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[How dare you!?]
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[Episode 7]
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The plan was to get Xie Yong'er
to spill the truth when drunk,
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00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,100
but I ended up
revealing everything myself.
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00:02:03,500 --> 00:02:05,300
I thought I held the script,
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00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,430
but Prince Duan
was the one truly above all.
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00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:16,430
I even revealed my only way to survive.
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00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:19,240
I...
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00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,310
must be doomed now.
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00:02:28,910 --> 00:02:29,560
My Lady,
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00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:31,370
it's time to wash and dress.
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00:02:35,750 --> 00:02:37,530
My Lady, you've been drinking?
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00:02:38,910 --> 00:02:39,440
Be quiet.
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00:02:40,470 --> 00:02:41,270
My head hurts.
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00:02:41,910 --> 00:02:43,310
Let me sleep a bit longer.
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00:02:44,150 --> 00:02:45,120
That won't do.
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00:02:45,750 --> 00:02:47,520
You are to pay your respects
to the Empress Dowager today.
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Why do I have to see her again?
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00:02:52,310 --> 00:02:54,640
Nothing good ever comes from meeting her.
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00:02:55,170 --> 00:02:56,590
Can't I just pretend to be sick?
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His Majesty just promoted
Concubine Xie to Consort this morning.
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00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:03,120
If you don't attend,
you'll face even more criticism.
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00:03:03,870 --> 00:03:06,400
The Emperor's heart
is truly unpredictable.
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Greetings, Your Majesty
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00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:11,080
Greetings,
Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.
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00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:12,400
May Your Majesty
be blessed with good fortune.
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00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:14,310
May Your Majesty the
Empress Dowager enjoy peace and health.
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00:03:14,310 --> 00:03:15,040
You may rise.
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00:03:15,630 --> 00:03:17,230
Everyone, please be seated.
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00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:18,890
Thank you, Your Majesty
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and Empress Dowager.
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A hangover is truly miserable.
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Consort Xie.
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Come to my side.
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00:04:09,430 --> 00:04:10,230
Your Majesty.
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00:04:13,150 --> 00:04:13,950
So beautiful.
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00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:17,120
Emperor,
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the Flower Festival Banquet
is approaching.
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00:04:20,310 --> 00:04:21,510
What are your plans?
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00:04:25,430 --> 00:04:26,240
Your Majesty,
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with the Flower Festival Banquet
drawing near and flowers in full bloom,
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00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:30,190
our Great Xia now
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enjoys peace and prosperity.
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Therefore, I believe
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all of us consorts
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00:04:36,270 --> 00:04:37,870
should each contribute our strengths
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00:04:37,870 --> 00:04:39,870
and do our part
to sing the praises of the nation.
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00:04:39,870 --> 00:04:40,470
Am I right?
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00:04:40,750 --> 00:04:41,550
That's right.
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I personally picked 100 kinds of flowers
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and made them into Hundred Flower Cakes.
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They taste
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excellent.
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I've been preparing since last year.
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00:04:50,870 --> 00:04:54,750
I'm embroidering an 8-foot-long piece
called Blossoms and Wealth.
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00:04:55,159 --> 00:04:56,600
By the time
of the Flower Festival Banquet,
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00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:57,730
it will be finished.
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00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,300
After years of study,
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I finally cultivated a new flower species.
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00:05:02,510 --> 00:05:04,710
Putting so much thought into one thing?
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00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:06,430
Yet they seem to enjoy it.
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00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:07,980
Come to think of it,
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00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:09,720
being just a simple 2D character
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00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:11,190
seems quite happy at least.
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00:05:11,190 --> 00:05:12,480
But the more I know,
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00:05:12,830 --> 00:05:14,160
the more worries I have.
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00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:15,970
You've all put in great effort.
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I am very pleased.
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00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:20,130
Emperor,
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what do you think?
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00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:23,830
Which do you prefer?
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Last night,
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the dances
Consort Xie performed in my chamber
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were quite impressive.
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00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:41,909
I danced?
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00:05:42,390 --> 00:05:43,990
I don't remember that at all!
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At the banquet,
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let's have Consort Xie perform a dance.
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00:05:49,070 --> 00:05:49,870
Your Majesty...
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00:05:49,870 --> 00:05:50,670
It's settled.
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00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:52,900
Your Highness,
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00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:54,370
are you feeling unwell?
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00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:05,850
I've caught a slight cold recently
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00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:07,480
and feel a bit off.
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00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:09,920
On such a fine day,
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I'd better excuse myself
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so as not to spoil Your Majesty's and
the Empress Dowager's enjoyment.
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00:06:16,870 --> 00:06:18,800
What a pitiful look.
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How scheming.
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00:06:19,770 --> 00:06:21,600
Stop pretending, Sister.
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00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:23,680
Pretending to be sick for sympathy?
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I hope His Majesty
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doesn't fall for this
"white lotus"'s trick.
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00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,000
Well, Consort Yu's heal—
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00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:29,570
Get lost.
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00:06:38,159 --> 00:06:39,159
What a shame.
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00:06:39,409 --> 00:06:40,830
She was trying to act pitiful,
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but turned out truly pitiful.
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His Majesty is sick of her now.
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00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:45,040
Serves her right.
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00:06:48,159 --> 00:06:48,710
My dear,
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00:06:50,100 --> 00:06:51,960
come to my chamber again tonight,
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00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:53,330
alright?
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00:07:06,050 --> 00:07:08,240
Isn't that Noble Consort Yu
who just lost favor?
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00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:09,160
Stop looking.
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00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:13,240
Xiahou Dan's performance
of favoring the new over the old
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00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:14,510
is quite convincing.
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00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:17,240
According to the original story,
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00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,480
by now, I, the demonic consort,
should have been
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00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:21,360
completely suppressed by Xie Yong'er,
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00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:23,560
never able to turn things around again.
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Turn things around?
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Whether it's me, Xie Yong'er,
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or even Xiahou Dan—
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we might all just be 2D characters
in Prince Duan's eyes.
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My Lady.
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[Let's have a chat
in the flower house at midnight]
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What's meant to come has come.
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Wanyin.
