you who lost to her.

Are you doing it

on purpose?

Is it missing a piece?

I didn't see it.

It's strange.

Why are all the 51 candidates

from the south?

We southerners are smarter.

Not necessarily.

The examiner is also from the south.

You must be in cahoots.

What are you talking about?

You...

Fight!

You...

Stop!

Calm down.

Stop fighting.

It's shameful.

Let's go.

We'll appeal to the emperor.

Yes, let's go.

Let's go.

How can this be?

Your Majesty, please calm down.

This might be a misunderstanding.

Over 300 scholars blocked the way to the palace.

and distribute the petition,

forcing me to investigate this matter thoroughly.

But what have you shown me?

I have ordered the Imperial Reader,

the top scholar of the Jia Xu examination, and ten others to investigate this matter.

They worked tirelessly,

reviewing nearly a thousand exam papers,

and found no anomalies.

I asked you to investigate,

and you concluded that northern scholars

are indeed inferior to southern scholars.

I would never make such a reckless statement.

I'm merely stating the facts.

The northern scholars

did indeed perform slightly worse.

Enough.

You may leave.

Let Prince Xuanying in.

Your Majesty,

the 51 candidates

selected in this exam,

and the 11 scholars

brought in by Minister Zhou,

investigate them thoroughly.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Did you bribe the examiners?

I...

No.

I'll ask you again.

Did you bribe the examiners?

Speak!

He's dead.

Father.

How do you want to investigate?

Do it however you want.

But you must take me with you.

Why?

No reason.

Ji Xiao.

It's because the list is in the imperial notice.

Master.

Just a bug.

I'll pick it up and throw it out.

Who's on the list?

Zhao Yan?

No.

Then who is she?

No one.

Yun Dynasty.

You always look people in the eye

when you lie.

Just like now.

You're wrong.

Only those who are nervous

dare not look people in the eye.

You are Ji Yunchao.

You know this well

and can do the opposite.

That's why I was so sure

you were hiding something from me.

I'll tell you when the time is right.

When is that?

Maybe when

you die in front of me

in Suizhou.

That's unfair.

You know everything about me,

but I know nothing

about you.

Yun, you can keep secrets from me,

and lie to me.

I won't force you to tell me

everything about your past.

I just want to know

do you have to get involved in this?

My benefactor's name

is on the list.

Is he just your benefactor?

No.

He's my relative.

He used to be.

You can't go.

Personal relationships are the worst in investigations.

What about Zhao Yan?

She's on that list too.

You forgot what you promised Zhao Peng.

If Zhao Yan ever hits rock bottom,

you'll help him out

and make it quick.

It's also a help.

Yun State, I promise you

I'll handle this fairly.

But you have to promise me

you won't get involved in this mess.

Sorry,

I can't do it.

Where are you going?

Find a boat to cross the river.

Got it.

You may leave.

Yes.

[Could it be true as Xian said?]

[Is she really Gu Chaocao?]

[Impossible.]

Mr. Lu,

Ji Yunzhou from the Ji Clinic requests to see you.

Please come in.

Yes.

You don't come without a reason.

What can I do for you?

I'm here

to make a deal with you.

Tea instead of wine.

To express my sincerity.

I'm listening.

Mr. Zhou said

there are guests today.

Others are not allowed in.

I'm also an "other".

I'm just doing my job.

What a good excuse!

He can say whatever he wants,

but I can't say anything.

You can't!

My Lady!

Qiu,

Jiang is from a noble family.

I'm not worthy of your respect.

I... I'm here to deliver the soup.

Get out!

I came first.

Yue

just came in,

and she's the daughter of a minister.

Why be so mean to her?

A beautiful woman makes a good soup.

What a lucky husband!

You didn't say I couldn't drink it.

That's true.

I didn't ask you to drink it, but you did.

I didn't ask you to marry Jiang Yue, but you did.

I didn't ask you to meet Ji Yunchao,

but you did it anyway.

You're spying on me?

You belong to me.

I have my people take good care of my things.

What's wrong with that?

Tell me,

what did she come to you for?

A few of my friends

got involved in the North-South Roll Case.

She wants to investigate it with me.

The Gu family?

She made it clear that

she is Gu Chaocao.

She even gave up her family.

Do you think she really cares about the Gu family?

She just wants to get close to you

and cut off my claws.

She said she is not Gu Chaocao,

but just a distant relative of Mr. Gu,

and looks a bit like her.

You believe everything she says?

Why don't you marry her?

I trust you.

I follow your every order.

Now I'm telling you

I didn't do anything with her.

Do you believe me? No.

In your mind,

what I say, do and think

are never important.

What's important is yourself.

I'll do whatever you want.

Why?

Because I know the future well.

But you also have miscalculations.

That's because you haven't done well enough.

I haven't done well enough?

You've always made the decisions.

Why not let me make one?

If the Ji cloud dynasty

can really help me save those people,

what's wrong with working with her?

Drink it.

No.

Drink it.

Fine.

You're not obedient.

I'll replace you.

51 candidates,

1 examiner,

and 11 investigators,

a total of 63 people.

Pei Yan needs to check if there's

any connection between them.

At least 63 accounts need to be checked.

Then let's visit them first

and check the accounts.

That's what I'm thinking.

But I don't know where to start.

the Gu family?

You don't have to worry about me.

Pei Yan doesn't know

I'm related to the Gu family.

From what I know,

he'll check in order of rank.

By now,

he's checked three or four households.

We'll start from the fifth one.

How about that?

Okay.

to Lord Zhou's invitation.

But my accounts

have been taken by Prince Xuanying.

We're one step behind him.

We need to take two steps ahead

to be one step faster than him.

What a coincidence!

Prince Xuanying also invited me

and took my accounts.

Just now, Prince Xuanying...

I'm truly sorry.

The order was changed,

but he still took the lead.

Someone helped him.

This person knows the future.

You mean

your wife?

No more beating around the bush.

Let's go to the Gu family.

They might be waiting for us there.

She's waiting for us.

Maybe she thinks I stole

She wants to take it from me.

Holding it in her hand is not enough.

She even hangs it high

for me to see.

Lord Zhou,

you have lofty aspirations,

yet you're trapped here.

Don't you want to find another way out?

Another way out?

Life is like a spark in a stone.

How long can one live in this world?

Lord Zhou,

Wang Sis.

Let's go.

[She's more anxious than I thought.]

Miss Ji.

What a coincidence.

There are many restaurants in the capital.

Why choose mine?

Is it a coincidence

or a clumsy trick

by some fool to attract attention?

Qiu Xian'er.

Who is the fool?

As far as I know,

the Gu family also owns a share in this restaurant.

It's not appropriate to say it's yours.

The Gu family has no heir.

I'm the only goddaughter recognized by Mrs. Gu.

It's still the Gu family for now.

Maybe not in the future.

I've already been to the Gu family.

You two don't need to go there anymore.

Mr. Fang,

prepare the private room.

I want to treat our esteemed guest well.

Alright.

Let's go.

Where?

To the Gu family.

But...

Don't worry, I've got this.

Lord Zhou.

Lady Ji.

Please return.

The Gu family's accounts

have been handed over to Prince Xuanying.

But as far as I know,

the Gu family has been in business for generations.

Mr. Gu is always cautious.

He leaves a trace for everything.

Even the account books are kept in duplicate.

Where did you hear this?

It's just a rumor.

Did my daughter tell Lord Zhou?

And he told you?

Why do you say that?

Lady Ji has already promised to marry someone else.

How can she be with Xian'er's husband?

Prince Xuanying is your fiancé.

You should keep an eye on him.

how can you let him get closer to Xian?

And Lord Zhou...

It's inevitable for a couple to have conflicts.

You should be more tolerant.

Give them to them.

Don't worry, my lady.

It's just an audit.

I have nothing to hide.

Hiding it

will only make people suspicious.

If they want to check,

just give them.

That's right.

I was out of my mind.

I'm sorry for my behavior.

Please forgive me.

You're welcome.

Please wait for a moment.

Miss Ji,

please come with me.

This is it.

I have another question.

Please.

Mr. Gu has a successful career.

Why does he still want to take the exam?

Can you see what this is?

Wind chime.

I have a daughter

named Zhao.

She was naughty when she was young.

She was often beaten by her mother.

She was afraid of pain.

She would cry

when she was beaten.

I was so upset.

