1 00:01:35,789 --> 00:01:40,690 [Fated Hearts] 2 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,020 [Episode 22] 3 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:05,380 Greetings, Your Majesty. 4 00:02:06,230 --> 00:02:07,230 The two princes have been 5 00:02:07,230 --> 00:02:08,560 accompanying His Majesty this whole time. 6 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:10,280 I advised them to go back and rest. 7 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:11,009 Tonight, 8 00:02:11,039 --> 00:02:13,370 I will stay here to watch over His Majesty. 9 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:15,780 Leave us. 10 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,980 I already know about His Majesty's illness. 11 00:02:21,030 --> 00:02:23,490 Please take care of yourself, Your Majesty. 12 00:02:24,050 --> 00:02:25,980 Let me have a moment alone with him. 13 00:02:26,470 --> 00:02:27,050 Your Majesty... 14 00:02:27,050 --> 00:02:27,670 Get out! 15 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:53,130 Fifteen years. 16 00:02:55,030 --> 00:02:57,030 You've been terminally ill for 15 years, 17 00:02:57,030 --> 00:02:57,840 and you never 18 00:02:57,840 --> 00:02:59,240 said a word to me about it. 19 00:03:00,710 --> 00:03:01,510 Your Majesty, 20 00:03:03,550 --> 00:03:05,880 you've really been keeping me in the dark. 21 00:03:10,710 --> 00:03:11,370 Never mind. 22 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:14,580 You must have your reasons 23 00:03:15,030 --> 00:03:16,310 for not telling me. 24 00:03:19,590 --> 00:03:20,400 You're always the one 25 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:21,800 who makes the most sense. 26 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:25,620 We've been married for so many years. 27 00:03:25,710 --> 00:03:26,710 When have you ever considered me 28 00:03:26,710 --> 00:03:28,110 in any of your decisions? 29 00:03:32,750 --> 00:03:33,550 Your Majesty, 30 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:35,280 guess 31 00:03:35,310 --> 00:03:36,590 what I've brought you. 32 00:03:39,870 --> 00:03:40,560 Zongzi. 33 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:43,640 You didn't expect that, did you? 34 00:03:43,750 --> 00:03:45,230 Those people must think 35 00:03:45,250 --> 00:03:46,970 I've lost my mind. 36 00:03:47,630 --> 00:03:49,840 The Dragon Boat Festival was a month ago, 37 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:52,370 but today I suddenly feel like having zongzi. 38 00:03:53,630 --> 00:03:55,300 Your Majesty, you know 39 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,710 I've always loved zongzi. 40 00:04:01,430 --> 00:04:02,150 But... 41 00:04:03,190 --> 00:04:04,100 I haven't had one 42 00:04:04,100 --> 00:04:05,300 in 15 years. 43 00:04:19,269 --> 00:04:20,070 Your Majesty, 44 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:22,660 zongzi is so delicious. 45 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:24,870 Smell it. 46 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,060 Doesn't it smell good? 47 00:04:28,170 --> 00:04:29,320 Do you know 48 00:04:30,830 --> 00:04:31,870 why I haven't eaten zongzi 49 00:04:31,870 --> 00:04:32,920 in 15 years? 50 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:35,750 Of course you do. 51 00:04:37,870 --> 00:04:40,200 On the 5th day of the 5th month 15 years ago, 52 00:04:40,870 --> 00:04:42,930 that woman died right in front of you. 53 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:44,630 Since then, 54 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,800 you've never celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival again, 55 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:49,530 and you've never eaten zongzi. 56 00:04:49,870 --> 00:04:50,670 Your Majesty. 57 00:04:52,950 --> 00:04:54,330 You actually have the leisure today 58 00:04:54,330 --> 00:04:55,960 to tend to plants? 59 00:04:57,310 --> 00:04:58,190 These plants 60 00:04:58,190 --> 00:05:00,190 must have accumulated great fortune 61 00:05:00,190 --> 00:05:02,590 over several lifetimes to receive your... 62 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:08,030 What brings you here today? 63 00:05:09,550 --> 00:05:11,160 I came to celebrate the festival with you. 64 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:11,980 Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. 65 00:05:11,980 --> 00:05:15,040 Your Majesty, you haven't had any zongzi yet, have you? 66 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:18,430 I made these myself today. 67 00:05:19,900 --> 00:05:21,630 They're just freshly steamed. 68 00:05:21,830 --> 00:05:23,560 Please try some, Your Majesty. 69 00:05:24,910 --> 00:05:25,970 I have no appetite. 70 00:05:26,510 --> 00:05:28,110 Just one bite, Your Majesty. 71 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:29,190 Your Majesty. 72 00:05:29,260 --> 00:05:30,190 How dare you! 73 00:05:39,270 --> 00:05:40,070 Your Majesty. 74 00:05:44,270 --> 00:05:44,800 Get up. 75 00:05:47,950 --> 00:05:48,950 I don't want them. 76 00:05:50,070 --> 00:05:50,870 Take them away 77 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:52,960 and share them with the kids. 78 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:04,360 You said you hated her 79 00:06:05,310 --> 00:06:07,630 and forbade anyone from ever mentioning her. 80 00:06:07,630 --> 00:06:08,830 You erased 81 00:06:08,830 --> 00:06:09,890 every trace of her, 82 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:11,800 as if 83 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:13,390 she had never existed. 84 00:06:16,590 --> 00:06:17,700 But she's here. 85 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:20,380 She's been here all along. 86 00:06:21,950 --> 00:06:23,630 I've spent 15 years 87 00:06:24,690 --> 00:06:26,560 and still haven't been able to reach your heart. 88 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:27,310 Is it because 89 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:29,510 you don't care about me 90 00:06:29,510 --> 00:06:30,570 that you've hidden 91 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:32,650 your terminal illness from me? 92 00:06:34,750 --> 00:06:35,480 Fine. 93 00:06:39,750 --> 00:06:41,190 From today on, 94 00:06:41,870 --> 00:06:44,159 I don't care whether you like me or not. 95 00:06:46,430 --> 00:06:48,280 I only want what I like. 96 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:18,750 I've already given you 97 00:07:18,750 --> 00:07:20,150 the first half of my life. 98 00:07:20,870 --> 00:07:23,270 Now I want you to spend the rest of it with me! 99 00:07:23,340 --> 00:07:24,270 Feng Pingcheng! 100 00:07:24,270 --> 00:07:25,340 Wake up! 101 00:07:25,430 --> 00:07:26,360 Feng Pingcheng! 102 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:28,560 Wake up! 103 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:30,930 Feng Pingcheng! 104 00:07:31,510 --> 00:07:32,620 Wake up! 105 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:33,680 Feng Pingcheng! 106 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:34,270 Pull the Empress away! 107 00:07:34,270 --> 00:07:35,680 Open your eyes and look at me! 108 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:36,080 Hurry! 109 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:37,050 Feng Pingcheng! 110 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:38,720 Let go of me! 111 00:07:39,190 --> 00:07:40,390 Feng Pingcheng! 112 00:07:41,270 --> 00:07:42,280 Wake up! 113 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:45,240 Feng Pingcheng, wake up right now! 114 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:46,970 Feng Pingcheng! 115 00:07:54,390 --> 00:07:55,190 Your Majesty. 