1
00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:08,920
‎SAY NO TO PIRACY, SUPPORT ORIGINALS

2
00:01:38,960 --> 00:01:41,880
‎ADAPTED FROM XI XING’S NOVEL
<i>‎QUEEN CHU</i>‎ ON QIDIAN.COM

3
00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:50,960
I haven't congratulated
you yet, Grand Mentor.

4
00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:52,800
Come on, Wangyou.

5
00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:53,520
‎WANGYOU

6
00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:56,080
Since when did you learn to tease people?

7
00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,160
I feel happy for you.

8
00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:01,240
After all these years,
you've finally made it.

9
00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:04,880
But anyway, are you not worried?

10
00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:06,680
Chu Zhao…

11
00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,199
What do you know about her
that makes you help her?

12
00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:12,560
You even abandon
the alliance with Xiao Xun.

13
00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,440
I'm not helping Chu Zhao.

14
00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:16,360
I'm securing

15
00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,080
my own bright future.

16
00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,800
Be careful. It may backfire.

17
00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,800
The easier a game seems,

18
00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:26,560
the more hidden threats there are.

19
00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:29,600
We learned this when we were young.

20
00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:30,680
It won't.

21
00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:33,640
Because I always have a way out.

22
00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,680
She knew Xiao Xun
would poison the young emperor.

23
00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,880
In that case, she still used him as bait

24
00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:44,040
just to get rid of Xiao Xun.

25
00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:47,280
That was a risky move.

26
00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:49,840
Fight to survive, fight to win.

27
00:02:49,920 --> 00:02:51,920
I don't care who the Emperor is.

28
00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:54,760
As long as I retain

29
00:02:57,040 --> 00:02:58,120
my high standing.

30
00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:02,800
I lost.

31
00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:05,120
Mr. Deng, Old Madam invited you to dine.

32
00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:19,360
I got it.

33
00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:36,800
I'm sorry.

34
00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:40,360
I shouldn't have used you as bait.

35
00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:45,040
I swore to the late emperor
I'd keep you safe.

36
00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,160
But I put you in danger.

37
00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:51,960
I don't deserve to be your sister.

38
00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:55,680
Zhao, don't say that.

39
00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:58,000
That was our plan.

40
00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,600
Look. I'm all right now.

41
00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:03,160
Don't be sad, Zhao.

42
00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:05,240
My mother said

43
00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,480
a handwoven longevity thread
embodied sincerity.

44
00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:11,120
Every knot would bind good luck.

45
00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,640
You made this for me by yourself.

46
00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:14,680
I'm quite happy.

47
00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,440
What do you think
if I pair it with a jade pendant?

48
00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:22,079
Or a gold lock.

49
00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:23,720
It would look more regal.

50
00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:29,160
I'm sorry.

51
00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:31,160
I'm truly sorry.

52
00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:37,040
Don't say sorry to me.

53
00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,920
We came up with the plan together
to catch the villain.

54
00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:42,640
Sadly, it turned out to be Uncle Xun.

55
00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:44,520
But I protected you.

56
00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:46,080
I'm really happy about that.

57
00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:01,920
Uncle, what food have you brought?

58
00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:12,560
Feed me.

59
00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:19,520
What a hassle.

60
00:05:28,840 --> 00:05:29,760
You're not feeding a horse.

61
00:05:29,840 --> 00:05:31,520
It's how soldiers feed people.

62
00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:32,880
You're getting back at me.

63
00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:34,080
You're slandering me.

64
00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:38,000
I won't bring you food anymore.

65
00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:49,760
Aren't you on duty?

66
00:05:49,840 --> 00:05:52,960
How do you have time to bring food to Yu?

67
00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:00,440
My cloak. Return it.

68
00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:05,080
You don't like it, do you?

69
00:06:06,280 --> 00:06:07,680
Why do you want it back now?

70
00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,480
I intended to give it to someone else.

71
00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:27,080
I lent that to you.

72
00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:28,800
After you use it,

73
00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:30,520
you give it back.

74
00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:03,240
Take it then.

75
00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,640
Uncle, what are you snatching?

76
00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:12,680
I wasn't snatching.

77
00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:15,120
I got back my own cloak.

78
00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:21,440
Zhao, do you remember your promise?

79
00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:32,480
Pretty, huh?

