Original subtitles

I'm Huo Xiangjiu.

Greetings, Your Highness.

How long have you been serving His Grace?

Your Highness,

not long.

His Grace is quite strict.

Should you ever suffer any grievances,

feel free to speak to me—

I shall see that justice is done.

I have long heard of Your Highness's kindness and benevolence.

Seeing you today,

I can confirm that reputation is well-deserved.

Heaven itself shows mercy—

girls

are meant to be cherished.

Your Highness is so considerate.

I imagine

the Princess Consort

must be living a most blissful life.

What about you?

Do you wish for such happiness?

Well,

who would not wish for happiness?

I can grant you that happiness.

Your Highness—

Your Highness Prince Fuying,

I still have duties to attend to at His Grace's side.

I'll take my leave now.

I don't know why,

but the first time I saw you

at the family banquet,

something stirred in my heart.

From that day on,

I've been thinking of you day and night.

[Episode 5]

That's why

I summoned you today—

to ease this longing,

if only a little.

Got it back at last!

No wonder

the Bai Clan of Bronze County

has fallen into decline.

You can't expect ivory from a dog's mouth.

A dog, yes—

a loyal dog.

A Chinese Pastoral Dog, to be precise.

[The Chinese Pastoral Dog, commonly known as the Pastoral Dog,]

Get up—

[is a product of thousands of years of agrarian society among the Han Chinese,]

this is the master's quarters.

[and is often regarded as a living fossil of Chinese history and culture.]

How dare you lie here?

If your master hasn't said a word, why are you so worked up?

Typical—acting tough just because you have someone backing you.

Well, obviously!

If a dog doesn't rely on its master,

who else would it rely on—a pig?

Enough arguing.

Where's Huo Xiangjiu?

Y-Your Highness must be jesting.

The Princess Consort is virtuous and gracious—

how could someone as crude as me

ever compare to her?

The Princess Consort and I were married

only because fate played its tricks.

If one truly had a choice,

who wouldn't choose to marry the one they love?

It must be Heaven showing me mercy—

bringing you

before me.

If you're willing,

I can have you transferred to the Eastern Palace.

What do you say?

Thank you for Your Highness's favor.

I will report this

to His Grace

once I return

to the palace,

and then inform Your Highness.

I only want to know—

are you willing to come to the Eastern Palace?

As long as

His Grace permits it,

I would naturally—

Why do I need his permission

to do anything?

Is it that even you, a lowly maid,

believe Feng Mochen stands above me?

No,

Your Highness, you misunderstand.

Please calm down, Your Highness.

Today,

You will remain here.

-Let's see what Feng Mochen can do to me. -Put me down!

Your Highness—

put me down!

Your Highness.

You take great pride in your virtue.

If word of you taking liberties with a palace maid

were to reach Father,

it would not bode well for you.

How could anything that happens in the Eastern Palace

possibly reach Father's notice?

But…

Get lost!

Stop!

As the Princess Consort,

how dare you speak to your own husband, His Highness, in such a manner?

It's obvious that His Highness

has spoiled you far too much.

Your Highness,

please allow me to teach her a proper lesson.

Move it!

Let's go!

I was rude just now.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

It's all right.

I believe you come from a respectable family.

If Prince Fuying has set his sights on you,

your days here

will not be easy.

You can't stay in this palace any longer.

Take this— it should serve as travel money.

Find a way to escape the palace as soon as you can.

We've never met before,

yet you've already saved me.

How could I possibly accept such valuable jewelry from you as well?

I can't accept it.

Don't stand on ceremony.

Take it and leave through the back gate.

Try to get out of the Eastern Palace first—then make your plans.

You're truly kind, Your Highness.

Should the opportunity ever arise,

I will repay your kindness.

It was nothing.

Go, quickly.

[Eternal Love of the Fox]

Y-Your Highness.

Where do you think you're going, little girl?

I...

Didn't you say yourself

that earning my favor

was a blessing

gained over many lifetimes?

What now?

You're ready to throw

that blessing away so soon?

