All language subtitles for 8qIHlo_The.First_.Jasmine.E21_eng (1)

(Respect copyright)

♪Memories hold you back
from fulfilling your dreams♪

♪Only by moving forward
can you find reunion♪

♪Endings only mark new routes♪

♪It's all part of the scenery♪

♪To the horizon's call♪

♪Your journey hasn't started♪

♪Towards mountains,
chase the stars bright♪

♪Let time embrace you
and wash away the past♪

♪Put every twist behind you♪

♪Drift leisurely through time♪

♪Make headway against the wind♪

♪Let mountains bow to your pace♪

♪Rush towards a life without regret♪

♪Let your nature burst free♪

=The First Jasmine=

=Episode 21=

I kept a bird when I was a child.

It was beautiful.

The bird seller claimed it could speak
human language when it grew up.

But one day,

the bird flew away.

Mom was afraid that I would be sad,

so she bought a new one

and told me the bird had returned.

But I knew it wasn't the same bird.

With certain things,

once gone, they're gone forever.

So,

I don't want to possess
anything easily anymore.

Because possessing something
is a serious matter in itself.

I'll always stay by your side.

No, there's medicine on your legs.
You shouldn't move.

Can't you just ignore it?

No.

I've put great effort
into getting you just like this.

Six hours, not a moment less.

(Changxing Gate)

What's going on?

It's such a hot day.
Why isn't she here yet?

Exactly.

- Look at the hour.
- Not a sign of the procession.

Prince Ding.

Why is Your Highness
waiting here so early?

Weren't you supposed to arrive
by a quarter past Wei?

Shouldn't it be three quarters past Mao?

What's going on?

Exactly.

Or did the subordinates
relay the wrong time?

Prince Ding should serve as deputy envoy
to welcome Princess Lingyun.

Marquis Muyang wants us

at Changxing Gate
at three quarters past Mao.

We dare not be tardy.

Indeed.

Yes, three quarters past Mao.

Exactly.

(Changxing Gate)
- Welcome! - Welcome!

(Lei Tengfeng, General of Cangbei)

Prince Ding, how have you been?

Your legs still can't hold you?

Bad legs don't heal fast.

Yet, thinking back, it was worth it.

Father! Father!

Mo Xiuyao, Prince Ding of Dachu, ordered
by His Majesty and the Empress Dowager,

hereby welcomes Princess Lingyun
of Cangbei to the capital of Chu.

Of noble birth, Princess Lingyun
is weary from travel.

Prince Ding, may we enter the city now?

Princess Lingyun traveled far.

Her entourage must be exhausted
from the wind and frost.

To show our respect, Dachu has prepared
a carriage and ceremonial guards.

We beseech Princess Lingyun
to change carriages to rest in the city.

No need. Princess Lingyun
has her own carriage.

She sits comfortably.

General Lei, it's not my intention
to obstruct.

However, your carriage's

ceremonial specifications
are inappropriate within our borders.

How so?

Princess Lingyun of Cangbei
is highly esteemed.

Her carriage protocol
was ordained by our emperor.

I well know

Princess Lingyun's noble status,
as you said.

But our country has conventions
for Grand Princess's carriages.

They can use nine-tassel banners
to display imperial glory.

But no gold chariots or jade carriages
can be used, especially the latter.

Jade carriages are exclusive
for the emperor's rites.

Each jade carriage bears
twelve jade bi discs.

Now, Princess Lingyun's carriage
also has twelve jade bi discs.

So, to avoid overstepping rank,
please remove the jade bi discs.

How dare you!

General Lei.

Your Highness.

Follow the rules of Dachu.

Your Highness.

General Lei.

Yes.

Remove them!

The blossom time is due.

Why haven't you bloomed?

They say you prefer dryness,
so I haven't watered you heavily.

Do me a favor.

Bloom earlier.

See that? The envoy from Cangbei.

Quite a spectacle.

We had plenty of dealings
at Suixue Pass.

Be quiet.
It's said they're here for peace.

For peace? Do you believe it?

(Crowded with Guests)
It's Princess Lingyun of Cangbei.