80
00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:33,640
Like falling petals.

81
00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:35,720
Here. Blow again.

82
00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,120
You promised him this.
Why do I have to do it?

83
00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:44,000
I order you to do this for me.

84
00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:03,960
Is this swing sturdy enough?

85
00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:05,920
It can hold both of us, right?

86
00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:07,760
I won't play on this with you.

87
00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:09,480
Why?

88
00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:11,120
Swinging is so much fun.

89
00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:12,960
It lets us see distant views.

90
00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:14,480
Oh, boy.

91
00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:16,120
You can go outside and see the views.

92
00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:18,400
Why must you ride a swing?

93
00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:21,040
Can I really go outside?

94
00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:30,520
Come over.

95
00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:33,320
Falling petals!

96
00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:44,560
If you tie like this,

97
00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:45,960
when you finish,

98
00:08:46,560 --> 00:08:48,480
you'll sit on it and fall.

99
00:08:48,560 --> 00:08:50,360
I'm making a tight knot.

100
00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:51,760
How could we fall?

101
00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:53,480
You can fall.

102
00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:55,600
But if he falls,

103
00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:57,120
it would be big trouble.

104
00:08:58,480 --> 00:08:59,880
Don't underestimate me.

105
00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:27,360
Your Highness, you just

106
00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,760
wouldn't believe me until you fell.

107
00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:34,480
How did this happen?

108
00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:37,360
I'm sure I tied a tight knot.

109
00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:42,920
Zhao, do you really know
how to make a swing?

110
00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,080
We soldiers use this knot
to tie up prisoners.

111
00:09:52,680 --> 00:09:53,920
Once tied,

112
00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,600
no one can break free, whoever he is.

113
00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:04,720
-Come on.
-I dare not.

114
00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:07,160
You do it, Zhao.

115
00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:57,720
Zhao.

116
00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:03,280
Let Uncle Xun go back to Xiaonan.

117
00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:06,520
Yu, what did you say?

118
00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,040
Stop fighting him.

119
00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:19,200
He's right.

120
00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:21,240
The Lord of Xiaonan still holds power.

121
00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:23,760
Xiao Xun is hard to deal with.

122
00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:25,800
If he remains in the Capital

123
00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:27,360
and fights you,

124
00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:29,280
you'll both suffer.

125
00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:31,280
This time, he escaped by luck.

126
00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:33,040
Next time, he won't.

127
00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:35,640
I know Xiao Xun has wild ambitions.

128
00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:38,800
But what on earth did he do

129
00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:40,640
that made you hate him?

130
00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,000
He went in person to Yunzhong to propose.

131
00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:44,200
I thought he cared

132
00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:45,560
about you.

133
00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:50,560
You…

134
00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:52,840
You loved each other, didn't you?

135
00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:55,760
Loved each other?

136
00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:00,920
That's the stupidest thing I've ever done.

137
00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:03,640
Even thinking of it

138
00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:06,000
makes me sick now.

139
00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:15,680
What have you been through?

140
00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:28,720
Jiu,

141
00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:31,640
do you believe

142
00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:35,040
one can live a second life?

143
00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:41,320
<i>In my past life,</i>

144
00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:44,680
<i>I married Xiao Xun as I wished</i>

145
00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:46,760
<i>and became the Empress.</i>

146
00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:47,680
TAIJI HALL

147
00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:51,240
<i>Yet because of this,</i>
<i>I got my father killed.</i>

148
00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:53,280
<i>So was my entire clan.</i>

149
00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:57,680
<i>I was also strangled by Xiao Xun.</i>

150
00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:07,600
You think that's funny, don't you?

151
00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,240
Just pretend it was a dream I had.

152
00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:16,040
No.

153
00:13:22,560 --> 00:13:23,840
Everything

154
00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:26,360
exists for a reason.

155
00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:29,360
My father told me

156
00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:33,000
that people must bear
the consequences of their choices.

157
00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:35,680
Just no regrets.

158
00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:41,360
But this time,

159
00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:44,840
you laid a trap for Xiao Xun.

160
00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:47,360
He suffered a quiet defeat.

161
00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:49,920
Once he's on guard,

162
00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:53,000
killing him won't be easy.

163
00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:59,120
He escaped by luck once.

164
00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:02,160
I won't give him another chance.