I couldn't drink tea

or read accounts.

I had to find ways

to get various toys for her to please her.

Later I found out

she loved wind chimes the most.

When the chimes rang,

she would laugh,

and forget all the pain.

In a flash,

she ran away.

I don't know

where she went.

I want to find her,

but everyone says

she just ran away.

On her wedding night,

she ran away with another man,

shaming the Gu and Zhou families.

Why bother looking for her?

Lord Zhou refuses to search for her,

and he won't let me do it either.

How dare I disobey?

I feel ashamed before her.

So,

you entered politics to find your daughter?

If I had great power,

I could protect her,

and never let her be alone.

It's hard to return home.

The political world is turbulent.

Foxes and rats have their den.

Tigers and snakes have their paths.

Mr. Gu is straightforward.

It's best to stay neutral.

You've been a doctor for many years.

Have you ever seen a woman

named Zhao who looks like you?

If you have,

is she...

Is she well?

many people told me

I look a lot like her.

But I've never met her.

I don't know if she's well.

You're right.

The world is big.

If you meet her one day,

do you have any words

to pass on to her?

Tell her

her mother and I miss her.

Okay.

I'll remember it.

I'll send

the account books to the Zhou family.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

This seems wrong.

How?

Three years ago,

Zhou Junlan's officials

bought 80 ships from the shipyard

to help Song Hongjian transport grain.

The nails on this cost sheet

were quoted and provided by the Gu family,

which was three times more expensive than usual.

Could it be that the Gu family colluded with the shipyard

to inflate the price of iron nails

and then gave the difference

to that official as a kickback?

This matter needs further investigation.

The ship is currently docked in the capital.

But the nails are embedded in the planks.

Judging by the surface,

we can't know for sure.

So,

will you continue the investigation?

Of course.

But how?

Lord Zhou,

do you have money?

Yes.

How much?

Enough to ensure your life

is comfortable and prosperous.

That's enough.

Let's go.

Where to?

The shipyard.

Not yet.

If you don't go,

someone else will take the lead.

Still don't trust me?

How could that be?

She has helped me a lot recently.

You say you can see the future.

Of course, I believe you.

See the future?

Yes and no.

What do you mean?

This is a rice cake.

If fate places this cake before an ant's nest,

and if the ants follow their original path,

they will find this cake.

That's the future I see.

But if an ant found the pastry

and kept it a secret,

would the others still find it?

Maybe.

Or maybe not.

It's fate.

The ants were supposed to have the pastry.

But a traitor among them

changed the future

of having the pastry.

You can see the direction of fate,

which is true.

But you can't control the variables.

That's not right.

You got it right in one go.

You're a quick learner.

So,

your recent uncanny foresight

is because the future is set

and unchangeable.

Of course,

you're gifted.

I admire you.

It's the Ji family,

not me.

I'm just the one who

drops the rice cake in front of her anthill.

If you compare yourself to fate,

why do you become

a mere ant in the hole?

It's just a whim

of fate.

Ji Yunchao's extraordinary talent

is just a gift from fate's whim.

It will eventually be taken back.

But I'm different from her.

She is an ant struggling to survive.

I...

to decide her life and death.

All the suffering she's going through

is because of you.

Yes,

and no.

I used to be the fate

to look down on all creatures.

You were also among them.

Pei Yan,

you fought for justice, saved the country,

and worked day and night.

It's just to be

a stepping stone and a ladder for Ji.

I've seen your fate.

Once the Ji's revenge is done,

you'll be cast aside.

Better to

join me

than be used by her.

Revenge?

She hasn't told you yet?

Then forget I said anything.

Why tell me this?

First, you're teachable.

Second, I'm feeling generous.

Third,

I know Zhou Junlan inside out,

and now I'm interested in you.

Have you thought it through?

Give me

some time to consider.

I'm not patient,

but I'll make an exception for you.

Since you trust me,

I'll remind you one more time.

Zhou Junlan and Ji Yunchao have rushed to the shipyard overnight.

Shall we go

or not?

Not yet.

A reason?

Wouldn't it be better

to let others pay?

Lord Zhou,

please.

Look,

this is the ship.

This one?

It's one of the ships

ordered by the court three years ago.

Of course.

I wouldn't dare to deceive you.

Thank you, Lord Zhou.

If there's anything else you need,

I'll do whatever it takes.

Burn it.

What?

No.

Of course, you can.

Since you've bought this boat,

it's up to you to decide what to do with it.

What are you thinking?

Playing a trick on the princes

with beacon fires?

You're wrong.

King You of Zhou played a trick on the feudal lords

to make a beauty smile.

You burn the grain ships

and waste thousands of gold.

Besides...

What?

It's inappropriate to compare them.

I think it's good.

If you like it,

I'll give it to you.

Qiu Baosi

is sharp-tongued.

Thank you for the compliment.

What are you doing here?

The price of ship nails is more than three times higher.

But it's too tedious to dismantle the ship to get the nails.

It's better to buy a ship

and burn it

to count the nails.

This is the ship I bought.

What does it have to do with you?

Of course not.

Just looking around.

Minister Zhou,

the nails you asked for are all here.

We've counted them

as you instructed.

Please check them.

Calculating the Gu family's account,

the number of nails needed for a ship

does match this list.

But why

are these nails three times more expensive than regular ones?

This nail is made of cast iron,

which is more durable than ordinary nails.

You may leave.

Is the Gu family's case settled?

Yes.

What about the other eleven officials

involved?

The examiners

and the other 51 candidates?

No.

I've checked

nearly 300 ledgers in recent days,

involving 63 people.

and there are no issues with the accounts.

Since there's no corruption,

why are all the successful candidates from the south?

The north has been invaded by barbarians for years,

leading to instability.

Northern scholars already face hardships,

and the imperial examination is held in the south

due to the unrest in the north.

Northern scholars endure long and exhausting journeys,

which naturally affects their performance.

Plus, the south's humid and hot climate

makes them prone to illness.

All these factors

are all reasons.

How could Your Majesty not know?

Your Majesty,

I've privately interrogated

the 11 people Mr. Zhou found.

They are innocent.

I know.

Then why...

Zhan Wu and I have led troops through fire and water

to expand our territory

for 21 years.

I'm getting old.

Your Majesty,

The empire is on the verge of collapse.

How can we control the unruly people?

The northern Hu people keep harassing us.

The empire is already in turmoil.

The list of the north and south

has made things worse.

I ordered Zhou Junlan to investigate the case.

I want him to clarify the truth.

I just want him to kill the chicken to scare the monkey.

And I want him to recruit more students from the north

to stabilize the people in the north

and consolidate the empire.

But he didn't do as I wanted.

His heart is despicable.

He's corrupt.

He deserves to be beheaded.

Fifty-one candidates

and fifty-one lives.

You're too kind, Lord Zhou.

Fifty-one lives

or my empire,

which is more important?

Lives are less important

than the empire.

I heard that Prince Xuanying and Zhou Junlan have been at odds.

Zhou Junlan failed to find any problems.

I ordered Prince Xuanying to investigate further,

until the problem is found.

Then those 51 people

and Zhou Junlan's followers will be eliminated together.

Now there are a total of 63 people involved in the case.

63 lives

and the bright future in front of them.

I'm curious

how Prince Xuanying will make a choice.

Your Majesty,

Prince Xuan Ying requests an audience.

Summon him.

Your Majesty,

I have thoroughly investigated the case.

Fifty-one candidates,

one examiner,

and eleven supervisors

are all implicated in bribery.

None are exempt.

According to our laws,

what should be done?

Embezzlement and bribery

deserve the death penalty.

But since there are so many prisoners,

I'm afraid that killing them all

will disturb the dragon vein in the city.

I suggest we choose a good day

to take them to the execution ground in Liangzhou.

That's a good idea.

But

the soldiers who escort the prisoners

must be my men.

If anything goes wrong,

I'll hold you accountable.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Eat.

You haven't eaten for days.

I have no appetite.

The road is long.

We can't go hungry.

We'll die anyway.

We have no regrets.

We can't give up

until we're cornered.

The heavens are blind.

The world is unfair.

I accept it.

I accept it.

After a long sunny day,

a heavy rain is coming.

The rain won't stop.

I'm afraid there will be a problem.

On the way,

there was a heavy rain and thick fog.

The rain overnight caused a landslide.

The 63 convicts

were all buried by huge rocks.