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00:08:32,110 --> 00:08:32,700
I'm here.
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Come to me.
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This man
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is so good at this.
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I was careless.
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00:08:51,560 --> 00:08:54,760
I should have brought Mr. Bei
or secret guards for safety.
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But he probably won't
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take my life at this stage.
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I'll struggle a bit first
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00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:01,150
to see
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00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:03,300
what level he's really at.
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00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:07,650
Your Highness, what did you
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00:09:07,670 --> 00:09:08,630
ask me here for?
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00:09:09,270 --> 00:09:10,310
Earlier today,
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00:09:10,790 --> 00:09:12,050
I visited Minister Yu.
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00:09:13,030 --> 00:09:14,270
He misses you
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00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:18,100
and wants to know
how you're doing in the palace.
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00:09:18,170 --> 00:09:19,200
So I thought
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00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:21,320
I'd ask on his behalf.
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00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,800
That's very thoughtful of you,
Your Highness.
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00:09:25,270 --> 00:09:26,060
However...
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00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:29,750
life in the palace...
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00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:31,840
is just like this.
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00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:37,240
Wanyin, do you have something
on your mind?
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Concubine Xie
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00:09:44,750 --> 00:09:46,610
attended His Majesty last night.
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00:09:47,390 --> 00:09:48,190
This morning,
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she was promoted to Consort.
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00:09:51,560 --> 00:09:52,540
Your Highness,
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00:09:53,510 --> 00:09:55,310
what do you think of Consort Xie?
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00:09:59,030 --> 00:10:00,560
She is His Majesty's woman.
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00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:02,420
I dare not comment.
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00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:03,280
What about me?
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00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:05,080
Your Highness,
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00:10:05,390 --> 00:10:06,650
what do you think of me?
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00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:08,920
Like viewing a flower through the mist,
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00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:10,250
I can't see you clearly.
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00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:11,600
Your Highness,
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00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:13,330
why do you feel this way?
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00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:14,630
Wanyin,
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00:10:16,030 --> 00:10:17,960
we've known each other
for quite some time.
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00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:19,290
Perhaps some things...
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00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:21,900
should be spoken plainly now.
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00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:25,730
For example?
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00:10:26,270 --> 00:10:27,130
For example...
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00:10:30,030 --> 00:10:30,670
who...
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00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:35,120
are you exactly?
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00:10:39,710 --> 00:10:40,140
I...
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00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:42,080
Or...
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00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:44,080
who is His Majesty?
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00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:47,480
And who is Xie Yong'er?
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The worst guess has come true.
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00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:56,890
He saw through Xie Yong'er,
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perhaps because this lovesick fool
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let something slip.
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00:11:01,390 --> 00:11:02,990
That he can see through me too
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00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:05,860
might be because I slipped up somewhere.
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00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:07,980
But he even saw through Xiahou Dan,
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00:11:07,980 --> 00:11:09,030
that master actor.
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00:11:09,030 --> 00:11:10,160
That's impossible.
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00:11:10,870 --> 00:11:11,530
Which means
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he can only be
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standing on a higher level.
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00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:25,420
Wanyin, there's no need to be so nervous.
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00:11:26,980 --> 00:11:28,780
I have never meant you any harm.
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00:11:29,550 --> 00:11:31,680
And since you can foresee some things,
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00:11:31,870 --> 00:11:33,670
you should know that choosing me
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is the wiser choice.
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00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,000
Since you already know everything,
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what do you need me for?
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00:11:41,270 --> 00:11:43,670
I didn't come to you
to have you do anything.
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00:11:45,750 --> 00:11:47,910
I came because I've fallen for you.
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00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:52,400
We're not even the same species.
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00:11:53,750 --> 00:11:55,080
Not even from the same dimension.
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00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:56,480
How could you fall for me?
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00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:04,420
Well...
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00:12:06,550 --> 00:12:08,610
That doesn't seem to matter, does it?
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00:12:10,630 --> 00:12:11,080
So
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00:12:14,070 --> 00:12:15,620
you like me as a character?
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00:12:18,630 --> 00:12:20,030
Otherwise, why would I
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00:12:20,670 --> 00:12:22,400
have chosen you from the start?
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00:12:24,630 --> 00:12:26,150
Then when we first met,
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00:12:26,910 --> 00:12:27,720
why didn't you say it outright?
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00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:28,270
Wanyin,
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00:12:28,550 --> 00:12:30,610
I'll tell you some things gradually.
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00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:33,480
All you need to do is think carefully
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about whose side you should stand on
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to make the wisest choice.
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00:12:45,620 --> 00:12:48,130
[Your Majesty,]
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00:12:48,130 --> 00:12:50,650
[please eliminate the demonic consort
to strengthen the court]
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00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,160
Consort Yu went to the Imperial Garden.
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00:13:05,510 --> 00:13:08,030
She's having
a secret meeting with Prince Duan.
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00:13:08,030 --> 00:13:08,440
Dan,
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00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:10,560
what are your orders?
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00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:12,240
No orders.
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00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:14,820
Don't you care?
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00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:18,750
I know you like her.
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00:13:19,790 --> 00:13:21,360
But she shares a bed with you.
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00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:24,220
If she turns against you,
it would be too dangerous.
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00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,170
Have you ever considered that,
220
00:13:29,210 --> 00:13:30,470
from her perspective,
221
00:13:32,470 --> 00:13:34,840
[Your Majesty,
why haven't you taken action yet?]
222
00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:33,630
Prince Duan
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00:13:34,860 --> 00:13:36,940
[Don't let impulsiveness
ruin a good opportunity]
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00:13:35,870 --> 00:13:37,270
is indeed a safer option?
225
00:13:37,510 --> 00:13:38,120
Why?
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00:13:38,850 --> 00:13:39,510
Haven't you already known
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00:13:39,510 --> 00:13:41,030
Prince Duan's plan?
228
00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,170
Knowing it and being confident
229
00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:46,940
are two different things.
230
00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:50,520
She wants to survive,
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00:13:51,620 --> 00:13:53,020
and that's only natural.
