Original subtitles

Mr. Liang, come on.

Come in.

You're here.

Who is the pianist?

She's our leading musician

of the Miaoyin Palace, Su Jin.

Why is she wearing a veil?

She was born blind.

She is introverted.

So she never shows her face.

The 9th Prince returned from the war.

Prince Nine won the battle and returned to the court.

He is invincible in the battle,

but he can't even control

his own wife.

But Su Fengyu is also

having an affair with her brother.

She's really shameless.

I wonder

what she looks like in bed.

You go back first.

Wait.

What's wrong, Su?

You killed him?

He smeared others' reputation so casually.

He deserved to die.

I'm the most profitable head of the Music Institution.

I know

what I should do.

I just got back,

and your master can't hold his temper.

Stealing military intelligence?

Are you trying to kill me?

Your Highness, I was wrong.

Your Highness

If you know you are wrong,

you should be punished.

There are scorpions from Miaojiang.

They like to eat human flesh.

Put your hands in it.

They will fight to gnaw.

Until your hands become white bones.

Your Highness

Your Highness, please spare my life.

Your Highness, Your Highness

I don't want to doubt my son.

Although his face

is the same as before,

I feel that

he seems to be a different person.

It's normal

to change after three years.

Besides, he has great power now.

There are many people

who want to kill him.

It's understandable

that he is more cautious.

But

no one knows him better

understand your son better.

If you think there's something wrong,

maybe

there really is.

Why don't you place a spy

around Brother Jiu?

I did before,

but they were useless.

Now he's back after a victory,

and the mansion is heavily guarded.

How can an ordinary person get in?

I have a way.

Princess of Chao Yu will choose

musicians for the banquet of Prince Jiu.

If you can be chosen,

you will definitely rise to the top.

Your Highness,

these three are the most famous

musicians in the Twenty-four Quarters.

Take off your clothes.

Shouldn't the competition

be decided by the skill of playing the zither?

Stop talking.

If you don't take it off,

I will cancel your qualification.

This is the dead Princess of the Ninth Prince.

Wait.

What's your name?

Blind girl.

Su Jin.

She looks like her.

Really.

Is she pretending to be blind?

You really can't see?

I've been blind since I was a child.

In the past three years,

mother has chosen countless

noble ladies for him,

but he has rejected them all.

He said

the position of Princess Jiu

is only for Su Fengyu.

If you can catch his eye,

you will become a phoenix.

I am willing to serve Your Highness.

But

can the Prince

really like

a blind girl like me?

Of course.

Because

your face...

Your Highness

Drink.

Your Highness

Tell me,

is she more beautiful

or am I?

Do you need to ask?

You?

You don't deserve to mention her.

One was killed yesterday,

and another one came today.

Your Highness,

you are powerful.

To get close to you,

they really did everything.

It means I have many enemies.

If you are not envied,

you are a mediocre person.

Your Highness,

Princess Chaoyu

invites you to the back garden tomorrow.

She said she prepared a surprise for you.

Chaoyu?

I'm looking forward to

the surprise she will bring me.

Princess...

You bastard!

How dare you have an affair with Princess?

Su Fengyu, the eldest daughter of the Su family,

committed adultery with Prince Jiaqing Xun.

General Su Lie, the father, betrayed the country.

The evidence is conclusive and the crime is unforgivable.

The whole Su family will be executed.

Dad.

I'll go find someone to save you.

Dad.

Dad.

Run!

Yu.

The Ninth Prince Consort.

I am Su Jin, your servant.

The wind in the Ninth Prince's mansion is rather strong.

It's even messed up Su Yue Shi’s hair bun.

Ninth Brother.

This is the top performer of the Twenty-Four Workshops.

Su Yue Shi.

I specifically invited her.

To perform at Ninth Brother's celebration banquet tomorrow.

Are you satisfied, Ninth Brother?

Since my royal sister chose the performer.

I am naturally satisfied.

This is the hairpin.

That Ninth Sister-in-law gave me back then.

It looks just right on Su Yue Shi.

What do you think, Ninth Brother?

Ninth Brother.

Su Yue Shi was born blind.

I hope Ninth Brother can take good care of her.

Today, I won't disturb Su Yue Shi's practice.

Tomorrow at the banquet.

I'll listen to her performance again.

You said you're blind.

Do you know what you look like?

I was born blind.

I've never seen it.

It's just a physical shell.

Life is ever-changing.

I, your servant.

Perceive the world with my heart.

Good.

Then look at me.

What do you perceive?

Inconsistencies.

Inside and out.

Inconsistencies.

What do you mean by that?

Your Highness.

Are you afraid?

Nonsense.

On the battlefield,

Amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood, I wasn’t afraid.

Why would I fear a blind girl like you?

Your Highness, you’re afraid.

Afraid that I’ve discovered.

The sorrow.

And longing in your heart.

The emotions you hide so deeply.

The sound of the zither is enchanting.

You are eloquent and persuasive.

Who exactly are you?

You had Princess Tuochaoyu bring you into the Ninth Prince's residence.

What is your real intention?

This servant,

musician Su Jin,

plays for Your Highness.

To tell the truth,

this servant,

admires Your Highness.

You admire me?

Do you know those who admired me,

didn't last more than seven days in the residence?

They were all carried out.

I am different,

from them.

How are you different?

I can feel,

the sorrow deep in Your Highness's heart.

I,

wish to stay by Your Highness's side.

Stop playing tricks on me.

Otherwise,

I will make you wish to live,

but unable to die.

Three years ago,

my father and elder sister died unjustly.

I must seek justice for them.

Watch out!

This servant, Baishao,

was sent by His Highness to attend to you.

His Highness is naturally suspicious.

So while you're in the residence,

you must be extremely cautious.

Especially,

you must not violate His Highness's taboos.

What are His Highness's taboos?

The Ninth Princess Consort,

Su Fengyu.

His Highness both loves and hates the Ninth Princess Consort,

but refuses to let anyone bring her up.

The Ninth Princess Consort's living quarters,

is also a forbidden area within the residence.

Where is the Ninth Prince Consort's residence?

Where is it?

Over there.

It's just behind the garden.

Miss.

Sorry.

Master Su.

I forgot you couldn't see.

The Ninth Prince Consort's residence.

It's in the northwest of the estate.

Next time, you can just go around from there.

What's wrong?

My bracelet is missing.

Bracelet?

It’s a keepsake my mother left me.

Can you help me look for it?

But I...

Don’t worry.

I’ll stay right here.

I won’t go anywhere.

This item means a lot to me,

really, really important.

So...

I beg you, please help me find it.

Alright,

stay where you are and don’t move.

I’ll go look for it.

Okay?

Three years ago,

my sister, who was pregnant at the time,

was accused of having an affair

and mysteriously died.

The entire Su family was massacred.

I need to uncover the truth behind it all.

Maybe,

I can find some clues in her living quarters.

Who sent you?

Coming to the Ninth Prince Consort's residence,

are you trying to investigate something?

Is anyone there?

This room is locked.

I need to find a way to get the key.

Master Su.

Thank you for saving me, Your Highness.

This is not a place where you should be.

I was just walking in the garden,

and somehow,

I ended up here.

Where is this place?

If I ever catch you,

wandering where you shouldn't be again,

I'd rather kill the wrong person,

than let it slide.

Whether it was intentional or accidental,

I will still,

kill you.

Let me escort you out.

Ah Yu had no sisters,

yet she resembles Ah Yu,

so much.

Who exactly is she?

Your Highness!

Why are you here?

The princess instructed me,

to attend to Your Highness.

I don't need anyone attending to me.

Leave.

I am blind,

there's no need for Your Highness to mind.

Your Highness,

if you want me to serve you,

then I will do it properly.

Your Highness,

you wanted me to serve you, didn't you?

I want to know what Your Highness looks like.

Though I cannot see,

I can feel,

that Your Highness must be very handsome.

Your heart,

is speaking.

Then listen,

to what it has to say.

It says,

even though Your Highness is fierce and cold-hearted,

you are the kindest and gentlest person.

You are,

the most gentle and kind-hearted person in this world.

My mother and Chao Yu really went all out,

to place someone who looks so much like Ah Yu,

by my side.

What a pity,

you're not her.

Get out.

But my clothes are wet.

Then you may bathe inside.

I,

will have someone bring

a set of clean clothes for you.

Your Highness won't look away?

Serving you while you bathe?

Sending me away again?

What exactly are you trying to do?

You may be blind,

but I won't deceive you.

Using the sword's hum to gain Su Jin's trust,

making her think

that I have already left.

It turns out the key to Sister's room was indeed on him.

The Ninth Prince has always been unruly,

but he commands troops like a deity.

In three years, he captured fifty states of Guanshan.

Truly a glorious feat.

I wonder which family will have such good fortune

to marry off their daughter as the Ninth Prince's consort.

She happens to be the queen's own niece

and the Ninth Prince's cousin.

If it wasn't for her young age back then,

Su Fengyu wouldn't have had a chance.

Now that the Ninth Prince is covered in military glories,

she must be determined to win him over.

This is the Ninth Princess Consort's favorite piece,

‘Feng Qingyin.’

Su... Su Fengyu.

Servant Su Jin

shall take my leave first.

Brother Linfeng!

Brother Linfeng!

Ah-Zhi, you're here!

Brother Linfeng,

this is a birthday gift I personally sewed for you.

Father said,

a true gentleman should be

as noble as an orchid.

Ah-Zhi, my sweet sister,

I promise I’ll wear it forever.

Servant Su Jin

is unable to see.

I accidentally fell.

Thank you, noble master, for saving me.

Su Jin...

Her face is exactly like Ah-Zhi’s.

Could it be...

Such fine fruit,

yet it was used to harm others?

Is this the handiwork of

the noble ladies of Tian Sheng Kingdom?

Then may I ask, Young Master Gongsun,

what methods does Yu Zhao Kingdom employ?

The measures of defeat and marriage alliances, perhaps?

Pardon my thoughtless words.

Ninth Prince, please don’t take it to heart.

This has harmed the friendship between our two nations.

I, Su Jin, humbly take my leave.

Farewell.

Can Su Yue Master still walk?

You wretch!

How dare you compete with me for Ah Liu!

Your Highness, are you staying here?

Are you that impatient?

The young lady from earlier, Qin...

She was selected by the Queen herself.

She's the newly chosen royal consort.

Your Highness,

why did you show her

so much care right in front of me?

Then take a guess,

why would I do that?

Your Highness,

are you feeling something?

Don't flatter yourself.

Then why, Your Highness,

don't you allow other men to protect me?

Admit it, Your Highness, you like me.

Your acting is so convincing.

Careful!

You might get burned playing with fire.

I have guests to entertain today.

I'm not in the mood.

Foolish Ah Zhi,

I swear I'll help you

live honorably and openly.

Sister,

this is for my future little niece.

I carved it myself.

Alright.

I'll tell her,

she has an aunt who loves her the most.

Sister,

I promise to find the evidence for you.

I will avenge you.

This wooden box.

Sister,

I found a skilled craftsman

to make this wooden box.

Once it's locked,

you'll need to use my jade pendant

and your jade pendant,

placing them together in this slot.

Only then can it be opened again.

Sister,

if you ever feel wronged,

just secretly write a letter

and place it in this wooden box to let me know.

I'll stand up for you.

Alright.

Then I must thank my dear Zhi in advance.

Sister must have left me

a message in this wooden box.

Where could Sister's jade pendant be?

I can't.

I must wait until nightfall,

sneak into His Highness's quarters,

and look around again.

to find it.

Su Yueshi,

Why have you trespassed into my chamber?

Last time,

I failed to serve Your Highness well.

I hope Your Highness

can give me another chance.

And how,

do you intend to serve me?

Su Lueshi,

Su Lueshi,

His Highness said that you worked hard last night,

so he specifically asked me

to bring you some tonic soup.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Su Lueshi spent the whole night in His Highness's room.

Did His Highness truly favor her?

Who knows?

Su Lueshi,

Be careful, it's hot.

Baishao,

You may leave now.

Yes,

I take my leave.

Your Highness,

I will prepare a bath for you.

I do not need a bath right now.

Then what does Your Highness wish to do?

The night is long,

I don't wish to waste such a moment of beauty.

Do you know of any way

to entertain and delight me?

I,

only know how to play the qin.

Then play it.

Did I tell you to stop?

Keep going.

Su Lueshi, your qin skills are indeed exceptional.

Last night, I fell asleep,

accompanied by your qin's melody.

I slept deeply and sweetly.

To play for Your Highness

is my honor.

I would be willing to play for Your Highness every night.

No need.

I have important matters to attend to today.

I won't return to the manor until the hour of Hai (9-11pm).

Then, I'll take my leave.

Wait a moment.

Duanchang Powder is a highly potent poison.

After ingesting it,

if the antidote is not taken within half an hour,

death is certain.

Su Leshi, are you refusing to drink?

Must I personally feed it to you?

If I don't drink it,

he will definitely know I'm not blind.

What should I do?

The pain is unbearable.

It's the Duanchang Powder taking effect.

Could it be...

the antidote is indeed in this bowl of soup?

If I doubt him and refuse to drink,

he might truly kill me with poison.

It seems that my actions over the past two days

have still aroused his suspicions.

I need a plan

to make him completely believe in me,

so I can stay in this residence

and investigate the cause of my sister's death,

avenging the Su family.

The head of the Gongsun family has arrived.

I've heard he is elegant and charming,

the most handsome man in Yuzhao Kingdom.

Gongsun Sheng.

Brother Linfeng!

Baishao.

Help me out of here.

Understood.

Our monarch is willing to bow before the Kingdom of Tiansheng,

and hopes to marry a noble, virtuous,

and graceful princess as his queen.

to cement the alliance.

It is said that your kingdom

wishes for Princess Chaoyu to marry in alliance.