What a coincidence!

I'm telling the truth.

I dare not deceive the Emperor.

What's your opinion, Minister Zhou?

This is a natural disaster,

not caused by humans.

Minister Jiang,

it's both a natural disaster and a divine punishment.

The heavens have eyes.

They don't want the land stained with blood,

so they did this

to help you

solve the problem

and gain a good reputation.

Though it's a natural disaster,

he should still be punished.

I'll punish him with 40 lashes.

He'll go to the Dali Court tomorrow.

Minister Zhou, you supervise the punishment.

Yes.

Yes.

Your Majesty,

the Taoist Master Ye is waiting outside.

Is he the one who knows immortality?

Yes.

Please, come in.

Yes.

Hurry up.

Account book.

Lord Zhou,

do you want to save the lives of your subordinates?

What if I do?

Then let's make a deal.

If I can do it,

you give me Zhao Peng's account book.

Qiu Xian'er told you about the landslide?

So what?

You can stand her.

Since you've made a choice,

you should give up your position.

The one who should let go is you.

What if I want to fight with you?

Then I'll

accompany you to the end.

40 lashes.

Without Ji Yunchao,

I want to see how you can stand it.

You're awake.

We really made it.

Thanks to Prince Xuanying,

we hid behind a big rock

and survived the mudslide.

We're lucky to be alive.

But from now on,

there will be no us anymore.

It's better this way.

Sir,

thank you for your help.

I must leave now.

Didn't Marquis Xuanying ask us

to go to the Medicine Capital together?

Where are you going?

I'm going to Xiliang.

Xiliang is the border of our country.

There are frequent wars

and unstable situation there.

Why are you going there?

I want to join the army.

I've never done anything bad in my life.

Why did I end up like this?

I want to join the army.

I'm going to take revenge.

I'll make those bastards

pay for what they did.

Where are you going?

To pick someone up.

Of course I know.

But who are you

going to pick up?

Guess.

You called me here

just to listen to the rain with you?

Listening to the rain, brewing tea, burning incense.

How pleasant.

I love rainy days.

I don't.

Why?

If the rain doesn't stop,

floods will come,

people will suffer from hunger and cold, and even eat each other.

I just see you unhappy all day,

so I want to make you feel better.

You were born into a wealthy family,

and you don't know the hardships of the world.

Don't you feel ashamed?

Don't go.

I'll never like rainy days again.

Chaocao.

Pei Yan.

I'm here to take you home.

Lady Ji.

What can I do for you, Minister Zhou?

Do you... do you like rainy days?

Of course.

Rain knows the season.

I know a teahouse

where you can listen to the rain, burn incense, and brew tea.

Ouch.

You can...

No need.

Let's go.

The swallows have flown away.

It's too cold here.

They flew south for the winter.

When will they come back?

Probably in spring.

When will my husband come back?

I dare not speculate.

Has the soup in the kitchen been ready?

Go check again.

Yes.

Honey.

Honey.

I thought you wouldn't come.

Do you like rainy days?

No.

Say you do.

But I don't...

Good girl.

I like it.

What a temper!

Your people saw

the conflict between Ji Yun and Pei Yan.

It's just a farce between them.

Ji knew Pei Yan

would take on the hot potato of the case,

but couldn't help him.

So he approached you to save the Gu family

and made me turn against Pei Yan.

He even calculated that landslide.

And now that scum Pei Yan

is turning his back on me.

It's all thanks to you.

Yue, go out first.

Hurry up.

What kind of man takes it out on women?

If you want to blame someone, blame yourself.

You're not good enough.

Not good enough.

Not good enough.

You're not good enough.

Not good enough.

Not good enough.

Not good enough.

Not good enough.

You're still not good enough.

Not good enough.

Not good enough.

Not good enough.

You're still not good enough.

How could you be so bad?

Not good enough.

You're not as good as Pei Yan.

Not good enough.

I'm not good enough.

Tell me.

Tell us.

What exactly is considered good?

Don't touch me!

You're hurt.

I'm hurt.

I'm bleeding.

It's my fault.

It's all my fault.

It's my fault I'm not good enough.

It's my fault I'm not as good as Pei Yan.

If that's all you have to say,

get lost!

I found it.

It's okay.

I will help you

win him once.

I can't

suppress the excitement in my heart anymore.

The whirlwind of love sweeps me away.

I want to tell you

that I like you.

My trembling fingers,

the sweat on my forehead, and the evasive gaze

are all saying

that I like you.

Does it hurt?

No.

Then

can you go out?

I...

Yes.

I'm writing a letter.

Go out and write.

Don't make noise here.

You know nothing.

Master

I remember

you have something to do today.

Right.

I'll go out first.

Be careful when you're out.

Don't worry. I'm here.

Have a nice trip.

Qiu Xian'er.

What did she tell you?

She can turn the world upside down.

Everything that happens to me is because of her.

Your life

is in your hands.

I will never be swayed by others.

May I

ask you another question?

If you don't want to answer...

I am Gu Chaocao.

I have been a woman once.

Even if it was not real,

it's understandable

if you have something to resent.

If you want revenge,

I will be your blade.

But there's no blade that fears blood.

Your therapy works.

I'm not afraid of blood anymore.

Now,

I have...

A stupid knife.

Can't you wait a bit longer?

I've been waiting for a long time.

How long?

Since...

You want revenge.

I'll be your knife.

Go ahead.

What's the matter?

As you ordered,

I've gone through

Zhao Peng's accounts,

and noted down the names

of the soldiers who had financial dealings with him.

Here's the list.

They're all

in Xiliang.

Also, this morning, there was an urgent report from the palace.

The Hu people led a surprise attack on Xiliang overnight.

The Hu people have long lived in barbarian lands,

In the past, during winter,

they would steal and rob

for winter supplies.

Fortunately,

the General led an army to fight

and drove them back.

A mutual non-aggression agreement was signed.

But they

broke the agreement and came back.

Shameless!

The barbarians led 3,000 cavalry

and surrounded 6,000 people in Xiliang.

to cede 45,000 acres of fertile land

as a hostage.

If we don't act first,

we'll be controlled by others.

I'm willing to lead 5,000 cavalry to the gate

and drive the Hu people out of West Liang.

Deputy Zhou,

what do you think?

I admire

your patriotism.

But is it worth spending 5,000 troops

to save

6,000 civilians?

Lord Zhou's concerns

are not unfounded.

My Lady!

Mr. Gu!

My Lady!

Mr. Gu!

My Lady!

I heard you died in the landslide.

I was ready to follow you.

Fortunately, the master came by

and told me you were hiding in the Valley.

He brought me here.

The house...

As the master said,

all the servants have been dismissed.

If anyone asks,

I'll say I'm going out for a walk.

That's good.

Master,

thank you.

Please stand up.

This is not my doing alone.

You don't have to thank me.

Have you taken care of the shop?

Sold it overnight as you said.

All the silver notes are in this pack.

Master.

What can I do for you, my lady?

I've heard that the Medicine Valley is famous,

but no one knows where it is.

Now we are here,

and my daughter is in the capital.

After all, blood is thicker than water.

I can't let her go.

I wonder

if you can make an exception

and tell her where we are.

Qiu Xian'er is your goddaughter.

Then who is this daughter

who is closer to you?

I'm confused.

Since she left,

I still think she is around.

Master,

please deliver these silver notes

as a token of gratitude.

To whom?

I'll tell you

when she comes.

Don't worry.

I'll deliver it.

Thank you.

Take care.

Take care.

Did you sleep well last night?

You've yawned

13 times in half an hour.

Pei Yan.

I had a dream last night.

Ten thousand iron cavalry trampled Rnnan.

It was a sea of corpses

and blood.

Maybe it's a nightmare.

I'll get you some tranquilizers.

Sometimes I dream.

Sometimes I dream of the future.

But lately, I can't tell

which is a dream

and which is the future.

It hurts

Your scars have scabbed over

It should be ready soon.

I have a headache

Staying at Madam Chunhua's place

Spend Silver

Twenty-seven taels

This is Zhao Peng's account book.

I know

How about it

Any clues?

My father tried to prevent the blueprints from being stolen.

Behind the two soldiers

Tattoo drawings

Then destroy the city defense map

To prevent the two from joining forces to surrender to the enemy

The father asked the two to hide their identities from each other

We should avoid contact with each other in the camp.