Your Highness,

I-I just remembered something urgent.

I'll come back later to serve you.

No need to wait until later—

do it now.

Y-You dare hurt His Highness?

I'll fight you!

Your Highness—help!

Just as I thought—you are different.

That only makes me

want you even more.

Who would have thought that Prince Fuying,

famed for his benevolence, would turn out to be such a man?

Deal with him—properly.

It wasn't me…

Your Highness, save me!

Your Highness!

We haven't even seen where Xiangjiu went yet—

why did you cut it off?

Then go find her yourself.

What use are you?

You're completely useless!

A total waste!

Trash...

Let me tell you a secret—

don't tell anyone.

I hear His Highness Prince Fuying

got beaten up by a woman.

Relax.

I'd rather die than tell anyone.

Let me tell you a secret—

I heard…

His Highness Prince Fuying…

was crippled by a woman.

Relax.

I won't say a word.

Wait—

let me tell you a secret.

Don't tell anyone.

His Highness Prince Fuying…

has been beaten by a woman

and his manhood is gone for good.

That serious?

I'd better find somewhere

to lie low—fast.

Who are you?

[Eunuch Management Office]

That's a lot of silver.

Third Uncle,

you've mobilized so many people

in the palace just to look for a mere palace maid.

If the Chief finds out,

we'll be up to our necks in it!

Look, my dear nephew,

she's no ordinary palace maid.

She's tied to my happiness

for the rest of my life.

The rest of your life… You mean down there?

She's your future third aunt.

Third Aunt?

Listen up, everyone.

This woman is someone

I hold very dear.

Whoever finds her first

will get all this gold and jewelry.

Find her!

Give it to me!

Hold on, let me look first.

Let go!

Is anyone there?

Anyone?

Is anyone there?

Anyone?

Is there anyone at all?

I can't just hide like this—

I'll starve.

Who's there?

Who?

Don't scare me—

I was wrong.

Your Highness, please spare me.

You gave me a fright.

Who are you?

You've been hoarding this much food?

Look,

we're both in the same boat— fellow strays.

So how about this—

we split it

fifty-fifty.

That way, neither of us

has to be alone.

I'm doing this for your own good, you know.

Eating too much at night isn't good for you.

Got it?

All right then— I won't stand on ceremony.

May misfortune stay away,

evil spirits be banished,

good fortune shine upon all,

and auspicious energy always remain.

Don't worry—

I'll be back very soon.

What was that thing just now—

the one trailing black smoke?

It seems

there are other evil spirits lurking in the palace.

Judging by its moves,

it was no weaker than me.

This place really

has all kinds of demons and beasts…

I'd better find my father

and get out of this hellhole.

Oh—by the way,

did you cast a spell

to make me hallucinate just now?

What hallucination?

What do you mean, "what hallucination?"

How could you not know?

If you don't tell me, how would I know?

You shouldn't need me to tell you.

Otherwise, what was the point of cultivating for a thousand years?

I don't cultivate to read other people's minds.

Then why do you cultivate at all?

Don't you know why I cultivate?

If you don't say it, how would I know?

Even if I don't say it, you should still know.

Y-You…

what kind of person are you?

Are you even a man?

Strictly speaking,

I'm not even human.

Wait—

why are you

in such a hurry to leave?

And tell me,

what brought you to the Cold Palace all of a sudden?

[What? Everything is just an illusion?]

Just passing through.

The Cold Palace is so remote— how did you even…

Wow, the Blank Divine Scripture.

Are you staying here?

What?

Suit yourself if you want to stay.

I'm heading back to Fucang Palace.

Wait—

are you saying

I can go back to Fucang Palace too?

That's great!

I was just worrying about Qiaoru.

If I don't deal with her soon, she'll vanish into nothingness.

But…

I messed up.

I hit Prince Fuying.

I'm afraid he'll go to Fucang Palace to come after me.

Prince Fuying is nothing but a...

Why are you swearing...

None of your... business.

Wait for me!

Hey, Glutton.