A fleeting glimpse at yesterday's banquet,

and Princess Chaoyu's beauty is indeed unparalleled.

Mother once said,

if she were a man,

she would achieve great things.

But as a woman,

with an uncaring father and a deceased mother,

even as a diplomatic bride,

she is merely a pawn,

her fate and life out of her own control.

The two nations are on friendly terms.

But must marriage alliances be the only way to solidify relations?

What do you mean, Your Highness?

I was merely speaking offhand.

Ninth Brother, in the past,

weren't you the most supportive of marriage alliances?

Why would you say something like that now?

I once heard two lines of poetry:

'When autumn comes, on the ninth of September,

my flowers bloom, overshadowing all others.'

'With wine in hand beside the eastern fence at dusk...'

Ah Zhi,

so it really is you.

I think

the resilient chrysanthemums that bloom in frost

must be extraordinarily beautiful.

These two people...

Your Highness, watch out!

Your Highness!

Retreat!

Your Highness!

Su Jin!

Your Highness!

The physician said Su Lushi's injuries look severe,

but fortunately, they didn't affect her vital organs.

The wounds have now been treated.

Look at this medicine...

Should we let Bai Shao...

Your Highness,

these were found on those

two men in black.

Is it possible that our investigation into

the Qin family and the queen

has been exposed?

The queen has always been difficult to deal with,

and Chancellor Qin is a seasoned schemer.

Continue the investigation.

Yes, Your Highness.

Brother Linfeng is truly impressive.

Helping me stage a scene

while framing the queen all at once.

The queen is the birth mother of the Ninth Prince.

But judging by appearances,

it seems their relationship isn't very good.

Let me apply the medicine for you.

Now you know it hurts, don't you?

Just now,

why did you shield me?

If I hadn't done this,

how would you believe me?

Hold on.

Don't bite yourself.

I was supposed to return to the Miaoyin Pavilion to get something.

But just as I reached the entrance,

I heard Master Li's voice.

I,

smelled the scent on Your Highness.

I was worried that Your Highness might be in danger,

so I couldn't care about anything else.

By the way, Your Highness,

you're not hurt, are you?

Your Highness…

I'm fine.

But you,

not knowing martial arts,

from now on,

don't act so recklessly again.

Your Highness…

Your Highness…

Your Highness…

The phoenix flowers,

all filled with a chilling cold.

It's the Yushenghan poison.

During the fight earlier,

I caught a faint scent on the arrow's feathers.

It must be from the poison.

Thinking about it,

he must've been poisoned at that moment.

Who told you to act on your own accord?

Using Yushenghan poison on Jian Shiliu?

Please forgive me, my lord!

I just thought that

if Su Leshi wanted to gain Jian Shiliu's trust,

not only would saving his life be essential,

but there would also need to be physical contact.

The Yushenghan poison,

though it appears like a cold-related ailment,

is, in fact, an extraordinary aphrodisiac.

Even if left untreated, it won’t harm the body.

And the antidote is very simple—

it merely requires physical—

Shut your mouth!

Your Highness.

Su Leshi,

truly deserving of your role as the head of the Twenty-Four Boudoirs.

Your brothel-trained tricks,

all used on me, haven’t they?

Your Highness, your cold ailment flared up yesterday.

I had no choice

but to use my own body.

I've never had any cold ailments!

If you’re not leaving,

does that mean you’re still not satisfied?

Then I’ll fulfill your wish.

Though I belong to the entertainer's registry,

I am not lowly.

Your wound—

It’s nothing.

Not worth your concern, Your Highness.

Su Leshi,

why are you—

Call Shiyao over.

Yes,

Your Highness indeed shows

traces of a cold ailment outbreak.

Someone has used their body

to warm Your Highness and alleviate the cold ailment.

Your Highness seems particularly drowsy today.

How about resting a bit longer?

Perhaps it’s due to the fragrance.

Take this fragrance away.

Your Highness,

there hasn’t been any incense burned today.

Come here.

Smell me.

Smell the scent on me.

Your Highness has a faint fragrance on your body.

It seems to be,

Màn Zhǐ Luó,

Tú Zhī Flower,

and also,

Phoenix Flower.

I’ve heard that in the past few days, you’ve been in such pain that you cannot sleep.

This is what my father used when he was injured,

to help him fall asleep quickly.

I used Màn Zhǐ Luó,

Tú Zhī Flower, and Phoenix Flower,

to create a secret fragrance powder.

It’s called 'Yù Shēng Hán' (Jade Birth Chill).

Although it causes symptoms of cold ailment during use,

it allows the user to quickly fall asleep,

as if in a deep slumber,

and has little impact on the body.

'Yù Shēng Hán.'

Go investigate this for me.

Su Jin,

blind in both eyes,

orphaned early,

and taken into the music house.

Su Jin’s background

doesn’t appear to have any issues.

But her resemblance to Ah Yu is uncanny,

and then there’s that secret fragrance powder.

Three years ago,

the entirety of the Su family was executed.

During the corpse count,

over a hundred members of the Su family,

none were missing.

Su Jin.

The Su family.

What exactly is their relationship?

How about this:

Your Highness could find a reason

to expel Su the musician from the residence.

She was sent here by Chao Yu.

And behind him is naturally the Queen.

If you drive her out,

others will still be sent here.

Instead of being caught off guard,

it's better to know your enemy well.

Will you do something for me?

Have you heard?

Last night,

someone broke into the Su family estate

and dug up the Su family's graves!

Which Su family?

The family of the Ninth Prince Consort.

The Ninth Prince is deeply devoted to his consort.

With something like this happening,

would he just stand by?

The Ninth Prince is out of the city for business.

He'll only return tomorrow.

With weather like this, it looks like it's going to rain.

By the time the Ninth Prince returns,

the Su family's remains

might be washed away by the rain.

Miss,

are you alright?

It's nothing.

The wound just hurts a bit.

In the music halls,

they're often brightly lit.

The merriment lasts all night,

making it hard for one to sleep.

That's why at night,

the courtesans without guests

use silk veils to block the light and sleep.

But Su Jin, being blind,

why would she have a silk veil?

Her walking stride and posture

are just like Bai Shao's.

It must be Bai Shao.

Your Highness,

I'm outside Su the musician’s door.

We have been observing for a while.

Su Leshi hasn't shown any response.

Only Baishao came out of the room.

I've left someone to continue monitoring.

Did Baishao leave the residence?

I specifically asked the gatekeeper.

Baishao did leave the residence.

She said she was going to buy zither strings for Su Leshi.

Which direction did she go?

Indeed, she headed towards Sizhu Zhai in the city.

What time did she leave?

Around...

The second quarter of the Shen hour.

On the 1st and 15th of each month,

Sizhu Zhai

closes early for inventory at the third quarter of the Shen hour.

closes early for inventory.

Today happens to be the 1st.

Baishao doesn’t know any martial arts.

At her walking speed,

could she reach the city

in just a quarter of an hour?

Your Highness,

could it be that Baishao

is actually Su Leshi in disguise?

There's no sign of the grave being disturbed.

This is bad.

We fell into a trap.

There's actually no one here.

When you were little, your father locked you in your room,

and you wanted to go out and play.

You had me get this for you.

Fortunately, it's still here.

Has anyone come out?

The guards are stationed at every gate.

Absolutely no one has come in or out.

The only place nearby suitable for hiding

is this spot.

Are you alright?

Azhi,

I'm fine, Brother Linfeng.

A cup of hot tea will do for me.

What do you mean by this, Ninth Prince?

Please behave yourself, Ninth Prince.

Young Master, would you like to join in?

Even if she is a courtesan,

Your Highness Ninth Prince shouldn't treat her so disrespectfully.

Apologies.

Master Gongsun.

If Your Highness Ninth Prince has seen enough,

please leave now.

Thank you, miss.

It’s nothing.

You’ve endured a lot, Ah Zhi.

Thank you, Brother Lin Feng.

Otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome.

Also, about yesterday,

thank you for helping me perform that staged 'hero saves the beauty' scene.

At first, when you claimed to be the blind musician Su Jin,

I was still unsure if you were really Ah Zhi.

But yesterday at the Ninth Prince's residence,

you used the wordplay game we used to play,

exchanging messages through poetry.

Killing Nine, at dusk afterward.

That’s when I was certain you were Ah Zhi.

However,

your injury hasn't fully healed.

How did you manage to sneak out?

It was the Ninth Prince who deliberately spread false information to trap me.

Brother Lin Feng,

how did you become the head of the Gongsun family?

That day when I went to buy Yu Tuan for you,

on the road,

I was hit by the Gongsun family's carriage.

I was unconscious for an entire night.

When I awoke, I was informed of my new identity.

I intended to return home to tell you,

but I heard that overnight,

the Su family had been...

and I thought you had died as well.

You disguised yourself as the blind musician Su Jin

and entered the Ninth Prince’s residence

to investigate Ah Yu’s death.

Yes.

I don’t believe my elder sister would have an affair.

She must have been framed.

The Ninth Prince is scheming and calculating.

Staying by his side is far too dangerous for you.

As for revenge,

I'll figure out a way.

No,

I must personally avenge my sister and father.

If Master Su Le has indeed gone to the Su residence,

he is most likely not in the room.

Miss Su,

although,

I also really enjoy playing the guqin.

But

I'm not cut out for this

You'd better not waste your time on me

It's not worth it

I'm just a servant meant to serve others

You just played wonderfully

As women,

In the eyes of others

No one to rely on.

Lowly status.

But we must not belittle ourselves.

We need to find the place where we can shine.

Your Highness.

Baishao.

Weren't you heading to Sizhu Studio?

Today, I got halfway there.

I just remembered today is the first day of the lunar month.

The Sizhu Studio closed early.

So,

I came back.

Your hairstyle hasn't changed.

How's your wound?

Is it better?

This humble servant's life is worthless.

I won't die.

Your Highness,

Master Gongsun has arrived,

he's waiting for you in the front yard.

You should rest early.

Miss Su, please have a seat.

That was close.

If His Highness had found out,

the surprise you prepared for him

would have been ruined.

My identity...

The Ninth Prince is already suspicious.

How can I return to the Ninth Prince's residence

without anyone noticing?

Leave it to me.

I received a letter from the ruler of Yuzhao Kingdom.

Urging the matter of marriage alliance.

Where is the Ninth Prince?

I need to discuss this with him properly.

Found her.

The Ninth Prince’s Consort.

Today is the first day of the month.

I’ve come to see you again.

Back then.

I accidentally broke the Ninth Prince’s.

favorite tea cup.

It was you who saved me.

But.

I have no other choice now.

And here we are today.

I can only secretly burn some paper offerings for you.

Even at great risk, I’ll burn paper for Big Sister.

It seems she had a very close relationship with Big Sister.

Not a normal one.

I shall find an opportunity.

To test her.

This is Big Sister’s handwriting.

I’ve been married to A Liu for two years but am still without a child.

There are many rumors in the household.

The Queen has repeatedly reminded me.

To allow Qin Ruyu to enter the residence as a concubine.

Yet A Liu’s feelings for me remain unchanged.

This causes me great anxiety.

I secretly sought help from a renowned gynecologist.

He told me I have been unknowingly taking contraceptives.

After that, every time I drank medicine.

I would secretly pour it out.

In just a month.

I indeed became pregnant.

I couldn’t wait.

To share this good news with A Liu.

At the same time.

I wanted to tell him about Ah Zhi’s situation.

And ask for his help to give Ah Zhi.

A legitimate identity.

Weren’t you monitoring.

The Ninth Prince’s Consort to see if she was taking contraceptives every day?

How could she be pregnant?

How is this possible?

Your Highness,

Perhaps,

afraid that the Ninth Prince's Consort might find out,

the dose of the contraceptive medicine used was lighter.

This allowed the Ninth Prince's Consort to become pregnant by chance.

Forget it.

Since she is already pregnant,

let her keep it.

If Su Lie finds out she's pregnant,

he will likely be even more loyal to me.

I never imagined,

that he already knew about my pregnancy.

Much less did I expect,

that the one who gave me contraceptive medicine,

was the husband I shared such deep affection with.

Suddenly, I feel

that everything was nothing but a conspiracy.

The only thing I’m thankful for,

is that he doesn’t know about A-Zhi's existence.

Su Lushi,

haven’t you gone to bed yet?

Su Lushi,

you’ve come at just the right time.

I'll pretend to be my sister

to test her out.

Su Lushi, why are you lying on the table?

Your wound hasn’t healed yet.

Don’t catch a cold.

Su Lushi,

the joss paper you burned for me,

I’ve received all of it.

I came back specially to see you.

Joss paper?

You,

Bai Shao?

Back then,

when you broke A-Liu's teacup,

I was the one who saved you.

In this world,

you are the only one who still remembers me.

The matter of the teacup,

only I and the Ninth Prince's Consort know about.

Could it be a case of spirit possession?

Bai Shao,

my death was so unjust.

I did not commit adultery.

Someone is trying to hurt me.

Can you tell me,

who is behind this?

I don't know.

I really don't know.

Baishao.

I know.

Aliu had you watching me take birth control pills every day.

I don't blame you.

I just want to know who has harmed me.

So I can rest in peace.

For the sake of the kindness I've shown you before,

please tell me, won't you?

How did she learn about the birth control pills?

How does she know?

Baishao.

It was the Ninth Prince.

Impossible.

The Ninth Prince?

A Liu,

do you have any evidence?

Your Highness, the Ninth Princess Consort,

this servant only knows that

back then, the Ninth Prince

exchanged the wine with warm passion for yours and the Third Prince's.

I wanted to tell you,

but when I arrived,

the Ninth Prince had already caught you and the Third Prince

in a compromising position.

This servant has told you everything

I know.

I beg you,

please spare me.

Thank you for telling me.

I no longer have any regrets.

Your Highness, the Ninth Princess Consort.

Your Highness, the Ninth Princess Consort.