Then put it on the account

Soldiers who had contact with Zhao Peng were eliminated

Then check the other soldiers.

The remaining soldiers

I have sent someone to secretly check

now

Only the people on the list

Not yet determined

They are implicated in this case

Stationed in Xiliang for many years

A few days ago I was supposed to lead the troops to

But now it is out of reach

Should have

Xiliang

The opposite

Is it because His Majesty is unwilling to send reinforcements?

yes

The Xiliang army had a deep bond with the local people

The Hu people invaded

imperial court

Retreat without a fight

General Zhang Zhao of Xiliang

Leading local soldiers to repel the Hu people

Victory but not withdrawal

But all the way south

He rebelled

I've never heard of this in Beijing.

This matter concerns the country and the people

How dare the court tell the public

Three days ago

The Xiliang army was unstoppable

Captured three cities in a row

I've heard that Zhang Zhao is brave but lacks wisdom.

Long served under Lord Pei

The two of them disagreed

Unexpectedly

Now it has grown to such a level

He's not the troublesome one.

It's Song Nanfei

Who is Song Nanfei?

A rising star under General Xiliang

He is a strategist who is both civil and military.

You are afraid

I'm just afraid that Your Majesty is afraid of my excessive power.

Let Pei Yan be responsible for suppressing the rebels.

Now with the help of Ji Yunchao

Wings are gradually growing

If I have military power again

His position in the court gradually surpassed mine.

How can I rise to prominence?

Xian'er

Fast Forward

The suppression of the rebels is imminent

Tomorrow His Majesty will announce the candidate to suppress the rebellion

You can see into the future

Can you tell me now?

Pei Yan and I

Who will be selected?

I have no idea

Since I last dreamt of the tragic situation in Runan

I never dreamed again

Maybe God has taken back his gift.

I can't help you.

No problem

So far

You've done a great job

She is the hand

I am an ant

Now my foresight has faded

Will it be within her expectations?

Can she predict the future?

hand

Do you understand?

this

Don't make me say it a second time

good

Whether foreseen or not

The Palace at This Moment

The person to be rehabilitated should have been chosen.

You want to go

yes

To stabilize the world

Also a false case for my father

But your hemophobia hasn't healed yet.

I can locate the location by sound.

I don't believe it

Then you try it

How did you do it?

Because I have deep inner strength.

Then I'll try it too.

Go away

Right

Your inner strength is so deep.

Because of your heart

Dancing too loudly

Will you be tired?

Won't

Why

Married to you for several years

I already knew you were moving

A temper that makes people kneel down

Specially ordered the city's craftsmen to customize several pairs of knee pads

Convenient kneeling

In our place

It's easy to kneel.

You rarely mention your hometown to me

Wait until everything is settled

I'll tell you again

A promise is a deal

You don't have to kneel to me anymore.

Then my money on knee pads would be wasted.

Are you addicted to kneeling?

How could it be

A promise is a deal

The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims

Today, there are rebels wreaking havoc in several states.

I specially send your troops to the south to investigate and quell the chaos.

This

Minister

Marquis Xuanying and Minister Zhou

It's been more than half a month

The Xiliang rebels are battle-hardened

Unstoppable

Most of our troops have been injured

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Taoist Priest Xuan Ye

Your Majesty, Taoist Master Xuan Ye

This thing can really protect me

Prolong life

Immortality

Exactly

This thing is called Guiyuan Dan

It is the collection of pure human blood in the world

It takes 49 days to make it.

Congratulations, Your Majesty

Congratulations, Your Majesty

Minister Zhou and Marquis Xuanying defeated the Western Liang army

The bandit leader was captured and returned victoriously

good

good

Go to Zhou's house quickly

Convey my will

This is when I wait for you to come back

I specially learned to embroider a headband

Do you like it?

Yue'er, go back first

go

Why are you not happy?

Pei gave you a cold look.

That day I asked you

Between me and Pei Yan, who will go to Runan to suppress the rebellion?

What did you write on my palm?

week

No, not right.

You're just writing nonsense.

Deliberately cheating me

I'll go and you'll say

When he goes, you say Pei

You are questioning me

If you could really predict the future

Why didn't you tell me that Pei Yan would be accompanying me on this trip?

Why didn't you tell me

Your Majesty's body is already at the end of its strength.

Why didn't you tell me about the Battle of Runan?

It almost killed me.

You're totally lying to me.

I could have seen it

But now I'm fake

They're all fake

You are just like that dog Taoist priest

It will only mislead people

I believe you can help me rise to the top

I killed Gu Chaozhao

But what about you?

How dare you lie to me

lady

My future

geometry

Minister Zhou

Minister Zhou

Someone reported you for bribery.

His Majesty has ordered you to be taken back for questioning.

What a cunning rabbit dies and the running dog is cooked

Who is

Who reported me?

take away

Who is

Who reported me?

Who reported me?

Who is

Langjun

who

Who is

How did you find out about Zhou Junlan?

During the North-South List Case

I used the excuse of helping him check his accounts

Frequent visits to Zhou's home

Only then did I discover this

Then you hold back

Until he returned to the court

You are reporting to His Majesty in my name.

Your Majesty immediately sent someone to investigate secretly.

Sure enough, the evidence is conclusive

When he was in high spirits

That was also the day he was thrown into jail.

I don't know what kind of gift you like.

I'll give this to you

How about it

Do you like it?

I like Yunchao very much

Where did you learn punctuation?

Self-taught

I'm sorry.

Sorry to bother you two.

but

Someone is looking for you, Yunchao

Who?

A rare guest

What you want

You come to me

Just to ask me this question

I'm asking for help to exonerate Zhou Junlan.

They said they needed to report him.

Go to the emperor to retract his confession

It was Danfu who secretly bribed

how

How do you like it

This busy

You are helping

Still not helping

You like him so much

What

Zhou Junlan

Even willing to give up dignity for him

Maybe

Then you're willing to give everything for him

Speak

What you want

I want

Your life

How should I address you, sir?

Should I call you Song Nanfei?

Should I call you?

Zhao Yan

Zhao Yan is dead

There is only Song Nanfei in the world

You shouldn't be like this

You shouldn't be like this either.

Long time no see

You actually became the henchman of this dog emperor.

Visitors

exist

Starve him for a few days first

It's not too late to retrial

Keep someone alive

yes

Running dog, running dog, the running dog of the tyrant

Wait a minute

picture

It really looks like

You are Pei Yuan's son.

I am

Pei Yuan

You and I have fought for most of our lives.

I don't want you to fall into my hands.

But I

It fell into the hands of your son

What do you mean

I was wondering why I couldn't find this thing.

It turns out it's on you

But your father and you have always been at odds.

How could I give this to you?

So to speak

You betrayed my father.

No

Not you

If it were you

Why did you tell me this?

It's definitely not me

Who is that?

I heard from Ji Xiao that you went to the dungeon.

And I heard from the jailer that you went to your own mansion.

You're still recovering from your injuries.

It's not easy to catch you.

What are you busy with?

Pei Xiaomiao.

Why don't you open your eyes?

Qiu Xian'er has a grudge against you.

Today you met her.

I think with your personality,

you must have fought

with her.

So what?

I'm afraid of blood.

Look at me.

Is there any?

There isn't any.

She came to me today to plead for mercy.

She asked what I wanted.

I said

I wanted your life.

Here you are.

My life?

Then take it.

Did you get your fill?

I just played a little trick.

She was so scared that she ran away.

I wanted to kill her.

But I thought

as long as Zhou Junlan is alive,

she can save herself.

So I decided to make a long-term plan.

How about you?

Have you found

the other half of the map in Runan?

Not only have I found the clue,

but also

the real mastermind.

Are you going to report to His Majesty?

No.

I want that man

to hand over the evidence himself.

The Emperor's decree:

The current Vice Minister of the Secretariat

has engaged in bribery.

He should be sentenced to death.

However, considering his past contributions,

his life is spared, but his property

is confiscated as a penalty.

This serves as a warning

to others.

This is the decree.

Lord Zhou,

you're already sentenced to death.

His Majesty has spared your life out of mercy.

That's the most he can do.

But now you're acting like this,

you're making things worse for yourself.

I didn't mean to defy His Majesty's order.

I'm just too injured

to kneel and thank him.

These rough men

don't know their place.

They deserve a beating.

But

Lord Zhou,

you're injured,

but you must not lose your manners.