Since we're both strays in the same boat,

do you want to come back to Fucang Palace with me?

There's plenty of good food there.

Come on—

let's go!

If you don't move, I'm leaving!

All right.

Third Uncle,

aside from Ganquan Palace,

we've pretty much searched the whole palace—

but we still can't find Third Aunt.

Why haven't you searched Ganquan Palace?

Are you out of your mind?

That's His Majesty's sleeping quarters.

Sneaking in there in the dead of night—

we'd be gambling with more than our lives.

Where are you going?

Ganquan Palace.

Third Uncle,

maybe you should consider picking someone else as my third aunt.

Hold on—

if the Chief finds out we've been to Ganquan Palace...

Third Uncle,

wait for me!

Third Uncle!

This is the roster of all the palace staff.

I remember her name is Qiaoru.

We can go through these lists

and find any maids with Ru in their names.

Go ahead.

You expect me to do this alone?

You said you'd help her.

I never said I would.

Are you even human?

Nope.

At this rate,

when am I ever

going to finish?

Mochen...

Feng Mochen!

♪ Mochen ♪

We're all

brothers here.

I've got one here—Han Yuru,

from the Bureau of Works.

Han Yuru?

I've got another—Xiao Rusi, from the Bureau of Bathing.

Why does his face keep appearing in my mind?

What is going on?

That flower spirit

will fade into nothingness in just a few days.

Why bother doing something pointless?

What in the world is ever truly trivial?

What we call trivial

is simply a difficulty

that hasn't happened to us.

Third Uncle,

get inside.

I'll hold it up.

It's fine.

Easy, easy…

You're pulling my ears off!

Chief, please calm down.

You two wretches!

Sneaking to Ganquan Palace in the dead of night

and clambering through windows—

are you trying to spy on His Majesty?

Chief, we wouldn't dare.

We're here to look for someone.

Look for someone?

Who?

An assassin.

An assassin.

Chief,

we were worried about His Majesty,

so we came specifically to search for the assassin.

You clambered through windows to look for an assassin?

Fine.

Then clamber—now.

Keep clambering

until I see an assassin.

Start clambering—now!

Chief, please calm down—

please!

Easy, Third Uncle—

easy.

Getting handsy, are you?

Then you'll get a taste of your own medicine.

Your face is

so smooth—

how do you manage that?

I was born this way.

I really want to beat you up.

You should

put your hand

back now, shouldn't you?

What's wrong?

A mighty Nine-Tailed Fox—

are your paws

really that fragile?

I'm just worried your hand will get tired.

Oh yeah?

Then let's see

who gets tired first.

Fine. Let's see.

My hand's underneath—I won't get tired.

I won't either.

Then let’s see who gives in first.

Bring it on.

Are you really that competitive?

I'm learning from humans.

All right, then—

if you dare, don't let go.

Today,

we'll go through these rosters one by one

and check everyone with "Ru" in their names—

see who's missing.

Leave that

to Mao Jin.

Then

where's Mao Jin?

[Imperial Kitchen]

Xiangjiu has offended His Highness.

Now that she has His Grace's protection,

I can finally rest easy.

Otherwise, I'd be too worried to eat.

Miss Le Ning, you're truly kind-hearted,

always caring about others.

Back then, I came to Muxi State to seek refuge with relatives,

never expecting them to sell me to a brothel.

They nearly succeeded.

Luckily, I met Xiangjiu.

We'd never met before,

yet she wasn't afraid of danger. She stepped in and saved me,

sparing me that fate.

I didn't expect

Huo Xiangjiu

to be so loyal and honorable.

Don't worry.

As long as Master is here,

nothing will happen to her.

Will His Grace really protect her?

Of course.

She's the ferryman who will help His Grace transcend.

Ferry what?

What man?

It's nothing.

She'll be fine.

Eat up.

You should eat too.

Look at your hair— you're practically undernourished.

This probably isn't even enough for you.

I'd better not eat.

Huo Xiangjiu,

how could you put your hand on my master's face?

You have no sense of propriety at all.

Mao Jin,

I haven't seen you all day.