Your Highness, the Ninth Princess Consort.

Your Highness, the Ninth Princess Consort.

Your Highness, the Ninth Princess Consort.

Baishao.

Su Leshi.

Baishao.

Why are you here?

This servant,

just happened to pass by Su Leshi's door,

so I came to check on you.

It's nothing.

You may leave now.

Yes.

Then this servant will take my leave.

The Ninth Prince framed my sister for infidelity,

causing her death.

I will make him

pay with his life!

Although I belong to the music and dance troupe,

it does not mean I am lowly.

As women,

in the eyes of others,

we seem to have no one to rely on,

and our status appears low.

But we should never belittle ourselves.

We must find our own value and shine.

Su Jin risked her life and reputation to save me,

yet I kept doubting her.

Have I been too heartless towards her?

Liluo,

do you know,

what do women like?

How would I know such things?

You could ask me to kill someone, sure,

but to make someone happy?

If I had to guess,

what women like most,

is

the companionship of someone they care about.

Companionship?

Your Highness,

Your Highness,

what brings you to me so late at night?

To have tea.

I'll go get some ointment for the burn.

No need, Your Highness.

It's nothing serious.

Just blow on it gently for me.

I'll be gentle.

Your Highness.

This,

is this your jade pendant?

Thank you, Jin'er.

This jade pendant is very important to me.

If it were lost,

I’d regret it for the rest of my life.

If I didn’t know the truth,

I might have been fooled by this appearance of yours,

pretending to be so deeply in love with Ayu.

Your Highness,

Master Gongsun has arrived.

Jin'er,

I'll be back soon.

Let me get the ointment for the burn.

Greetings, Your Highness.

I noticed it looks like it's going to rain outside.

So I came in to take shelter.

Didn't expect to encounter Your Highness here.

It's alright.

I came here looking for Ninth Brother.

Ninth Brother isn't home right now.

So I thought I'd wait here for a while.

Unexpectedly, I fell asleep.

Young Master Gongsun.

Are you here to see Ninth Brother as well?

Is it about discussing the alliance marriage?

That's right.

Young Master Gongsun.

There's no need to look at me with such pity.

I am not the only princess of age in Tian Sheng Kingdom.

There are others besides me.

Since you're here to take shelter from the rain,

I will go and find Ninth Brother.

Wait.

The storm is approaching.

Your Highness, you're of noble stature.

Be careful not to catch a cold in the rain.

Young Master Gongsun, so charming and gallant,

always protective of delicate beauties.

Could it be that

you're not afraid of entangling yourself in romantic debts?

I humbly await your presence.

Jin'er!

Your Highness.

I seem to have strained my wound earlier.

It hurts a little.

I brought some ointment.

Let me apply it for you.

The scented ball Lin Feng gave me.

Its effects are starting to kick in.

What is happening to me today?

Why can't I control myself?

Your Highness.

You don't like the surprise I prepared for you?

Jin'er.

Are you trying to kill me?

So, you were pretending to be blind all along.

That technique you just used,

it was Su Lie's signature move.

You must be from the Su family.

Since you already know,

tonight,

you won't leave here alive.

The one who caused Su Fengyu's death was Jian Shiliu,

not me.

Nonsense!

You are Jian Shiliu!

How do you know that move?

Throw them into a hopeless situation and they'll fight to survive.

Push them to the brink of death and they'll struggle to live.

This move...

was taught to me by Ayu.

If you're not Jian Shiliu,

then who are you?

You clearly have Jian Shiliu's face.

I am the ruler of the Tiancheng Kingdom,

the son of Princess Qingxu of the Yuzhao Kingdom.

I am the third prince of Tiancheng Kingdom—

Jian Qingxun.

My mother was a tool

used for a political marriage by Yuzhao Kingdom.

She was beautiful and skilled in music,

once cherished by the ruler.

Thirteen years ago,

Yuzhao Kingdom suffered a crushing defeat.

Stop!

My mother lost all support,

and as her youth faded,

she was gradually forgotten by the ruler.

Come here!

She was tormented to death by the queen.

I was also locked away by the queen's son, Jian Shiliu,

in the Ninth Prince’s residence.

Kneel!

I was humiliated and abused.

Kneel!

Then I'll steam you a fresh basket and feed it to you.

Feed you.

This is the choice you made yourself.

I can't stand people like you...

acting so high and mighty.

The more pride you show,

the more I want to break that pride of yours.

You wretched spawn.

Kneel!

Staring at me?

Your Highness.

Your Highness,

the carriage to return to the Su residence is ready.

Only Ayu showed me kindness.

She often helped me in secret.

I couldn’t bear the humiliation.

I secretly hid a thin blade.

Ready to seize an opportunity to resist.

Axun, let's eat.

Have you ever thought about it,

if Ayu finds out you’ve hidden a weapon,

what fate would await you?

It’s nothing but death.

In my current state,

how is it any different from being dead?

Ayu is my husband.

I know he’s wronged you.

But,

I cannot help you go against him.

Perhaps I can teach you a move,

something that can save your life

in times of danger.

Stab me.

It was Ayu who discovered me.

She then taught me this move.

To face death and be reborn.

Ayu's secret care for me

was discovered by Jian Shiliu.

Jian Shiliu ordered people to replace the wine he sent me

with a wine laced with warm passion.

Wretch,

how dare you have an affair with the Ninth Prince’s consort?

Ayu.

I didn’t.

There’s something wrong with the wine.

Ayu.

Someone is framing me.

Believe me.

I didn’t.

Of course I believe you, Ayu.

Because that wine,

I was the one who had it replaced.

Why?

Why?

After tonight,

the Su family’s military power

will fall into my hands.

Why do I still have to pretend to be a loving couple with you?

Why do I still have to pretend to be a loving couple with you?

Our Su family,

has been loyal for generations.

How could you...

Considering you've been with me for several years,

I'll spare your life.

From now on,

just stay in the mansion as a plaything.

just stay in the mansion as a plaything.

To survive,

I sought out the Imperial Physician Yuzhao,

an old acquaintance of my mother.

Shi Yao,

and asked him to help me swap faces with Jian Shiliu.

Jian Qingxun,

perished in the flames.

Let's begin.

And I,

became Jian Shiliu.

Face swapping,

how absurd!

I've already shared

my biggest secret with you.

Now, don't you think you should tell me,

who are you?

I am Su Fengyu's twin sister,

Su Fengzhi.

Twins?

Back then, the Queen dreamed of green robes with yellow lining,

signifying the birth of twin girls,

and the omen of phoenixes swapping nests,

nobility and commonality reversed.

At the time, our mother had just given birth to my elder sister and me.

To protect us,

Father declared to the outside world

that Mother only gave birth to my elder sister.

I was hidden away in the shadows.

From then on,

my sister became my eyes,

telling me everything

that happened beyond the boudoir.

No wonder,

your appearance

is so similar to Ah Yu's.

My elder sister treated me very well.

She always wanted to give me a new identity.

So I could live like an ordinary person.

But in the end,

We were still separated by life and death.

Back then,

Ah Yu committed adultery.

The Su family colluded with the enemy.

I know all of this

was orchestrated by the Queen and Jian Shiliu

to seize the Su family's military power.

They deliberately framed us,

but I couldn't find any evidence.

I could only

secretly poison the Queen's food,

but she was lucky enough to survive.

Her life was spared.

I was rescued and brought back.

And yet, she still doubted me.

To get away from her

and to avenge my mother,

I led troops to the battlefield to fight the enemy.

When I returned,

I met you.

Princess Chaoyu.

I grew up by the Queen's side.

She had me stay at the Ninth Prince's residence.

It is because the Queen suspected you.

She sent me to test you.

Yes.

The Queen is our common enemy.

So,

are you willing to join forces with me?

Baishao works for the Queen.

Your Ninth Prince's residence

is really like a sieve.

Actually, Baishao's intentions are not bad.

With her around,

at least no other spies can be planted.

Ah Zhi,

so,

do you want to join forces with me?

By the way,

the Queen has been building her influence for years.

Her foundation runs deep.

And she has the support of the Qin family.

Even if the two of us join forces,

it will take time and careful planning.

Moreover,

I have heard that

Qin Xiangguo's faction

has petitioned to strip you of your military power.

The Queen has long been suspicious of my identity.

She wants to bring all military power

under the Qin family

and hand it over to her youngest son.

Since you're saying this,

does it mean you already have a plan?

I know

Qin Xiangguo's weakness.

What kind of nonsense are you playing?

Where is your troupe leader, Su Jin?

Bring her here.

Please, Young Master Qin, don't be angry.

Recently, Su Jin

was invited away by a noble.

She is not at Myoyin Pavilion.

A noble?

What kind of noble?

Could they be more noble than the Qin family?

Get out!

Yes, sir!

What a nice fragrance.

Qin Tianbao is naturally lustful.

With the aid of this allure fragrance,

how could he not be overcome with desire?

Who are you?

I am Su Jin, Your Humble Servant.

I've long heard

that the blind musician Su Jin is a beauty.

Indeed, the rumors don't lie.

Why not follow me, my lady?

From now on, you'll enjoy endless riches and glory.

Beauty, oh beauty,

don't go!

Where are you rushing off to?

Young Master Qin, please don't act like this.

I advise you to save your energy.

In this Miaoyin Pavilion,

who doesn't know me?

Are you looking for death?

N-Ninth Highness!

She's my woman,

and you dare touch her?

Last night, Ninth Brother stayed in Su Jin's room,

and today,

he's ready to kill

the Prime Minister Qin's only son for her.

This musician Su truly possesses some talent.

In just a few days,

she's bewitched Ninth Brother completely.

This matter

must be reported in full

to Mother Empress.

Understood.

Ninth Brother,

don't let me down.

Father,

Your Highness,

my son acted recklessly and foolishly,

offending you.

I beg of you to spare his life.

Su Jin is my woman,

and therefore part of the royal family.

Qin Tianbao harassed Su Jin,

which means he disrespected royal authority.

That is a crime akin to treason.

Your Highness,

Tianbao is my only son,

and also your cousin.

We are family,

and blood ties run deep despite the break.

When Uncle asked Father to

take back my military power,

did he ever consider that we are family?

Father, save me!

I will

advocate to the king

that the Ninth Prince continues to hold military power.

Uncle, write it down now.

Ah Zhi,

don't get too caught up in the role.

We won.

Spare some money for me, please.

Have mercy, spare some money for me.

No, I don't have any. Move along.

Please give me some money.

Kind one, my mother has passed away.

My stepmother abuses me every day.

And my father doesn’t care about me.

Please, have mercy and spare some money.

Kind one, please forgive me!

Get lost.

Princess,

are you alright?

Thank you, Young Master Gongsun.

I just wanted to help Your Highness

remove the petal from your hair.

Apologies.

I was just too nervous.

Jumpy and wary of everything.

Your Highness could have easily

overpowered him.

Why didn’t you take action?

Perhaps

it was a sense of shared sorrow.

It seems Your Highness

still has lingering worries.

Young Master Gongsun,

are you particularly fond of

playing the understanding friend to women?

Unfortunately,

I've only met Young Master Gongsun thrice.

We are not close enough

to talk about personal feelings.

My apologies for the presumption.

I simply don’t wish to see

a beauty frown.

Since I no longer need it,

let me gift it to you, Young Master Gongsun.

Your Highness, this sleeve arrow is so intricate,

it must have been custom-made by a skilled craftsman.

Yet you're giving it to me just like that?

Young Master Gongsun, you've come from afar,

so you might not have heard

an old poem from Tian Sheng:

“You offer me a humble gift of wood-fruit,

I return you a precious jade in gratitude.”

It is not about the return itself,

but about fostering everlasting goodwill.

That day, Young Master Gongsun

gifted me an oiled paper umbrella.

And today,

I present this item

to you in return, Young Master.

Your Highness seems unhappy.

I feel a bit regretful.

Regretful about what?

Your Highness,

could it be that you've developed feelings for your ally?

This is your punishment,

for trying to outsmart Minister Qin.

At least you were not put in grave danger.

We used the Enchantment Fragrance

to set up Qin Tianbao and Minister Qin,

and reclaimed your military power.

Now,

someone can't seem to hold back any longer.

Your Highness,

Your Highness—

someone is coming.

Your Highness,

The Queen has sent her head caretaker,

Madam Qin,

to visit Your Highness.

I have been preoccupied with official duties recently

and haven't been able to greet the Queen Mother.

I didn't expect the Queen Mother to actually send the caretaker

to personally check on me.

I feel quite uneasy about this.

Oh, listen to what you're saying, Your Highness.

You’ve been waging war for three years outside the palace,

seems like you've grown distant from the Queen and this servant.

If I may take the liberty,

Your Highness,

was still nursed by this servant, you know.

I remember,

Your Highness used to love wearing jade belts.

But now,

you don’t wear them anymore?

This jade,

is the hardest substance in the world.

Bones

are the hardest part of the human body.

So tell me,

which one is harder?

In the battlefield,

wearing a jade belt is inconvenient.

I’ve gotten used to not wearing it.

Miss Su is still not here.

It's one thing to disregard this old servant,

but does she even dare to disregard the Queen?

Mammy,

I think you misunderstood Jin'er.

Knowing you were coming,

she specifically went to the kitchen,

to make the Queen's favorite Crab Roe Pastry herself.

In just a while,

you can take it back to the Queen.

Oh, my stomach hurts.

I need to step out.

Miss Su,

your cooking skills are truly impressive.

What you've made,

looks even better than what the palace chefs prepare.

Let's go then.

Let's go.

Come on!

A mere musician,

daring to scheme against the Prime Minister's son.

You need to learn a lesson!

Baishao,

I'm here, I'm here.

Mammy Qin,

you stepped on all the Crab Roe Pastries

that Miss Su made!

These were meant to be presented to the Queen!

You're the ones who weren't watching where you were going

and bumped into me!