Please kneel and thank His Majesty.

Don't make it hard for me.

I...

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Be gentle.

After a few days apart,

why are you being so dramatic?

I'm injured like this,

can't you spare my feelings?

You're so heartless.

Is this what you call heartless?

To get you out,

I begged so many people,

and wore out so many knee pads.

It's always others who kneel to me.

In your eyes,

I'm just a dog.

But it's still my dog.

Good girl.

When you recover,

I'll take you out.

You want to bite?

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed.

What?

Didn't you get your position back?

There are many conflicts in the officialdom.

It's normal to grease the wheels.

How could His Majesty not know?

He turns a blind eye to others,

but is so resolute to me.

What's the use of getting your position back?

It's just an excuse to fill the treasury.

Old man!

He's old.

The sun sets

and

the long night begins.

Zhou Junlan,

get out.

Why is Pei Yan here?

Good for you.

Do you recognize this?

It stinks.

It was taken from a dead body.

Of course it stinks.

Indeed,

You know,

there are two scrolls of the city defense map.

One is in Your Majesty's hands,

and the other is in the hands of the old Marquis.

To prevent the map from being stolen,

the old Marquis tattooed the map on two soldiers

and destroyed the original scroll in his hands.

I have found these two people.

Zhao Peng, the county magistrate of Suizhou,

has been beheaded and displayed publicly.

Zhang Zhao, the general of Xiliang,

has been imprisoned in the imperial prison.

At that time,

My father was accused of treason.

I didn't believe it.

I've been looking for the truth for years.

Until I met Zhang Zhao,

I knew the whole story.

You

lied to the emperor

and framed the loyal.

Zhang Zhao told you

that the late marquis took two soldiers

to me to prove his innocence.

They told me how to keep the blueprint.

I beg you to tell His Majesty

the truth about this case.

But I concealed it

and framed him.

Exactly.

It's you!

You really believed it?

What Zhang Zhao said

was just my fabrication.

I didn't expect you to guess it so accurately.

How dare you lie?

Pei Yan,

you are so naive.

You've been fooled.

Why don't you kill me?

I'll take you to the emperor

to clear my father's name.

Let the world know

my father was loyal and patriotic.

He lived

honorably.

No.

You won't.

What do you mean?

Because you're scared.

You found out

who's the real killer

that killed your father.

I wanted to help the people

but no one recommended me.

I recommended myself to Your Majesty.

Your Majesty is with the Empress.

You should go back.

The war in Xiliang is ongoing.

Although I'm not important,

I've studied military tactics since childhood.

I wish to request

to accompany the late Marquis

on his western campaign

as his strategist.

Please convey this to His Majesty.

His Majesty is busy with state affairs

and has already retired for the night.

Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me

to disturb His Majesty for such a minor matter?

As a court official,

why not recommend yourself in court?

I told you.

But Your Majesty said we had frequent good news from Xiliang.

Your father was invincible.

He could hold the pass.

He was enough.

Yeah.

With your father,

why are you so anxious?

Until I met her.

You said

if I killed Gu Chaocao and married you,

will help me fulfill my wish.

What do you want?

Go to Xiliang

to make achievements,

promote my rank,

and benefit the people.

How long does it take to get to the Hu's land?

About a month.

Send someone who is good at riding

and archery to Xiliang

to deliver an urgent letter to the Hu's land.

You don't have to go deep into the enemy camp.

Just shoot the arrow with the letter

on the body of

any soldier patrolling the Huns.

If you succeed,

within seven days,

His Majesty will entrust you with an important task.

What letter?

Why should I believe you?

Haven't you seen it with your own eyes?

I can know the future.

As for the letter,

it's a secret.

to anyone.

You need to remember two things.

What are they?

First, kill the messenger

when he returns to the capital.

Second, the east wind will blow on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

You need to advise General Zhang

to launch a surprise attack on the enemy camp

with fire at that time.

Then you can win a great victory.

I will help you rise to prominence.

You must keep your word.

Seven days later,

The Hu people defeated the West Liang Army.

The prisoners who escaped from the enemy camp

informed His Majesty that the Old Marquis was treason.

Because he found the city defense map in the enemy camp.

Later I gave Zhang Zhao a strategy

to burn the enemy camp on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Zhang Zhao indeed returned in triumph.

And His Majesty favored me,

and ordered me to investigate the case of the Old Marquis.

To prove his innocence,

the Old Marquis brought his two soldiers to see me.

I reported to His Majesty truthfully.

There are both human and physical evidence.

I think...

How about the calligraphy?

It's powerful

and vigorous.

Then I'll give it to you.

By the way,

what do you think of the case?

Old Marquis betrayed the country,

which is unforgivable.

Good.

Announce my order.

Arrest General Weyuan and his

twelve subordinates.

Hang him in ten days

and hang him on the city wall

to be dismembered.

Yes, Your Majesty.

So that's what the letter says.

Since I know everything

and can do everything,

it's easy for me to draw a city defense map.

My father is brave and good at fighting,

and is respected.

Your Majesty is suspicious,

so he wants to kill him.

What about you?

You knew the truth.

Why didn't you tell me?

You mocked and belittled me all day.

You watched me run around for this.

I've never had any grudge against you.

Why?

Mom,

did you see that?

I won.

You hit me, scolded me,

burned me, pinched me,

tied a rope around my neck,

and forced me to crawl around the yard.

because I've never beaten Pei Yan.

Now that I've won...

Mother,

did you see it?

Why are you second again?

Why second again?

Can't I...

Can't I beat him once?

Lan,

do you know

I was the most favored lady in Wei Yuan's court?

If your father hadn't been drunk that day,

I wouldn't have had you.

I'm already married to the Marquis.

Why stay in this shabby house?

Still watching?

Still watching?

You're so stubborn

and disobedient.

You're really a disgrace to the Zhou family.

If I married into the Marquis's family,

I would have given birth to Pei Yan.

Mother, don't worry.

I will

defeat him.

My father has been on the battlefield for years.

He has never had a female official by his side.

Nonsense!

He and my mother were very affectionate.

There was a maid who was infatuated with him.

She tried to seduce him after drinking.

But she accidentally

entered my father's soldier's tent.

Shut up!

I won.

I won.

That soldier knew he had made a mistake after drinking.

So he resigned from his military position to my father.

to return to his hometown for a job.

His name is Zhou Yi,

with two mustaches shaped like the character "eight".

And...

Enough.

You've won me over my whole life.

Can't you let me win once?

I...

How have I won you over my whole life?

Ji Yunchao,

I want to marry you.

Will you marry me?

I won't.

What about Pei Yan?

Shut up.

What if they have all the evidence?

There's no way to appeal.

Your father is doomed to be slandered.

We won.

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

Mom.

Did I win?

Lan.

You won.

On the day of the execution,

I stood beneath the city wall.

Before he died,

he kept repeating the same words,

"My heart is pure,

my loyalty unshaken.

I may be discarded,

but I will never

bend my principles."

His blood fell on my face,

still warm.

From that day on,

I can't bear to see blood anymore.

The Yun Dynasty...

I'm here.

I know His Majesty is incompetent.

But here

lies the remains of my father.

I know

the righteous always claim to act for heaven.

But can heaven

tell me

what exactly is

the righteous path?

Song Nanfei is Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan, a death-row scholar.

If Prince Xuanying didn't kill him,

he'd be guilty of deceiving the emperor.

He'll be executed once caught.

No mercy.

Yes.

Master.

Pack your things.

Let's go.

What's the matter?

Hurry.

Where are we going?

Can I call on Sasa?

Medicine Valley?

Run!

Pei Yan!

Pei Yan!

Pei Yan!

Look at me!

Wake up!

Live on!

Only then can there be a chance!

Fireworks in the rain?

Who's the idiot who did this?

General,

The backup is here.

Where are the other guards?

We released the smoke.

They're all out.

The palace is not like the battlefield.

People are so slack.

The master is incompetent.

How can the subordinates be smart?

Zhao Yan.

Are you still alive?

I'm Song Nanfei.

I leave the others to you.

Okay.

Let's go.

Let's go together.

Fly to the south.

I can't believe I've become

the one you need to take care of.

I've taken care of you plenty of times.

Yes.

Thank you for everything along the way.

How do I thank you?

I'm not good at anything.

But I...

I'm still here.

Master.

Why is you here?

Dad.

Mom.

I'm so sorry.