Not like that old emperor before.

The leader looks quite imposing.

Isn't that General Lei
who attacked our Suixue Pass?

All the fighting
only hurts us common folk.

(Qingfeng Mingyue Tower)
If real peace comes, it'll be good.

So long as there's no more war.

The music here
at Qingfeng Mingyue Tower is sublime.

Yes, seven parts elegance
mixed with three parts liveliness.

Come on, let's drink.

- Waiter, another jug. Amber Wine!
- Coming right up!

Master Yun, my master waits
in an upstairs private room.

Please come with me.

Brother.

Yun, long time no see.

Master!

Do I need you to hold me up?

Brother.

Just arrived?

This way, please. Come on in.

Please sit.

Look, top-quality Yusuichun wine.

Made with northern mountain snowmelt

and seven types of divine grains,

it's aged for ten full years
under an ancient plum tree.

Truly a rare treasure indeed!
Have a taste.

How is it?

It is excellent wine.

The finish lasts endlessly.

Now you try mine.

This kind calls for gulping it down.

What is this?

Just some cheap aged cloudy brew
I grabbed on the road.

No idea of its vintage.

But it's strong and fiery.

Good brew. Definitely punches hard.

I like it.

Here.

Brother, what's this plant?

It's the Golden-Scaled Bloom
you mentioned liking in your letter.

It's time for its bloom.

I expect it to blossom in a few days.

When you return to Cangbei,

I'll prepare a batch
for you to take back.

You're so thoughtful.

It's only right.

How long are you staying this visit?

Haven't decided yet.

We will see
after handling some business.

Then stay a few extra days.

Take this chance
to let me show you around.

Okay. Thank you, brother.

Do what's meant for today, today.

Come on.

We drink until we drop.

I was thinking the same.

(Yuncha Posthouse)

Princess Lingyun

and General Lei,

this is the posthouse
for your country's delegation.

All accommodations
and provisions are ready.

Prince Ding leads Jingzhao Prefecture
in securing the posthouse.

As for daily necessities,
like food and lodging,

they're handled by me
and the Directorate of Ceremonies.

Princess Lingyun,
request anything you need.

Tomorrow, the palace
will host a grand banquet.

The Empress Dowager and Emperor
will welcome you.

Carriages will arrive
to escort you then.

Understood.

Lady Lin, right?
You make the arrangements.

In that case, Prince Ding and I
will take our leave.

We won't disturb you.

Where is she?

I'm asking you. Where is she?

W-We haven't found her yet.

Then go search immediately!

Yes.

(Su Zuidie)

(Yuncha Posthouse)

(Yuncha Posthouse)

- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.

Rise.

After him!

Lei Tengfeng said you had jade bi discs
removed from my carriage unapproved.

Your Highness, my father once commanded
Dachu Eastern Palace's Left Inner Guard.

He managed ceremonial protocols
for the Crown Prince.

I learned by watching.

So I know something
about carriage etiquette.

Jade carriages have twelve jade bi discs
and are exclusive for Dachu emperors.

Such majesty cannot be usurped.

Is that so?

General Lei and Prince Ding
were deadlocked in hostility.

And you weren't present.

I yielded only to prevent
exposing our deceit.

I thought you'd softened
seeing an old flame.

I admit my error.

In childhood, I was indeed
betrothed to Prince Ding.

But later, the Eastern Palace
fell into calamity.

My father, as their official,
suffered collateral persecution.

Our entire family was exiled.

From then on,
I lost all contact with him

and never connected since.

Old ties severed then,
but you see him now, right?

I hear he's wed
to a proper princess consort now.

You stand on opposite sides.
Each serves a different master.

Should improper feelings
stir in you again,

ultimately, you'll harm
not just others, but yourself too.

Your teachings shall guide me.

(Danque Gate)

Prince Ding.

Prince Ding.

Quite a few distinguished young talents
attended tonight's banquet.

Prince Ding.

Who is this person?

The Young Lord of Duke Yunchuan.
His father, Duke Yunchuan,

once saved His Majesty
and quelled rebellions.