116 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:57,920 Your Majesty... 117 00:07:58,480 --> 00:07:59,950 What should I do? 118 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:02,830 What should I do now? 119 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:05,850 Your Majesty... 120 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:07,120 Feng Pingcheng! 121 00:08:08,540 --> 00:08:09,390 Let go of me! 122 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:10,360 Let go of me! 123 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:12,630 I can walk by myself! 124 00:08:41,659 --> 00:08:43,260 [Yifeng Palace] 125 00:08:47,910 --> 00:08:48,750 Get lost! All of you! 126 00:08:48,750 --> 00:08:49,550 -Yes. -Yes. 127 00:08:53,670 --> 00:08:54,790 All of you, get out! 128 00:09:13,870 --> 00:09:14,750 Mother. 129 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:20,910 Mother. 130 00:09:21,550 --> 00:09:22,480 Don't be too sad. 131 00:09:23,150 --> 00:09:24,150 I'm here with you. 132 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:25,880 Brother said 133 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:27,880 that Father will surely wake up. 134 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:29,120 Mother, 135 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,260 please take care of yourself. 136 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:32,960 Don't cry until your eyes are swollen. 137 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:34,600 If Father wakes up and sees that, 138 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:35,650 he'll be upset. 139 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:40,130 He wouldn't be upset at all. 140 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:42,000 In his heart and eyes, 141 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:43,330 there's no place for me, 142 00:09:43,910 --> 00:09:44,960 or for you. 143 00:09:47,150 --> 00:09:49,410 The only one he cares about is that woman. 144 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:50,630 That woman? 145 00:09:51,670 --> 00:09:53,780 You mean Brother's birth mother? 146 00:09:53,950 --> 00:09:55,480 You see him as your brother, 147 00:09:56,270 --> 00:09:58,930 but has he ever acknowledged you as his brother? 148 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:00,150 Remember, 149 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:01,670 Feng Suige 150 00:10:01,670 --> 00:10:03,440 is your greatest enemy in this lifetime. 151 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:05,240 You'd better stay away from him. 152 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:06,800 Do you know 153 00:10:09,030 --> 00:10:10,360 what will happen 154 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,090 if your father doesn't wake up? 155 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:16,010 Feng Suige will ascend the throne. 156 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:18,080 By then, he'll kill you 157 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:19,370 and me. 158 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:20,890 If he succeeds, 159 00:10:21,630 --> 00:10:23,000 we'll both die. 160 00:10:23,910 --> 00:10:24,790 He's always hated me 161 00:10:24,790 --> 00:10:26,720 for causing his birth mother's death. 162 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:27,510 That's why he refuses 163 00:10:27,510 --> 00:10:28,840 to acknowledge me as his mother, 164 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:30,320 or you as his brother. 165 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:32,810 He's been waiting for this day. 166 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,130 He's waiting for your father to be gone 167 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:37,660 so he can take his revenge. 168 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:39,750 And your father, even though 169 00:10:39,750 --> 00:10:41,680 he knows exactly what will happen, 170 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:44,180 still refuses to name a crown prince. 171 00:10:44,670 --> 00:10:46,480 I know he hates me deep down. 172 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:47,840 Mother, 173 00:10:48,270 --> 00:10:49,150 please stop. 174 00:10:49,670 --> 00:10:51,270 Don't speak of them that way. 175 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:54,010 Even you're taking their side now? 176 00:10:54,270 --> 00:10:56,130 Once your father passes away 177 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:58,000 and Feng Suige takes the throne, 178 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,130 he'll kill you 179 00:10:59,630 --> 00:11:01,030 and all of us. 180 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:04,870 Our lives are in your hands. 181 00:11:05,630 --> 00:11:07,200 Only you can protect us. 182 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,290 I want you to take the throne 183 00:11:13,460 --> 00:11:14,760 and kill Feng Suige. 184 00:11:15,910 --> 00:11:17,840 That's the only way we'll survive. 185 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:23,930 [Imperial Hospital] 186 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:29,440 From today on, 187 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:31,840 no one is allowed to leave 188 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,130 until we find a way to save His Majesty. 189 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:36,280 Eating, drinking, and dumping— 190 00:11:36,510 --> 00:11:38,040 you'll do everything here. 191 00:11:41,150 --> 00:11:42,750 Even Lord Ling from Zhengnian Villa 192 00:11:42,750 --> 00:11:43,680 has no solution. 193 00:11:43,750 --> 00:11:46,240 We're at a complete loss as well. 194 00:11:47,630 --> 00:11:48,490 Physician Wei, 195 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:52,360 that must be very difficult for you. 196 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:53,320 No, not at all. 197 00:12:13,910 --> 00:12:15,350 Being at a loss 198 00:12:15,390 --> 00:12:17,850 just shows your medical skills are lacking. 199 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:19,700 It's better to die 200 00:12:19,870 --> 00:12:21,270 and, in your next life, 201 00:12:21,270 --> 00:12:22,670 study medicine properly from the start. 202 00:12:22,670 --> 00:12:23,510 Don't you all 203 00:12:24,510 --> 00:12:24,960 agree? 204 00:12:31,630 --> 00:12:32,490 What do you say? 205 00:12:36,750 --> 00:12:37,790 I'll take your silence 206 00:12:37,790 --> 00:12:38,590 as agreement. 207 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:39,820 From now on, 208 00:12:39,870 --> 00:12:41,550 if you find any method in medical books 209 00:12:41,550 --> 00:12:42,630 that could wake His Majesty, 210 00:12:42,630 --> 00:12:43,990 try it on him. 211 00:12:44,550 --> 00:12:46,480 Don't worry about whether he might die. 212 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,440 If he does, I'll get you 213 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:52,090 another one. 214 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,610 [Murong Residence] 215 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:17,750 Elder Marquis eats well 216 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,030 and sleeps soundly. 217 00:13:19,030 --> 00:13:19,810 Don't worry. 218 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:21,300 No need to thank me. 219 00:13:21,670 --> 00:13:22,390 Yixiao. 220 00:13:24,670 --> 00:13:25,320 My Lord, 221 00:13:25,510 --> 00:13:26,480 we chased down 3 streets 222 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,080 but couldn't find the archer. 