I knew it.

I knew you were Chaocao.

Get up.

Get up.

Get up.

My dear.

We're finally

reunited.

Chaocao.

Yunchao.

Chaocao.

Yunchao. Chaocao.

Chaocao. Yunchao. Chaocao.

What's going on, Ji Xiao?

Chaocao.

This...

Yunchao.

Chaocao.

Where's Ji Yunchao?

She and Prince Xuan escaped the capital.

The court is looking for them.

Useless.

They're useless.

Why slap me?

What?

Can't you?

You, the court, the world,

everything you see

and don't see,

is under my control.

What's a slap?

If His Majesty knows this,

you will be beheaded.

Beheaded?

Beheaded?

Do you know

I made the rules of beheading?

Do you know

why the world was created?

The Tao gave birth to one,

one gave birth to two,

two gave birth to three,

three gave birth to all things.

The world's ruler is...

me.

How did you know?

I can't foresee the future anymore,

but I know you inside out.

Not just you.

The Emperor,

Qingyang,

Pei Yan,

Ji Yun State.

I know your thoughts.

You don't know, right?

Even Ji Yunchao's

ability to see the future in her dreams

was a gift from me.

You're truly mad.

Yes, I am mad.

Ji Yunchao is gone.

My work is no longer perfect.

I'm so miserable that I'm going mad.

It's okay.

You're ill, you're haunted.

I will find a way to save you.

As long as you are fine,

everything else doesn't matter.

At worst, we can start over.

No.

No.

It's almost over.

We don't need to

interfere anymore.

What do you want?

Can't you say it directly?

If I tell you now,

what's the fun for everyone?

Everyone...

Who?

But I can't see them.

But they

are sitting right there.

Fine.

Then tell me,

which is more important,

our future or their fate?

They...

Ji Yunchao,

no matter where you run,

I will definitely

Get her back.

Aren't we in the Medicine Valley?

Aren't you the divine physician?

That's her old poison,

which is incurable.

I can only use poison to counteract poison.

And Yue has been bleeding her to detoxify.

But that poison

will eventually reach her heart.

Then why didn't you tell me earlier?

It was me.

Zhao.

Yun State?

I stopped him.

Wait for me.

I'll find you a better doctor.

Pei Yan,

I'm the doctor.

This disease

is incurable.

If medicine can't cure it,

there are folk remedies

and witchcraft.

It must be curable.

Am I no different from that tyrant?

I'm a failure.

I can't save

anyone.

Father,

and you.

You've done well.

Stop crying.

You look pale.

I'll find some rouge

for you.

You should always be pretty.

OK.

I'm sleepy.

I'll carry you back to sleep.

I'm just thinking.

About what?

I'm thinking about

the revenge I owe

to Zhou Junlan and Qiu Xian'er.

I fell off the cliff poisoned.

It was Ji Xiao who brought me back

to the Medicinal Master's Mansion.

That poison is incurable.

so he had to use poison to counteract poison.

Every fifteenth day of the month,

I have to endure the pain of burning flesh,

just like the overwhelming hatred in my heart,

making me feel like I'd rather be dead.

Now my time is coming to an end.

The blade they owe me

is now up to you.

You...

You want me to go back?

You've always wanted to go back,

haven't you?

You can't let go of the people.

and I can't let go of hatred.

We are just deceiving ourselves.

Live in pain or die in joy.

What do you choose?

As for me,

there are only two paths before me,

die in pain or die in joy.

I can only choose the latter.

You are different, Pei Yan.

You can live.

I'd rather be in pain

than numb.

No numbness.

I once longed for death,

but fate spared me.

Now I wish to live,

but fate denies me.

So I thought,

it doesn't matter.

One day, the living will avenge me.

But I refuse to accept it.

The sword of vengeance is within reach,

yet I cannot grasp it.

Fate plays cruel tricks.

If there is a god in this world,

he must be toying with me.

But why?

Who is it that is fooling me?

If I can stand up again,

even if I die,

I'll take a piece of her flesh.

Pei Yan,

do whatever

you want to do.

Now I have no money, no power,

no soldiers, no horses.

The court is after me everywhere.

can't be changed by me alone.

I want to be with you till the end,

change my name,

join the West Liang Army,

and rise up in rebellion.

Fight till...

death.

Remember, there's also my strike.

Right.

And

that strike.

My Lady,

Minister Jiang and Lord Zhou are in a meeting.

Should we go to them now?

It's not a good idea.

Is Minister Jiang in there?

Is he done?

My Lady,

he has left.

Why didn't my father

tell me before leaving?

He might be in a hurry.

My Lord,

I think Lord Jiang has a point.

The rebels are at their weakest now.

Why not take advantage

and finish them off?

His Majesty will surely be pleased.

You know nothing.

The court is empty,

and bandits are rampant.

If I wipe them out,

will he still use me?

But if His Majesty appoints Lord Jiang...

How did the Old Marquis die?

I'll decide how he dies.

What if you strip me of my power?

Once Jiang is dead,

who else can take on the heavy responsibility?

But Lord Jiang is highly respected.

It might be hard to frame him.

His daughter is in my hands.

Between the father and daughter,

one of them will die.

Guess who he'll choose.

Father,

Lady,

this isn't a place for you.

I'm looking for Song Nanfei.

I suggest you leave quickly.

Song Nanfei, come out!

Zhao Yan,

do you still remember who

caused your family's ruin?

Aren't you in cahoots with them?

Don't you forget your gratitude.

I did everything I could

to protect your father.

It was just thwarted by villains.

But now,

Prince Xuanying has fled

to the Medicine Capital with Ji Yunchao.

This is your chance for revenge.

If you want revenge,

I can lead the way for you.

The Emperor seeks immortality,

yet he doesn't know where the Medicine Capital is.

How could a mere woman like you?

I know everything.

Why should I trust you?

Song Rujuan's kite has a swallow pattern.

You accidentally poked a hole in it

and then patched it up.

How do you know?

I know.

Just like I know

you're angry.

I know where they fled.

I know how you want revenge.

What do you want me to do?

I never thought

I'd be fed medicine

by you in my life.

Yes.

So you have to get better quickly.

All right.

After I get better,

I'll repay you.

How?

Yun State,

take a good rest.

I'll wash the bowl.

Or Ji Xiao will complain again.

Xian,

why are you here?

You've been away for more than a month.

I miss you.

You miss me?

You miss me?

You are my godmother.

Of course I miss you.

This is the tea

I specially asked someone to bring you.

It's called A Dream in Huangliang.

It is said that the tea brewed with it

tastes very good.

Those who have drunk it

will feel a sense of loss,

as if they have had a big dream.

Have a taste.

Do I have to

drink this tea?

Mom.

My dear, do you still have a headache?

I made you some medicine.

Do you want to drink it?

Bring it here.

Okay.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I'm

watching Sister Qiu.

She has been missing for days.

We are alone in the house.

Isn't it good?

Of course.

Yue,

we can start over.

Okay.

Let me feed you the medicine.

It will be bad if it gets cold.

What's wrong?

Why don't you drink it?

Drink the poison you set?

How do you know?

One wrong step,

and you're lost.

Do you regret it?

What did I do wrong?

I have no regrets.

There's something

I never told you.

You're my biological daughter.

I was a decent girl

until bandits kidnapped me.

To survive,

I had to please them.

So,

and you were born.

Then a merchant saved me.

I fell in love with him,

but I was afraid he would reject me.

So I left you

in the village

and went back to the capital with him.

I became Gu Chaocao's stepmother.

Her mother died in childbirth.

When you met her,

she was only three years old.

She thought you were her mother.

You lived a life of luxury.

until you saw me at the slave market.

You recognized the birthmark on me

and felt guilty,

but you didn't dare to save me.

So you planned

to make Gu Chaocao pity me

and buy me

as her maid.

You know everything.

I'll never forget.

Let me

is to burn the valley

and force Ji Yunchao back to the capital

to walk the path I've prepared for her.

In less than an hour,

this place will be a sea of fire.

I'm giving you such a grand play

as a token of filial piety.

You're smiling.

I'm smiling

because I'm doing well.

All conditioned phenomena

are like illusions, dreams,

bubbles, and shadows.

They should be viewed thus.

It's you.

What do you want?

I want you to taste

the feeling of being separated from your loved one.

What do you mean?

Yunchao.

Dad, Mom,

stay here and wait for me.