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00:13:53,380 --> 00:13:54,210
♪ Tell me ♪
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00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:58,330
♪ Why so many laments echo in the wind ♪
234
00:13:55,510 --> 00:13:55,960
Dan,
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00:13:58,330 --> 00:14:00,010
is she really that important?
236
00:14:00,060 --> 00:14:01,120
♪ Walk past me ♪
237
00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:05,090
♪ Like an aloof passerby ♪
238
00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:03,080
You shouldn't let love
239
00:14:03,630 --> 00:14:04,830
cloud your judgment.
240
00:14:06,460 --> 00:14:08,940
♪ Don't watch me as the rain falls ♪
241
00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:09,360
She is my lifeline.
242
00:14:09,780 --> 00:14:12,560
♪ Love burns too hot as it passes ♪
243
00:14:12,770 --> 00:14:14,150
What about Xiahou Dan?
244
00:14:13,290 --> 00:14:19,040
♪ Even a lifetime of war
cannot be extinguished ♪
245
00:14:14,610 --> 00:14:15,780
He won't.
246
00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:17,030
Why?
247
00:14:17,550 --> 00:14:18,120
Even I
248
00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:21,180
have been hesitating over
249
00:14:20,230 --> 00:14:21,260
♪ Blame me ♪
250
00:14:21,950 --> 00:14:25,430
♪ For the frailty of fate ♪
251
00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:25,610
whether to ally with him.
252
00:14:27,050 --> 00:14:28,130
♪ Hide me ♪
253
00:14:27,530 --> 00:14:28,310
Yet he
254
00:14:28,550 --> 00:14:32,600
♪ With light snow or thick ink ♪
255
00:14:30,130 --> 00:14:31,670
has always chosen me
256
00:14:33,900 --> 00:14:36,280
♪ We met in the crowd ♪
257
00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:35,270
without wavering.
258
00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,790
♪ There's no mistake in this life ♪
259
00:14:40,700 --> 00:14:43,620
♪ I only regret being clumsy in words ♪
260
00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:42,320
You are the bravest
261
00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:45,840
♪ And shrinking from speaking it out ♪
262
00:14:45,550 --> 00:14:47,030
and most formidable person
263
00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:48,690
♪ Even when destiny mocked me, hurt me ♪
264
00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:49,600
I've seen in my two lives.
265
00:14:48,740 --> 00:14:50,500
♪ Destroyed me, or trapped me ♪
266
00:14:50,530 --> 00:14:53,050
♪ I never yielded ♪
267
00:14:52,030 --> 00:14:53,360
You'll definitely have the last laugh,
268
00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:54,850
♪ But why ♪
269
00:14:55,090 --> 00:14:59,670
♪ Can't I bear to see
even a single tear in your eyes? ♪
270
00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:56,440
fighting your way
271
00:14:57,720 --> 00:14:59,000
to a bright new world.
272
00:14:59,990 --> 00:15:02,310
♪ But we once fell in love, went wild ♪
273
00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:03,080
So,
274
00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,250
♪ Split up, and lost each other ♪
275
00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:06,600
♪ They are
all unforgettable memories to me ♪
276
00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,100
whatever decision she makes,
I will support it,
277
00:15:07,020 --> 00:15:08,750
♪ The first time I met you ♪
278
00:15:09,150 --> 00:15:09,750
including...
279
00:15:09,150 --> 00:15:16,970
♪ It felt like something suddenly
lit up my soul ♪
280
00:15:14,670 --> 00:15:15,330
leaving me.
281
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,000
I'm done playing.
282
00:15:31,670 --> 00:15:33,070
How can we even continue?
283
00:15:41,790 --> 00:15:42,720
I was thinking
284
00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:45,480
the four of us
could play mahjong together.
285
00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,200
Instead, he drew
a heavenly hand right off the deal
286
00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:48,530
and beat all three of us.
287
00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:50,550
Fallen for me?
288
00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:53,980
You'd fall for a 2D character?
289
00:15:56,150 --> 00:15:56,930
Yeah right.
290
00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:00,110
Wanyin.
291
00:16:01,550 --> 00:16:02,080
Mr. Bei?
292
00:16:03,030 --> 00:16:04,560
You were late getting back,
293
00:16:04,670 --> 00:16:06,930
so I prepared some tea and snacks for you.
294
00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:08,660
Don't forget to have them.
295
00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:11,410
Okay.
296
00:16:11,750 --> 00:16:12,810
Thank you, Mr. Bei.
297
00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:14,330
Get some rest early too.
298
00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:22,490
Mr. Bei is really good to me.
299
00:16:23,870 --> 00:16:25,510
Should I tell him
300
00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:27,730
and CEO Dan what just happened?
301
00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:31,440
Forget it.
302
00:16:32,670 --> 00:16:34,070
Better they know nothing
303
00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,080
than for us all to be upset together.
304
00:16:52,630 --> 00:16:53,480
I wonder
305
00:16:54,510 --> 00:16:56,770
what my name
is in this book I'm living in,
306
00:16:57,840 --> 00:16:59,440
and how many pages I'll last.
307
00:17:03,150 --> 00:17:03,910
Maybe
308
00:17:04,510 --> 00:17:05,550
Xu Yao's death
309
00:17:06,550 --> 00:17:08,310
is also part of the plot.
310
00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:17,599
What's the point of this?
311
00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:19,880
Yeah.
312
00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:23,480
What's the point?
313
00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:28,540
[Turning the Deputy Minister of Revenue
to our side—failed]
314
00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:29,250
[Spreading false information—failed]
315
00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:30,210
[Kill the imperial censor's
secret guards in the backyard]
316
00:17:30,210 --> 00:17:30,740
[to eliminate future threats.]
317
00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:37,680
Mr. Bei!
318
00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:39,780
Consort Xie,
319
00:17:40,110 --> 00:17:40,840
you're here.
320
00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:42,000
Eunuch An.
321
00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:44,060
Your Highness!
322
00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,960
Our Consort has an urgent matter
to discuss with His Majesty.
323
00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:48,360
No one is to disturb them.
324
00:17:49,430 --> 00:17:50,510
Well... yes.
325
00:17:51,070 --> 00:17:55,790
[Yongyan Hall]
326
00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:01,360
Your Highness, well...