223 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:29,270 Pull back all the people 224 00:13:29,270 --> 00:13:31,200 watching Feng Suige's residence! 225 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:32,620 But if we pull them back now... 226 00:13:32,620 --> 00:13:33,840 My father is in someone else's hands! 227 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:35,770 What's the point of keeping watch? 228 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:36,550 Go! 229 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:37,360 Yes. 230 00:13:37,390 --> 00:13:37,870 Yes. 231 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:40,510 Fu Yixiao, 232 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:42,550 just you wait. 233 00:13:43,860 --> 00:13:49,610 [Wutong Mansion] 234 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:50,600 Lu Ke. 235 00:13:56,670 --> 00:13:57,440 Miss Yixiao? 236 00:13:57,840 --> 00:13:59,000 Where have you been? 237 00:13:59,020 --> 00:13:59,870 His Highness has long known 238 00:13:59,870 --> 00:14:01,010 that you haven't left Yujing. 239 00:14:01,010 --> 00:14:02,370 I'll explain later. 240 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:03,600 Where is your master? 241 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:04,910 He entered the palace last night 242 00:14:04,910 --> 00:14:06,320 and hasn't returned today. 243 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:07,910 Then please pass on a message for me. 244 00:14:07,910 --> 00:14:09,390 I want to see him at 3 p.m. today. 245 00:14:09,390 --> 00:14:10,600 Tell him to come alone. 246 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:11,440 Is there anything else 247 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:12,640 you want me to convey? 248 00:14:12,750 --> 00:14:13,680 Give this to him. 249 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:15,860 He knows where we should meet. 250 00:14:16,550 --> 00:14:16,910 How does he... 251 00:14:16,910 --> 00:14:18,110 Make sure to tell him. 252 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:19,240 I have something very important 253 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:19,910 to tell him. 254 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:21,210 Don't worry. 255 00:14:30,940 --> 00:14:32,740 I have one more thing to tell you. 256 00:14:32,750 --> 00:14:34,630 Appointing a crown prince is a major matter. 257 00:14:34,630 --> 00:14:36,050 His Majesty is wise and mighty. 258 00:14:36,050 --> 00:14:38,370 He must have made arrangements already! 259 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:40,240 Do you really think, 260 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:41,260 while he's ill, 261 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:42,670 that you alone 262 00:14:42,690 --> 00:14:44,550 can turn everything upside down? 263 00:14:44,670 --> 00:14:46,360 Give up that idea! 264 00:15:02,550 --> 00:15:04,220 Greetings, Prime Minister Zhuang. 265 00:15:04,220 --> 00:15:05,840 May I ask why 266 00:15:05,870 --> 00:15:06,980 you summoned me? 267 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:08,300 You don't know why? 268 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:10,260 It's just the two of us here. 269 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:11,190 Mr. Ma, 270 00:15:11,510 --> 00:15:12,320 let's just 271 00:15:12,910 --> 00:15:14,320 speak plainly. 272 00:15:16,230 --> 00:15:18,010 You've been serving His Majesty for so long. 273 00:15:18,010 --> 00:15:20,130 You must be his most trusted person. 274 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,280 His Majesty always plans ahead. 275 00:15:24,670 --> 00:15:25,390 Since he knows 276 00:15:25,390 --> 00:15:26,630 he has a terminal illness, 277 00:15:26,630 --> 00:15:28,240 he must have made preparations. 278 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:29,720 Has he already drafted 279 00:15:29,750 --> 00:15:31,080 an edict of succession? 280 00:15:39,550 --> 00:15:40,870 I am merely 281 00:15:40,870 --> 00:15:41,790 the head eunuch. 282 00:15:41,790 --> 00:15:43,360 Many things are beyond my knowledge. 283 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,200 Please understand, Prime Minister Zhuang. 284 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:46,840 You are his most trusted person. 285 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:48,280 If there is an edict, 286 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:50,440 it should be in your custody, right? 287 00:15:51,870 --> 00:15:53,630 I truly know nothing. 288 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:56,650 I'm only asking. 289 00:15:57,750 --> 00:15:58,670 Since you don't know, 290 00:15:58,670 --> 00:15:59,870 I'll trust you. 291 00:16:01,550 --> 00:16:03,600 I will fulfill my duty as Prime Minister 292 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:05,860 and summon all the key ministers at court 293 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:09,360 to discuss the matter of appointing the crown prince. 294 00:16:12,150 --> 00:16:12,960 Mr. Ma, 295 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:16,240 don't wait until we reach a decision 296 00:16:16,750 --> 00:16:17,750 and then suddenly pull out 297 00:16:17,750 --> 00:16:19,030 some imperial edict— 298 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:20,120 that would be 299 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,150 impossible to deal with. 300 00:16:56,790 --> 00:16:57,390 Yao. 301 00:17:12,710 --> 00:17:14,510 I heard about what happened to the Elder Marquis. 302 00:17:14,510 --> 00:17:15,910 How is the situation now? 303 00:17:16,109 --> 00:17:17,200 You've heard that? 304 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:19,000 Someone actually dared to lay hands 305 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,589 on the Elder Marquis in Yujing City. 306 00:17:20,589 --> 00:17:21,990 They're courting death. 307 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:23,270 I'll order all the elite soldiers 308 00:17:23,270 --> 00:17:24,599 from the Feng Battalion 309 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:25,720 to search the entire city. 310 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:27,160 We'll leave no stone unturned 311 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:27,640 to find... 312 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:29,770 No need to trouble the Feng Battalion. 313 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:31,730 I have the Imperial Guards. 314 00:17:32,690 --> 00:17:33,370 Yao, 315 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:36,160 The Elder Marquis is like a father to me. 316 00:17:36,350 --> 00:17:37,880 Anyone who dares to kidnap him 317 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:39,310 is making an enemy of me. 318 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:41,030 Tell me 319 00:17:41,270 --> 00:17:42,200 what happened 320 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:43,680 before the Elder Marquis disappeared. 321 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:46,140 I want to figure out who might be behind this. 322 00:17:48,070 --> 00:17:49,480 My father spent most of his life on the battlefield. 323 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:50,880 He made too many enemies. 324 00:17:51,270 --> 00:17:53,200 Countless people want to harm him. 325 00:17:53,550 --> 00:17:54,150 Forget it. 326 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:55,460 Don't worry 327 00:17:55,590 --> 00:17:56,350 about it. 328 00:17:56,830 --> 00:17:57,810 I came to see you 329 00:17:58,350 --> 00:17:59,880 because the duty of guarding the palace 330 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:01,880 has to be temporarily handed over to you. 331 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,160 You must keep watch over the palace for me. 332 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:04,720 Alright. 