Hence the illustrious title.

And he enjoys imperial favor.

Prince Ding.

What about that one?

Zhong Xingtong,
Vice Director of the Ministry of Works.

It's him?

Top scholar in mathematics,

master artificer and craftsman,
Zhong Xingtong?

Exactly.

Master Zhong's unique forging method
produces sharp and durable blades.

Now those blades have been equipped
throughout Dachu's army.

Beyond that, he is obsessed
with studying celestial phenomena.

He often neglects his duties
for stargazing.

He truly is a fascinating man.

Prince Ding.

This feels more like picking a husband
for the princess than welcoming her.

You're right. It is exactly
a matchmaking event for the princess.

The princess has reached
marriageable age.

Among the nobles' sons
and humble scholars,

be they elegant or battle-hardened,
cultured or strategic,

who wouldn't seize this chance
to secure their future?

What a pity that Prince Ding
married so young.

Otherwise, he could have competed too.

With all the city's finest,
why would she choose a cripple like me?

Let's go.

Dowager Consort.

Marquis Muyang, you're here.
I thought you'd be at the palace.

I arrived early this morning.

Now I'm here to fetch my son.

He wanted to see the spectacle himself.

Lady Lin, you're here too.

Just the other day, the Empress Dowager
said your travelogue was delightful.

Having read it myself,
your writing is truly inspired

and utterly captivating.

Lady Lin, your talent knows no bounds,
and your grace is unmatched.

And you possess remarkable virtue.

If any noble son could win your favor,

that would be a blessing
earned across lifetimes.

You honor me too much, Marquis Muyang.

Marquis, do not praise only Lady Lin.

Your son Tianyang is similarly admirable
and accomplished at this young age.

How forgetful of me. Lady Lin,
I haven't properly introduced you yet.

This is my son Tianyang.

He lived with his mother
in Lingnan for years.

He just recently returned
to the capital.

Lady Lin, if you stay longer
in the capital,

perhaps Tianyang could be your guide

and show you the sights
and sounds of the capital.

You must have forgotten, Marquis,
that I'm originally from the capital.

Indeed. I overlooked that.

We can talk later.

The hour is late.
We should take our seats.

You stay here.

(Vast as the Earth)

I, Lingyun of Cangbei, respectfully
pay homage to Your Majesty the Emperor

and the Empress Dowager.

May our nations endure for generations,
our lands and dynasties forever strong.

Princess Lingyun, you've traveled far
to strengthen our bonds.

I am deeply moved.

Today's banquet

is both to welcome you

and to celebrate our friendship.

We hope you can enjoy yourself.
Please take the seat of honor.

Empress Dowager and Princess Lingyun,

Dachu and Cangbei are knit together
by adjacent lands and longstanding ties.

On this splendid occasion,

with fine wine and delicacies
adorning every table

and melodious music for entertainment,

may we share joy and renew our bond.

You know her?

Who?

Who else could it be?

Your eyes have been glued
to her since she came in.

Yesterday when I greeted
the envoy at the gate,

the one in the carriage
wasn't the princess we see here today.

The one in the carriage yesterday seems
to be that attendant beside her today.

Then which of those two
is the real princess?

The one today is probably real.

Princess Lingyun has astonishing nerve.

To dare swap identities
under everyone's eyes.

Doesn't she fear exposure?

She alone engineered
a child emperor onto the throne,

kept her father confined,

and upended
the power structure of Cangbei.

Her grit surpasses common people.

Well, I doubt half the young talents
at this banquet could impress her.

That's His Majesty's
and the Empress Dowager's concern.

Our task is just to eat and drink.

Princess Lingyun, it's been years.
How is your father's health?

Quite well. He's robust and lively.

He even said he'd come to Dachu someday
to taste this golden goblet wine.

What a hypocrite!

Empress Dowager,

Academician Luo can't hold his liquor.

Allow me to take him away to recover.

I'm not drunk.

I just needed to speak
the truth from my heart.

Who is he?

Luo Yu, a Hanlin Academician
and imperial attendant awaiting call.

My apologies, Academician Luo.