You...

My back still hurts because of it.

You...

You...

I wasn't going to look for trouble with you,

but here you show up yourself.

Miss Su,

what are we going to do now?

Baishao,

help me prepare something.

Mammy, is your stomach

feeling any better?

Much better now.

So, you are Su Jin.

I heard you made Crab Roe Pastries for the Queen.

Hurry, bring them out!

I just want to have something to report back.

What is this?

How dare you deceive Her Majesty the Queen!

I had actually prepared crab roe puffs.

But just now in the garden,

out of nowhere,

a mad dog suddenly rushed out

and knocked over my food box.

Who are you calling a mad dog?

Time was running out.

I didn't have time to prepare something new,

so I brought this Snow Mountain spring water instead.

This bowl of spring water is extremely rare,

and it also enhances beauty,

prolonging youth and increasing longevity.

I hope that Her Majesty the Queen

remains eternally youthful and blessed with health and happiness.

This is clearly

water from the courtyard well.

Miss Su, you really dare to make up stories.

Looking at you, your appearance is quite fine,

and you seem somewhat familiar.

You actually look quite similar to

the Ninth Prince's consort.

A woman's virtue is the most important quality.

Don't be like the Ninth Prince's consort,

who is unfaithful and gets involved with multiple men.

It caused the Prince to attract trouble.

I remember you only arrived at the Ninth Prince's estate

not long ago,

and you already caused the Prince

to fall out with Lord Qin.

Those who play instruments and sing,

are truly no good.

No wonder Her Majesty the Queen

is eager to select a consort for the Prince,

to cleanse the Prince's inner chambers.

I admit my mistake.

I only wanted to share some of His Highness's burdens,

which is why I played music for Lord Qin.

I didn't expect that

Lord Qin would actually do such a thing.

But fortunately,

Lord Qin is well-known for his notorious reputation.

Now everyone praises the Ninth Prince

for eliminating a menace to the people.

Everyone praises the Queen for raising her children so well.

You truly have a silver tongue.

Thank you, Mammy, for your compliment.

This servant is here on behalf of the Princess.

She personally selected this gift for His Highness the Ninth Prince.

Naturally, I wouldn’t dare make any mistakes.

For fear of bringing shame upon the Princess.

I sent Su Leshi to Ninth Brother,

only because Su Leshi is exceptionally skilled at playing the zither.

I wanted her music to

ease Ninth Brother’s loneliness.

But now, seeing Su Leshi's eloquence,

it seems it is Ninth Brother's great teaching that shaped her.

Pour the tea.

Mammy.

Please, have some tea.

Ah, it’s burning hot!

This servant admits her fault!

This servant couldn’t see.

Did I cause trouble?

It’s alright.

Since you know you can’t see,

why are you still kneeling there?

Hurry and get up.

Baishao,

go and get the best burn ointment for Mammy Qin.

Right away.

Yes.

Mammy,

you were my wet nurse.

And you’ve served my mother for many years,

working tirelessly with great merit.

So today,

allow Jin'er to play a tune for you,

as a way of making amends.

This ointment is truly effective.

The pain vanishes as soon as it’s applied.

How could I neglect anything prepared for Mammy by me, the Prince?

I wouldn’t dare show any carelessness.

Mammy,

please accept my toast.

The melody is ‘Arrival of the Phoenix.’

Mother embodies nobility and grace,

like a phoenix descending from the heavens.

Since Mammy is here on Mother's behalf,

it feels as though the Queen herself is present.

This piece,

is most fitting.

You little imp,

no matter how clever your words,

you still have to bow your head obediently.

Mammy Qin.

Mammy Qin.

Mammy.

Your Highnesses,

Qin Nanny,

passed away suddenly due to a heart condition.

There are no signs of poisoning.

Thank you, physician.

You may leave.

Yes.

Although Qin Nanny had a heart condition,

it was not severe enough to cause this.

Something about today

feels suspicious.

Life is unpredictable.

It seems

this was Qin Nanny's fate.

Brother Nine,

your birthday is coming in a few days.

Mother Empress

wants me to stay at the estate

to help arrange everything for you.

I wonder,

Brother Nine, would it be convenient for you?

That's fine.

In a while,

I'll have Baishao clean up a room for you.

By the way,

thank you, Imperial Sister.

It's nothing.

Your Highness,

this is your room.

I appreciate it.

It seems I misjudged Su Jin.

I intended to place someone by Brother Nine's side,

as an ear for Mother Empress.

Unexpectedly, she became loyal to Brother Nine,

helping him

scheme against Qin Tianbao and Minister Qin.

You spend time with her daily,

and yet you noticed nothing suspicious?

This servant has failed.

When the Ninth Prince meets Su Leyi in private,

I am not permitted to be present to serve.

Enough.

I will report this matter to Mother Empress.

She will surely think of a way

to get rid of Su Jin.

It seems the relationship between the Queen and the Ninth Prince isn't great.

The mother and son don't seem to get along well.

Azhi.

This burn ointment,

although it contains White Flower Manzhiluo,

the amount is extremely minimal.

As for Qin Momo's death,

how did you manage it?

In the 'Huangdi Neijing',

it mentions the five musical tones, Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu,

used for medical treatment.

Among them,

Zhi is used to treat heart deficiency.

Qin Momo, on the other hand,

suffered from heart palpitations.

For her,

'Descending Phoenix' music, which treats heart deficiency,

was poison disguised as a cure.

What is sweet nectar to one person,

is poison to another.

Additionally,

with the hallucinogenic effect of

White Flower Manzhiluo,

people only know that

trees, grasses, bamboo, and stones,

can all be used as swords.

Plucking a flower or leaf,

they can become lethal weapons.

Azhi,

killing someone invisibly through music,

I am grateful

we are not enemies.

From what the Queen just said,

it seems she's planning to choose a consort for Your Highness.

I hope when a beauty accompanies you in the future,

Your Highness won't forget our pact.

In the days to come,

don't let pillow talk

sway you to change sides.

You're jealous.

I am nothing like Your Highness,

immersed in romance and indulgence every day.

Where did this girl come from?

And why did she show up at Miaoyin Pavilion?

Do you even know who I am?

Why should I care who you are!

To die under a peony,

even as a ghost, it's a life of romance.

My hand is broken!

Excuse me.

Thank you, Young Master Gongsun, for stepping in for me.

No need to be so formal, Princess Chaoyu.

I believe, if I hadn't stepped in,

what he would have broken wouldn't just be a hand.

Your Highness, do you like kites?

When I was a child,

I always envied other kids flying kites.

But now,

I've long since outgrown that phase.

The last time Your Highness mentioned that ancient Tian Sheng saying,

I looked into it.

Later, I heard another ancient saying.

A life-saving grace,

should be repaid with marriage.

Young Master Gongsun knows one part,

but not the other.

If a woman has feelings for the man who saved her life,

she'll say, 'A life-saving grace,

should be repaid with marriage.'

But if she has no feelings for him,

she'll say,

'A life-saving grace,

will be repaid in the next life, even if I must weave grass into fetters.'

So, Your Highness,

which one applies to me?

Does Young Master Gongsun have something he needs my help with?

Indeed, I do.

Recently, there's been a plague of rats at the courier station.

I was hoping Your Highness could arrange,

a place for me to stay.

Ninth Brother,

for a while, Young Master Gongsun and I

might disturb the peace you and Music Master Su enjoy.

I hope, Ninth Brother,

that you won’t take offense.

I have been busy with official duties lately,

and have neglected Jin'er.

Now that you're here,

you can keep her company.

Today,

let's skip the wine.

Open your mouth.

Here, have some soup.

Dear sister,

I have something to discuss with you.

Please go to the study room first and wait for me.

I’ll send Jin'er back first.

I have quite an interest in playing the zither.

I'd like to seek some guidance from Music Master Su.

Since Your Highness has business to attend to,

how about letting me escort Music Master Su back?

Jin'er,

Alright.

A-Zhi, did you gain any progress in these past days?

Brother Linfeng,

The one who killed Elder Sister

and framed Father

is the Queen.

The Queen?

Do you have any proof?

It’s just a suspicion for now.

But Ninth Prince and I have joined forces,

I believe we’ll find evidence soon.

Joined forces?

Have you revealed your true identity

to the Ninth Prince?

Yes.

The Ninth Prince is the Queen's son.

Why would he help you overthrow the Queen?

It’s a long story.

I’ll explain it to you later.

The point is, regarding this matter,

we are already allies now.

I noticed the Ninth Prince is quite gentle and considerate towards you.

A-Zhi, could it be that you’re developing feelings for him?

We’re merely

putting on a performance for others to see.

A-Zhi,

Father and Ah-Yu are gone now.

In this world,

you and I are the closest family to each other.

No one else

can be completely trusted.

Of course, you are my closest brother.

But in this period of time,

as I spent time with the Ninth Prince,

I feel that he

is not a bad person.

We might try trusting him.

A-Zhi.

I can't let you stay by Jian Shiliu's side any longer.

I won't let anyone take you away from me.

Not anyone.

It's so late.

Mother, why are you here?

Liu'er.

Oh, isn't this the head of the Gongsun family?

I've heard for a long time that the head of the Gongsun family is accomplished at a young age.

I didn't expect you to be so refined and gentle.

Truly admirable.

I wonder, are you married?

Your Majesty,

I am not yet married.

Come.

Since arriving in Tiansheng,

have you met a woman you're fond of?

Mother,

as the head of the Gongsun family holds an esteemed status,

his marriage

should naturally be decided together by the ruler of Yuzhao

and the Gongsun family.

Before I set out, the ruler of my country indeed instructed me,

saying the women of Tiansheng are the most beautiful and graceful.

He told me to bring one back with me.

It seems I share the same thoughts as the ruler of Yuzhao.

If the Gongsun family head has someone in mind,

I can make the match for you.

Anyone I choose?

Of course.

I want her.

Miss Su Le is beautiful and skilled in playing the qin,

she has captured my heart at first sight.

I am willing to make her

the mistress of the Gongsun family.

I wonder, Your Highness,

if you could let her go?

Just a mere musician,

how could I refuse?

However, I heard that the Yuzhao Kingdom values martial prowess.

If Master Gongsun wishes to marry Miss Su,

shouldn't you

prove your worth through strength?

According to Your Highness,

how should I prove myself?

A duel between you and me.

If you win,

Su Jin will marry you.

Agreed.

The black-robed assassin from that day,

it really was him.

Miss Su, you won't be taken away today.

Brother Jiu,

what's the matter?

Since everyone is gathered here today,

could we perhaps

request Miss Su

to perform a piece for us?

I would be happy to.

But,

I didn't bring my qin today.

No problem at all.

I'll accompany you to fetch it.

Let's go.

Your Majesty,

Your Highness.

I’ll go change my clothes first.

Go ahead.

My head feels dizzy.

So hot...

This is a fragrance made from Nine Mysteries Incense

and Lingling Incense—warming affection fragrance.

Just a little of it,

can make anyone lose control of themselves.

Why has the head of the Gongsun family come as well?

Azhi,

you are mine.

No one can take you away from me.

Liuer,

I heard that Su the Musician has exceptional skills in playing the zither.

I wonder if tonight,

it will be a surprise for Mother.

Tonight,

I will not let Mother down.

Just wait and see.

Su, the musician, took the instrument,

but hasn't returned for so long.

Could something have happened?

Let's go check.

A mere musician,

how could they trouble the Empress herself?

It's fine.

I was just taking a walk during my free time.

Baishao.

Your Majesty.

Why are you sneaking around?

What are you up to?

Your servant...

It's nothing.

Hesitating,

there must be something suspicious.

The Queen.

Get out!

Open the door!

I’ll see for myself,

who is so shameless.

Alou, what is going on here?

You all

Gongsun Sheng

How dare you commit adultery

in this prince's residence! Such audacity!

What matters does the head of the Gongsun family

seek to discuss with me?

I wish to propose a collaboration with Your Majesty

to remove the thorn in your side.

Su Jin

Chao Yu

How could it be you?

You

Ninth Brother, what is the meaning of this?

I only wish to tell my royal sister

I know you're helping Mother.

And I also know,

you're not fully devoted

to helping her.

Since Ninth Brother has figured everything out,

just say it directly.

Nanny Qin, who serves the Queen,

has committed countless wrongdoings.

She not only repeatedly abused you,

but even your birth mother's death

is linked to her.

Her death,

is my gesture of sincerity to you.

What do you want me to do, Ninth Brother?

I need to know,

about her plan

for tomorrow.

Mother.

Mother, don't be angry! Mother!

Why are you walking so fast, Mother?

What is going on?

Young Master Gongsun,

apologies for the offense.

Your Highness,

why are you doing this?

Ninth Prince,

I don't want you scheming against Su Jin.

And coincidentally,

I don't want a political marriage either.

Young Master Gongsun, get dressed and you may leave now.

I assume the plague at the post house has been eradicated.

Your Highness doesn't wish for a political marriage,

so would you marry me instead?

If you gift me a quince,

I shall repay you with a gem.

Isn't that what you mean, Your Highness?

If I recall correctly,

Young Master Gongsun, you just proposed

to Su the Musician.

Su and I are old acquaintances,

but our bond is purely sibling-like.

I don't wish for her to

risk her life in the Ninth Prince's mansion.

That's why I joined forces with the Queen

to set up this plan.

Your Highness, as a princess,

you are destined

to have no freedom.

If you're not marrying for alliance today,

won't you still be made to marry someone tomorrow?

Why not turn our pretend relationship into reality?

After all, you and I

are the same kind of people.

Think about it, Princess.

I'll take my leave now.

A Xun,

on that day,

you used the Warm Affection Incense against me.

Today,

you will taste its effects yourself.

A Xun,

it's so hot...

Help me...

I'll give you the antidote.

Today,

the reason I dueled with Gongsun Sheng

was to test if he

was the black-clad assassin who tried to kill me that night.