333 00:18:16,270 --> 00:18:16,830 What? 334 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:18,590 You don't trust me? 335 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:25,840 Of course I trust you. 336 00:18:26,550 --> 00:18:27,920 You're my best friend. 337 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:31,030 You seem a bit off today. 338 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:43,510 What I'm going to do now 339 00:18:44,270 --> 00:18:45,720 is catch the person 340 00:18:45,750 --> 00:18:46,830 who harmed my father, 341 00:18:46,830 --> 00:18:48,400 flay him, pull out his entrails, 342 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:49,530 grind him into mince 343 00:18:49,750 --> 00:18:51,010 and feed it to the dogs. 344 00:18:59,310 --> 00:19:00,880 I'm not like my father. 345 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:03,960 I'll collect any debts 346 00:19:04,750 --> 00:19:06,210 owed to the Murong family. 347 00:19:07,550 --> 00:19:09,310 Even if it's my closest friend, 348 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,270 I'll settle the score. 349 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:18,030 A dancing girl 350 00:19:18,350 --> 00:19:20,210 got beaten to death for no reason. 351 00:19:20,550 --> 00:19:21,000 I know 352 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:22,550 you wanted to teach the Prince of Zhennan a lesson, 353 00:19:22,550 --> 00:19:24,110 but you shouldn't have killed her so recklessly. 354 00:19:24,110 --> 00:19:25,040 If this gets out, 355 00:19:25,070 --> 00:19:26,000 how will it look? 356 00:19:27,350 --> 00:19:28,060 Also, 357 00:19:28,350 --> 00:19:29,620 when I came in just now, 358 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:31,350 I saw another official's wife 359 00:19:31,350 --> 00:19:32,400 leaving your place. 360 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:33,090 Tell me, 361 00:19:33,310 --> 00:19:34,780 what's with her clothes? 362 00:19:36,110 --> 00:19:37,590 Mother, you think it looks good too, right? 363 00:19:37,590 --> 00:19:38,310 I picked it for her. 364 00:19:38,310 --> 00:19:38,920 Absurd! 365 00:19:39,510 --> 00:19:41,840 That's the Princess of Zhennan's outfit. 366 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:47,440 Don't tell me you have feelings for her. 367 00:19:51,270 --> 00:19:52,790 I didn't think it that way. 368 00:19:53,510 --> 00:19:55,030 But now that you mentioned it… 369 00:19:55,030 --> 00:19:56,510 Don't you dare set your sights on her! 370 00:19:56,510 --> 00:19:57,550 There are plenty of consorts in the palace, 371 00:19:57,550 --> 00:19:58,680 but you never touch them. 372 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:00,160 Yet you always scheme after 373 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:01,220 officials' wives. 374 00:20:01,270 --> 00:20:02,070 I'm tired of lecturing you 375 00:20:02,070 --> 00:20:03,350 about your rotten behavior. 376 00:20:03,350 --> 00:20:04,190 But remember, 377 00:20:04,310 --> 00:20:06,270 you are not to touch the Princess of Zhennan. 378 00:20:06,270 --> 00:20:07,000 Mother, 379 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:08,310 you don't actually treat him 380 00:20:08,310 --> 00:20:09,570 as your own son, do you? 381 00:20:11,110 --> 00:20:12,680 If I had a son like him, 382 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:14,130 would I still be getting angry every day 383 00:20:14,130 --> 00:20:14,880 like this? 384 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:20,590 You sent him back to the capital 385 00:20:20,590 --> 00:20:21,920 without consulting me. 386 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:22,590 This is clearly 387 00:20:22,590 --> 00:20:23,720 asking for trouble. 388 00:20:25,110 --> 00:20:27,170 You humiliated him again last night? 389 00:20:29,670 --> 00:20:31,070 He can't stay in the capital anymore. 390 00:20:31,070 --> 00:20:32,600 Send him away immediately. 391 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:33,920 Send him away? 392 00:20:33,990 --> 00:20:35,350 That's like releasing a tiger back to the mountain. 393 00:20:35,350 --> 00:20:36,240 Once he reaches Shengjing, 394 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:38,040 Pingling City will get the news. 395 00:20:38,510 --> 00:20:39,920 Mother, are you really that afraid of him? 396 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:41,920 What I'm afraid of is political instability in Jinxiu 397 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:43,240 and internal strife. 398 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:45,940 As you said, 399 00:20:46,070 --> 00:20:47,000 his greatest support 400 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:48,600 is the army in Pingling City. 401 00:20:49,070 --> 00:20:50,350 Now that he's in Shengjing, 402 00:20:50,350 --> 00:20:51,310 he's in danger. 403 00:20:51,550 --> 00:20:52,230 Mother, 404 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:53,000 how do you think he can communicate 405 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:54,530 with them in Pingling City? 406 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:58,720 If he's obedient, it'll be fine. 407 00:20:58,720 --> 00:20:59,590 But if he's not, 408 00:21:00,350 --> 00:21:02,750 he'll definitely make moves in Shengjing. 409 00:21:02,790 --> 00:21:04,160 I want him to reveal 410 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:05,070 all his cards 411 00:21:05,590 --> 00:21:06,750 in Shengjing. 412 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:09,020 Just one thing— 413 00:21:09,550 --> 00:21:12,480 you must not set your sights on the Princess of Susha. 414 00:21:20,790 --> 00:21:21,590 Bai Shouzhuo! 415 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:25,680 Your Majesty. 416 00:21:26,750 --> 00:21:27,790 The Empress Dowager forbids me 417 00:21:27,790 --> 00:21:29,200 from setting my sights on the Princess of Susha. 418 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:30,930 I had no such intention anyway. 419 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:32,200 But now, 420 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:33,610 somehow, 421 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:35,920 I find this very intriguing. 422 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:00,680 Grandfather. 423 00:22:01,510 --> 00:22:02,970 I heard your mother is ill. 424 00:22:03,830 --> 00:22:04,960 Mother is sleeping. 425 00:22:05,790 --> 00:22:07,650 Last night she went to see Father, 426 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:08,830 stayed up all night, 427 00:22:08,830 --> 00:22:09,960 and ran a high fever. 428 00:22:10,590 --> 00:22:11,400 The imperial physicians have already come 429 00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:13,000 to check on her this morning. 430 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:18,830 How are you? 431 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:20,610 I spent the whole night copying the Heart Sutra 432 00:22:20,610 --> 00:22:21,930 for Father and Mother, 433 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:24,540 hoping they'll recover soon. 434 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:26,610 Let me ask you again— 435 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:27,720 how are you? 436 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:30,040 I... 437 00:22:30,510 --> 00:22:31,680 You're 20 now, 438 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:32,720 a grown man. 439 00:22:33,070 --> 00:22:34,160 Are you ready? 