Original subtitles

Auntie,

are you my father's new consort?

You're not as pretty as my mother or my other mother.

"Auntie"?

Call me Sister.

And who are you calling not pretty?

You have to pay for it! Pay for it!

-Pay for it! -Alright, alright.

Okay, stop.

I heard it the first time.

Am I amazing?

Amazing!

You little brat.

I've long heard that Lady Xie is not interested in embroidery,

cares nothing for the refined arts,

neglects proper pursuits,

and behaves arrogantly.

But seeing you today,

I find you clever and full of spirit—

quite delightful, in fact.

I've also heard that your marriage was an unhappy one,

that you've lived in loneliness and resentment.

Yet seeing you today,

you're actually content and at ease,

carefree as the breeze, Yuanji.

Clearly, not every rumor is worth believing.

Mother rarely goes out

because she's too poor.

Every time she does, she can't resist buying books.

And they're very expensive.

One ancient scroll costs as much as three of my Nine-Linked Rings.

I don't have many hobbies.

I just like to collect books.

Just these past few days, I even found

about 20 scrolls of interesting unofficial history

and several baskets of religious scriptures from the Western Regions.

Oh,

and a few books of tales from the previous dynasty...

Once I start talking about books,

I tend to ramble.

I must be boring you.

I understand.

I love collecting all sorts of stones,

and I like to tinker with clever little mechanisms.

Perhaps I can make a bookcase for you

that categorizes your books,

making them easy to organize and find.

It also comes apart so you can carry it with you.

If you truly can make such a thing,

you'll do me a tremendous favor.

Since you're fond of ingenious mechanisms,

I believe I have a few books

on long-lost ancient craftsmanship.

I could never make sense of them,

so they've been gathering dust.

If you don't mind,

consider them my gift to you.

Then I'll gladly accept them, Yuanji.

[Key to the Phoenix Heart]

[Episode 5]

Trinkets, pretty little ornaments!

[Xiyue Restaurant]

Take a look.

[Jing Lan, Owner of Xiyue Restaurant]

I heard that two years ago,

you and Liu Da, the owner of Qile Tavern on East Street,

had a fight.

You took his chef

and injured his staff.

In the end,

the Capital Prefecture suspended your business for three months

as punishment.

Bull...

Bullshit.

That lover of Liu Da's

is related to that Capital Prefect

through God knows how many branches of the family.

The Capital Prefect abused his authority

to rule against me unfairly!

What a jerk!

What a coincidence.

I've already killed the Capital Prefect.

You're Xiao Wuyi, the heir of

Prince Jing'an?

Your Highness, these are

the Young Master of Miraculous Craft's ledgers you asked for.

Burn them.

Yes, Your Highness.

I...

Actually, you've known

the Young Master of Miraculous Craft's true identity all along, right?

From this moment on, you don't.

No matter who asks you about

the Young Master of Miraculous Craft,

you know absolutely nothing.

Understood?

You're from Luzhou in the Northwest.

You have a younger brother

serving in the Pang'e Army there.

You've lost contact with him for years,

and you've been searching for him ever since,

not knowing whether he's alive or dead.

I'll find a way to help you locate him.

Take these silver ingots,

and you'll work for me from now on.

I need a place like your restaurant

to gather intelligence from across the city.

As for whether this restaurant

belongs to you or someone else,

I don't care.

All the profits are yours.

Say yes already.

Don't be a fool.

With His Highness backing you up from now on,

do you still need to be afraid of that Liu fellow?

Jing Lan is at Your Highness's command.

Good. From today on,

your restaurant will host storytelling performances.

Hire more storytellers

and have them tell the stories well.

Crown Prince Wenxi.

Phoenix Heart Token?

Does anyone still believe such old rumors?

Understood.

Ask nothing, say nothing.

Record everyone who asks about the whereabouts

of the Phoenix Heart Token.

Yes, Your Highness.

One more thing.

The Secondary Consort got up early this morning

and visited the Princess's and the Consort's quarters.

She drank two bowls of duck soup,

and the Consort gave her two books.

Just now, she followed the Consort and Young Master Ziqi

to Madam Ruisheng's quarters.

She's certainly making herself at home—

eating and accepting gifts.

Isn't it because Your Highness instructed the household earlier

to treat Lady Xie well?

I just don't see what you're gaining from this.

You married a troublemaker,

and you've spent so much money

buying the Xiyue Restaurant for her,

just so no one would discover

that she's the Young Master of Miraculous Craft.

How much private savings do you even have?

Do you want to be caned?

Your Highness,

the bodies of Lady Xie's maid and secret guard

have been brought back.

Good.

Let's go see what Xie Jiayu looks like

after Ruisheng's gotten hold of her.

Ow! Ow! Ow!

Ruisheng, I can't take it anymore!

This is the Yongquan acupoint.

If this spot hurts,

it means you have poor circulation.

This is the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian.

Your digestion hasn't been very good either, has it?

Yuanji, Yuanji, save me!

Bear with it a little longer, Jiayu.

It hurts now, but once the massage is done,

you'll feel much better.

Consort, you didn't

go to bed until after midnight again last night, did you?

-I... -If you keep doing that,

don't expect me to make you any more calming tonic.

Sisters,

I never imagined you two were so close.

What?