Jin'er,

you two plotted against me together.

At that time, I didn’t know your identity.

The one I planned to trap

is the murderer who killed my sister.

Then what about you, Your Highness?

If you lose today,

will you really give me to someone else?

It's you.

I will not lose.

Your Highness is truly overconfident.

That day,

Jin'er’s enchanting melody at Miaoyin Pavilion,

helped me secure military power,

and got rid of Nanny Qin.

Also formed an alliance with Zhaoyu

Killing three birds with one stone

Truly ingenious

However

Why would Gongsun Sheng be involved with the Queen

And have secret dealings

Caught up in all this

Gongsun Sheng would never conspire with the Queen

Because

his true identity

is my father's adopted son

Su Linfeng

so I guess

he's worried that staying with you

is too dangerous for me

and wants me to leave

He's nothing more than a defeated foe of mine.

Staying by my side is dangerous.

But is it any safer to stay by his side?

I suspect he harbors impure intentions.

In my heart, Brother Lin Feng

is just like my own brother.

I hope, Your Highness,

you can treat him with more respect.

You’re standing up for other men here?

Your Highness.

Is Master Su here?

I wish to seek Master Su's guidance on some zither techniques.

Gongsun.

A Zhi.

I want to listen.

‘Feng Qingyin.’

Is Master Su here?

Master Su.

Gongsun.

Master Su, what’s wrong with you?

Tell him to get lost!

Young Master Gongsun,

Jin'er is not feeling well today.

Ah Zhi,

your relationship with Jian Shiliu,

is it just an act,

or has it turned into something real?

Your Highness, what do you mean by this?

If Gongsun Sheng can cooperate with the Queen,

there's no guarantee he won't pass along information to her again.

Since we are allies,

if we put on an act,

we must see it through completely.

Brother Linfeng,

why are you here?

Your clothes are soaked with dew.

Don't tell me you waited here all night.

Last night, I was perplexed by

a fingering technique on the music score.

I couldn’t sleep,

so I decided to wait for you here.

Come in quickly.

If you have something to say, just say it.

Your Highness,

do you truly have feelings for the Ninth Princess?

Why do you ask?

You treat Miss Su so well,

isn't it because she resembles the Ninth Princess?

Ah Yu saved me,

and she treats me sincerely.

In my heart,

she is family,

a friend.

I feel guilty for not being able to save her.

But Su Jin,

she and I are simply allies performing a pretense.

Brother Linfeng,

Brother Linfeng,

was what happened yesterday

something you coordinated with the Queen?

Why did you join forces with the Queen?

Confronting the Queen is extremely dangerous,

I don't want you involved in it.

I’ve said it before,

I will personally avenge my elder sister and father.

Times are different now.

Back then, we suspected that Jian Shiliu was the murderer.

But now,

The murderer is the queen.

No matter who it is,

I will find the evidence

to prove my father's and sister's innocence.

Even if you want revenge,

you don't have to do it in the Ninth Prince's residence.

Jian Shiliu and the queen are already at odds.

Staying by his side

will only put you in greater danger.

It's precisely because Ah Liu and the queen are at odds

that I want to stay by his side.

That way, I'm more likely to uncover the queen's wrongdoings.

But Jian Shiliu harbors ill intent.

Yesterday, it was him and Princess Zhaoyu

who schemed against me together.

Brother Linfeng,

Ah Liu already explained this to me.

Nothing happened between you and Princess Zhaoyu.

She just wanted to use you to avoid the arranged marriage.

Don't take it to heart.

Calling him Ah Liu so affectionately,

you really are close to him.

Jin'er is my person.

Of course, we are close.

Where is the royal sister?

She came to find me with some snacks.

I heard you haven’t had breakfast yet,

so I brought some for you.

Here,

try some.

How is it?

It's delicious.

Ah Liu,

you should try too.

What kind of pastry is this?

Roselle flower cake.

It's made with roselle flower water for the dough,

and stuffed with lily and lotus seeds.

It's complemented with sweet syrup and osmanthus.

Jin'er,

I have some matters to attend to,

so I’ll take my leave.

Shi Yao said

His Highness is allergic to roselle flowers.

However, the osmanthus fragrance in the Luo Shen Qinghua Cake

overpowered the taste of the roselle flower,

so Your Highness was unable to notice it.

Therefore, Your Highness couldn't detect it.

Shiyao,

Your Highness,

Shiyao is missing!

What?

I am the royal physician of the Ninth Prince's residence.

Why did the head of the Gongsun family abduct me?

What is your intention?

The heir of the Shi family was deeply infatuated with Princess Qingxu,

and willingly took the position of court physician to accompany her in the marriage alliance.

After Princess Qingxu's death,

the whereabouts of the Shi family heir became unknown.

Shi Yao,

you truly are unwavering in your devotion.

The men of the Shi family

have had a totem tattooed on their chest

since birth.

What urgent matter

brings the Lord of the Gongsun family here at such a late hour?

Does Her Ladyship have any acquaintance

with the former Lady Qingxu?

It is well known

that she and I do not see eye to eye.

What exactly are you trying to say?

Lady Qingxu

is the daughter of the former ruler of Yuzhao Kingdom

and the elder sister of the current ruler.

The royal family of Yuzhao Kingdom

has a hidden secret.

Everyone with royal blood from Yuzhao Kingdom

is allergic to the Roselle flower.

Today,

I discovered

that the Ninth Prince

also has this condition.

Miss Su,

what happened to your neck?

Let me get you some ointment.

Why are the Queen's people coming at this hour?

The Queen will host a flower viewing banquet tomorrow.

Your Highness should rest early tonight.

Where has Young Master Gongsun been?

Coming back this late?

There's a letter from the King.

I went to the relay station.

Why does Young Master Gongsun smell so fragrant?

It's clearly...

It's clearly the imperial ambergris from the palace.

Or perhaps the scent of the Miaoyin House!

That's exactly what Your Highness said.

I intended to consult Musician Su on guqin skills,

but I worried it might make the Ninth Prince suspicious.

So, I had no choice but to visit Miaoyin House and discuss music with other players.

Listening, exchanging ideas on music.

Young Master Gongsun cherishes this guqin string a lot.

Could it be...

a gift from a beloved woman?

This...

This is my mother's only keepsake.

I'm sorry.

I...

It's fine.

My mother was also a musician.

But unlike Musician Su,

she was quite plain-looking.

Not skilled in charming demeanor,

she was just one of the lowest,

most insignificant entertainers in the brothels

of the Yuzhao Kingdom.

And my father...

he was the most renowned general of the Yuzhao Kingdom.

I was merely the result of my father's drunken night of revelry.

After sobering up,

he despised my mother's humble status,

and abandoned her without a second thought.

But my mother ended up pregnant.

The Gongsun family could not

let their bloodline wander outside,

so they sent people to carefully take care of her,

ensuring she could safely give birth to me.

This is how I came into this world.

But I heard,

that the mother of the Gongsun family head,

died in childbirth.

Madam Gongsun, for the sake of her reputation,

publicly claimed my mother died in childbirth.

In truth, she used this very zither string

to strangle my mother to death.

At that time,

I was still nestled in my mother's arms.

I knew at a very young age

the real cause of my mother's death.

But with so many offspring, my father paid no attention to me,

and Madam Gongsun ruled the inner household unchecked.

I had no choice but to call the enemy 'mother.'

It turns out that you and I

are truly the same kind of people.

Su, the musician,

the Queen requests you to prepare here,

and perform at the flower-viewing banquet.

Su, the musician, have some tea.

Bai Shao, what's wrong?

Nothing.

This tea smells so fragrant.

Bai Shao,

I feel so sleepy.

Liuer seems to have lost some weight.

Are the servants not taking good care of him?

Thank you for your concern, Mother.

I am doing well.

Your Majesty,

that's just how Liuer is.

He never mentions his struggles.

These past three years of campaigning,

wounds upon wounds,

he's never told me a thing about them.

This morning,

the physician from his residence

delivered a letter to me.

It must be that his old injuries have flared up,

and he's refusing to take his medicine properly again.

The physician came to me in secret to complain.

Your Majesty,

take a look at this.

Do talk some sense into Liuer.

I know you're not afraid of death.

Since you dared to deceive everyone,

you must have been prepared to die for it.

But your parents,

they are still in Yuzhao Kingdom,

and they are elderly.

Not being by their side to care for them is already unfilial.

And now,

do you also intend to put their lives in danger?

Your Majesty,

what's the matter?

See for yourself.

This Shi Yao says

he was never the physician of the Ninth Prince's residence.

Instead, he was a royal physician who followed Princess Qingxu

to Tiancheng Kingdom years ago.

After Princess Qingxu passed away,

he turned to serve her son,

who was the Third Prince at the time,

Jian Qingxun.

Jian Qingxun?

Wasn't he already dead?

Three years ago,

the Ninth Prince discovered

that the Third Prince was having an affair with his wife, Su Fengyu.

Enraged, he fought with the Third Prince,

but was killed by him instead.

The Third Prince knew

that if the Queen and the King learned the truth,

they would definitely demand his life in return for the Ninth Prince's.

So he had me swap his face with the Ninth Prince's,

so the truth would remain hidden.

Thus, the current Ninth Prince,

is actually the Third Prince, Jian Qingxun.

You—

how dare you?

Brother Ninth,

what's going on?

Who are you, really?

I am,

Jian Qingxun.

greets the king.

Your Majesty,

Liu'er died a tragic death,

and Jian Qingxun, this man who seduced his wife,

then killed her,

now lives under Liu'er's face and identity,

enjoying endless glory.

I must kill him.

Your Majesty, you must

avenge our Liu'er!

Just now you said,

who are you?

Your son,

Jian Qingxun,

wishes to accuse the Queen

and the Ninth Prince, Jian Shiliu,

of framing me for an affair with Su Fengyu,

killing Su Fengyu,

forging evidence of Su Lie’s treason,

and plotting to destroy the entire Su family.

You spew nonsense!

Liu'er has already been killed by you!

And now you dare to tarnish his name,

and even falsely accuse me!

I will have you,

and that wretched maid Su Jin,

torn to pieces!

Su Jin is in my hands.

If you want her to live,

think carefully about what you should say,

and what you shouldn’t!

Oh, really?

Why are you here?

Where is Baishao?

Baishao,

Your... Your Highness,

where did she go?

I,

just went to take a walk in the garden.

Did you see anyone?

No.

This is my mother’s keepsake.

Baishao,

His Highness rescued your mother from the Queen.

From now on, you won't have to suffer the Queen's threats anymore.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness...

It's all my fault.

I acted under the Queen's orders.

I leaked information about you many times.

I don't dare to ask for your forgiveness.

I only plead for mercy for my mother.

She is innocent.

I...

I will atone with my death.

Your Highness...

Bai Shao had no choice either.

I can give you a chance to live.

But you must help me bring down the Queen.

Everything you've done before...

I will write it off.

This tea smells so fragrant.

Bai Shao...

I feel so sleepy.

Miss Su...

The Queen's people have left.

The Queen's medicine is truly potent.

I just touched it a little,

and I already feel dizzy.

Miss Su...

Looks like I need to find some evidence.

Found it.

These are all letters between you and the Qin family.

Letters framing Su Lie for treason and collusion with the enemy.

What else do you have to say?

Your Majesty...

Su Lie's merits overshadow the ruler's.

I did it all for Your Majesty.

Utter nonsense!

Su Lie and I knew each other in our youth.

We made a promise long ago.

I,

aspired to be a wise ruler.

Su Lie,

a general who protects the nation.

Because of you,

I wrongfully killed a loyal minister and dear friend.

Your Majesty...

Su Fengzhi, the daughter of the guilty minister Su Lie,

accuses the Queen,

and the Ninth Prince, Jian Shiliu,

of framing my sister, Su Fengyu, for adultery,

causing her death,

and forging evidence to accuse my father, Su Lie,

of treason,

leading to the extermination of my entire Su family.

I beseech the ruler of the nation,

to restore the innocence of my Su family!

You are Su Lie's daughter?

Impossible!

The Su family only had one daughter, Su Fengyu.

I am Su Fengyu's twin sister.

Father couldn't bring himself to kill me,

so he lied,

claiming that my mother only gave birth to my elder sister.

No wonder,

you look so much like Su Fengyu.

And your blindness,

is fake too!

Your Majesty,

the Su family and Su Fengzhi have deceived the throne,

and they are not innocent at all.

Father,

I, too, wish to accuse the Queen,

of causing the death of Lady Qingxu,

and my own mother.

My mother had a lowly status,

and was gentle by nature.

She always showed respect to the Queen,

yet she was killed by the Queen,

merely because

she accidentally witnessed

the Queen poisoning Lady Qingxu

in the Cold Palace.

You vile creature!

How dare you falsely accuse this Queen?

I have never falsely accused you.

Because at that time,

I was there too.

I was hidden by my mother

underneath the table,

and I saw with my own eyes as Lady Qingxu died from poisoning,

and I also witnessed,

my own mother

being strangled to death by Qin Mama, the Queen's servant.

In order to survive

And to avenge my mother

I pretended to know nothing

And got close to the Queen

For so many years

All the harm the Queen inflicted on the concubines in the harem

I am fully aware of it

These are the blood-written letters

Written by the palace maids and concubines harmed by the Queen

Blood-stained evidence, crying out in grievance

I beg Father to seek justice for them

Palace maid Li Gui, and I, Liu Sisi

I, Guan Ying

Palace maid Xia Ting, and I, Chen Feiyan

Jointly accuse the Queen of harming the concubines

This is the Queen

Whom I once thought to be kind and gentle

I trusted you so much

And entrusted the entire harem to you

But I never expected

You would be so ruthless

Truly heartless and insane

Now you regret it

But it's too late

I was clearly your first wife

But you favored those lowly women

You only see the smiles of new loves

And never hear the tears of the old ones

Everything I did

Was merely to set things right

To restore order to its rightful place

You wicked woman!