440 00:22:35,310 --> 00:22:37,240 Father was perfectly fine before. 441 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:39,830 I don't know why 442 00:22:39,880 --> 00:22:41,270 he suddenly became like this. 443 00:22:41,270 --> 00:22:42,730 I truly don't understand. 444 00:22:43,270 --> 00:22:44,880 If Father truly doesn't make it, 445 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:45,350 then... 446 00:22:45,590 --> 00:22:47,120 That's not what I'm asking. 447 00:22:47,550 --> 00:22:48,070 I'm asking 448 00:22:48,070 --> 00:22:49,160 if you're ready 449 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:51,000 to become the ruler of the realm. 450 00:23:00,590 --> 00:23:02,520 Once your father passes away 451 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:04,480 and Feng Suige takes the throne, 452 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:05,920 he'll kill you 453 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:07,160 and all of us. 454 00:23:07,830 --> 00:23:09,480 Our lives are in your hands. 455 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:11,240 Only you can protect us. 456 00:23:14,310 --> 00:23:15,240 I've... 457 00:23:16,150 --> 00:23:17,610 never thought about that. 458 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,200 Don't you even trust your grandfather? 459 00:23:20,550 --> 00:23:21,200 I do. 460 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:23,960 I... 461 00:23:24,860 --> 00:23:26,280 respect you the most. 462 00:23:29,270 --> 00:23:30,510 Then why aren't you looking at me 463 00:23:30,510 --> 00:23:31,720 when you speak? 464 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:34,310 Remember, 465 00:23:35,350 --> 00:23:37,270 I always stand by your side. 466 00:23:37,590 --> 00:23:38,450 You, your mother, 467 00:23:38,450 --> 00:23:39,600 and I— 468 00:23:40,310 --> 00:23:41,410 our fates 469 00:23:41,830 --> 00:23:43,500 rise and fall together. 470 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:51,580 I'll do 471 00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:54,160 whatever you say. 472 00:23:57,270 --> 00:23:58,050 I want you 473 00:23:58,570 --> 00:23:59,950 to become Emperor. 474 00:24:09,270 --> 00:24:10,200 Yes. 475 00:24:10,720 --> 00:24:12,890 To be Emperor, you must act like one. 476 00:24:13,270 --> 00:24:14,070 Louder! 477 00:24:23,180 --> 00:24:25,290 I want to be Emperor. 478 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:37,100 Your Highness, 479 00:24:37,360 --> 00:24:39,290 Miss Yixiao asked me to give this to you. 480 00:24:39,290 --> 00:24:40,490 What else did she say? 481 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:41,690 Nothing. 482 00:24:41,750 --> 00:24:42,700 She said that once you see it, 483 00:24:42,700 --> 00:24:43,830 you'll understand. 484 00:24:46,110 --> 00:24:47,440 She was so cautious 485 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:48,510 about asking me to meet. 486 00:24:48,510 --> 00:24:50,180 There must be a reason. 487 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:53,150 Did she look well? 488 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:54,110 She seemed fine. 489 00:24:54,110 --> 00:24:55,350 No illness, no injuries, 490 00:24:55,350 --> 00:24:56,390 nothing unusual— 491 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:57,870 just a bit mysterious. 492 00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:58,600 Oh, right. 493 00:24:58,640 --> 00:24:59,720 She repeatedly reminded me 494 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:00,350 to tell you that 495 00:25:00,350 --> 00:25:01,750 you must go see her alone. 496 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:21,590 It's not safe to talk here. 497 00:25:21,590 --> 00:25:22,300 Follow me. 498 00:25:37,050 --> 00:25:40,200 ♪ Lost in the wilderness ♪ 499 00:25:40,570 --> 00:25:43,050 ♪ I've been looking for you ♪ 500 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:46,410 ♪ Even if devastation fills my eyes ♪ 501 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,450 ♪ The shadows continue to sway ♪ 502 00:25:47,830 --> 00:25:48,510 Don't move. 503 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:52,790 ♪ The phoenix going against light ♪ 504 00:25:51,030 --> 00:25:52,490 Let me give you a hug first. 505 00:25:53,250 --> 00:25:56,170 ♪ Has been looking for a thousand miles ♪ 506 00:25:56,990 --> 00:25:59,870 ♪ As years pass, dust stirs, stirring deep longing ♪ 507 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:06,000 ♪ All I ask is to be together forever ♪ 508 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:08,290 I know 509 00:26:09,510 --> 00:26:10,660 that the reason you cautiously 510 00:26:10,660 --> 00:26:11,460 asked to see me 511 00:26:12,110 --> 00:26:13,970 must be that something happened. 512 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:21,040 I've already caught Wu Ying. 513 00:26:21,750 --> 00:26:23,000 I'll make her 514 00:26:23,350 --> 00:26:23,960 feel the pain 515 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:25,920 you once suffered a thousandfold. 516 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:32,750 Aren't you happy 517 00:26:32,750 --> 00:26:33,640 to hear that? 518 00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:36,350 I am. 519 00:26:38,030 --> 00:26:38,680 Really? 520 00:26:39,790 --> 00:26:40,960 On your face, 521 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:42,160 I can't see 522 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:43,420 any sign of happiness. 523 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:54,640 Do you remember that day, 524 00:26:54,750 --> 00:26:56,480 when I helped you save Yun Qing, 525 00:26:57,240 --> 00:26:58,790 you promised me 5 favors? 526 00:26:59,310 --> 00:27:00,440 Now there are 4 left. 527 00:27:02,030 --> 00:27:02,680 Today, 528 00:27:03,110 --> 00:27:04,510 I want to use another one. 529 00:27:05,030 --> 00:27:05,720 No matter 530 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:06,750 what you hear, 531 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:08,500 you must promise me 532 00:27:09,030 --> 00:27:10,110 to stay calm. 533 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:12,720 Alright. 534 00:27:15,880 --> 00:27:18,480 I've discovered Meng Junran's true identity. 535 00:27:20,030 --> 00:27:21,210 He is Murong Yao. 536 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:37,820 What are you saying? 537 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:40,010 How could he possibly be... 538 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:48,700 You're not joking? 539 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:55,760 I know it's hard for you to accept. 540 00:27:56,070 --> 00:27:57,470 Before coming to see you, 541 00:27:57,640 --> 00:27:59,110 I considered all possibilities. 542 00:27:59,110 --> 00:27:59,810 I know 543 00:27:59,960 --> 00:28:01,620 Murong Yao is your best friend 544 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:03,370 and the person you trust most. 545 00:28:03,370 --> 00:28:05,280 I considered whether I should hide this from you. 546 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:06,200 I also thought about 547 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:07,460 who you'd choose to believe 548 00:28:07,460 --> 00:28:08,480 between him and me. 549 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:09,580 I even thought 550 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:10,480 you might suspect 551 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:11,720 that I'm a spy from Jinxiu, 552 00:28:11,720 --> 00:28:12,790 or that I've been sent 553 00:28:12,790 --> 00:28:13,960 by Xia Jingshi 554 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:14,960 on some secret mission— 555 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:15,720 that I 556 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:16,720 came to you 557 00:28:17,110 --> 00:28:18,310 only to help him drive a wedge 558 00:28:18,310 --> 00:28:20,170 between you and your best friend. 