165
00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:06,720
Then, do you have a plan?

166
00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:13,640
If I do, will you help me?

167
00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:36,000
-Hit him!
-Hit him!

168
00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:40,800
Hit him!

169
00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:44,080
Hit him!

170
00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:56,080
CAPITAL

171
00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:15,920
<i>If I do,</i>

172
00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:17,560
<i>will you help me?</i>

173
00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:23,040
I will.

174
00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:36,760
The temple rite incident has concluded.

175
00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:38,560
The accused were executed.

176
00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:41,320
The imperial city
has been thoroughly purged.

177
00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:46,560
Everyone should learn from this
and never make mistakes.

178
00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:50,040
Oh.

179
00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:51,640
I've been thinking.

180
00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,840
Uncle Xun has been
a hostage for seven years.

181
00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:55,960
How pitiful.

182
00:15:57,040 --> 00:15:59,720
Shall we let him go back to Xiaonan?

183
00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:02,680
What do you think?

184
00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:04,240
Absolutely not.

185
00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:08,520
Your Majesty, this is inappropriate.

186
00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,840
I'm sure all the ministers have doubts.

187
00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,560
Mr. Xie, you claimed
that His Majesty was wise.

188
00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:18,440
But now you're questioning
His Majesty's decision.

189
00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:20,240
That's not right, Mr. Deng.

190
00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:22,360
I've thought about it.

191
00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:24,640
Keeping Mr. Xiao as a hostage

192
00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:26,360
was the late emperor's last wish.

193
00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:28,960
And keeping him in the Capital

194
00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:30,720
can restrain his father.

195
00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:32,440
If we let him go,

196
00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:34,200
changes may occur.

197
00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:36,800
It makes sense, Mr. Xie.

198
00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:39,840
But Xiao Xun has endured a lot here.

199
00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:42,600
If any of that displeases his father,

200
00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:45,560
it'll threaten the court's stability.

201
00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,840
Your Highness, what do you think?

202
00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,160
Am I entitled to participate in this?

203
00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:00,600
By the late emperor's edict,

204
00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,600
the Grand Princess and Grand Mentor
oversee the court.

205
00:17:04,319 --> 00:17:05,520
So you are entitled.

206
00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:07,560
Your Majesty

207
00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:09,200
and ministers,

208
00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:11,720
I've received

209
00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:13,720
a secret report about the Northern Desert.

210
00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:19,040
I didn't mean to stir up trouble,

211
00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:22,359
but since Mr. Xie asked, I will be frank.

212
00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:26,680
Unusual movements have frequently
occurred on the frontier.

213
00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:28,440
Enemy troops seem to be massing.

214
00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:30,800
In the Capital,

215
00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:33,480
suspicious incidents have also occurred.

216
00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,640
Everywhere, unidentified figures
are roaming.

217
00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:39,160
They gather in secret
and behave suspiciously.

218
00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:44,480
Your Highness,

219
00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:47,400
can I read this report?

220
00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:48,600
No.

221
00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:51,960
This is a serious matter.

222
00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:55,440
I need to verify
the authenticity of this report

223
00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:56,880
or innocent people may be involved.

224
00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:58,920
If this report is true,

225
00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:00,720
what should we do?

226
00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:03,360
Then the heir to the Lord of Xiaonan

227
00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:05,400
must not leave the Capital.

228
00:18:07,120 --> 00:18:09,360
Xiaonan Prefecture is adjacent
to the Northern Desert.

229
00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:11,720
If they collude with each other…

230
00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:14,960
The Lord of Xiaonan didn't come

231
00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:17,800
to His Majesty's coronation.

232
00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:21,640
It's hard to say
if he's been disloyal all along.

233
00:18:30,360 --> 00:18:32,680
TWO HOURS AGO

234
00:18:33,360 --> 00:18:34,520
Your Highness,

235
00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:37,000
the Pine Soot Ink
is exclusive to the Xie Family.

236
00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:39,560
You deliberately used it in this report.

237
00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,520
What if the Xie Family

238
00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:43,240
finds out?

239
00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:45,200
That's exactly what I want.

240
00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,560
If we release Xiao Xun,
we'll be releasing an enemy.

241
00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:51,880
We'll lose all control over Xiaonan.

242
00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:54,200
Once trouble arises,
Gaoyang will be affected.