327
00:18:01,790 --> 00:18:03,720
Perhaps you should return for now.
328
00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:08,660
CEO Dan!
329
00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:09,700
CEO Dan!
330
00:18:10,830 --> 00:18:11,760
Why are you here?
331
00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:14,310
There really is something wrong
with Prince Duan.
332
00:18:14,310 --> 00:18:15,370
Why do you say that?
333
00:18:15,820 --> 00:18:16,760
Xu Yao's book
334
00:18:17,110 --> 00:18:18,970
records his plans in such detail.
335
00:18:19,350 --> 00:18:20,270
If Xiahou Bo
336
00:18:20,270 --> 00:18:22,200
really stands at the highest level,
337
00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:24,730
how could this book
have ended up in our hands?
338
00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,060
Assuming he let us find it on purpose,
339
00:18:27,100 --> 00:18:28,960
what benefit would that be to him?
340
00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,640
The easiest way to defeat you
341
00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:34,130
is to keep us in the dark
about everything.
342
00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:34,730
Also,
343
00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:36,880
if he knew I was a transmigrator,
344
00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:38,480
why didn't he ask me directly?
345
00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:40,340
Why keep testing me over and over?
346
00:18:40,830 --> 00:18:42,160
And I met with him today.
347
00:18:43,030 --> 00:18:44,750
When I said
we're not even the same species,
348
00:18:44,750 --> 00:18:46,610
not even from the same dimension,
349
00:18:46,750 --> 00:18:48,160
he clearly hesitated.
350
00:18:48,750 --> 00:18:50,080
What does that suggest?
351
00:18:50,110 --> 00:18:51,200
It suggests...
352
00:18:52,270 --> 00:18:54,400
that his show of initiative
353
00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:57,160
may simply be because he discovered
354
00:18:57,920 --> 00:18:59,860
our abnormality in some way?
355
00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:01,960
In his eyes,
356
00:19:02,570 --> 00:19:04,060
we might be the kind of
357
00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:05,540
semi-divine beings with foresight
358
00:19:05,540 --> 00:19:07,070
who can foresee the future.
359
00:19:08,260 --> 00:19:10,720
And he thinks
the three of us are the same kind.
360
00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:11,790
You, me,
361
00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:13,410
and Xie Yong'er?
362
00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:14,720
So
363
00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:16,630
if he doesn't trust Xie Yong'er,
364
00:19:16,630 --> 00:19:18,360
he won't trust you or me either.
365
00:19:19,550 --> 00:19:20,470
So...
366
00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:22,650
he's still just a 2D character?
367
00:19:24,750 --> 00:19:25,880
I need to find a way
368
00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:27,530
to test him thoroughly.
369
00:19:28,530 --> 00:19:29,130
By the way,
370
00:19:29,310 --> 00:19:30,070
shouldn't we
371
00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:32,020
hurry up and find those scholars?
372
00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:35,600
Why are you laughing?
373
00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:37,310
You told me about
374
00:19:38,110 --> 00:19:39,770
your private meeting with him
just like that?
375
00:19:39,770 --> 00:19:41,640
I told you so many important things,
376
00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:42,920
and that's your focus?
377
00:19:43,030 --> 00:19:44,160
I heard everything.
378
00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:47,920
But I think what's more important is
379
00:19:50,740 --> 00:19:52,470
whether we should have hot pot.
380
00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:02,270
Alright, alright. My bad, my bad.
381
00:20:02,270 --> 00:20:02,940
Let's go.
382
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:03,590
Let's eat hot pot.
383
00:20:03,590 --> 00:20:04,120
Let's go.
384
00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:21,400
Why isn't he here yet?
385
00:20:22,830 --> 00:20:24,290
He didn't back out, did he?
386
00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:27,960
Have you memorized
387
00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:29,350
the scholars' names and traits?
388
00:20:29,350 --> 00:20:30,110
This battle
389
00:20:30,110 --> 00:20:32,510
will decide the fate
of our Fishball Squad.
390
00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:35,200
Don't worry.
391
00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:36,680
Piece of cake.
392
00:20:39,540 --> 00:20:41,200
I've got it all under control.
393
00:20:41,550 --> 00:20:43,210
So how did you get them to come?
394
00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:52,510
Buns!
395
00:20:52,510 --> 00:20:54,420
Hot, delicious buns!
396
00:20:55,270 --> 00:20:56,530
Please keep it.
397
00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:00,240
The realm
has fallen into the hands of traitors.
398
00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:02,440
We're at a critical moment of survival.
399
00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,460
The people are exhausted,
400
00:21:04,550 --> 00:21:06,080
resources are running dry,
401
00:21:06,270 --> 00:21:07,930
the soldiers are growing old,
402
00:21:08,030 --> 00:21:10,430
and the people's hearts are drifting away.
403
00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:13,030
To make peace with a life
404
00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:15,560
of frustrated aspirations;
405
00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:17,280
steeds and spears were never
406
00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:19,240
my desire.
407
00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:22,830
Sir, excellent poem!
408
00:21:23,270 --> 00:21:24,170
I have one too.
409
00:21:24,350 --> 00:21:25,410
Please take a look.
410
00:21:27,270 --> 00:21:28,680
A true gentleman seizes the moment,
411
00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:30,240
and a wise man understands his fate.
412
00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:31,070
Though old,
413
00:21:31,550 --> 00:21:33,400
one's resolve need not fade;
414
00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:36,160
though poor, one's ambition
415
00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:37,400
should not fall.
416
00:21:38,310 --> 00:21:39,920
Loyal and righteous men
have all but perished,
417
00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:41,420
[Discourses on Salt and Iron]
418
00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:43,980
while troubles within and without
rise one after another.
419
00:21:45,350 --> 00:21:46,030
Fellow scholars,
420
00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:47,630
[Du Shan]
421
00:21:46,310 --> 00:21:48,270
you have studied diligently for decades,
422
00:21:48,270 --> 00:21:49,440
upholding righteousness
with quiet forbearance amid chaos.
423
00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:50,070
-Don't rush.
-Thank you.
424
00:21:50,070 --> 00:21:52,270
You possess extraordinary integrity.