559 00:28:26,830 --> 00:28:27,640 Feng Suige, 560 00:28:28,310 --> 00:28:30,040 I've thought through all of it. 561 00:28:31,030 --> 00:28:32,450 Even if you doubt me, 562 00:28:33,240 --> 00:28:34,640 even if my words hurt you, 563 00:28:35,510 --> 00:28:36,270 even if 564 00:28:37,420 --> 00:28:38,760 it means losing you, 565 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:42,650 I've still decided to tell you. 566 00:28:43,110 --> 00:28:43,750 I don't want to 567 00:28:43,750 --> 00:28:45,030 keep anything from you. 568 00:28:45,030 --> 00:28:47,030 You have the right to know the truth. 569 00:28:54,160 --> 00:28:56,070 Can you tell me again— 570 00:28:58,200 --> 00:28:59,770 who is Meng Junran? 571 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:04,510 You said it's Yao? 572 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:09,000 Murong Yao? 573 00:29:15,350 --> 00:29:17,280 I know this must be painful for you. 574 00:29:17,830 --> 00:29:19,030 If your chest feels tight 575 00:29:19,030 --> 00:29:20,350 and it's hard to breathe, 576 00:29:20,350 --> 00:29:21,880 just take a few deep breaths 577 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:23,570 and let it out. 578 00:29:24,420 --> 00:29:25,180 It's okay. 579 00:29:26,160 --> 00:29:27,560 Everything will be fine. 580 00:29:28,310 --> 00:29:29,570 It will all get better. 581 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:47,920 I'm fine. 582 00:29:50,470 --> 00:29:52,330 I'll go ask him face to face. 583 00:29:53,310 --> 00:29:54,480 You promised me. 584 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:56,540 You must stay calm. 585 00:30:02,680 --> 00:30:03,410 Don't worry. 586 00:30:28,750 --> 00:30:30,280 I invited you all here today 587 00:30:30,830 --> 00:30:32,070 to discuss 588 00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:33,840 several important matters. 589 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,590 Minister Hou of the Ministry of War was attacked and injured; 590 00:30:36,590 --> 00:30:38,240 he has requested leave to recover in his hometown. 591 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:39,550 The position of Minister 592 00:30:39,550 --> 00:30:41,030 cannot remain vacant. 593 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:45,590 Let's have Vice Minister Liu Qin of the Ministry of War 594 00:30:46,070 --> 00:30:48,870 temporarily take over the duties of the minister. 595 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:52,340 I will serve with utmost dedication 596 00:30:52,550 --> 00:30:53,810 until my dying breath. 597 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:55,070 Second, 598 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:58,290 His Majesty's condition is now critical, 599 00:30:58,480 --> 00:31:01,030 and the position of Crown Prince remains vacant. 600 00:31:01,030 --> 00:31:01,640 As 601 00:31:02,270 --> 00:31:03,470 both a court official 602 00:31:03,590 --> 00:31:05,000 and a member of the royal family, 603 00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:05,590 I 604 00:31:05,830 --> 00:31:07,830 shouldn't speak pessimistically, 605 00:31:07,830 --> 00:31:09,650 but for the sake of the realm, 606 00:31:10,350 --> 00:31:11,570 we can no longer delay 607 00:31:11,880 --> 00:31:13,340 the matter of succession. 608 00:31:14,590 --> 00:31:15,560 In my opinion, 609 00:31:15,750 --> 00:31:18,440 the Second Prince, being the Empress's legitimate son 610 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:19,590 of noble birth 611 00:31:19,610 --> 00:31:20,790 and virtuous character, 612 00:31:20,790 --> 00:31:22,030 is the most suitable choice 613 00:31:22,030 --> 00:31:23,510 for Crown Prince. 614 00:31:25,790 --> 00:31:26,960 But after all, the First Prince 615 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:28,310 is the eldest legitimate son. 616 00:31:28,310 --> 00:31:29,440 Throughout history, the tradition has always been 617 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:30,920 to appoint the eldest legitimate son as Crown Prince. 618 00:31:30,920 --> 00:31:33,880 Shouldn't the First Prince be appointed the Crown Prince? 619 00:31:33,880 --> 00:31:35,680 His Majesty is the founding emperor— 620 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:36,480 there's no fixed rule 621 00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:38,100 for succession in Susha. 622 00:31:38,310 --> 00:31:40,880 Although the First Prince is the eldest legitimate son, 623 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:42,590 he has repeatedly defied His Majesty 624 00:31:42,590 --> 00:31:43,640 and acted without restraint. 625 00:31:43,640 --> 00:31:44,900 With such conduct, 626 00:31:45,110 --> 00:31:46,640 how can we entrust Susha's future 627 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:47,240 to him? 628 00:31:47,830 --> 00:31:48,940 I agree. 629 00:31:49,070 --> 00:31:50,680 Before, during the Ancestral Ceremony, 630 00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:51,720 His Majesty personally appointed 631 00:31:51,720 --> 00:31:53,310 the Second Prince as the secondary officiant. 632 00:31:53,310 --> 00:31:55,400 Clearly, in His Majesty's eyes, 633 00:31:55,590 --> 00:31:57,880 the Second Prince possesses both virtue and talent. 634 00:31:57,880 --> 00:31:59,540 Thus, he is the best candidate 635 00:31:59,790 --> 00:32:02,300 for Crown Prince. 636 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:03,790 I agree. 637 00:32:08,270 --> 00:32:09,480 I understand 638 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:11,720 what you are suggesting. 639 00:32:12,270 --> 00:32:13,470 Please rest assured. 640 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:17,510 Appointing an heir concerns the nation's fate, 641 00:32:17,510 --> 00:32:18,200 and I 642 00:32:18,640 --> 00:32:20,640 will handle it with the utmost care. 643 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:24,640 Prime Minister Zhuang, the wise carry heavier burdens. 644 00:32:24,640 --> 00:32:26,170 Thank you for your efforts. 645 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:32,460 Thank you for your efforts, Prime Minister. 646 00:32:46,070 --> 00:32:47,240 I heard from others 647 00:32:47,240 --> 00:32:48,440 that you were badly wounded in the Battle of Pingling. 648 00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:49,110 I came here to 649 00:32:49,110 --> 00:32:50,310 end our brotherhood. 650 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:51,680 I no longer consider you my brother. 651 00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:53,150 You've been saying that 652 00:32:53,170 --> 00:32:54,500 since we were children. 653 00:32:54,510 --> 00:32:55,440 Don't tell me 654 00:32:55,780 --> 00:32:56,830 you'll miss me. 655 00:32:57,200 --> 00:32:58,110 Get lost! 656 00:32:58,440 --> 00:32:59,240 With you in Yujing City, 657 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:00,720 I'm annoyed nonstop all day. 658 00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:01,790 Annoyed? 659 00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:04,160 Aren't you happy with me here? Why are you annoyed? 660 00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:05,000 But then again... 