243
00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:56,480
Xie Yanfang is the head of his clan.

244
00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:58,360
He wouldn't allow this to happen.

245
00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,160
Therefore, he'll prevent it.

246
00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:04,160
With the Pine Soot Ink from his clan,

247
00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:07,480
in this matter,

248
00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:11,200
he's fully bound to me.

249
00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:13,400
I don't quite understand.

250
00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:16,800
Why is Mr. Deng so eager
to have Mr. Xiao leave?

251
00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:18,600
Isn't he supposed

252
00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:21,280
to speak in your favor?

253
00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:24,560
Court struggles have been like this.

254
00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:27,480
No permanent enemies.

255
00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:29,120
No permanent allies.

256
00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:32,320
That's why I must drag the Xie Family in.

257
00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,360
Because only an accomplice
will desperately keep a secret.

258
00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:39,560
Even if this secret report

259
00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:41,560
turns out to be false,

260
00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:44,360
it has to be true.

261
00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:23,440
I haven't mastered this move.

262
00:20:24,120 --> 00:20:25,440
I'll practice more.

263
00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:30,240
Living inside the palace,

264
00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:33,400
you got news bout the Northern Desert.

265
00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,560
You really have
good sources of information.

266
00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:39,640
You weren't in the court,

267
00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:42,520
but knew what happened there.

268
00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:44,560
You're actually well-informed.

269
00:20:56,280 --> 00:20:57,640
You want to drag the Xie Family in.

270
00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:01,400
Do you know how dangerous

271
00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:02,360
it could be?

272
00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:07,560
Chu Zhao,

273
00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:11,200
no one can play petty tricks
under Xie Yanfang's nose.

274
00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:13,520
You're no exception.

275
00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:15,880
I want to be an exception.

276
00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:21,200
If he exposes
that you forged the secret report

277
00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:23,480
and framed the Xie Family,

278
00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:26,440
what will you do?

279
00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:29,280
Still wait until the young kid
saves you again?

280
00:21:29,360 --> 00:21:31,160
Then I'll say

281
00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:33,600
you gave me that ink.

282
00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:36,400
Let's see if Xie Yanfang

283
00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:38,800
will abandon his brother.

284
00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:47,720
No one can read his mind.

285
00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:48,920
Jiu,

286
00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:52,040
you will help me,

287
00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:53,720
right?

288
00:21:56,600 --> 00:21:58,440
You fought on the frontier for years.

289
00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:02,320
You must know
the looks and dressing habits

290
00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:03,560
of Northern Desert soldiers.

291
00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:06,320
Can you tell me?

292
00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:08,680
So,

293
00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:11,040
you've had a plan.

294
00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:15,080
What a perfect bait.

295
00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:17,040
She faked a secret report

296
00:22:17,120 --> 00:22:18,640
to confine Xiao Xun in the Capital.

297
00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:20,480
Xiao Xun is so suspicious

298
00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:22,600
that he'll take this for a trap.

299
00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:25,000
Then he'll speed up his escape plan.

300
00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:28,120
The spies I sent out told me

301
00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:30,040
Chu Zhao arranged some men

302
00:22:30,120 --> 00:22:32,600
to secretly bury weapons
along the way to Xiaonan.

303
00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:34,680
When Xiao Xun reaches the border area,

304
00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:37,840
fake Northern Desert soldiers
will get him.

305
00:22:38,360 --> 00:22:39,880
Once Xiao Xun escapes,

306
00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:41,920
he'll be shot dead immediately

307
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:43,880
in the name of collusion
and armed treason.

308
00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:46,120
Grand Mentor,

309
00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:48,640
once Xiao Xun dies,

310
00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:50,560
you'll have no way out.

311
00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:00,400
I have my own plans.

312
00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,320
If Xiao Xun escapes the Capital,

313
00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:08,200
I'll have rumors spread
that the heir to the Lord of Xiaonan

314
00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:10,080
led Northern Desert soldiers in.

315
00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:12,920
He'll be seen as a traitor

316
00:23:14,120 --> 00:23:15,240
and killed on sight.

317
00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:19,040
-If no obstacles arise…
-No obstacles.

318
00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:21,160
If there are,

319
00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:23,280
I'll destroy them.