425
00:21:53,830 --> 00:21:55,430
The rise and fall of the realm
426
00:21:55,510 --> 00:21:56,640
concerns every man.
427
00:21:58,680 --> 00:21:59,880
When the land is adrift,
428
00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:01,310
rather than replacing the ruler,
429
00:22:01,310 --> 00:22:03,590
it's better to destroy the old rules
and rebuild.
430
00:22:03,590 --> 00:22:05,070
I wish to befriend all you heroes
431
00:22:05,070 --> 00:22:06,270
and shape the nation,
432
00:22:06,710 --> 00:22:08,240
saving the collapsing tide
433
00:22:08,350 --> 00:22:10,410
and supporting the falling edifice.
434
00:22:13,460 --> 00:22:15,240
Let's set the heart for Heaven and Earth,
435
00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:16,770
secure life for the people,
436
00:22:16,950 --> 00:22:19,110
carry on the lost teachings of the sages,
437
00:22:19,110 --> 00:22:21,840
and bring lasting peace
for generations to come.
438
00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:25,800
Let's gather
at East Lake at the end of the month
439
00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:27,680
to discuss our grand plan.
440
00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:29,410
This journey may be dangerous.
441
00:22:29,830 --> 00:22:30,560
I ask that you
442
00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:32,370
travel with caution
443
00:22:33,270 --> 00:22:34,530
to ensure your safety.
444
00:22:37,590 --> 00:22:39,790
As a CEO, he really deserves your title.
445
00:22:40,550 --> 00:22:41,680
His literary talent
446
00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:43,490
puts me, a corporate drone,
447
00:22:43,750 --> 00:22:45,550
to shame. I can't compare at all.
448
00:22:58,400 --> 00:22:58,830
Cen.
449
00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:01,220
Let me borrow this.
450
00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:12,640
We came to answer your invitation
451
00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:14,920
because we were moved
by the words in your letter
452
00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,680
and wished to meet a kindred spirit.
453
00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:17,310
Yet today,
454
00:23:17,590 --> 00:23:20,390
all you've arranged
is drinking and sightseeing.
455
00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:21,740
This hardly feels like
456
00:23:21,790 --> 00:23:24,520
the long-awaited meeting
your letter promised.
457
00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:27,480
You have all traveled far,
458
00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:29,940
and endured the discomfort
of being veiled.
459
00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:30,880
I
460
00:23:31,310 --> 00:23:32,840
truly feel uneasy about it.
461
00:23:33,550 --> 00:23:34,550
As my letter said,
462
00:23:35,030 --> 00:23:36,890
I have long admired your talents.
463
00:23:37,510 --> 00:23:39,240
The brilliant essays you have written,
464
00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:42,030
I often read aloud to myself
and ponder in my heart.
465
00:23:42,030 --> 00:23:42,550
When I close the book...
466
00:23:42,550 --> 00:23:43,350
Let's skip
467
00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:44,740
the pleasantries.
468
00:23:51,750 --> 00:23:53,400
Establishing offices
and building the nation
469
00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:55,880
is meant to provide the people
with the means to live;
470
00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:57,550
levying taxes and collecting revenue
471
00:23:57,550 --> 00:23:59,030
is to support the state.
472
00:24:00,030 --> 00:24:01,000
All taxation
473
00:24:01,790 --> 00:24:02,240
must
474
00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:04,840
consider people's strength
475
00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:06,840
and the land's suitability.
476
00:24:08,590 --> 00:24:09,650
This is Li's essay?
477
00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:11,180
Li Yunxi from Zhuozhou
478
00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:13,380
is erudite and ambitious,
479
00:24:13,550 --> 00:24:14,640
of noble character,
480
00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:15,960
upright and unyielding,
481
00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:17,160
frank and outspoken.
482
00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:19,000
If he heads the Ministry of Revenue,
483
00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,170
his meticulous nature
484
00:24:21,590 --> 00:24:23,520
will surely deter all corruption.
485
00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:25,770
I must drink to that.
486
00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:31,350
You've certainly
487
00:24:31,350 --> 00:24:32,480
done your homework.
488
00:24:35,790 --> 00:24:37,050
Du Shan from Bingzhou,
489
00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:38,620
with his piece "Red Kite,"
490
00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:39,610
moved the world.
491
00:24:40,030 --> 00:24:41,680
If he heads the Ministry of Rites,
492
00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:44,280
he will bring honor
and integrity to Great Xia.
493
00:24:45,360 --> 00:24:46,960
I don't deserve such praise.
494
00:24:47,790 --> 00:24:49,320
The key to river management
495
00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:51,340
is first to understand its principles,
496
00:24:51,340 --> 00:24:52,920
then adapt to circumstances,
497
00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:54,590
and weigh with human compassion.
498
00:24:54,590 --> 00:24:56,120
Er Lan's "River Transport"
499
00:24:56,350 --> 00:24:58,510
is insightful yet accessible,
500
00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:00,440
every word a gem.
501
00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:02,430
If he heads the Ministry of Works,
502
00:25:02,430 --> 00:25:04,350
the population growth of Great Xia
503
00:25:04,350 --> 00:25:05,550
will be within reach.
504
00:25:07,500 --> 00:25:09,100
Yang is clever and flexible,
505
00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:10,550
skilled in mathematics.
506
00:25:10,550 --> 00:25:11,830
Now that times have changed,
507
00:25:11,830 --> 00:25:13,100
today, the Ministry of Personnel
508
00:25:13,100 --> 00:25:14,570
needs someone like you
509
00:25:14,930 --> 00:25:16,590
to choose talent
510
00:25:16,790 --> 00:25:18,160
without prejudice.
511
00:25:18,510 --> 00:25:19,570
I'll drink to that.
512
00:25:21,550 --> 00:25:22,200
Wang Zhao
513
00:25:23,110 --> 00:25:24,880
is honest and straightforward,
514
00:25:24,880 --> 00:25:25,740
a pleasure
515
00:25:26,070 --> 00:25:27,260
to meet.
516
00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:30,680
In the future, he may well serve
in the State Ceremonial Bureau,
517
00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:32,280
mediating between nations.