What have you been busy with?

I…

went to look for free-range chickens for you, Master.

These chickens probably never knew

they were so desirable, even till the very end.

The chickens in the palace

aren't very nutritious,

so I specifically went out

to find some free-range ones for you, Master.

Huo Xiangjiu,

how can you have no sense of propriety?

This meal was specially prepared for my master.

If you want to eat, you'll have to have my master's leftovers.

Well…

it's all Chef Xue's fault.

He's been ill these past few days and still hasn't recovered.

The other cooks only know how to make these two dishes.

Guard Mao, who serves directly beside His Grace,

sent me to sample His Grace's dishes.

Anything prepared for His Grace

is free for me to eat.

Mao Jin.

What is it, Master?

You're really something else.

Of course.

I'm a loyal dog

through and through.

Here's a list.

Take it

and see

which palace maid is missing from the list.

What does this mean?

Just go when you're told.

Why all the nonsense?

You wretched maid!

How dare you speak to me like that?

How dare you!

Go, and be quick about it.

[Fucang Palace]

I'm done for.

I've fallen out of favor.

Has Gao Wei assembled

all the guards at the Eastern Palace?

Your Highness was the one who made advances on her first.

If this matter blows up,

it will only put Your Highness at a disadvantage.

I made advances on her?

And who's going to prove that—

you?

Everyone in the Eastern Palace saw it—

she tried to assassinate me.

I let my guard down

and didn't dodge in time—

that's why she managed to get the upper hand.

Your Highness,

why do you always speak up for outsiders?

Prince Fuying is your husband.

Brother Fuying!

-His Highness is resting. Be quiet. -Don't stop me.

His Highness is not available to see you.

Why are you stopping me?

Brother Fuying!

Lian!

Watch out!

Brother Fuying!

Don't stop me.

Brother Fuying!

His Highness is not available to see you.

What do you mean he's not available?

I'm the Crown Prince's brother-in-law—

the Princess Consort's own brother!

I'm the future Imperial Uncle!

I'm here to deliver bad news—

to report a death to my sister and brother-in-law.

How can he be unavailable?

Lian.

Lian!

Our father...

What happened to Father?

On his

wedding night…

[Song Yicheng, Song Lian's brother]

Father passed away.

Before he died,

I was the one he worried about most.

He even instructed you—

told you—

to arrange an official post for me.

There’s no suitable position for you here in the palace.

Go back for now.

-Later on, I... -No, no, no.

Don't send me away yet.

I haven't even had a proper talk with Brother Fuying.

Brother Fuying,

why are you

taking medicine?

Song Yicheng,

this has nothing to do with you.

Leave at once.

He's my own brother-in-law—

how could this have nothing to do with me?

Brother Fuying,

who did this to you? Tell me—I'll skin them alive!

Stop making such a scene.

Brother Fuying,

I've said it before—

you really should have kept me by your side to serve you.

Otherwise, if someone bullies you,

who's there to look out for you,

right?

Think about it—

how did Liu Bang conquer the realm back then?

Didn't he have Fan Kuai, his brother-in-law, backing him up?

Brother Fuying, just let me stay with you please.

As the saying goes—

family sticks together in battle…

runs together,

rings together,

roars together—

no, forget it!

You know what I mean.

We'll stand shoulder to shoulder,

watch each other's backs, and face everything together.

Brother Fuying,

keep me by your side.

If anyone dares

lay a hand on you,

I, Song Yicheng, will step in first.

For you, Brother Fuying,

I'd risk my life without hesitation.

Very well,

Song Yicheng.

You'll stay with me.

Thank you, Brother Fuying.

Mao Jin has verified all the palace maids on the list.

Only one is unaccounted for— Xin Qiaoru

from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau.

The Imperial Wardrobe Bureau?

Could Qiaoru's death be connected to the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau?

Hey, Old Fox.

By order of the Crown Prince:

seize the assassin

Huo Xiangjiu.

Anyone who disobeys

will be killed on the spot!

Kill! Kill! Kill!