Original subtitles

[Episode 11]

How is Her Highness now?

An imperial physician has already examined Her Highness

and said that it's nothing serious—

it should be heatstroke.

Heatstroke?

How could Her Highness get heatstroke in this weather?

[Eternal Love of the Fox]

[Kunning Palace]

How is it?

Stop pacing around.

Have you found the evil spirit behind this?

Not really.

Other than that wily fox,

there aren't any other demons here.

The needle keeps pointing at him.

Old Fox,

how's it going on your end?

Nothing.

Everything's normal.

Could it be

so highly cultivated

that it's already fooled both of us?

Just like the bloody water in the tub last time.

What kind of evil spirit

could have such formidable power?

Or perhaps

Princess Ningshuang

simply suffered from ordinary heatstroke.

Look,

this is fate.

Even if it's fate,

as long as one is willing to fight for it,

destiny can still be changed.

Fate

is predetermined.

No one can change it.

I have resigned myself to my fate.

I only hope Ningshuang

can live

a happy and carefree life.

Even if

you never

see her again in this lifetime?

Princess Ningshuang, receive the decree:

[Ningshuang Palace]

the bond between us as mother and daughter in this lifetime

was severed the moment you left the womb.

You must sever all futile attachments,

lest they harm others and yourself.

From this day forward,

you are forbidden to come anywhere near Kunning Palace.

Any violation of this order

shall be treated as an act of assassination.

Your Highness,

actually—

actually—the Old Madam did this for your own good.

All along, she has been—

Get out!

Your Highness, the truth isn't what you think it is.

Step outside first.

We can talk once Her Highness has calmed down.

Madam Chen!

See her out.

Yes.

No.

That's not how it is.

Mentor.

The Old Madam has her reasons!

She truly cares about you, Your Highness!

Mentor, let's step outside first.

Mentor.

The Old Madam has her reasons!

Your Highness!

These

are the firsthand records and related accounts

from before and after Princess Ningshuang's birth.

We need to identify everything

connected to Princess Ningshuang and the Old Madam.

Xiangjiu,

the matter between the Old Madam and Princess Ningshuang

is an unsolvable knot.

Why waste our efforts on it?

Besides,

the Old Madam has already issued a decree

forbidding the princess from approaching Kunning Palace.

The Old Madam did this

for Princess Ningshuang's own good.

No matter the reason,

the Old Madam has already accepted her fate.

Why go out of our way to interfere?

I don't believe in fate!

Whether you believe in it or not,

destiny still exists—

right,

Old Fox?

Destiny

can be rewritten.

Why are you saying that too?

Anyway,

I don't believe in fate!

Any unhappy destiny

is meant to be challenged by great—

any great story is

about struggling against an unhappy destiny!

Xiangjiu,

it's time to eat.

Attendant Bai,

join us as well.

I'm not very hungry.

You go ahead.

That won't do.

If you don't eat,

how can we have any appetite?

If you don't feel like eating,

let's work on this together.

All right then—together.

That way, it'll go faster.

All right.

Look—

after the princess fell ill this time,

the Old Madam invited a sorcerer called Sorcerer Yu into the palace.

This was the fourth time Princess Ningshuang

had fallen ill since her birth.

Because Princess Ningshuang

was often ill,

the Old Madam had no choice

but to invite a sorcerer to perform rituals.

However,

there are no records here of what happened

after Sorcerer Yu entered the palace.

I think I saw a record

of this Sorcerer Yu in the palace gate guards' register.

Check this.

In the Gui-Mao year, he entered the palace on the 4th of May

and departed on the 6th of May.

He stayed in the palace for 2 days.

It was after this incident

that the Old Madam expelled Princess Ningshuang from Kunning Palace.

Sorcerer Yu must have told

the Old Madam

that the two of them were fated to clash.

So

Sorcerer Yu is the key to all of this.

That was more than 20 years ago—

and we don't even know this man.

How are we supposed to find him?

Chief Steward Sun has served His Majesty since childhood.

With something this serious,

he must know about it.

All right.

Go find Chief Steward Sun right now.

Now?

Isn't it a bit too late?

Mao Jin,

go with Bai Yu.

If Chief Steward Sun loses his temper,

say you were sent

on Lord Feng's orders.

All right.

Come on, let's go.

Come on!

Look at you!

Attendant Bai,

I'll go with you as well.