518
00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:34,720
You
519
00:25:35,330 --> 00:25:37,660
promised everyone such grand prospects.
520
00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:40,240
So,
521
00:25:40,750 --> 00:25:42,080
what role am I to take on?
522
00:25:42,310 --> 00:25:43,960
Food is the first necessity of the people.
523
00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:45,920
Cen, if you serve
as an agricultural official,
524
00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:47,780
it will be a great blessing to all.
525
00:25:47,790 --> 00:25:48,590
The northwest now
526
00:25:48,590 --> 00:25:49,920
suffers from severe drought,
527
00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:51,310
while the southwest is plagued by floods.
528
00:25:51,310 --> 00:25:51,920
Recently,
529
00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:54,340
I came across a book
from the Western Regions
530
00:25:54,340 --> 00:25:55,400
that records a crop
531
00:25:55,570 --> 00:25:56,770
resistant to lodging
532
00:25:56,960 --> 00:25:58,200
and tolerant of both drought and flooding.
533
00:25:58,200 --> 00:25:59,330
If there is a chance,
534
00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:00,890
I would like to discuss it with you
535
00:26:00,890 --> 00:26:01,950
through the night.
536
00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:12,910
Your Highness,
537
00:26:12,910 --> 00:26:14,210
our men just sent word.
538
00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:16,640
The Emperor has secretly left the palace
and gone to the West Mountain.
539
00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:17,700
The West Mountain?
540
00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:20,820
Why did he suddenly
go to the West Mountain?
541
00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:22,720
His villa is there.
542
00:26:23,030 --> 00:26:25,290
Perhaps he went to enjoy the hot springs.
543
00:26:28,270 --> 00:26:29,880
Stop joking.
544
00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:33,070
Lately, the Emperor
has been leaving the palace frequently.
545
00:26:33,070 --> 00:26:33,870
A few days ago,
546
00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:36,720
he rode his carriage
around the city 3 times
547
00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:39,350
and returned
without doing anything at all.
548
00:26:39,350 --> 00:26:40,950
Don't you find that strange?
549
00:26:43,270 --> 00:26:44,960
How many people did the Emperor bring?
550
00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:46,240
He traveled with a light escort,
551
00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:47,270
keeping a very low profile.
552
00:26:47,270 --> 00:26:48,020
It seems
553
00:26:48,660 --> 00:26:50,390
he doesn't want anyone to know.
554
00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:56,590
If that's the case,
555
00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:00,210
why don't we take
this excellent opportunity
556
00:27:01,990 --> 00:27:02,890
and just...
557
00:27:04,820 --> 00:27:05,220
You...
558
00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:10,750
I can have the troops
I've stationed in the suburbs
559
00:27:10,750 --> 00:27:12,010
disguised as bandits.
560
00:27:12,350 --> 00:27:14,590
We can certainly accomplish
this great deed
561
00:27:14,590 --> 00:27:15,990
without anyone knowing.
562
00:27:16,110 --> 00:27:17,170
No, Your Highness!
563
00:27:17,510 --> 00:27:20,270
-Yes, we can't do that, Your Highness!
-There must be something wrong.
564
00:27:20,270 --> 00:27:21,510
We have planned for years
565
00:27:21,510 --> 00:27:23,270
and attempted assassination
more than once,
566
00:27:23,270 --> 00:27:25,270
yet the Emperor has evaded them all.
567
00:27:25,830 --> 00:27:26,550
I don't believe
568
00:27:26,550 --> 00:27:28,680
he's truly as incompetent
569
00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:30,170
as he appears.
570
00:27:30,350 --> 00:27:31,810
I don't believe it either.
571
00:27:32,030 --> 00:27:33,770
-Acting in such haste
-You...
572
00:27:34,030 --> 00:27:36,440
-risks too much.
-Exactly!
573
00:27:36,510 --> 00:27:38,400
Why are you so indecisive?
574
00:27:38,590 --> 00:27:40,990
Opportunities like this don't come twice!
575
00:27:41,110 --> 00:27:41,560
Well...
576
00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:41,960
You...
577
00:27:42,030 --> 00:27:42,430
You...
578
00:27:44,440 --> 00:27:45,010
Sir,
579
00:27:45,480 --> 00:27:48,010
how confident are you
about this bandit plan?
580
00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:48,900
Your Highness!
581
00:27:49,790 --> 00:27:51,440
We've rehearsed for a long time.
582
00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:52,900
I dare not say it's foolproof,
583
00:27:52,900 --> 00:27:53,270
but
584
00:27:54,070 --> 00:27:56,130
our chances of success are very high.
585
00:27:57,910 --> 00:28:00,820
You promised us
all kinds of official positions
586
00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:03,000
in the Ministries of Revenue, Justice,
and Personnel haphazardly,
587
00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:03,790
as if you could actually
588
00:28:03,790 --> 00:28:05,790
control that incompetent emperor.
589
00:28:06,750 --> 00:28:07,210
Indeed.
590
00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:09,530
To serve a wise ruler
591
00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:10,810
with one's life;
592
00:28:11,510 --> 00:28:13,240
to die as a martyr for the country's sake.
593
00:28:13,240 --> 00:28:13,830
Now
594
00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:16,340
the court's capable men are gone.
595
00:28:16,510 --> 00:28:17,430
I almost wish
596
00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:19,510
I could strike the ground with my head
597
00:28:19,510 --> 00:28:20,640
to wake that tyrant.
598
00:28:20,650 --> 00:28:22,650
What do you expect from that tyrant?
599
00:28:23,210 --> 00:28:24,410
But I heard people say
600
00:28:25,030 --> 00:28:26,680
that Prince Duan is skilled
in both civil and military affairs
601
00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:28,880
and could be considered a worthy ruler.
602
00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:31,460
Prince Duan only seeks power.
603
00:28:31,550 --> 00:28:33,440
He has done nothing
for the country or its people.
604
00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:35,240
He cannot be considered worthy.
605
00:28:35,310 --> 00:28:36,640
As the ruler of a nation,
606
00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:38,590
he plunged his people into suffering.