Guards!

Take this venomous woman away

And sentence her to death

Yes, Your Majesty

The Qin Manor

Spare only Qin Xiang's legitimate daughter, Qin Ruyu

And execute all others

Jian Qingxun

Don't get too smug

Your beloved woman

Will soon come to join me

Ah Zhi

Wait

Where's the antidote?

The antidote.

I threw it into the flower bed a long time ago.

Su Fengzhi.

Since you're about to die,

I'll tell you the truth.

The ones who framed your father for treason

besides me and the Qin family,

there's someone behind the scenes.

The queen has been poisoned.

Who is that person?

A-Zhi!

You cannot die!

Who is that person?

A-Zhi!

A-Zhi!

Please sit.

Your Highness.

You have been searching the flower pond

the entire day.

How is Ah Zhi?

The physician says,

Miss Su has been poisoned with 'One-Day Drunkenness.'

This poison requires

taking the antidote within twelve hours.

As for this antidote,

it is usually composed of seven herbs.

Currently, six have been found,

but the final one is the most crucial.

If used correctly, it is the cure,

but if mistaken,

it becomes an even deadlier poison.

Your Highness,

it's all my fault.

The queen told me

the substance in Miss Su's tea was a sedative.

I didn’t expect it to be poison.

Bring me the 'One-Day Drunkenness' poison.

Your Highness,

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

I will test the antidote myself.

Your Highness!

Again.

Your Highness!

Brother Lin Feng!

Ah Zhi.

You’re awake.

Ah Zhi.

Your Highness.

Brother Linfeng.

What happened to your hand?

This poison is quite unusual.

It requires human blood as the guiding element for the antidote.

Let me take a look.

Find a way to use this Yi Rizui intoxicant...

...to replace the Queen.

The poison prepared for Master Su...

...yes.

Young Master Gongsun is truly impressive.

From being a foster child of the Su family...

...to suddenly becoming the head of the Gongsun family.

I am merely curious.

The poison used by the Queen...

...how do you have the antidote?

Since Your Highness was able to find an antidote...

...of course, I can too.

Well then, many thanks to Master Gongsun.

Now...

...you may leave.

Ah Zhi...

...take good care of yourself.

I have ordered people...

...to prepare a medicinal bath for you.

Soak in it—it's good for your health.

Young Master Gongsun...

...do you have nothing you'd like to say...

...to this princess?

I don't understand.

What does Your Highness want me to say?

Does Young Master Gongsun still intend to feign ignorance?

The night before the Queen's flower banquet...

...there was clearly the smell of...

...ambergris on you.

And only the ruler and the Queen...

...are entitled to use ambergris.

At that time...

...you told me...

...your mother's situation softened my heart.

I didn’t inform my third brother...

...about your entry into the palace.

Now...

...do you still have anything to say?

What does Your Highness think?

That day, after the flower appreciation banquet,

I revealed the Third Prince's identity

to the Queen.

Indeed, I entered the palace that day

and met with the Queen.

However, my visit to the palace

was for the sake of His Highness.

Despite meeting His Highness multiple times,

he still refused to open his heart to me.

But I can feel Your Highness's loneliness.

On the day the Queen celebrated the Third Prince's birthday,

in Your Highness's gaze,

there was nothing but envy and sorrow.

So I entered the palace,

to ask the Queen about Your Highness's birthday,

hoping to give you a surprise.

It was only after inquiring that I realized,

Your Highness's birthday had already passed.

Because of our similar circumstances

I can understand Your Highness's feigned strength

And your tender heart

Even if you doubt me

And reject me

I still hope

To soothe for you

Even just a trace of your scars

Drink the medicine.

It's bitter.

I don't want to drink it.

If you refuse to drink the medicine in the future,

I'll make you drink it like this.

Your Highness,

I heard that you, for my sake,

tested the poison on yourself.

It’s my fault for not protecting you.

Your Highness.

The hot spring is quite spacious.

It can accommodate two people.

Am I ugly?

Ah Zhi.

You once said.

We are allies.

We're partners.

But who would have thought.

I experienced the pain of losing you.

I just found out.

I have feelings for you.

Your Highness,

over these past three years,

my only goal

was revenge.

I don't know if I still have

the ability to love someone.

Ah Zhi,

for my sake,

give it a try.

Your Highness,

call me Ah Xun.

Ah Xun.

Ah Zhi.

Ah Xun.

This is a hairpin I personally chose for you.

Do you like it?

The phoenix is something Yu'er likes.

Before giving a gift, Your Highness,

how could you not find out first?

Thank you, Ah Xun.

I like it a lot.

Will you help me put it on?

People,

they all change over time.

Does it look nice?

It looks beautiful.

No matter how Ah Zhi changes,

she will always be mine.

Where is this from?

This is from the head of the Gongsun family, presented to Your Highness.

Said it was to make up for missing Your Highness's birthday gift.

The other day, when the Queen celebrated the Third Prince's birthday,

I saw envy and loneliness

in Your Highness's eyes.

So I went to the palace

to ask the Queen about Your Highness's birthday.

Because of our similar circumstances,

I can understand Your Highness's strength in appearance

and tenderness inside.

Even if you doubt me,

or push me away,

I still hope to ease

even the slightest scar in your heart.

Help me put it on, please.

This is a kite I made with my own hands.

It's a gift for Your Highness.

Why are you giving me a kite?

Although, Your Highness, it is true that you have already passed

the age of enjoying kites,

I still wanted to

help fulfill

a childhood wish of Yours.

The king has decreed,

appointing me as the Third Prince's Consort.

I certainly don't want the Third Prince

to think that I lack tolerance.

Once I enter the residence,

you had better behave yourself.

I will then allow you to stay by the Third Prince's side

as a concubine.

Miss Qin, you're truly filial.

The Qin family was executed entirely.

And yet, all you think about is getting married.

You

Deserve it!

How dare you

A lowly musician like you

Lay a hand on me?

You

Father has already issued the decree.

Restore Azisu's status as the legitimate daughter of the Su family.

Yet Miss Qin called her a musician.

Are you dissatisfied with Father King's decree?

I wouldn't dare.

Let's go.

Brother Axun.

Axun.

That butterfly-shaped golden hairpin.

Was it a gift from the princess?

Is there a problem?

I don't like it.

You're wearing something given by someone else?

You're even jealous of the princess?

What's wrong?

Nothing, just caught a bit of a cold.

Feeling a little chilly.

Still cold?

In the Third Prince's study,

there are portraits of Su Fengzhi everywhere.

As long as Su Fengzhi is around,

he will never marry you.

You're the one who made me smash the hairpin that Third Prince

was going to give Su Fengzhi.

You're the one who told me to sow discord between them,

but why do they seem even closer now?

The entire Qin family was sentenced to death.

You only survived because you were betrothed to the Third Prince.

If he hadn't agreed to marry you,

Miss Qin,

you'd better think of a plan yourself.

Tomorrow, the Gongsun patriarch

might lend me his support.

Your Highness,

Patriarch Gongsun is waiting for you at Miaoyin Pavilion.

Qin Ruyu,

what are you planning to do?

Tell me,

if I use this dagger

to carve a small flower on your face,

would the Third Prince still love you?

You think you're capable?

You truly have no sense of your limits.

I am the Third Prince's fiancée,

chosen by the King himself.

Would you dare?

What did you do to me?

Just some incense that

temporarily weakens your strength.

That's all.

But,

I already took the antidote.

Aren't you good at playing the zither to attract the Third Prince?

Then I'll ruin your hands.

Your Highness,

it's your turn now.

The Gongsun patriarch mentioned

he wanted to discuss matters of alliance between the two nations with me.

Yet here I am,

and he keeps dragging me into playing chess.

What is the meaning of this?

Your Highness,

if you wish to learn who is behind framing the Su family,

meet me at the pavilion ten li outside the city.

Patriarch Gongsun,

what are your intentions?

I'll go ahead.

Qin Ru Yu.

How dare you hurt her!

A Xun!

A Zhi!

You're awake.

Brother Lin Feng!

Does it still hurt?

Did you stay here all night?

Where is A Xun?

Where did A Xun go?

He said he had something to do.

He went out of the city.

Rest a little longer.

What bad luck!

We didn't find any information.

And it delayed our return to the city.

Let's go check on A Zhi.

Your Highness, something's happened!

Who did it?

It was Miss Qin.

She thought...

This was a portrait of Miss Su.

Leave.

Yes.

A Yu.

I couldn't protect you.

I couldn't even keep your portrait safe.

A Zhi resembles you a lot.

But she is not you.

The Third Prince always seemed so devoted

But now that you're in trouble, he remains indifferent

Still longing for A Yu

A Zhi

I will seek justice for you

A Yu, you are the most perfect woman I've ever met

Intelligent and kind

A Zhi is much like you

Yet she has traits that set her apart

Her sharpness and edge

You both are incredibly important to me

You are my benefactor

And my friend

As for A Zhi

She is my one true love

Brother Lin Feng

I'm fine

A Zhi

Jian Qingxun treated you as A Yu's replacement

That was his fault

You don't have to torture yourself over it

Miss Su! Miss Su!

Miss Su

His Highness is already aware

Of what Qin Ruyu has done

And she has been severely punished

His Highness is very worried about your injuries

Why don't you go see him?

Miss Su

Where am I?

A Zhi

This is the Su Residence

We are home

The decor here

Is just like before

After the ruler ordered the reversal of the Su family's case

I immediately sent people to restore the Su Residence

I wanted to surprise you

Thank you, Brother Lin Feng

I really like it

Miss Su, please meet His Highness.

Yes, Miss Su.

You should meet His Highness.

I’ll go and make them leave.

Miss Su, please meet His Highness.

Ah Zhi.

Ah Zhi.

I’ve already crippled Qin Ruyu’s hands.

Come back with me.

I’ll hand her over to you and let you deal with her as you see fit.

I promise you,

I’ll find the best physician for you.

To heal you.

I’ll make sure you’ll never get hurt again.

Your Highness,

I came to see you

just to tell you

that between us,

there is nothing left.

I, Su Fengzhi,

will never be anyone’s substitute.

Even if that person is my elder sister.

Ah Zhi.

Did you hear something?

I can explain.

Miss Su.

Please don’t abandon me.

Let me serve you.

Ah Zhi.

Your Highness.

Miss Qin injured Miss Su’s hand.

The head of the Gongsun family took Miss Su back to the Su residence.

This is a wine I made myself.

It’s called Haitang Red.

There’s only one jar like this in the world.

Your Highness, please try it.

I fear that flowers may sleep as the night grows deep,

so I keep the candles burning to adorn the beauty.

I heard the Ninth Prince and the Ninth Princess Consort

used to drink wine together surrounded by crabapple blossoms.

Sadly, Ah Yu passed away too soon,

leaving not even a single portrait.

There is one, though!

There’s a portrait of the Ninth Princess Consort

in Third Brother’s study.

He treasures it dearly.

Begonia under the moonlight.

A paper kite in hand.

So, you've been acting all along.

Look at yourself.

All for the sake of a woman.

Ending up like this.

Enough.

I've summoned you today.

For two important matters.

The first matter.

Since Zhaoyu's reputation is already tarnished.

She will be replaced by.

The thirteenth princess, born to the queen, for the marriage alliance.

Father!

A marriage alliance, for a woman,

is nothing but tragedy.

If sacrificing one person,

can save a nation,

then to her,

it should be an honor.

The second matter.

As for you and Qin Ruyu,

and Su Fengzhi,

I know everything.

This Qin Ruyu,

although her actions were a bit extreme,

you have punished her.

Even though the Qin family has fallen,

Qin Xiang's protégés are everywhere in the court.

Marrying her,

will be to your advantage.

I will not marry Qin Ruyu.

I know this decision is an injustice to you.

I will issue an edict

to make you the Crown Prince.

I know,

you have ambitions and abilities.

I am old.

The highest position in the future,

will eventually be yours.

If the price of being the Crown Prince,

is to be unable to stay with the one I love,

Father,

I beg you,

to reconsider your decision.

I am merely informing you of my decision.

To prevent you from being distracted,

I, the King,

have already issued an imperial edict

granting marriage between Su Fengzhi and Gongsun Sheng.

It has been sent to the Su family.

From now on, Su Fengzhi will be Lady Gongsun.

Father,

why?

Ever since she entered your household,

so many incidents have arisen.

Although I am not concerned

about her previous life as an entertainer,

her conduct like this

makes her unfit to be the mother of the nation in the future.

If you persist in your folly,

you are no longer my son.

Why would the King issue such an edict?

Brother Linfeng,

I cannot marry you.

Ah Zhi,

do you still have feelings for the Third Prince?

The King has already decreed him as the Crown Prince.

In a few days,

he will marry Qin Ruyu as the Crown Princess.

He treated you this way;

can you still not let go?

Between him and me,

there is no possibility anymore.

His matters have nothing to do with me.

Look at this.

A marriage contract.

This is...

my father's handwriting.

Yes.

Your father entrusted you to me long ago.

I know you only see me as an elder brother,

but,

Ah Zhi,

I have affection for you.

Brother Linfeng,

but I...

Ah Zhi,

the true culprit behind the Su family's entrapment

is still unknown.

They are in the shadows, and we are in the open,

danger lurks around every corner.

You must marry me,

only then can I use the power of the Gongsun family to protect you.

Rest assured,

I will never force you.

We can have a fake marriage.

Once everything is resolved,

I will definitely grant you your freedom.

Alright,

I will marry you.

Miss Su is marrying the master of the Gongsun family?

This could be bad.

Please, the newlyweds take their seats.

First bow,

second bow to the elders,

bow.

Husband and wife bow to each other.

Bow.

Wait!

Ah Zhi, you can't marry him!

Your Highness, the Crown Prince.