Xiangjiu,

take a little rest for now.

We'll wait until they have news.

They're being all lovey-dovey again.

I really can't stand the two of them.

Whose puppy is this, so white?

You're so well-behaved.

What's your name?

Where did you come from?

Can I be friends with you?

Let me tell you a story.

This sunny spot

is mine.

If you become my friend,

then it's ours.

I'll sleep a bit longer—

you can sleep here.

You can use the flowers as a pillow.

I'm going to sleep.

Ah, this feels so nice.

Xiangjiu.

Xiangjiu?

Where's Xiangjiu?

We spoke to Chief Steward Sun.

Back then, it was indeed Sorcerer Yu

who entered the palace and told the Old Madam

that Princess Ningshuang and the Old Madam were fated to clash.

Can we find this Sorcerer Yu?

It's said

that Sorcerer Yu

was recommended by one of the palace's senior maids.

Chief Steward Sun didn't know who that nanny was.

At the time, Chief Steward Sun

thought Sorcerer Yu was highly capable,

so he asked him

for this talisman of protection.

He's worn it on him all these years.

There's a second person's scent on it.

Yes.

This scent is different from Chief Steward Sun's.

Can you find him?

Rest assured, Master.

If I can't even handle something this minor,

how could I ever stand guard at the South Heavenly Gate

alongside Lord Howling Celestial Dog in the future?

I'm tired.

Move aside.

Go back to your attendant quarters and sleep.

I won't bother her.

Wily Fox,

don't force me to make a move!

Unlock me!

Unlock me!

You unlock me first.

I can't unlock you at all.

Then I can't unlock you either.

Fine—

then neither of us unlocks anything.

Hurry up and unlock me!

Unlock me first.

Then no one unlocks anything.

Let's just stay like this.

So be it.

Are you going to unlock me?

I'll unlock you if you do.

I won't unlock you.

Then no one unlocks anything.

Fine. So be it.

I'm not unlocking you anyway.

Ningshuang,

the weather is quite nice today.

Let's go out for a walk.

Not today.

I have something very important to do.

Something very important?

Something I've wanted to do

for more than 20 years.

Have all of this taken away.

I have no appetite.

Mother—

we finally meet.

Old Fox,

has Mao Jin brought any news?

The answer

will surprise you.

Bad news!

Princess Ningshuang has forced her way into Kunning Palace!

What?

Get out!

Get out!

Who allowed you to come in?

Didn't I issue a decree

forbidding you from coming anywhere near Kunning Palace?

I once imagined countless versions

of our first meeting.

This—

your desperate attempt to drive me away—

was one of them.

Enough.

I don't want to hear it.

Stop talking.

Get out!

Get out!

I beg you—

leave now!

Guards!

Guards!

Do you despise me that much?

If so,

why did you give birth to me in the first place?

Ningshuang,

just assume you never had me as your mother.

The bond between us

was severed long ago.

Do you think I wanted to see you all these years

to rekindle some mother–daughter affection?

You're wrong.

Whatever bond existed between us

will be cut

by my own hand.

Since you hate me so deeply,

I'll give this life

back to you.

No!

Ningshuang, no!

No!

No!

Old Madam!

Why would Mother save me?

She must have felt guilty toward you

and wanted to make amends to you.

Madam Chen,

from now on,

you're the only family I have.

Don't worry.

Haven't we always

relied on each other, like mother and daughter, all these years?

What are you doing here?

Your Highness,

I've brought someone to see you.

Leave.

I don't want to see anyone.

I can leave—

but this person,

you must see.

He is the accomplice

who caused you and your mother to be separated

for more than 20 years.

Kneel!

Your Highness.

Your Highness, please spare my life!

Back then, the Old Madam

did not abandon Your Highness

because of an inauspicious omen surrounding the birth.

The true reason was that,

from infancy, Your Highness

was frequently ill.

Thus, the Old Madam

summoned this Sorcerer Yu into the palace to perform rites.

It was also he

who declared that the Old Madam and Your Highness

were fated to be incompatible— that her proximity

would bring misfortune upon Your Highness

and even endanger Your Highness's very life.

Your Highness,

I have committed a grave offense.

I deserve to die.

Your Highness,

please spare my life!

Your Highness,

please spare my life!

Please spare my life,

Your Highness!

You deserve to die—

but someone else deserves it even more.

What do you mean by that?