320
00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:29,440
<i>A forgery woven from truth</i>
<i>is the hardest to disprove.</i>

321
00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:32,680
<i>As someone reborn, I know it better</i>
<i>than anyone else.</i>

322
00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:36,680
<i>The Lord of Xiaonan and his heir</i>
<i>do collude with Northern Desert foes.</i>

323
00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:42,760
Your Highness.

324
00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:45,240
Any news?

325
00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:47,000
Chu Zhao did receive a report

326
00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:49,920
about you and your father
raising troops and colluding with foes.

327
00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,240
How does she know all these things?

328
00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:57,160
Over the past years,

329
00:23:57,760 --> 00:23:59,240
I've stayed vigilant!

330
00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:02,480
There's no way she could know
about the collusion thing.

331
00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:04,480
This woman is cunning.

332
00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:07,560
She must blind you with a pretense
and let down your guard.

333
00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:11,920
No way.

334
00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:15,840
If I stay here,

335
00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:19,600
they can execute me

336
00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,120
in public with that secret report.

337
00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:25,480
But if I flee,

338
00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:28,200
I'll be convicted of treason

339
00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:30,280
and get killed there.

340
00:24:30,360 --> 00:24:33,200
Whatever choice we make,

341
00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:34,960
she will

342
00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:37,840
firmly hold the initiative.

343
00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:41,320
After years of planning,
will we fall like this?

344
00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:44,840
That day in the court,
we actually had the upper hand.

345
00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:46,800
How did things turn out like this?

346
00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:48,600
What exactly went wrong?

347
00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:51,440
What's gone is gone.

348
00:24:52,360 --> 00:24:53,520
Don't bring it up.

349
00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:55,240
But now,

350
00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:57,440
maybe we have

351
00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:00,440
a third option.

352
00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:03,960
Still haven't found her?

353
00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:06,560
Forgive us. We sent three teams on it.

354
00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:08,600
We found her. We did.

355
00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:10,240
Old Madam is back.

356
00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:12,360
The Grand Princess sent her back.

357
00:25:22,120 --> 00:25:23,280
Your Highness, my mother--

358
00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:25,120
She has been sent back to rest.

359
00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,200
I met your mother at the corner
of the West Market.

360
00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:34,200
As I caught sight of her,

361
00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:36,840
she was picking up vegetable leaves

362
00:25:37,360 --> 00:25:38,400
from the ground.

363
00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:44,600
Born in the countryside,

364
00:25:45,120 --> 00:25:45,960
she's been frugal.

365
00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:55,600
Only those who starved
would treasure every grain.

366
00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:58,760
Just like people all desire wealth.

367
00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:01,480
This is human nature.

368
00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:09,400
It's her personal preference.

369
00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:11,080
Please don't mock her.

370
00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:13,680
Why would I mock her?

371
00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:16,920
You truly have talent

372
00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:19,080
to rise to the Grand Mentor

373
00:26:19,760 --> 00:26:21,960
from a country boy.

374
00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:23,760
Your hard work

375
00:26:23,840 --> 00:26:25,880
is far beyond what others can imagine.

376
00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:27,720
Such diligence

377
00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:30,880
should be admirable.

378
00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:38,120
This is the braided longevity thread.

379
00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:40,560
Each knot

380
00:26:41,360 --> 00:26:42,760
can bind good luck.

381
00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:45,440
You didn't come here so late

382
00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:48,760
just to give me this, did you?

383
00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:52,720
I wonder if I can trade so much good luck

384
00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:55,080
for something from you.

385
00:26:56,840 --> 00:26:57,680
What is it?

386
00:26:58,360 --> 00:26:59,600
Xiao Xun's life.

387
00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:09,600
Are you so confident

388
00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:11,040
that you can kill him?

389
00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:12,600
Yes.

390
00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:15,360
So, Mr. Deng,

391
00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:18,560
please stay out of this.

392
00:27:22,520 --> 00:27:23,680
Once Xiao Xun dies,

393
00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:25,840
his treasures and forces

394
00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:28,080
he has gathered in the Capital
all these years

395
00:27:29,360 --> 00:27:30,360
will be yours.

396
00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:37,880
Your Highness doesn't blame me
for opposing you in court?

397
00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:38,840
I do.

398
00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:41,640
If you ruin my plan,

399
00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:43,840
I'll use these treasures

400
00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:46,640
to have you killed.