607
00:28:38,590 --> 00:28:39,830
When all is said and done,
608
00:28:39,830 --> 00:28:41,890
the emperor has failed his subjects.
609
00:28:43,510 --> 00:28:45,310
Beautiful women are disasters.
610
00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:46,750
I suppose the tyrant
611
00:28:46,750 --> 00:28:49,510
must have been bewitched
by that demonic consort Yu Wanyin,
612
00:28:49,510 --> 00:28:52,510
-growing ever more muddled and unruly.
-Why me again?
613
00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:54,480
That's right.
614
00:28:54,830 --> 00:28:57,790
As the poem says, "Nights with
the beautiful woman are too short;
615
00:28:57,790 --> 00:29:01,350
from now on, the emperor no longer
attends court in the morning."
616
00:29:01,350 --> 00:29:03,510
Was he a wise ruler
617
00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:06,360
before that demonic consort appeared?
618
00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:08,440
Just say he's incompetent.
619
00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:10,110
Why blame a woman?
620
00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:11,510
Are you defending that demonic consort?
621
00:29:11,510 --> 00:29:12,110
What else?
622
00:29:12,480 --> 00:29:14,550
Do you really believe
that a woman from the harem
623
00:29:14,550 --> 00:29:15,960
can disrupt state affairs?
624
00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:17,200
It's just an excuse.
625
00:29:17,510 --> 00:29:18,550
How is it an excuse?
626
00:29:18,550 --> 00:29:19,440
Everyone says that...
627
00:29:19,440 --> 00:29:20,040
Says what?
628
00:29:20,310 --> 00:29:22,590
That she has a snake-like face
that can peel pears?
629
00:29:22,590 --> 00:29:25,070
You keep calling her
"demonic consort" with such conviction.
630
00:29:25,070 --> 00:29:27,100
Li, have you actually seen her
631
00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:28,640
perform any witchcraft?
632
00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:29,070
Er...
633
00:29:29,590 --> 00:29:30,650
Alright, alright.
634
00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:31,790
-Well said, sis.
-Mr. Li, you care about
635
00:29:31,790 --> 00:29:33,590
-the country and the people.
-You should say more.
636
00:29:33,590 --> 00:29:34,320
I admire you.
637
00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:36,810
Er Lan makes a fair point.
638
00:29:37,830 --> 00:29:38,690
But gentlemen,
639
00:29:39,270 --> 00:29:40,920
aren't we getting off topic?
640
00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:45,400
Who should govern this country
and how it should be governed—
641
00:29:45,790 --> 00:29:46,590
that is what we
642
00:29:46,590 --> 00:29:48,120
should be concerned about.
643
00:29:48,350 --> 00:29:48,950
Am I right?
644
00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:52,280
That's right.
645
00:29:53,480 --> 00:29:55,480
As stated in the letter to all of you,
646
00:29:56,030 --> 00:29:57,310
we must destroy before we can rebuild.
647
00:29:57,310 --> 00:29:58,710
How to break the deadlock
648
00:29:58,960 --> 00:29:59,810
is the key.
649
00:30:00,440 --> 00:30:01,440
In my opinion,
650
00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:03,920
the crux still lies with the people.
651
00:30:04,110 --> 00:30:05,670
Since ancient times,
652
00:30:05,670 --> 00:30:07,550
the capable should be in charge
and the mediocre beneath them.
653
00:30:07,550 --> 00:30:08,840
Yet now it is the mediocre
who are in charge
654
00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:10,400
and the capable who are beneath them.
655
00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:11,680
Without breaking the privileges
of the nobility,
656
00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:13,340
none of this can move forward.
657
00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:14,350
As the saying goes,
658
00:30:14,350 --> 00:30:15,550
"Are kings and nobles
659
00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:17,000
born that way?"
660
00:30:17,270 --> 00:30:17,800
Exactly!
661
00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:19,110
War
662
00:30:19,460 --> 00:30:21,030
does not necessarily destroy a nation,
663
00:30:21,030 --> 00:30:21,550
nor do
664
00:30:21,880 --> 00:30:23,000
famine and disaster.
665
00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:24,160
But there is one thing
666
00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:26,530
that can end a nation's fortune
and make the people lose faith:
667
00:30:26,530 --> 00:30:27,260
when the path
668
00:30:27,310 --> 00:30:29,770
for the poor and talented
to rise is blocked.
669
00:30:32,070 --> 00:30:33,600
You really dare to say that?
670
00:30:35,030 --> 00:30:35,960
Why wouldn't I?
671
00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:39,550
All of us here are commoners.
672
00:30:40,160 --> 00:30:42,160
How much can we truly save Great Xia?
673
00:30:42,880 --> 00:30:44,000
Look up.
674
00:30:44,830 --> 00:30:46,030
There is no clear sky,
675
00:30:47,590 --> 00:30:48,960
only mire and filth.
676
00:30:51,160 --> 00:30:52,830
"Big rats, big rats,
677
00:30:54,020 --> 00:30:55,350
stop eating our grain."
678
00:30:56,510 --> 00:30:57,970
For the sake of the people,
679
00:30:58,830 --> 00:31:00,070
there's nothing we can't do!
680
00:31:00,070 --> 00:31:00,960
Well said!
681
00:31:01,750 --> 00:31:03,550
With your ambition and vision,
682
00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:05,350
there is hope for Great Xia!
683
00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:05,880
Indeed.
684
00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:07,480
But ambition alone,
685
00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:09,000
without the chance to serve in office,
686
00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:11,110
makes saving our nation mere empty talk.
687
00:31:11,110 --> 00:31:12,880
You are indeed like your words.
688
00:31:13,680 --> 00:31:14,720
This drinking session
689
00:31:14,720 --> 00:31:16,120
has been most enjoyable!
690
00:31:16,920 --> 00:31:18,920
But you still haven't told us...
691
00:31:21,350 --> 00:31:22,030
who
692
00:31:22,550 --> 00:31:23,750
you really are.
693
00:31:30,070 --> 00:31:30,800
It's coming!
694
00:31:31,830 --> 00:31:34,230
The climax of this scene
is finally coming!
695
00:31:34,790 --> 00:31:35,990
My humble surname...