I couldn't hear you clearly.
Could you please repeat that?

I shall say it.

I say, Princess Lingyun,
you are nothing but a hypocrite.

Why?

Your father is in his prime.

As a daughter,
you failed in your filial duties

and forced your father to abdicate.

Such disloyal and unfilial acts,
and yet you brag here shamelessly!

Is this not hypocrisy?

It is said that education
is prosperous in Dachu.

How is it that such a young academician
possesses such outdated views?

Emperors Yao, Shun, and Yu's abdications
are praised throughout the ages.

My father's health declined,
and he was weary of state affairs.

He wished to abdicate to my brother.

My brother tearfully
rejected three times,

and my father
decreed abdication three times.

Only then was the abdication fulfilled.

A sage ruler and a loyal subject,
a kind father and a filial son.

How is this a breach
of law and propriety?

Everyone knows your brother
is but a puppet propped up by you.

A woman rules the realm?

I foresee that soon Cangbei...

Academician Luo, are you implying
contempt for women?

Lady Lin travels extensively,
and her articles are masterpieces.

Princess Ding trained at Lishan Academy.
Her knowledge spans past and present.

Empress Dowager Guo steers state affairs
and anchors the very realm.

You're a subject educated
under Chu philosophy, Academician Luo.

Is this your verdict on the able women
supporting the realm?

I... I don't mean that.

Today is a celebratory banquet.

We should only talk about togetherness

and speak no words of hostility.

But diverse schools of thought
bring diverse views.

Moreover, Dachu has welcomed
diverse opinions for years.

Even I am often challenged by them.

Princess Lingyun, take no offense.

Princess Ding, what do you
think of Academician Luo's words?

Empress Dowager,

I believe Academician Luo
speaks arrogant nonsense.

Princess Lingyun,
do not take it to heart.

As they say, "Without asking,"

"one cannot know everything."

Given your young age, Academician Luo,
you likely haven't been to Cangbei?

You neither know Cangbei's rulers

nor understand
Cangbei's internal affairs.

Why pontificate here?

Also, the Empress Dowager
and His Majesty gather us here

to welcome Princess Lingyun.

Princess Lingyun is a guest.

We should offer utmost courtesy
and hospitality.

How could you speak harshly
and act aggressively?

I...

Princess Lingyun, do not blame him.

Your extraordinary grace
illuminates the room.

Even I, a woman, am enchanted by you.

Most here today
are Dachu's finest young talents.

Young men admire beauty. It's natural.

Sometimes, to catch a beauty's eye,

they resort to extreme actions
and utter wild words.

It's quite normal.

Princess Ding, your wit is remarkable.

Brilliant!

Attendants!

Replenish our guests' wine.

First fill Princess Ding's cup.

Master Zhong, one doesn't
eat pomegranates this way.

This thick outer peel
should not be eaten.

Only the seedy arils inside are edible.

Here.

Wonderful! Refreshingly sweet.

It's a pity, though. Such a large fruit,

and it yields so little flesh.

I heard you excel not just
in construction and forging

but also have deep insights
into astronomy and calendrics.

I am indeed fascinated by mathematics,
especially celestial mechanics.

The Ministry of Works is demanding,

but stargazing
is my favorite leisure pursuit.

Why? Do you also find the movement
of celestial bodies intriguing?

I do have questions,

but today is not suitable.

I'll visit another day when you're free.

The honor would be mine.
I await Your Highness's instruction.

Then it's settled.

Alright, that's enough wine.

Your Majesty, Empress Dowager,

I feel overcome by the wine
and wish to leave for some air.

Everyone,

in Cangbei banquets,
we conduct three toasts:

First, to Heaven and Earth
for granting us land,

harvests, and rain.

This second toast honors Dachu.

Honored hosts,

may our alliance endure for generations

and shine brightly to the last.

The third toast
honors fearless warriors.

Earlier, we enjoyed feasts
and merriment.

It was indeed very pleasant.

But within my Cangbei warriors courses
an unquenchable thirst for victory.

I've heard that Dachu harbors countless
masterful warriors and valiant fighters.