It's an honor to have you at our wedding, Ah Zhi and I.

We are truly delighted.

Please take a seat to witness the ceremony, Your Highness.

Ah Zhi,

come with me.

Your Highness, the Crown Prince.

Today, Ah Zhi and I are getting married.

Though we did not invite many guests,

we've already paid respects to Heaven, Earth, and our parents.

Ah Zhi is now,

my wife.

Without bowing to each other as a couple,

you're not officially husband and wife.

Ah Zhi,

I know you've heard some things,

but you've misunderstood.

I never thought of you as a substitute for Ah Yu.

Your Highness must be joking.

You are about to marry your Crown Princess,

while I have already married Brother Linfeng.

Whatever your feelings are,

they no longer matter.

But they do matter to me.

I admit,

when I first treated you kindly, it was because of Ah Yu.

But that was simply because

I wanted to repay her for saving my life.

You are the one I wish to spend my life with.

Your Highness, you are already betrothed,

yet you dare speak so frivolously to the mistress of the Gongsun family.

Have you thought about the consequences?

I will deal with the engagement on my own.

I can even renounce my position as Crown Prince.

What sort of compensation does the Gongsun family head desire?

I can give it all.

All I want is you.

Ah Zhi,

it's my fault for not expressing my feelings sooner.

I made this jade hairpin with my own hands.

This is your favorite white jade carving.

It's carved into your beloved butterfly shape.

Whatever you want in the future,

I will give it to you.

Anything you desire, I'll make it happen for you.

Please give me another chance.

Jian Qingxun, you've gone too far!

No!

A Zhi!

Lin Feng brother!

I'm sorry.

I can't marry you.

A Zhi...

I will never blame you.

I only wish for your happiness.

A Zhi!

Jian Qingxun, just you wait!

What I want to have,

no one can take it away from me.

Young Master Gongsun,

drinking alone,

isn't that dull?

Let me join Young Master Gongsun

for a drink.

Why are you here, Your Highness?

Young Master Gongsun, after using me,

are you not even going to give me an explanation?

I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

Now you and I,

two lost souls meeting each other,

let's share this drink.

Do you know,

that people who are used to suffering,

if someone gives them a little sweetness,

it will fill their heart completely?

Why did you,

have to provoke me?

I'm sorry.

Your Highness.

This batch of goods is not bad at all.

It'll fetch a good price.

Come, drink!

Come on!

Drink!

You better keep a close watch here!

I'm stepping out for a quick break.

Don't worry.

Wake up, wake up.

Wake up.

Don't be afraid.

I'll count one, two, three.

We run together.

One.

Two.

Three.

Where is everyone?

Wake up.

You useless thing!

Where is everyone? Hurry and look!

Thank you for saving me.

What's your name?

My name is Su Fengyu.

You can call me Ayu.

Su Fengyu?

What is this?

It's so beautiful.

This is a treasure my father gave me.

On it is a little phoenix, just like me.

Ah Xun.

Ah Xun.

Brother Linfeng was attacked.

Princess Chaoyu got seriously injured saving him.

She is gravely wounded.

Where is the assassin now?

After being subdued by my guards,

he committed suicide with poison.

The body is in the front courtyard.

I'll go take a look.

I'll go with you.

Ah Zhi.

The wounds on the princess,

the medicine needs to be changed every two hours.

I,

find it inconvenient to do that.

Then I'll help the princess change her medicine.

Brother Linfeng,

is there something you wish to tell me privately?

Ah Zhi.

This was left behind by the assassin.

Have you seen it before?

I saw a similar token,

in Ah Xun's room.

Brother Linfeng, do you recognize this token?

The red spider lily.

This is a token of the Yu Zhao royal family.

A token of the Yu Zhao royal family?

How did it end up with that assassin?

Lady Qingxu

was a princess of Yu Zhao.

That this token was found with Jian Qingxun

is not surprising.

Impossible.

Why would Ah Xun want to kill you?

Ah Zhi,

never underestimate

a man's jealousy.

Your Highness,

are you alright?

This token,

I once saw an identical one

in the Queen's palace.

It was exactly the same.

The Queen.

Ah Zhi,

it's not that I'm being overly suspicious,

but back then, because Father led the troops

and dealt a heavy blow to Yu Zhao,

Yu Zhao fell into decline.

Lady Qingxu lost her support

and was poisoned by the Queen.

Could Jian Qingxun hold a grudge against Father for that,

first teaming up with the Queen to get rid of Father,

and then eliminating the Queen?

I don't think Ah Xun is that kind of person.

There must be some hidden truth.

Perhaps that token

points to the person orchestrating the framing of the Su family for collusion

and is part of the plot to incriminate Ah Xun.

I hope it's not him, too.

Ah Xun...

Was there any clue

on that assassin?

No.

The person behind the scenes covered their tracks very well.

Your Highness,

The king has summoned you to the palace.

Could it be because

you defied the decree and refused the marriage?

Don't worry,

I have my own way to handle this.

You haven't taken

a single one of my words to heart.

First, you refused the marriage.

Then, you disrupted the wedding.

Such behavior

disappoints the court officials and draws the attention of other nations.

I acknowledge my impulsive actions

make me unfit for great responsibilities.

I am willing to relinquish my position as crown prince,

and apologize to the court and the Gongsun family.

Ridiculous!

I will give you one more chance.

Send Su Fengzhi

back to the Su residence.

And marry Qin Ruyu.

I only wish to be with Su Fengzhi,

for a lifetime, as a couple.

I beg you, Father,

to fulfill this wish.

Since

you don't desire the position of crown prince,

there are plenty of others who do.

You only have Su Fengzhi in your heart.

Fine.

I assume,

you don’t care about military power either.

Then hand over the military command,

and spend the rest of your life

as a wealthy, idle man.

As you command.

It was my recklessness.

Brother Lin Feng looks so anxious.

Is something wrong?

The Third Prince was punished by the king

for refusing the marriage.

Not only was he stripped of his title as crown prince,

but his military power was also taken away.

Just now,

the eleventh prince from the queen's lineage

was declared the crown prince.

Father's punishment seems too severe.

Third Brother gained the respect of the soldiers

and became the commander of all three armies

through genuine military achievements.

I'll go check on him.

The King has confined him to the palace for reflection.

You won't be able to see him.

Let me go.

Ah Zhi,

I'm thirsty.

I, the king, am thirsty.

What fragrance are you wearing?

It smells so familiar.

Your Highness,

here's the hibiscus mist you asked for.

Why do you want this fragrance?

Help!

To answer Father,

it's hibiscus mist.

Hibiscus mist,

the fragrance your mother loved most.

You resemble your mother a lot.

Your mother once made a wish too,

to be with me,

one lifetime, one love.

It was I who failed her.

These past days, you have spoken of

your dislike for the arranged marriage with the princess.

I grant your wish.

I hope that in the future,

there won't be anyone as pitiful as Qing Xu.

You go back.

Being able to spend a lifetime

with the one they love,

would also make Qing Xu happy.

So you've already grown so much white hair.

It's my fault for not easing your worries.

Yes.

Third Highness will be fine.

But as for you,

you've been shielding arrows recently,

and even got poisoned.

Thank you, Brother Lin Feng.

Axun,

are you alright?

I'm fine.

The nine chimes of the bell

signify a great mourning.

Father...

This can't be!

I just came out of the palace.

I will accompany you to the palace.

Since ancient times,

for the sake of world peace and people’s happiness,

there have often been instances of princesses being married off for diplomacy.

However, these princesses, leaving their homeland,

faced strained marriages and severed family bonds.

I deeply grieve over this,

and I am moved by it as well.

The stability of a nation should not depend on a single woman.

Therefore, starting from our dynasty,

there will be no marriage alliances, no reparations,

no ceding of land, and no tribute.

The emperor guards the nation's gates,

and the king sacrifices himself for the realm.

On Brother Three,

there is the scent of night jasmine.

The imperial doctor said,

there was an additional ingredient in Father King's tea,

when combined with night jasmine,

it becomes a deadly poison.

It was you who killed Father King!

Your Highness claims,

that I poisoned the tea.

Do you have any evidence?

Everyone who came into contact with this cup of tea

was sent to the Department of Justice for interrogation.

And they endured all seventy-two forms of torture.

So I believe

the Third Brother is the most suspicious.

The King is my father.

Why would I want to harm him?

Lady Qingxu may have died at the hands of the Empress Dowager,

but your father abandoned her without remorse.

In your heart,

he is also an accomplice.

You drove the Yuzhao Royal Family,

who once mistreated Lady Qingxu,

to the northern desert,

and plotted to harm the Empress Dowager.

Who's to say you wouldn't target the King?

Especially since the King just reprimanded you,

stripped you of your Crown Prince title and military authority.

You must harbor resentment.

Your Highness,

have you ever seen this token before?

The person behind the scenes used an identical token

to relay to the Queen

the news accusing the Su family of treason.

As expected.

I once saw the same token

in your room.

This one,

is it yours?

This token is mine.

But I have never used it to contact the Queen.

Besides you,

is there anyone else in the Tiancheng Kingdom

who holds such a token?

No one.

Back then, my father led the army

and defeated Yuzhao Nation,

leaving Princess Qingxu

without anyone to rely on in Tiancheng Kingdom.

She lost favor and was harmed by the Queen.

As a result, you became a slave to Jian Shiliu,

suffering humiliation.

Have you ever, even for a moment,

harbored hatred toward my father?

Ah Zhi,

I...

So you conspired with the Queen

to frame my Su family for treason

to avenge your mother, didn't you?

I did not.

Right now, all the evidence

points to the Third Prince.

Does the Third Prince have any evidence

to prove his innocence?

No, I don’t.

Master Gongsun,

according to Father’s will,

Tiancheng will not marry off a princess for diplomacy anymore.

Regarding the truce agreement between Yuzhao and Tiancheng,

aside from a marriage alliance,

I have agreed to all other terms.

I shall report this to the ruler of Yuzhao.

Your Highness,

although I am the head of the Gongsun family,

I am also an adopted son of the Su family.

The Third Prince conspired against the ruler,

framed loyal ministers.

The evidence is indisputable.

I beseech Your Highness to make a wise judgment,

to console the spirit of the late ruler

and General Su in the afterlife.

Guards!

Announce my decree:

Jian Qingxun is guilty and beyond forgiveness.

He is demoted to a commoner.

In two days,

at noon, he shall be executed.

Yes, Your Highness.

Wait!

Although Your Highness has punished Jian Qingxun,

it still doesn’t quell the resentment in this humble woman’s heart.

These past two days,

can you entrust him to me?

I grant your request.

From now on,

I am the master,

and you are the servant.

You caused the downfall of my Su family,

and brought me humiliation in the entertainment circle.

Today,

it's time for a change.

Kneel here,

and apologize to my father and sister.

Ah Zhi,

others may not believe me,

but you can't.

You wiped out my entire Su family!

You ask me to trust you?

Kneel!

Ah Zhi,

don't feel sad.

You still have me.

I will always be by your side.

After everything is settled,

I'll take you back to Yu Zhao.

We will start anew.

Brother Lin Feng,

it's my fault for misjudging people.

I trusted him wrongly.

Fresh green ant wine,

a small clay stove with red mud.

The evening hints at snow,

can we have a drink?

Brother Lin Feng,

have a drink with me.

Alright.

Whatever Ah Zhi wants to do,

I will accompany you.

Go get the wine.

I want to drink and enjoy the snow with Brother Lin Feng.

Wait.

Go change into clean clothes.

Let’s not catch a chill.

If your heart is like mine,

then you will not fail to honor

this mutual longing.

Ah Zhi.

Your Highness is still recovering from serious injuries.

You shouldn't drink alcohol.

The Emperor's Inner Canon

mentions the use of alcohol in medicine.

Young Master Gongsun, aren't you being overly cautious?

Serve some hot tea to His Highness and A Zhi.

Yes.

How dare you serve tea this hot?

Please, Your Highness.

Miss Su, please forgive me.

Why aren't you wiping it up properly?

Yes.

I always thought

Young Master Gongsun was a

gentle and refined gentleman.

I never expected this harsh side of you.

Your Highness is right.

It's because of my love for A Zhi

that I feel jealous.

Jealousy has clouded my judgment.

You may leave.

Yes.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Lilu.

What are you doing here?

I was worried about Your Highness,

so I came to check on you.

What happened to Your Highness?

I'm fine.

You should leave quickly.

Don't let anyone see you.

I'm not afraid.

Your Highness brought me back from the battlefield.

Had it not been for you,

I wouldn’t even know where I would have died.

Though we are master and servant,

Your Highness has never hidden anything from me.

Even Your Highness's identity as the Third Prince

was revealed to me without hesitation.

I trust Your Highness.

And I will never betray Your Highness's trust.

These are all the rewards Your Highness has given me over the years.

I beg Your Highness to take care of yourself.

Who are you?

How did you get in?

I am...

a friend of Baishao.

A friend of Baishao.

If you're a friend of Baishao, you should look for Baishao.

Why are you here with this lowly servant,

pulling and tugging like this?

Who are you calling a lowly servant?

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Take it back.

I still have something to discuss with Baishao.

I'm leaving now.

So what if I said you're a lowly servant?

Slacking off as soon as you entered the manor.

Watch how I stand up for

Miss Su and Young Master Gongsun

and teach you a proper lesson.

Miss... Miss Su,

I had no idea

this residence is now under your rule.

Miss Su,

it's him.

He was slacking off first.

I was merely teaching him some manners.

My people,

can only be disciplined by me.

Get lost.

Yes.

Why is the Third Prince so tolerant now?

Truly unexpected.

I am no longer the Third Prince.

I am just Miss Su's servant now.

Whatever Miss Su asks of me,

I will do it.

What I want from you,

is to please me.

I just wanted you to have a taste,

the feeling of pleasing others,

just like a servant would.