401
00:27:55,360 --> 00:27:56,600
Just kidding.

402
00:27:57,200 --> 00:27:58,440
Don't worry, Mr. Deng.

403
00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:06,000
So, you haven't told me your answer.

404
00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:11,760
It's easy to have wealth.

405
00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:16,000
But it's hard to have confidants.

406
00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:20,040
Deal.

407
00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:22,600
I always keep my word.

408
00:28:23,360 --> 00:28:24,680
So, Mr. Deng,

409
00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:26,440
hope you won't go back on yours.

410
00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:30,920
I won't.

411
00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:36,480
‎Your Highness,

412
00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:39,920
‎Mr. Xie is here on His Majesty's order.
‎He's been waiting for long.

413
00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:56,360
Waiting for me?

414
00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:03,600
I'm just

415
00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:07,120
enjoying the moon.

416
00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:11,040
You're really in the mood.

417
00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:14,480
You enjoy the moon
right in front of my palace.

418
00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:19,720
Were you worrying about me
during my visit to Deng Yi's place?

419
00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:22,000
So, you've been waiting for me.

420
00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:24,560
In front of your Qiwu Palace,

421
00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:26,880
the moonlight is rather bleak.

422
00:29:29,280 --> 00:29:31,160
Bleak moonlight over a lonely minister.

423
00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:32,720
Perfect.

424
00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:38,920
I'm only here by the order of His Majesty.

425
00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:45,160
I've been informed

426
00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:47,520
that Xiao Xun will leave tomorrow.

427
00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:49,240
How confident are you

428
00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:51,640
he'll take the official road
as you planned?

429
00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:53,960
Tomorrow, I'll send naval forces

430
00:29:54,040 --> 00:29:55,680
to block all merchant ships

431
00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:57,240
in the name of inspecting smuggled salt.

432
00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:00,240
Once the dock is cut off,

433
00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,760
Xiao Xun will have to take
the official road.

434
00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:23,880
In that case,

435
00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:28,240
I've arranged crossbowmen at Woniu Ridge.

436
00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:31,880
Once Xiao Xun leaves the Capital,

437
00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:36,200
he'll be shot to death right there.

438
00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:46,120
Nothing shall go wrong tomorrow.

439
00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:52,040
Rest assured.

440
00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:56,360
Tomorrow, I'll lead the ambush myself.

441
00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:00,520
Nothing will go wrong.

442
00:31:03,040 --> 00:31:06,000
‎WATERWAY OF THE STATE OF CHU

443
00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:12,160
Oh, Zhao.

444
00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:15,240
I don't know why you do this to me.

445
00:31:16,840 --> 00:31:18,040
But anyway,

446
00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:21,520
you've failed to trap me.

447
00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:23,640
Your Highness.

448
00:31:23,720 --> 00:31:24,680
Your Highness.

449
00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:27,440
Xiao Xun ran off with his men.

450
00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:29,400
-By the official road?
-No.

451
00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:30,760
What?

452
00:31:31,480 --> 00:31:33,440
The whole dock is blocked by naval forces.

453
00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:36,160
To leave the Capital,
that is his only option. How come?

454
00:31:36,240 --> 00:31:38,640
No trace of them
was found on the official road.

455
00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:39,640
But our spies reported

456
00:31:39,720 --> 00:31:42,640
that a merchant ship sailed earlier
at the third quarter of the Yin hour.

457
00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:47,320
We've been tricked.

458
00:31:49,280 --> 00:31:50,320
He escaped again.

459
00:31:50,400 --> 00:31:52,200
Mr. Xie already led his men
to go after them.

460
00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:16,360
Xie Yanlai.

461
00:32:17,200 --> 00:32:18,360
I promised Her Highness

462
00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:20,680
that you wouldn't live.

463
00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:24,120
Are you sure Zhao wants me dead?

464
00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:26,560
She loved me so much.

465
00:32:27,160 --> 00:32:28,080
That was before.

466
00:32:30,640 --> 00:32:31,520
Now,

467
00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:33,800
she wants you dead.

468
00:32:34,680 --> 00:32:36,080
I forgot to ask you.

469
00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:38,040
The boy of the Wei Village

470
00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:40,680
who survived alone…

471
00:32:41,360 --> 00:32:42,320
Xiang.

472
00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:44,080
Did he take revenge on you?