How could we not have martial displays
to liven the banquet up?

I, though unworthy,

wish to use the third toast to invite
Dachu's braves down to the arena

to bond through martial arts
and spar a little.

General Lei.

Since you have such refined interest,

we of Dachu certainly
will not disappoint our guests.

Marquis Muyang.

Get prepared.

Yes.

How much is Marquis Muyang paying you?

That's confidential?

Then how about this?

I'll pay ten times more.

Work for me instead. What do you say?

Marquis Muyang is overbearing,
having made countless foes.

He won't last long.

If you follow him, you likely
won't have a good outcome either.

You should work for me.

If someday you wish to enter the palace
seeking a respectable position,

I could also write you
a letter of recommendation.

Actually, my word carries
more weight than his.

All this is for your own good.

Do ponder it carefully.

If you come to a decision,
you can seek me out anytime.

(Lakeview Garden)

(Jingzhao Prefecture)

Take me to Prince Ding!
I must see Prince Ding! Hurry!

Urgent secret letter from Huaixi.
Deliver it immediately to Prince Ding!

His Highness is at the palace banquet?

Yes.

As per protocol,
it won't end until Shen hour.

There isn't enough time.

Saddle up and assemble a capable team

to enter the palace with me.

You go find Zhang Hengyuan
and have him apprehended!

Lei Tengfeng of Cangbei is here!

Which brave warrior of Dachu
dare step forward for a fight?

I, Wu Qi of Yunchuan,
seek your guidance.

Please enlighten me.

Wu Qi of Yunchuan?

Lord of Yunchuan's
Four-Dragon Armor Piercer

ruled the battlefield undefeated.

The Young Lord has acquired
his nimble moves

and is unpredictable.

It's just a shame

that facing Lei Tengfeng, who strikes
with sheer speed and power,

the Young Lord has slim odds.

Your Highness, Clerk Gu waits for you
outside the palace.

It's urgent. I'll return shortly.

Young Lord,

your skill doesn't even come close
to your father's battlefield prowess.

It's slow and languid.

What you wield in your hand
is like a maiden's embroidery needle.

Cease your insolence! Again!

Your Highness,

urgent news from Gongshu Yang.

Cangbei has colluded with Zhang Hengyuan
in an attempt to kill Zhong Xingtong.

This affair likely relates
to Marquis Muyang.

Your Highness, this matter cannot wait!

Let's go back.

Yes.

Your Highness, His Majesty
saw you leave in a hurry

and sent me to inquire
whether something has happened.

I must see His Majesty immediately.

His Majesty decrees:

should there be an urgent matter,
please wait at the armory's side hall.

He shall join you shortly.

Marquis Muyang, Prince Ding
has obtained the secret letter.

First round: Cangbei's
General Lei Tengfeng wins!

Thank you for yielding, Young Lord.

I, Wei Heng of Zhechong Prefecture,

seek instruction from you.

(Preview)

Skulking in the shadows.

Come out, all of you!

A man who's served four masters
has no loyalty.

You're dead!

A martial contest?

I'll fight you.

Want the Lanyun Spear?

Let's see if you have the skill!

♪Memories hold you back
from fulfilling your dreams♪

♪Only by moving forward
can you find reunion♪

♪Endings only mark new routes♪

♪It's all part of the scenery♪

♪To the horizon's call♪

♪Your journey hasn't started♪

♪Towards mountains,
chase the stars bright♪

♪Both joy and grief
make the trip worthwhile♪

♪Trying to catch up
to your own lost shadow♪

♪Within the wilds, echoes thrive♪

♪Clear mind leads to a clear path♪

♪Be grateful to your losses♪

♪Make your steps weightless♪

♪Towards mountains,
chase the stars bright♪

♪Let time embrace you
and wash away the past♪

♪Put every twist behind you,
drift leisurely through time♪

♪Make headway against the wind,
let mountains bow to your pace♪

♪Rush towards a life without regret♪

♪Let your nature burst free♪

♪Unbound by form♪

♪Let your nature burst free♪

♪Unbound by form♪