I'll go find them.

Master, be careful.

Dad, Mom,

long time no see.

It's you.

It's you, right?

It's me.

Chaocao,

I miss you so much.

I'm gonna kill you.

I'm gonna kill you.

Is this what you want?

Fine.

I wish you

can get what you want.

I'm gonna kill you.

Don't look at me with such a pitiful face.

I want you to hate me.

Crazy.

Crazy.

That's right.

Why didn't you kill me?

It would be boring

to kill you now.

Just for fun?

Guess

if there's any grudge

between us?

Guess again.

It's for Zhou Junlan.

For a man?

You're cornering me for that?

That's the silliest reason I've ever heard.

Then why?

Why?

I don't even have the patience for half an hour.

But for your return,

I waited for seven days.

But you,

lured by the illusory beauty before you,

are willing to end your life here.

How dare you?

Do you still remember what I said

in the Princess's Mansion?

I like to peel off your skin,

pull out your tendons,

and break your bones.

You have to get up again and again.

I can kill you

with just a finger.

But I won't.

I want you to

give me

an unparalleled performance

and a shocking climax.

Come on.

Revenge

on me.

You're crazy.

Yun State.

Pei Yan.

Next time we meet,

don't let me down.

Yun State.

Pei Yan.

Pei Yan.

Pei Yan.

Yun State.

Pei Yan.

Are you okay?

My parents and Master are all inside.

Please save them, Pei Yan.

Yun Dynasty.

Father, mother.

Master.

Life and death

are inseparable.

Are you okay, Master?

I'm fine.

Are you hungry?

Sorry.

Are you thirsty?

Have a drink.

I couldn't save your parents.

All the medicine in the village is gone.

We'll go to the clinic. There's still medicine there.

We'll be in the capital soon.

You'll be cured.

Do you understand?

Forget it.

What do you mean?

I finally saved you.

How can I forget it?

Yun State.

I want to see her.

I know I'm dying.

But that letter...

I haven't sent it yet.

Okay.

Then go and meet him.

He won't come.

He will come.

He won't come.

He will come.

Your Highness, he...

Your Highness, he's coming.

He's coming.

Really?

But...

But he...

But what's wrong with him?

He's Ji Xiao.

What's wrong with him?

Call the imperial physician.

Hurry up.

Your Highness,

they are wanted criminals.

If they are found by the palace...

Just say I suddenly fell ill. Hurry up.

My dear,

Is it beautiful?

Why are you wearing

the wedding dress of 800 years ago?

It's so beautiful.

Am I not beautiful?

Don't you want me anymore?

You asked me to kneel before,

but I refused.

Now I'm kneeling.

I'm kneeling in my most beautiful dress.

You can ask me to do anything.

Murdering your husband, you're confined to your room.

I've done all I can.

Don't you want a child?

Yes.

We want a child.

I don't care if I'm fat or ugly.

As long as you let my father go.

Please.

As the daughter of a minister,

how can you behave like this?

Guards.

Take all the vases, plates,

and hairpins in her room

and put them away.

Watch the door.

Don't let her out.

Yes.

Please.

Please.

Please let my father go.

Zhou Junlan.

Come back.

Don't kill my father.

Please.

How is he?

I'm afraid

he can't hold on for long.

If you can't cure him,

you'll die with him.

Your Highness, even if I die,

I can't save him.

Get out.

Yes.

Ji Yunchao,

you know medicine too, right?

You must have a way to save him, right?

I...

Right? Please.

Sasa,

March.

Ji Xiao, listen to me.

I'm not a maid.

I'm the princess,

the emperor's sister.

I will find a way to cure you.

Why did you tell me now?

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to lie to you.

People like me

because I'm Princess Qingyang.

Only you are different.

I'm so happy

I'll have no regrets.

I'm in so much pain.

Help me.

What do you want me to do?

Help me

to die.

Master,

please.

I'm in so much pain.

Someone,

bring me the Celestial Elixir.

Are you insane?

Are you going to let him die?

I won't allow it!

Yun State.

Pei Yan.

Yun State.

Pei Yan.

Pei Yan, help me.

Calm down.

Help me stop them.

Yun State.

Yun State, help me stop them.

Yun State,

can you bear to see Ji Xiao in such pain?

No, no.

I'd rather he dies quickly

than live in agony.

Master,

you may leave.

No, I don't want it!

Master!

Master!

This bowl

contains a paralyzing poison.

It takes only half an hour to take effect.

After drinking it,

you won't feel so much pain.

I know.

But can you not drink it?

Can you stay with me a little longer?

I'm sorry.

I'm in too much pain.

You feed me.

Okay?

Don't look at me.

You said

you like handsome guys.

You are handsome and dashing,

the handsome guy that everyone loves.

Liar.

I'm ugly now.

Beauty and ugliness in the world

are judged by others with their eyes.

I see with my heart.

In my opinion,

you are a hundred times

and a thousand times

handsomer than all the handsome guys in the world.

Didn't I say that?

I'm of noble status.

If we marry,

you'll be the son-in-law.

Since you're the son-in-law,

what's yours is mine.

I can say

what you've said.

Are you

proposing to me?

Why are you crying?

Shouldn't you be happy

about marrying me?

I'm not crying.

I was so happy that I cried.

I wrote a love poem

for you.

But that day,

the rain was too heavy,

so I had to keep it with me.

Actually,

that rain was my excuse.

I...

I was too shy to show you.

But now you are not shy.

Silly.

Read it to me.

Read it to me, okay?

Read it to me,

okay?

I can't suppress the excitement in my heart.

The whirlwind of love has swept me up.

I want to tell you

that I like you.

My trembling fingertips,

the sweat on my forehead,

and my averted gaze

are all saying that I like you.

Ji Xiao, Ji Xiao,

read it to me, okay?

Please read it to me.

Ji Xiao,

I never thought

Minister Jiang

would dare to rebel under Your Majesty's nose.

Although he was imprisoned,

he was not sentenced to death.

It's easy to kill someone in prison.

Not everyone can turn the tide

like Vice Minister Zhou.

Right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You ignored me when I was in trouble,

but now you come to fawn on me.

Vice Minister Zhou, it's a misunderstanding.

It was all a misunderstanding.

A true man can bend but not break.

Please forgive me in the future.

We will.

Since we're here,

why not

have a drink?

Good idea!

Call Jiang Yue over and pour some wine.

Yes.

Minister Jiang is in trouble.

I didn't expect Vice Minister Zhou

to let his daughter stay in the mansion.

You're so kind and generous.

Yeah, yeah,

kind and generous.

My Lady, come out.

He's entertaining important guests today.

He's asking you to serve wine.

Sorry, My Lady.

Why hasn't she come out yet?

Where is she?

She... She doesn't want to come out.

Yue.

Jiang Yue.

Your father is still alive.

Why are you angry with me?

Jiang Yue.

Stop pretending to be a ghost.

Come out.

I'm wronged.

Jiang Yue, the daughter of Minister Jiang,

committed suicide by hanging herself.

I'm here to clear my name.

Jiang Yue, the daughter of Minister Jiang,

committed suicide by hanging herself.

I'm here to clear my name.

I'm innocent!

Where is Xian?

Where did she go?

Where is Qiu Xian?

Have you found her?

I'm incompetent.

Go find her.

Find her no matter what.

Yes.

Who?

Come out.

Who is it?

Who is it?

Who's waiting to laugh at me?

I know you're watching me.

You've been watching me.

Come out!

Get out!

Lord Zhou.

His Majesty has a question for you.

He ordered us to escort you to the palace.

Your Highness,

please have some food.

Bring me the late emperor's will.

But...

Bring it to me!

Yes.

Everyone knows that when my father passed away,

he left me a last will.

That's why they fear me.

But no one knows what that will says.

In fact,

it's a blank page for me to write on.

Zhou Junlan,

you'll die a miserable death!

Minister Jiang,

misfortune may be

a blessing in disguise.

I'll kill you.

Zhou Junlan,

you killed my daughter.

You'll die a miserable death.

You beast, I'll kill you.

You'll die a miserable death.

I want to go out.

I know you want to avenge.

But the city is in chaos recently.

It's not convenient for you to move around.

I also have something to do.

How can I let you go out alone?

Then you can send someone to accompany me.

You should rest and recover first.

After I deal with the affairs in the city,

I'll capture them alive.