As I said just now,

he was only an accomplice.

The real culprit is you—

Madam Chen!

I truly have no idea what you're talking about.

According to the palace's official records,

it was

a senior maid serving the Old Madam

who proposed summoning a renowned sorcerer to the palace

to perform an exorcism for Her Highness.

Coincidentally,

this Sorcerer Yu

turned out to be Madam Chen's cousin.

May I ask—was the senior maid who made that proposal Madam Chen yourself?

So, what if it was me?

As the saying goes, "not to shy away from recommending one's own kin."

Her Highness was frequently ill at the time.

I was worried about Her Highness.

And my cousin happened to be a sorcerer of some attainment—

what was wrong with inviting him into the palace?

Your cousin has already confessed.

He was no accomplished sorcerer at all—

just an ignorant good-for-nothing.

It was you who arranged for him to enter the palace,

and it was also you

who instructed him to say

that Her Highness and the Old Madam were fated to clash.

Nonsense!

Huo Xiangjiu,

what exactly are you trying to do?

You schemed repeatedly to stay in Ningshuang Palace—

I realized long ago that you were not a good person.

So, this was your plan: to sow discord and frame me.

Do you really think

Her Highness will believe your wild accusations?

Your Highness,

these medicinal herbs

were just found in Madam Chen's room.

We've already had the imperial physicians examine them.

Some can

induce unconsciousness;

others cause dizziness.

Their effects closely match the symptoms displayed

when Your Highness suddenly fell ill before.

I also have here a bottle of red liquid.

When the water

in Your Highness's bathing tub suddenly turned into blood,

this must be what was used.

And at the time,

there was no one else in the room.

Ghost!

Madam Chen.

Your Highness,

don't believe her.

None of these things belong to me—

they're framing me!

Sis,

just admit it.

They already know everything.

You wretched fool!

How much did they give you

to make you falsely accuse me?

Your Highness,

please don't believe them.

My cousin is a gambler.

He's always borrowing money from me.

When I refused to lend it to him,

he turned around and framed me.

Your Highness.

Madam Chen,

you stole someone else's child for more than 20 years,

and even now you still want to argue your way out of it.

You act as if you believe that until all is lost, nothing is lost.

I have here a letter

Madam Chen wrote to her cousin back then.

I'll read it for everyone.

Dear brother,

Recently,

the Old Madam went into labor

and gave birth to a princess,

bestowed with the name Ningshuang—

lovely and dearly cherished.

I entered the palace years ago to serve the Old Madam,

yet I have no children of my own

and feel deeply lonely.

If you can help me seize the princess,

then in the future, glory and riches

shall be ours to share.

Didn't I tell you to burn all the letters?

I...

What did you say?

She said,

"Didn't I tell you to burn all the letters? "

I...

I really did burn them all!

Then what is this?

[Those who take children from their parents shall die a miserable death]

It's fake!

You set me up!

Your Highness.

Ningshuang.

Your Highness.

Ningshuang.

You know how much I love you,

don't you?

From the time you were little,

I've always treated you as my own daughter.

You even said it yourself—

I was your real mother,

didn't you?

Ningshuang, don't—

don't believe what they're saying, all right?

She has a mother.

And her mother's love for her is the only true maternal love.

Yours is nothing but a thief's love.

What right do you have to say that about me?

You don't understand my love for Ningshuang at all!

Only a thief

would claim someone else's child as their own.

It's not like that!

Ningshuang,

no!

This wasn't my fault!

True maternal love means

that as long as one's child is safe and well,

a mother is willing to give up everything—

even if it means hiding in the shadows

and being regarded as an evil spirit.

From this day forward,

you are forbidden to come anywhere near Kunning Palace.

Any violation of this order

shall be treated as an act of assassination.

As long as the child is safe and well,

that is everything to a mother.

Huo Xiangjiu,

thank you.

Ningshuang,

don't come any closer.

You'll be in danger.

Don't come near me—

you'll be in danger.

Go! Leave now!

No!

Your Highness.

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

No!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

I don't want to leave you!

What's past is past—

why do you keep clinging to it?

Your Highness, please don't!

I don't know why,

but whenever I recall

those scenes of us sharing such tender moments as mother and daughter,

I can't help thinking of my own mother—

and the pain she endured while longing for me.

At the very moment you and I were enjoying our bond as mother and daughter,

my mother

was suffering immense pain.