661 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:06,640 If I were the Commander of the Imperial Guards, 662 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:08,570 I could certainly be of help to you. 663 00:33:09,030 --> 00:33:10,730 Don't you do that for me. 664 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:11,880 I know you. 665 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:14,160 You hate being tied down the most. 666 00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:14,940 But you have no influence 667 00:33:14,940 --> 00:33:16,050 in the court. 668 00:33:16,270 --> 00:33:18,110 Now that His Majesty has even had the Second Prince 669 00:33:18,110 --> 00:33:20,030 take your place at the Ancestral Ceremony, 670 00:33:20,030 --> 00:33:21,310 how could I leave you behind 671 00:33:21,310 --> 00:33:22,710 and enjoy freedom alone? 672 00:33:44,150 --> 00:33:46,010 [Murong Residence] 673 00:33:47,540 --> 00:33:52,190 [Murong Residence] 674 00:34:35,210 --> 00:34:36,670 I've been waiting for you. 675 00:34:36,840 --> 00:34:37,580 I knew it. 676 00:34:37,870 --> 00:34:39,600 Fu Yixiao told you everything. 677 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:41,360 Looks like she really does 678 00:34:41,360 --> 00:34:42,650 mean more to you than I do. 679 00:34:42,650 --> 00:34:44,440 We've been brothers for so many years. 680 00:34:44,440 --> 00:34:46,300 You believe everything she says? 681 00:34:46,590 --> 00:34:47,420 I came here 682 00:34:48,920 --> 00:34:50,900 to hear it from you directly— 683 00:34:52,230 --> 00:34:54,110 are you Meng Junran? 684 00:34:56,550 --> 00:34:57,360 Yes. 685 00:35:02,280 --> 00:35:04,490 Did Zhuang Shen force you? 686 00:35:04,590 --> 00:35:06,520 What leverage does he have on you? 687 00:35:06,580 --> 00:35:07,650 If you weren't being coerced, 688 00:35:07,650 --> 00:35:08,090 if you had no weakness, 689 00:35:08,090 --> 00:35:09,220 you'd never do this. 690 00:35:10,070 --> 00:35:10,920 Yao, 691 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:13,150 we've been brothers for so many years. 692 00:35:13,150 --> 00:35:14,580 What can't you tell me? 693 00:35:14,670 --> 00:35:15,990 Are you in trouble? 694 00:35:16,070 --> 00:35:16,730 Tell me. 695 00:35:16,800 --> 00:35:17,860 I did it willingly! 696 00:35:18,130 --> 00:35:19,340 No one forced me! 697 00:35:23,190 --> 00:35:24,380 Why? 698 00:35:24,960 --> 00:35:26,760 I can't stand seeing you do so well. 699 00:35:26,760 --> 00:35:28,020 I'm jealous of you. 700 00:35:28,230 --> 00:35:30,090 You still won't tell me the truth? 701 00:35:30,360 --> 00:35:31,000 See? 702 00:35:32,270 --> 00:35:33,870 You don't believe me anyway. 703 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:35,510 Fine. 704 00:35:36,470 --> 00:35:37,650 Then tell me— 705 00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:39,670 what have I 706 00:35:39,670 --> 00:35:40,930 ever done to wrong you? 707 00:35:41,110 --> 00:35:42,150 Why must it be that 708 00:35:42,150 --> 00:35:43,320 only if you wronged me 709 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:44,870 could I stand against you? 710 00:35:45,190 --> 00:35:46,920 Am I not worthy to be your rival? 711 00:35:47,760 --> 00:35:48,800 If I want to go against you, 712 00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:50,110 it doesn't have to be for some hidden reason. 713 00:35:50,110 --> 00:35:51,770 It can simply be my own choice. 714 00:35:52,670 --> 00:35:54,510 Your own choice? 715 00:35:56,150 --> 00:35:57,530 All my life, 716 00:35:58,230 --> 00:36:00,260 I've seen you as my closest brother. 717 00:36:01,150 --> 00:36:02,590 And now you're telling me 718 00:36:02,610 --> 00:36:03,550 you're going against me 719 00:36:03,550 --> 00:36:05,070 of your own choice? 720 00:36:05,510 --> 00:36:06,960 So you colluded with Xia Jingshi 721 00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:07,990 and Zhuang Shen 722 00:36:08,710 --> 00:36:10,190 to take my life? 723 00:36:11,190 --> 00:36:12,850 I could have spared your life. 724 00:36:13,670 --> 00:36:14,320 I could have done everything 725 00:36:14,320 --> 00:36:15,360 I wanted 726 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:16,820 without you ever knowing. 727 00:36:17,070 --> 00:36:18,590 But you got in my way. 728 00:36:19,590 --> 00:36:20,560 I have no choice. 729 00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:22,500 There's nothing else I can do. 730 00:36:23,480 --> 00:36:24,880 What are you trying to do? 731 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:28,280 Tell me! 732 00:36:29,480 --> 00:36:30,380 Murong Yao, 733 00:36:30,920 --> 00:36:32,630 what do you want? 734 00:36:42,880 --> 00:36:43,740 When we were 10, 735 00:36:44,190 --> 00:36:46,190 we went with our fathers to inspect the border. 736 00:36:46,190 --> 00:36:46,960 Do you remember 737 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:48,150 that time we sneaked off 738 00:36:48,150 --> 00:36:49,110 without permission to play 739 00:36:49,110 --> 00:36:50,440 and ran into assassins? 740 00:37:02,960 --> 00:37:04,220 Don't come any closer! 741 00:37:04,590 --> 00:37:05,670 What are you doing? 742 00:37:09,590 --> 00:37:10,480 Stay back! 743 00:37:13,590 --> 00:37:15,590 If my father hadn't arrived in time, 744 00:37:15,630 --> 00:37:17,090 we would have been doomed. 745 00:37:18,030 --> 00:37:19,760 But there were too many assassins. 746 00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:21,760 My father couldn't handle them all. 747 00:37:22,150 --> 00:37:23,350 I only realized later 748 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:24,840 that my father at that moment 749 00:37:24,840 --> 00:37:25,550 never thought 750 00:37:25,550 --> 00:37:26,710 he would survive. 751 00:37:27,150 --> 00:37:28,030 The only person 752 00:37:28,110 --> 00:37:29,110 he cared about 753 00:37:30,550 --> 00:37:31,400 was you, 754 00:37:32,470 --> 00:37:33,840 the First Prince. 755 00:37:38,150 --> 00:37:42,190 Kill! 756 00:37:42,820 --> 00:37:44,480 In that life-and-death moment, 757 00:37:44,480 --> 00:37:45,710 the first person he tried to save 758 00:37:45,710 --> 00:37:47,310 was you, not me. 759 00:37:47,400 --> 00:37:47,860 Father! 760 00:37:47,880 --> 00:37:49,560 I was his own son! 761 00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:50,320 Go! 762 00:37:50,610 --> 00:37:52,440 At the time, I couldn't understand 763 00:37:52,440 --> 00:37:53,190 why your life 764 00:37:53,190 --> 00:37:54,790 was more precious than mine. 765 00:37:55,070 --> 00:37:56,350 Later, I realized 766 00:37:56,960 --> 00:37:57,710 it was because you were the First Prince. 767 00:37:57,710 --> 00:37:59,480 If anything had happened to you, 768 00:37:59,480 --> 00:38:02,340 the entire Murong family would have been executed. 769 00:38:03,190 --> 00:38:04,440 That's why my father 770 00:38:04,440 --> 00:38:06,170 risked everything to save you. 771 00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:13,030 Father! 772 00:38:13,960 --> 00:38:15,280 Father! 773 00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:24,960 Yao! 774 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:27,230 Yao! 775 00:38:32,150 --> 00:38:33,450 Yao! 776 00:38:34,070 --> 00:38:35,150 That was the first time 777 00:38:35,150 --> 00:38:36,550 I ever truly faced death. 778 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:38,550 I remember countless blades 779 00:38:38,550 --> 00:38:40,410 slashing toward my father and me. 780 00:38:41,070 --> 00:38:42,660 My mind went blank, 781 00:38:42,710 --> 00:38:44,050 and all I could do was cry 782 00:38:44,190 --> 00:38:46,020 and beg for someone to save me. 783 00:38:55,360 --> 00:38:56,980 It hurt so much. 784 00:38:57,190 --> 00:38:58,590 The pain was unbearable. 