Then you can take revenge on them.

If you do it all,

is it still my revenge?

You've done a great job.

Because of you,

I am who I am today.

I'm just a dying person.

No.

Yun State,

I'll always be with you.

Ji Xiao worked so hard to cure you.

If he hears you're like this,

he'll be furious again.

You heartless Ji Yunchao,

give me back my medicine!

I'm leaving.

Don't go out.

If you need anything,

just let me know.

Okay.

Be careful.

Okay.

Where is Zhang Zhao?

I want to see him.

Why should I tell you?

For this.

What do you want to write?

Grant military power.

Clear the king's side.

Pei Yan, rebel,

do you know your crime?

Punish the evil,

what crime is there?

You deceived the emperor,

committed treason,

colluded with bandits,

and defied the hierarchy.

You must be executed!

Kill her!

Kill her!

Ji Niangzi, what's the matter?

I've been waiting here for seven days.

I want to go out.

Although His Majesty has withdrawn the troops,

but there's a lot of blood outside.

Please wait a moment.

I'll just walk around the yard.

Is that okay?

Where did this cricket come from?

This insect is brave and combative.

The nobles in the capital compete to catch and raise them

to fight for fun.

Maybe it was raised by someone else

and escaped into our yard.

It's about to die.

It's alive, look.

Everything has a spirit.

Why do you have to do this?

The fun of the game is the battle.

If the winner is decided too early,

how can we enjoy it?

It's not fun

to kill you now.

So I want you

to give me

and everyone

an unparalleled performance.

So

It can't die.

Yes.

It can't die.

Once the outcome is certain,

the spectators will disperse,

and there will be no one to support.

No profit to be made.

Only for fun.

Good, that's enough to vent my anger.

I've figured it out.

Qiu Xian'er, come out.

I said I've figured it out.

Did you hear that?

Qiu Xian'er, come out.

Qiu Xian'er.

I'll get you the medicine.

I'll get you another bowl.

Wait.

Open the door.

I'm going out.

Prince Wu'an ordered

not to let you out.

I'll die in front of you now.

Open it.

Indeed.

Indeed.

Prince Wu'an had instructed

that if you insisted on leaving,

you'd be free to go.

But I must accompany you.

Very well.

Go fetch me a fur coat.

The sun

is setting.

The sun is setting.

The 49th day.

It's coming to an end.

Marquis Xuanying,

you've come just in time.

The 99th pill.

Take it,

and my illness will be cured.

Marquis Xuanying,

aren't you happy for me?

Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural.

Why force it?

That's the norm for mortals.

I'm different.

I'm the Son of Heaven.

Long live the Son of Heaven!

I'm only 63 years old.

I can't grow old

with messy hair

and white hair.

The emperor is also a mortal.

He will grow old.

Nonsense.

I'm sick.

The Taoist priest said

there was a demon on me.

He couldn't cure me.

So I killed him.

I'll cure myself.

Take the 99th pill.

I'll be cured.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Your illness

is cured.

Qiu Xian'er,

I've figured it out.

Come out!

Qiu Xian'er,

if I die now,

you won't have anything to gain, right?

Come out!

You've figured it out?

Since the day I got married...

No,

since the day we met as children,

you've been manipulating me.

Back then,

you could've killed me,

but you let me go.

You pushed me to the edge

to see how I'd fight back.

Every time

I won,

it was all because of you, wasn't it?

Yes.

So what?

Why?

You were just seven when we met.

Seven years old?

How can a seven-year-old

be so far-sighted?

What exactly are you?

I am the one who writes.

You and this world

are just stories under my pen.

If you're outside the book,

why are you in here?

I ran out of inspiration

halfway through the book,

so I put down my pen and went to sleep.

That night, as I closed my eyes,

When I opened my eyes,

I was born here,

and became Qiu Xian'er.

We can only predict the first half of the future

because I only wrote half of the story.

The Ruan Rebellion

is where I stopped writing.

After that,

we both knew nothing about the future.

Then why is it me?

Why do you oppose me so fiercely?

Why did you drive away

and kill all my friends and family?

I'm the supporting role,

and you're the leading role.

I'm stupid,

vain,

and shameless

to highlight your intelligence,

tenacity, and elegance.

I took everything from you

so that you'd hate me with all your heart.

Only then

can we join hands

to write this perfect ending.

Pei Yan killed the king and rebelled,

and proclaimed himself the king.

I'd rather die

than surrender.

Jiang Wenji heard about the coup

and rushed to the palace to protect the king,

but was killed.

Hurry, saddle the horse.

Entering the palace now

could be dangerous.

Please think twice.

Go now.

Yes.

Ugly.

I learned to embroider this hair ribbon

while waiting for you.

Do you like it?

I found it.

You rarely talk about your hometown.

I'll tell you

when everything is settled.

Deal.

Deal.

You broke your promise.

Zhou Junlan heard

that Pei Yan has led the rebels to attack cities.

She was devastated.

and hang himself.

And you

will witness Pei Yan's ascension

and his torment of me

to avenge that stab.

Three months later,

you will be crowned the Empress

but die of illness that very night.

All of this

is your destiny.

There are times when people defy fate,

but fate never completely abandons them.

I don't believe in destiny.

My life

is my own to decide.

Reborn, I returned to the capital for revenge.

I saved lives with my medical skills.

I fought for justice for the oppressed.

I faced danger alone without fear.

I'm standing here today

not because of you,

but because I

fought for my own way to survive.

If I can change the past,

why can't I change the future?

You're just a lowly ant,

yet you dare defy fate?

The world is vast,

stretching beyond the horizon.

So what?

Jingwei fills the sea,

and Yu Gong moves mountains.

Even a lowly ant

can shake the heavens.

Do you know

that your ambition

is part of my predetermined ending.

The world is not yet decided.

Nothing is certain yet.

I, the Ji Dynasty,

swear to never be a slave to your script.

I will be the master of my fate.

You're crazy.

I won.

Even if I die,

I will never let you have your way.

No.

No.

I'm so close to a perfect ending.

One point.

Ji Yunchao, you...

How dare you deceive me like this?

Since I set out on my return to the capital,

I've been walking alone.

My friends and family,

with their promising futures,

have all left me behind.

Now, I'm willing to

give up my life as well.

You can't die.

I've poured my heart into you.

I love you so much.

Chaocao.

You can't...

Even if I live another life,

I will never repeat my mistakes.

Even if I can't ascend to heaven,

I can still slay a god.

Good.

That's great.

That strike...

Give it back to me, give it back to you.

Pei Yan.

Pei Yan.

The evil has been dispelled.

We welcome Your Highness to ascend the throne.

Long live the Emperor!

You've heard the story of lotus root box.

But you haven't heard the story of lotus root cake.

Long long ago,

Nezha offended the Dragon King

and committed suicide to atone for his crime.

Taiyi Zhenren found lotus root

to make his flesh.

Before that,

Nezha tore out the dragon tendons of Ao Bing,

the son of Dragon King.

One day,

Nezha and Ao Bing quarreled in the Heaven.

They fought

and became lotus cakes.

From now on,

you don't want to eat lotus cakes, do you?

Good deeds bring good results.

The law of heaven is clear.

Why are you crying?

If

we can let go of hatred early,

[would everything be different?]

[Those who meet will surely part.]

[One wish for each meeting.]

[The wind has risen.]

[Yun Dynasty.]

[Let's go home.]

[The End]

Gu Chaocao!

Ji Yunchao!

It was you, right?

You ruined my perfect ending!

Come out!

Come out!

Dr. Ji,

patient in Bed 6 is in abnormal condition.

Zhou Junlan,

you're not dead.

We're the villains.

Villains deserve to die.

You're not a villain.

You're just a patient.

Calm down. I'm...

I'm the one who created that world.

I...

I know everything.

I can do everything.

I am...

Listen to me.

You were trapped

in the obsession of creating a perfect story.

You sat at the desk and wrote every day,

for three years, five years, seven years.

You became more and more obsessive,

until

you broke down.

Zhao, you're not dead.

No.

You shouldn't be here.

You're going to be the Empress.

How can you live here?

Give her a dose of diazepam.

You shouldn't be here.

It's true.

It's not the story I wrote.

It's true.

You're back again.

Come on, come and revenge me.

Come on.

Come on.

Hold her down.

What are you doing?

Help.

Help.

This cut...

Give it back to me.

Give it back to you.