You wouldn't actually think

I'm interested in your body, would you?

I'm going to drink and chat with Brother Linfeng.

Why don't you perform a sword dance for us?

Why am I seeing two of you?

Your Highness,

Your Highness...

Brother Linfeng,

Your Highness is drunk.

Why don't you escort her back?

After all, she got injured saving you.

And now she's recovering at the Su residence.

I don't feel comfortable leaving her to the servants.

I can't rest easy about that.

Then I'll escort her back myself.

Wait for me.

When I was little, I loved mother-of-pearl lacquerware.

So Father planted some lacquer trees

in the southeast corner of the nursery.

In the capital,

and even the entire Tiancheng Kingdom,

they are one of a kind.

There's a crabapple tree beside the lacquer trees.

Could you pick a branch for me?

Sure.

My Lord,

Jian Qingxun has headed to the nursery.

Don't go!

Brother Linfeng,

where are you going?

I was just about to come find you.

The night is getting colder,

why are you still outside?

Miss Su,

crabapple blossoms,

this is a reaction to lacquer allergy.

Such an ordinary flower

is hardly fit for someone as special as Ah Zhi.

You used to love peach blossoms the most.

In Yuzhao Kingdom,

I've planted a vast peach blossom forest for you.

When we return to Yuzhao the day after tomorrow,

I'll take you to see the peach blossoms.

Come with me.

Clean this up.

Your Highness.

This is the hibiscus dew you requested.

The tuberose in it,

often clashes with various herbs and plants,

so you must be extra cautious.

Find a way to add this

into the tea of Tiancheng Kingdom's ruler.

The diet of the King of Tiansheng

is extremely cautious.

If it gets discovered,

don't worry.

This medicine, when taken alone,

is not only harmless,

but actually beneficial.

It only becomes highly toxic

when it encounters night-blooming jasmine.

Take care of those two craftsmen

who made the fake tokens.

Understood.

As Your Highness predicted,

the lacquer craftsman Li was almost silenced.

Luckily, I arrived just in time

and managed to save him.

He's now hiding in the Third Prince's residence.

General Li, mighty as always.

The Third Prince is the culprit behind

the deaths of the Ninth Princess Consort and the Su family.

And you are their accomplice as well.

I don’t want anything from you!

Ah Zhi, what are you up to?

Brother Linfeng gave me so many pieces of jewelry,

I can’t even decide which one to choose.

How about this,

Brother Ling Feng, help me pick one to wear.

Alright.

Brother Ling Feng.

I don't have that many hands,

how can I wear so many accessories?

It's still not enough, Ah Zhi.

In the past, I lived under someone else's roof.

Although my father treated me as his own,

everything I had,

came from the Su family.

When I'm with you,

I always feel inferior and powerless.

Now,

I can finally rely on my own efforts

to give you the best in this world.

Ah Zhi,

what would you like to do today?

I'll accompany you.

I remember when we were kids,

we once made mother-of-pearl lacquerware together.

Why don't we make it again today?

Last night, the servants reported

that a few of the lacquer trees were infested with bugs,

so I had them cut down.

There are plenty of lacquer trees in Yuzhao.

If you want to make some, Ah Zhi,

we can do it when we return.

I can accompany you to make lacquerware every day.

It's alright.

Then let's play chess today.

Master of the Gongsun family,

the princess requests your presence.

I happen to feel a bit tired.

Brother Linfeng, you should check it out.

It's my fault.

I thought Brother Linfeng and I

would still be as close as we were when we were kids.

Let's go. With the master not here,

we shouldn't stay.

Ah Zhi,

that's not what I meant.

Wait here for me,

I'll be back shortly.

Third Highness,

right now,

it's just the two of us left.

What does Your Highness need from me?

During this time,

thank you, Master Gongsun, for your care.

Since Master Gongsun is about to leave,

I have prepared a token of gratitude

for you, Master Gongsun.

I heard from Ah Zhi

that when you were young, your dream

was to travel the world like a wandering hero.

These ancient texts

are travel journals written by predecessors.

This token

will allow you to travel freely

within the realm of Tiansheng.

Youthful remarks cannot be taken seriously.

I have long forgotten about it.

This is the last chance I can give you.

Then I wish Master Gongsun a bold and fearless journey,

with no regrets for your choices.

Wait.

A storm is brewing.

Young Master Gongsun, be cautious.

Getting caught in the rain could harm your health.

A storm is coming.

Your Highness is of noble blood;

please be careful not to get wet.

Thank you, Your Highness.

You're hurting me.

Bear with it; it will be over soon.

I saw Jian Qingxun's sword dance was quite impressive,

so I wanted him to teach me.

Turns out, he's not a great teacher.

He nearly messed up your room.

It's fine.

Ah Zhi.

Jian Qingxun.

Tomorrow marks the final day.

I've had food and drinks prepared.

Today, there are no distinctions between us.

We won't part until we're drunk.

I love drinking the most,

but today, this wine

is the bitterest I've ever tasted.

All good things must come to an end.

After tomorrow,

Jian Qingxun,

the ties of love and hate between us shall be over.

I will also take Ah Zhi back to Yu Zhao Kingdom.

In my heart,

you are as important as family.

Why did you kill

my sister and father?

Revenge,

power—

is it really that important?

The Crown Prince summons Jian Qingxun to the palace.

Execution at noon.

Jian Qingxun,

you murdered your father and the king, framed the loyal—

your crimes are unforgivable!

Do you have anything to say?

Your Highness,

this guilty minister has been wrongly accused.

This is my token.

Please, Your Highness,

compare it with the queen's token

and the token in Lord Gongsun's hands.

Permission granted.

Your Highness, please have a look.

These three tokens,

are all made of red sandalwood.

The token in my possession,

in comparison to the other two,

is darker in color.

This is because

red sandalwood coated with lacquer

easily changes color in damp environments.

This token of mine

was brought by my mother

from Yu Zhao Kingdom.

Yu Zhao Kingdom is rainy and humid,

so the token easily changes color.

On the other hand, the other two tokens

are counterfeit, made in Tian Sheng.

Tian Sheng is dry with little rain,

so the tokens don't change color.

This is indeed the case.

What Jian Qingxun said

only proves that the other two tokens

didn't come from Yu Zhao Kingdom.

It doesn't prove

anything else.

But cannot prove

The person who created the other two tokens

is not Jian Qingxun.

It is.

So this guilty official also prepared

a confession from the lacquer craftsman who forged the tokens.

An empty confession.

Lacquer Li has been one of my people all along.

The ink used in his confession is specially made.

After one hour,

the ink will completely disappear.

Jian Qingxun,

what do you have to fight me with?

The head of the Gongsun family truly calculates everything so well.

Your Highness, the Crown Prince,

Jian Qingxun is merely spouting nonsense.

It is now noon.

Please give the order,

to carry out the execution immediately.

However, the head of the Gongsun family

is way too impatient, isn't he?

You colluded with Lacquer Li,

but Lacquer Zhang is still alive.

This one here

is Lacquer Zhang's confession.

As expected, just as Your Highness predicted,

Lacquer Li was almost silenced.

Luckily, I arrived in time

and saved him.

He is now hidden in the Third Prince's residence.

Gongsun Sheng is deeply scheming.

This matter is not so simple.

Take this fake death pill

and find the other lacquer craftsman.

Hand him half of the fake death pill in advance.

Have him take it in a life-threatening situation to ensure his survival.

Once the assassins sent by Gongsun Sheng leave,

then administer to Lacquer Zhang

the remaining half of the fake death pill.

He will wake up naturally.

Head of the Gongsun family,

Lacquer Zhang stated in his confession

that it was under your orders

that he forged these two tokens

to frame Jian Qingxun.

Is the Crown Prince accusing me of a crime

based solely on some inexplicable lacquer craftsman?

Your accusations have no grounds.

Master Gongsun is correct.

You—

Your Highness the Crown Prince.

This is a follower of Master Gongsun.

He attempted to kill Lacquer Zhang but was captured by us.

And according to his confession,

it was Master Gongsun who instructed him to poison the Queen.

This led to the Queen's sudden death in the grand hall.

I have treated you well.

Why would you betray your master?

Have you thought about

your family back in Yuzhao Kingdom?

Yes—

Yes, it was the Third Prince who bribed me.

He had me cooperate with him in this act.

Your Highness, he’s attempting to take his own life!

I have also found some evidence.

This is a letter personally written by the eldest daughter of the Gongsun family.

It details the deeds of Master Gongsun

in the Yuzhao Kingdom.

Yuzhao and Tiansheng are far apart.

How could the Gongsun family’s letter

end up here?

Ah Zhi,

when did you first begin to suspect me?

When I first met you,

I was genuinely delighted.

After my sister and father died,

you became the closest person to me in this world.

But later,

when you kept urging me to keep my distance from Jian Qingxun,

I thought you were worried about me,

doing it for my own good.

And when you expressed your feelings for me,

I felt sad and guilty

for not being able to reciprocate.

It wasn’t until

you gave me this marriage pact.

you stayed with the Su family for ten years,

and you imitated my father's handwriting quite well.

But there was one crucial flaw.

When you came to the Su family,

my mother had already passed away for many years.

So you didn’t know

that her maiden name was Sese.

My father deeply loved my mother.

Since her passing,

every time he wrote the character ‘Se’,

he would intentionally leave out one stroke.

That’s how I knew this marriage document

was not written by my father.

And incidentally,

I obtained from the Queen information about the person behind the scenes,

who falsified evidence of the Su family's

treason against the country.

Among the evidence was a letter forged in my father's name.

One of the sentences read,

‘Sese Yinyin,

lamenting these sounds.’

The character ‘Se’ was not missing a stroke in that letter either.

Someone who could imitate my father's handwriting

and forge evidence of treason against the Su family

did not know my father's habit of omitting a stroke in the character ‘Se’.

Now tell me, who else could it be but you?

Who else,

if not you?

A Zhi,

let him speak.

Yes.

It was the eldest son of the Gongsun family who ordered me

to poison the king,

to kill Qi Qi Zhang as a cover-up,

and to forge these two insignias.

The eldest daughter of the Gongsun family wrote in her letter,

‘The head of the Gongsun family,

even back during his time at the Gongsun residence, was always cunning.’

As for Gongsun Yan,

he was an illegitimate son,

born from a one-night affair between himself and a musician.

Yet due to framing the Su family,

he gained Gongsun Yan's trust and favor.

Step by step,

with calculation and cunning,

he got rid of his own brothers and even Gongsun Yan himself.

became the head of the Gongsun family

That’s true

I only wanted to change my own destiny

What did I do wrong?

But what did they do wrong?

They treated you as their closest kin

Yet, for your own selfish desires

you used their blood

to pave your path to the top

But my selfish desire is you

Father cared for me

but he never considered letting me marry you

As long as I am Su Linfeng

I will always feel painfully insecure in front of you

I needed to become the almighty head of the Gongsun family

Only then could I be worthy of marrying you

I would rather you just be Brother Linfeng

I don’t want you to be the head of the Gongsun family

Besides

The one I like

is Jian Qingxun

Ah Zhi

I was the one who met you first

I was the one who liked you first

How can you like someone else?

If you don’t like me

Then we’ll die together

No

Brother Linfeng

Do you still remember

the peach blossoms we planted together?

Brother Linfeng

What is your wish?

I want to become

a wanderer, like a roaming knight

Traveling the world

and living freely

Brother Linfeng

Your wish will definitely come true

The peach blossoms are flourishing

shining with vibrant beauty

May the youth find their love

and build a blissful home

where happiness resides

Brother Linfeng,

how did you get this jade pendant?

This jade pendant

was a gift from my father to my sister and me.

It has a phoenix carved on it.

My father hoped my sister and I

could soar like phoenixes,

free and unbounded.

Carefree and at ease.

When you were young,

were you almost kidnapped by human traffickers?

Yes, I was.

I remember there was a little boy,

he was quite cute,

but a bit timid.

Did you tell him

your name is Su Fengyu?

When I was young,

my father wouldn't let me go out.

So I would use my sister's identity

to sneak out.

Whenever I was outside,

I always pretended to be my sister.

Wait,

you wouldn't happen to be that boy, would you?

Yes.

A-Zhi,

when we were kids, you saved me.

I promised I would protect you in the future.

All these years,

I've missed you so much.

Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law,

your relationship is truly wonderful.

Your Highness,

isn't it time to bestow their marriage?

Third Brother,

about Father,

I misunderstood you.

I owe you an apology.

Your Highness has a deep bond with Father.

I don't blame you.

I will issue an edict immediately

to restore Third Brother's status as a prince.

I hope Third Brother can stay by my side

to guide and supervise me.

Your Highness,

the Third Prince,

died three years ago.

The current Jian Qingxun

only wishes to live as a free man,

to be with the one he loves,

forever together.

But I fear that I am too young,

and lack experience.

I may not be a good ruler.

Your Highness once suspected me of harming our father,

yet did not hastily sentence me to death,

nor punish me.

This shows that Your Highness

has a kind and benevolent heart.

As long as Your Highness treats the people

as if they were your own siblings,

the world

will surely be united and at peace.

You will be able to,

spend your life with the one you truly love.

How fortunate Third Brother must be.

Your Highness,

please grant them their happiness.

Whether wandering afar or amid the highest halls of power,

there will always be days of reunion.

Third Brother, Sister-in-law,

take care.

Take care.

Ah Zhi,

I...

I’ve finally married you.

Back at the Ninth Prince's residence,

Your Highness was so at ease teasing me then;

but today,

why are you blushing so much?

When Ah Zhi teases me,

you are no less bold.

Come out!

Your Highness,

Young Master,

we were just passing by.

Passing by?

Well then,

this servant will take my leave.

You see,

I told you to keep quiet,

and now we’ve been discovered!

Alright then,

now no one will disturb us anymore.

Your wound,

does it still hurt?