696
00:31:37,550 --> 00:31:38,440
is Xiahou.
697
00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:41,840
With such eloquence,
698
00:31:41,990 --> 00:31:43,250
could you be Prince...
699
00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:49,680
I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Du.
700
00:31:51,070 --> 00:31:52,130
My given name is...
701
00:31:53,430 --> 00:31:54,150
Dan.
702
00:31:58,860 --> 00:31:59,990
As for this lady,
703
00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:03,330
she is the very demonic consort
704
00:32:04,070 --> 00:32:05,530
you were just speaking of,
705
00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:06,790
Yu Wanyin.
706
00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:17,760
Nice to meet you, gentlemen.
707
00:32:19,830 --> 00:32:20,700
I am Wang Zhao.
708
00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:22,620
Greetings, Your Majesty!
709
00:32:22,890 --> 00:32:24,300
-I'm Du Shan.
-I'm Yang Duojie.
710
00:32:24,300 --> 00:32:25,440
-I'm Er Lan.
-Greetings, Your Majesty.
711
00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:26,900
Greetings, Your Majesty.
712
00:32:32,510 --> 00:32:33,690
If you want to kneel, then kneel.
713
00:32:33,690 --> 00:32:35,090
Why pull me down with you?
714
00:32:37,780 --> 00:32:40,350
You expect me to kneel
to this incompetent emperor?
715
00:32:40,350 --> 00:32:41,350
Over my dead body.
716
00:32:43,880 --> 00:32:44,480
Everyone,
717
00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:45,730
please rise.
718
00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:47,860
Please forgive us, Your Majesty.
719
00:32:53,030 --> 00:32:54,090
All you know is that
720
00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:56,240
I am a tyrant, ruling harshly
721
00:32:56,550 --> 00:32:58,010
and preying on the people.
722
00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:01,060
What you do not know
723
00:33:02,220 --> 00:33:03,920
is that over the past ten-plus years,
724
00:33:03,920 --> 00:33:04,900
my power
725
00:33:05,350 --> 00:33:06,880
has long been hollowed out.
726
00:33:08,840 --> 00:33:10,040
Now, half of the court
727
00:33:10,880 --> 00:33:11,680
is controlled
728
00:33:12,200 --> 00:33:13,530
by the Empress Dowager,
729
00:33:14,310 --> 00:33:15,310
and the other half
730
00:33:15,830 --> 00:33:17,430
manipulated by Prince Duan.
731
00:33:18,480 --> 00:33:20,880
They make high-stakes gambles
with the lives
732
00:33:20,880 --> 00:33:23,010
of Great Xia's people again and again.
733
00:33:23,160 --> 00:33:24,490
Though my heart bleeds,
734
00:33:25,060 --> 00:33:26,790
I can only pretend to be a tyrant
735
00:33:27,590 --> 00:33:28,920
to preserve my own life.
736
00:33:35,180 --> 00:33:36,150
Today's meeting
737
00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:38,730
is my attempt
738
00:33:39,300 --> 00:33:41,830
to lay bare my true heart before you,
739
00:33:42,440 --> 00:33:43,500
in the hope that you
740
00:33:44,590 --> 00:33:47,030
might understand my unspoken difficulties.
741
00:33:47,030 --> 00:33:48,480
Your Majesty,
if you truly have such intentions,
742
00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:50,750
why not reform the imperial exam
and recruit talent openly?
743
00:33:50,750 --> 00:33:53,680
Why did you ask us
to meet you in secrecy like thieves?
744
00:33:54,510 --> 00:33:55,970
This way of recruiting men
745
00:33:56,590 --> 00:33:57,110
seems
746
00:33:57,960 --> 00:33:59,560
beneath your royal dignity.
747
00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:03,060
Too many eyes are watching me.
748
00:34:04,590 --> 00:34:06,720
Even the slightest change
to the imperial exam
749
00:34:06,720 --> 00:34:08,800
would face opposition from all sides.
750
00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:11,070
If not for my secret guards
searching everywhere,
751
00:34:11,070 --> 00:34:12,330
your brilliant essays
752
00:34:12,510 --> 00:34:14,370
would never have reached my desk.
753
00:34:14,630 --> 00:34:16,360
I can only contact you in secret
754
00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:18,250
so I can place you
755
00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:20,100
in suitable positions
756
00:34:21,110 --> 00:34:22,969
to realize your grand ambitions.
757
00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:24,620
Therefore,
758
00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:26,960
you should know that
759
00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:29,370
what I promised you just now
760
00:34:29,630 --> 00:34:30,320
was not
761
00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:32,000
empty talk or hollow bait.
762
00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:36,600
Of course,
763
00:34:38,190 --> 00:34:38,710
I know
764
00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:41,659
that my one-sided words alone
765
00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:43,170
cannot, in a single day,
766
00:34:43,630 --> 00:34:45,340
turn your loyal hearts
767
00:34:45,920 --> 00:34:46,630
toward me.
768
00:34:47,590 --> 00:34:48,760
But I must try.
769
00:34:49,840 --> 00:34:50,639
In the future,
770
00:34:51,230 --> 00:34:52,630
when you enter the court,
771
00:34:53,030 --> 00:34:54,060
you will surely be targeted
772
00:34:54,060 --> 00:34:56,230
by the Empress Dowager's
and Prince Duan's factions—
773
00:34:56,230 --> 00:34:56,840
courted,
774
00:34:57,510 --> 00:34:58,170
exploited,
775
00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:00,090
or attacked.
776
00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:01,890
When that day comes,
777
00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:05,760
I only hope you will not forget
the passionate words you spoke
778
00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:07,880
and the lofty aspirations you laid bare
779
00:35:07,880 --> 00:35:09,130
on this boat today.
780
00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:12,360
I hope you will stand tall
781
00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:15,160
and be the backbone of Great Xia.
782
00:35:19,360 --> 00:35:20,590
These are just words
783
00:35:20,590 --> 00:35:22,590
devised to recruit these scholars.
784
00:35:23,840 --> 00:35:25,320
So why do I feel like crying
785
00:35:26,880 --> 00:35:28,070
after hearing it?
52229
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