473
00:32:49,320 --> 00:32:51,480
<i>I'm Xiang. What's your name?</i>

474
00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:45,040
<i>Xiang,</i>

475
00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:47,640
<i>where are you?</i>

476
00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:51,000
<i>It was all my fault.</i>

477
00:34:18,679 --> 00:34:20,000
Mr. Xie is seriously injured.

478
00:34:20,600 --> 00:34:22,320
Thankfully, he was treated in time.

479
00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:24,880
I've bandaged his wound.

480
00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:28,199
I'll go make a prescription
to bring down his fever.

481
00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:30,880
He lost too much blood.

482
00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:33,320
He must rest very well to recover.

483
00:34:47,840 --> 00:34:50,560
Your Highness, we got a tip.

484
00:34:51,280 --> 00:34:54,600
Xiao Xun has fled to Xiaonan.

485
00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:01,320
It will be even harder

486
00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:03,000
to kill him.

487
00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:23,800
I thought my plan was flawless.

488
00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:27,240
Yet I was one move short.

489
00:35:28,680 --> 00:35:30,320
Sorry to have dragged you into this.

490
00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:34,960
You used to say you owed me.

491
00:35:36,280 --> 00:35:37,280
Now,

492
00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:41,600
I owe you.

493
00:35:56,280 --> 00:35:57,560
Zhao.

494
00:36:08,240 --> 00:36:09,080
Your Highness.

495
00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:29,760
Have you found the man I asked for?

496
00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:32,320
It's Fang Du, a follower of Deng Yi.

497
00:36:33,440 --> 00:36:35,480
Last year, he became a Naval Commander.

498
00:36:35,560 --> 00:36:38,160
Xiao Xun's ship managed to leave the dock

499
00:36:38,240 --> 00:36:39,240
with his pass.

500
00:36:47,440 --> 00:36:49,920
What a duplicitous Deng Yi.

501
00:37:18,200 --> 00:37:19,960
Your Highness, why did you break in here

502
00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:21,760
so late at night?

503
00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:26,000
Mr. Deng,

504
00:37:26,520 --> 00:37:28,920
I'm here to give you a present.

505
00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:31,200
I've heard you like rare wood.

506
00:37:31,280 --> 00:37:33,280
The golden-thread nanmu

507
00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:34,920
is of noble grade.

508
00:37:35,760 --> 00:37:38,640
I wonder if you like it.

509
00:37:39,240 --> 00:37:40,760
No merit, no reward.

510
00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:42,360
I'm not worthy

511
00:37:43,960 --> 00:37:45,320
of this present.

512
00:37:46,160 --> 00:37:47,920
How could you not be worthy?

513
00:37:50,360 --> 00:37:51,360
You asked Fang Du

514
00:37:52,240 --> 00:37:53,920
to give that permission.

515
00:37:55,480 --> 00:37:57,680
You "helped" me really much.

516
00:37:58,360 --> 00:38:01,760
How could I not reward you?

517
00:38:03,880 --> 00:38:06,320
Buried underground,
this wood will never rot.

518
00:38:07,280 --> 00:38:10,600
It's a perfect fit for your great merit.

519
00:38:12,560 --> 00:38:13,840
You must be kidding.

520
00:38:13,920 --> 00:38:15,360
Kidding?

521
00:38:16,200 --> 00:38:19,720
I'm being really serious
to give you this reward.

522
00:38:21,640 --> 00:38:22,480
What?

523
00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:24,280
You don't like it?

524
00:38:24,920 --> 00:38:26,960
Or will you defy my order?

525
00:38:32,440 --> 00:38:33,360
I like it.

526
00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:36,760
In that case, keep it very well.

527
00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:40,240
Put it in the yard,
so you can look at it every day.

528
00:38:40,320 --> 00:38:42,600
Without my order, it mustn't be removed.

529
00:38:46,760 --> 00:38:47,720
Your Highness,

530
00:38:48,480 --> 00:38:50,440
thank you for your reward.

531
00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:52,440
You're welcome, Mr. Deng.

532
00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:54,360
After all…

533
00:38:57,120 --> 00:38:58,240
we have a long way to go.

534
00:39:02,520 --> 00:39:05,240
If you think
the longevity thread is too long,

535
00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:06,800
I can give you a shorter one.