We are both accomplices in her misery.

We must both atone.

The way I atone

is by devoting the rest of my life

to honoring her all the more.

And the way you atone

is by spending the rest of your life

experiencing her pain.

No! No!

Please don't, Your Highness!

I beg you!

No!

I don't want to leave you!

I'll do anything for you—

I'll do the same for the Old Madam too, all right?

Just give me another chance, please!

Your Highness, forgive me!

Please forgive me!

It's not that I don't want to forgive you.

I simply have no right to.

You do!

Your Highness, how could you not?

Your Highness, you do,

don't you?

Ningshuang,

let me out! Ningshuang!

Ningshuang!

Ningshuang!

I will

take you horseback riding.

I will brush your hair, okay?

I...

Do you still remember?

I used to nurse you.

Ningshuang…

[Kunning Palace]

Mother.

I'm fine.

I'm sorry, Mother.

This is all my fault—

I truly deserve to die.

This has nothing to do with you.

If it weren't for what happened,

how could I have ever looked at you from so close?

This is the first time in 20 years

that I've been able

to look at you this closely.

Mother,

from now on,

you can look at me this closely every day.

Mother—are you happy?

I am happy.

But...

But what?

Never mind.

These were picked this morning.

Have a taste.

Mother, you even know

that I like these.

And yet,

I don't know anything about you at all, Mother.

What is there to fear?

We have plenty of time ahead of us.

Then, Mother,

let's start with

what you were hesitating to say just now.

Whatever it is,

tell me—

will you?

How did you

end up growing all wrong?

You're not even half as good-looking as me.

Mother, just how beautiful am I?

Mother,

do you know

why Heaven chose to have me born within the palace?

If someone as beautiful as I had been born among the common folk,

any man in the realm who laid eyes on me

would probably

be fighting over me.

All those

bloody cases—

I think

they'd exhaust the magistrates.

Are men nowadays truly so lacking in discernment?

Mother!

Then if that's the case,

why are you still unmarried?

I...

You're about the age.

It's time to arrange a marriage for you.

I don't want to!

Mother,

we've only just been reunited,

and you already want to marry me off?

I want to stay by your side every day, Mother.

All right, all right—

stay by my side every day.

A child's feelings

are always felt twice as strongly by their parents.

When a child is in pain,

the parents suffer even more.

When a child is happy,

the parents' happiness is doubled as well.

If my mother were still alive…

how wonderful that would be.

I can barely remember

Your mother

must have been

intelligent,

lovely,

beautiful,

kind,

brave,

and righteous.

How do you know?

Every mother leaves her mark on her child—

and in you,

I can see her.

Steamed buns.

Ningshuang, do you want some steamed buns?

Let me feed you.

Eat up.

Good girl.

Ningshuang, you're so beautiful.

You love it best when I comb your hair.

Don't cry.

Sweetheart.

Ningshuang, stop crying.

I love you the most.

Right?

They're all bad people.

Bad people—

all of them.

They want to tear us apart.

We won't be separated.

Don't separate us.

We won't be separated.

Not ever.

Together forever.

We'll be together forever.

I pay my respects to the Mentor of Virtue, Compassion, Benevolence, Rectitude,

Harmony, Wellness, Nurturance, Felicity,

Illumination, Preparedness, Solemnity, Humanity, and...

and Steadfastness…

I pay my respects to you, Mentor.

We pay our respects to you, Mentor.

Is all this formality really necessary?

I gave you my word—

if you helped Mother and me reconcile,

I would acknowledge you as my Mentor.

I keep my promises.

Mentor.

Your Highness.

What is it?

Do you remember

the other matter I mentioned to you?

Mentor, you mean

the 2 pages torn out of the Ganquan Register?

Yes.

Why are you so desperate to know about them?

My father

disappeared in the palace.

Your father

is a eunuch?

No.

My father

is Huo Zhongren, the Registrar of Bronze County.

He entered the palace to present a petition to His Majesty 2 years ago,

and then vanished inside the palace.

I've verified it—

the two missing pages from the Ganquan Register

correspond exactly to the time my father secretly entered the palace

to seek an audience with His Majesty.

Then why do you believe

those torn pages have anything to do with me?

Your Highness,

please just tell me what really happened.

I...

Mentor,

promise me this:

no matter what I'm about to say,

you must stay calm.