785 00:38:59,220 --> 00:39:00,760 I passed out from the pain. 786 00:39:01,230 --> 00:39:02,360 When I woke up, 787 00:39:02,670 --> 00:39:03,960 they were all dead. 788 00:39:04,920 --> 00:39:06,300 My father was severely wounded, 789 00:39:06,300 --> 00:39:07,440 all from blades. 790 00:39:07,840 --> 00:39:09,150 It was then that his leg was injured 791 00:39:09,150 --> 00:39:10,320 and left with a chronic ailment. 792 00:39:10,320 --> 00:39:12,850 Even now, it still pains him from time to time. 793 00:39:14,400 --> 00:39:15,670 Father! 794 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:17,010 Son. 795 00:39:17,630 --> 00:39:18,480 Father! 796 00:39:18,500 --> 00:39:19,590 With me here, 797 00:39:20,030 --> 00:39:22,230 you don't need to be afraid of anything. 798 00:39:23,710 --> 00:39:25,480 Suige! 799 00:39:25,960 --> 00:39:30,360 Suige, please come save us! 800 00:39:31,590 --> 00:39:32,720 What happened next? 801 00:39:33,590 --> 00:39:35,400 How did you get out of danger? 802 00:39:36,880 --> 00:39:37,800 I kept waiting, 803 00:39:38,760 --> 00:39:40,760 waiting for His Majesty to send people to rescue us. 804 00:39:40,760 --> 00:39:41,590 But I waited for a long time, 805 00:39:41,590 --> 00:39:43,030 and no one ever came. 806 00:39:43,840 --> 00:39:45,280 Later I realized, 807 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:48,630 as long as you, the First Prince, was safe, 808 00:39:48,630 --> 00:39:50,960 no one would care whether we lived or died. 809 00:39:51,510 --> 00:39:54,000 The First Prince was ambushed, and His Majesty flew into a rage. 810 00:39:54,000 --> 00:39:54,840 At that time, 811 00:39:55,880 --> 00:39:57,030 who would have remembered 812 00:39:57,030 --> 00:39:58,000 my father and me? 813 00:40:02,590 --> 00:40:03,360 That road 814 00:40:03,880 --> 00:40:06,140 was only a few miles from the border camp, 815 00:40:06,150 --> 00:40:08,150 yet it was the longest, hardest road 816 00:40:08,590 --> 00:40:10,120 I've ever walked in my life. 817 00:40:21,190 --> 00:40:22,510 Here's His Majesty's verbal decree! 818 00:40:22,510 --> 00:40:24,370 Murong Zhong, heed this command. 819 00:40:24,550 --> 00:40:25,500 From this day on, 820 00:40:25,550 --> 00:40:26,710 the Murong clan 821 00:40:26,710 --> 00:40:28,550 is to guard the northern border of Susha. 822 00:40:28,550 --> 00:40:29,880 You are forbidden to return to the capital 823 00:40:29,880 --> 00:40:31,210 without royal summons. 824 00:40:32,460 --> 00:40:33,140 I 825 00:40:33,590 --> 00:40:35,240 will depart tomorrow. 826 00:40:35,360 --> 00:40:36,820 Better if you leave today. 827 00:40:37,150 --> 00:40:38,430 His Majesty also said 828 00:40:38,630 --> 00:40:39,920 that the Murong family bears unshirkable responsibility 829 00:40:39,920 --> 00:40:41,000 for what happened 830 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:42,940 to the First Prince. 831 00:40:43,840 --> 00:40:44,690 But 832 00:40:45,150 --> 00:40:47,510 in recognition of your service in protecting him, 833 00:40:47,510 --> 00:40:49,190 you will not be punished. 834 00:40:49,280 --> 00:40:51,630 Thank you, Your Majesty. 835 00:40:54,000 --> 00:40:54,930 Yao, 836 00:40:55,360 --> 00:40:56,840 my father and I 837 00:40:56,840 --> 00:40:57,880 gave you the chance to live, 838 00:40:57,880 --> 00:40:58,710 yet in the end, we were sent to suffer 839 00:40:58,710 --> 00:40:59,590 in the northern frontier. 840 00:40:59,590 --> 00:41:00,670 Why is your life 841 00:41:00,690 --> 00:41:02,030 worth more than ours? 842 00:41:02,230 --> 00:41:03,590 Why must the Murong family 843 00:41:03,590 --> 00:41:04,230 always be ready 844 00:41:04,230 --> 00:41:06,090 to sacrifice for the Feng family? 845 00:41:06,590 --> 00:41:08,520 Why didn't you send people to get us 846 00:41:08,590 --> 00:41:09,800 after you returned? 847 00:41:10,230 --> 00:41:11,630 Why didn't you send people to save us? 848 00:41:11,630 --> 00:41:12,960 Why didn't you plead with His Majesty for us? 849 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:14,320 Aren't we brothers? 850 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:18,200 Where were you when I needed you? 851 00:41:19,070 --> 00:41:20,150 Where were you? 852 00:41:20,320 --> 00:41:21,360 After I woke up, 853 00:41:22,110 --> 00:41:23,320 the first thing I did was ask 854 00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:24,920 how you and your father were. 855 00:41:25,630 --> 00:41:26,980 But they told me at the time 856 00:41:26,980 --> 00:41:28,980 that you were already out of danger. 857 00:41:29,400 --> 00:41:30,280 When I saw you again, 858 00:41:30,280 --> 00:41:31,630 it was two years later. 859 00:41:32,030 --> 00:41:33,430 So at that time I thought 860 00:41:33,510 --> 00:41:34,030 you... 861 00:41:35,070 --> 00:41:36,070 You thought? 862 00:41:36,480 --> 00:41:37,190 You Fengs 863 00:41:37,190 --> 00:41:38,670 always only care about what you think. 864 00:41:38,670 --> 00:41:41,000 Have you ever considered how others feel? 865 00:41:41,190 --> 00:41:41,880 Yao, 866 00:41:43,480 --> 00:41:44,360 why didn't you 867 00:41:44,360 --> 00:41:46,120 tell me all this sooner? 868 00:41:46,230 --> 00:41:47,630 If I had told you earlier, 869 00:41:48,360 --> 00:41:50,000 could you have given me back part of my foot? 870 00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:50,630 Could you have made my father's legs 871 00:41:50,630 --> 00:41:52,490 stop hurting so much every night? 872 00:41:52,840 --> 00:41:54,500 Even if I had told you earlier, 873 00:41:54,790 --> 00:41:56,030 what could I have gained— 874 00:41:56,030 --> 00:41:57,100 besides your pity? 875 00:41:57,510 --> 00:41:58,220 Feng Suige, 876 00:41:58,360 --> 00:41:59,220 let me tell you— 877 00:41:59,630 --> 00:42:01,110 the thing I despise most 878 00:42:01,110 --> 00:42:02,000 in this life 879 00:42:02,760 --> 00:42:04,360 is your pity. 880 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:07,930 I also come from a military family! 881 00:42:07,960 --> 00:42:09,070 I want to be a great general 882 00:42:09,070 --> 00:42:10,520 like you. 883 00:42:11,510 --> 00:42:13,110 But I can't even ride a horse. 884 00:42:13,840 --> 00:42:14,920 Back then, my father and yours 885 00:42:14,920 --> 00:42:16,440 fought side by side to build Susha together. 886 00:42:16,440 --> 00:42:17,360 Your father became emperor, 887 00:42:17,360 --> 00:42:18,190 while mine is just a marquis 888 00:42:18,190 --> 00:42:19,760 in name only. 889 00:42:20,800 --> 00:42:21,550 Is that fair? 890 00:42:23,510 --> 00:42:24,480 Yao, 891 00:42:25,920 --> 00:42:27,050 stop this. 892 00:42:28,280 --> 00:42:29,900 While you still can. 893 00:42:31,400 --> 00:42:33,190 I've been thinking about this for over a decade. 894 00:42:33,190 --> 00:42:34,270 How do you expect me to stop? 895 00:42:34,270 --> 00:42:35,100 How can I? 896 00:42:36,590 --> 00:42:38,320 For once, I want to live for myself. 897 00:42:38,320 --> 00:42:39,920 I only want the Murong family 898 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:41,590 to get what it rightfully deserves. 899 00:42:41,590 --> 00:42:42,500 Is that wrong? 900 00:42:44,760 --> 00:42:46,840 While my father is in Fu Yixiao's hands, 901 00:42:46,840 --> 00:42:48,300 I can't do anything to you. 902 00:42:48,480 --> 00:42:49,660 You can kill me. 903 00:42:52,760 --> 00:42:53,600 What? 904 00:42:54,150 --> 00:42:55,810 Can't bring yourself to do it? 905 00:43:18,150 --> 00:43:18,950 How about now? 906 00:43:19,110 --> 00:43:21,040 Can you bring yourself to do it now? 907 00:43:21,550 --> 00:43:23,010 I have only one condition: 908 00:43:23,110 --> 00:43:24,170 release my father. 909 00:43:24,440 --> 00:43:26,040 He knows nothing about this. 910 00:43:36,710 --> 00:43:38,360 From today on, 911 00:43:40,110 --> 00:43:41,480 we're even. 912 00:43:43,840 --> 00:43:45,480 We're no longer brothers.