Did you also believe the rumors outside

that we're constantly at each other's throats?

No, no.

When I gave birth to Ziqi,

it was Consort who took care of me personally.

All these years, while I've been away with the army,

she's been raising Ziqi for me.

If you ask who in this household I'm closest to,

it's not the Heir,

but

his consort.

Even my monthly letters home

were addressed to Madam Ruisheng.

Impressive, impressive.

Xiao Wuyi, you're really something.

You are as skilled at leading an army

as you are at running your household.

Secondary Consort, His Highness the Heir wishes to see you.

The Heir wants to see me?

Xiao Wuyi,

you've finally rescued me for once.

I'll take my leave first, Sisters.

Excuse me.

The Heir has specifically instructed you

to help nurse the Secondary Consort's health?

Yes.

He really has gone to great lengths.

Why did you bring me here?

Such a beautiful place...

A place this beautiful

is naturally the best for killing someone.

Oh, I'm so scared.

You're that certain I wouldn't hurt you?

Ruisheng and Yuanji are both good people.

If they haven't teamed up to poison you,

that means you're...

not that bad after all.

This is for you.

This is Cang'er's hairpin.

Your maid and the secret guard

are buried there.

When Beifu soldiers die in battle,

if their bodies are recovered,

they should be respectfully dressed and buried under a tree.

That's our military tradition.

They were your loyal servants.

They deserved the same honor for sacrificing for you.

Carve their names on it.

Cang'er,

my secret guard,

I'm sorry.

I got you both killed.

If there's another life,

don't be servants again.

May you become hawks,

soaring across the sky.

Even if there are storms,

you'll know no hunger or hardship.

[Prince Jing'an's Mansion]

Your Highness, a letter for you.

My Lady, it's from Mr. Jing of Xiyue Restaurant.

He said someone went to the restaurant

looking for the Young Master of Miraculous Craft to discuss business.

What did you just deliver to Lady Xie's quarters?

It was a letter from Xiyue Restaurant for Her Highness.

A legend has long circulated across the realm—

"When the Phoenix Heart Token appears, peace shall be restored in the world."

It's said that Empress Wenxi's child never actually died.

Once the Phoenix Heart Token resurfaces,

Crown Prince Wenxi will reappear in the world

and unite the realm.

Ladies and gentlemen, make yourselves comfortable with some tea...

Mr. Jing, you're looking for the Young Master of Miraculous Craft?

Do you still remember

Mr. Xiao, who asked you to design the repeating crossbow

last time?

Why is it about the repeating crossbow again?

Is there no end to this?

This time it's not about the crossbow.

It's about Mr. Xiao.

He owes me a lot of money.

Food on credit,

drinks on credit—

at this rate, he's going to

bankrupt my restaurant.

I need to sue him.

Really?

I remember he was quite a big spender when he came

to buy the crossbow from me last time.

Yeah, well, who knows?

Anyway, he owes me a lot of money.

I'm going to sue him right now.

But I...

I don't quite remember what he looks like.

Could you draw me a portrait of him?

He owes you a fortune,

yet you don't remember what he looks like?

You might not know,

but I can never remember people's faces.

I really can't tell faces apart.

Besides, those wealthy young masters

all dress about the same.

They all look alike too,

with their fair, delicate features.

I honestly can't tell them apart.

Then what about all the staff in your restaurant?

Are they all bad at recognizing faces too?

Not all of them are,

but none of them can paint.

Recognizing faces is one thing;

being able to draw them is another.

You

and our restaurant go way back.

Please help me out.

Alright.

Young Master of Miraculous Craft?

Why does that title sound so familiar?

Repeating crossbow...

Could it be...

Mr. Jing really knows how to spin a story.

We've got the portrait.

Did Xie Jiayu suspect anything?

Not yet.

Start the investigation from within the palace.

And check the students at the Imperial Academy

and see if anyone matches this face.

Your Highness suspects Grand Tutor Xie and the Empress Dowager?

I hope I'm just overthinking it.

Did you know

Xie Jiayu is the Young Master of Miraculous Craft,

who makes and sells ingenious devices through Xiyue Restaurant?

I've never heard that title before.

But Jiayu is indeed skilled at making mechanical devices.

She even made me a portable bookcase.

If she's been secretly selling small items in the market,

it's not surprising.

The repeating crossbow that caused the Beifu soldiers

to die in vain

was made by the Young Master of Miraculous Craft.

I found a repeating crossbow

in Xie Jiayu's dowry chest.

I've compared the two.

Its size, design, and mechanism

are exactly the same.

She must have had an ulterior motive

for marrying into the household.

She cannot be allowed near Ziqi.

You and Mother must be careful as well.

Get rid of that bookcase she gave you.

The Heir asked for this marriage himself.

It wasn't what Jiayu wanted.

If you are worried, Yao,

why don't you ask the Heir directly?

And say what to him?

He's probably already been bewitched by this evil woman!

Young Master Yao and the Consort...

Careful! Watch out!

Watch out!

Are you okay?

Come with me!

No, Yao.

-Yao. -Move!

-Ziqi. -What did I do?

Are you okay, Ziqi?

-Yao. -Move!

Let's go.

-Let go of me! -Let's go.

Your Highness.

Young Master Yao claims the Secondary Consort tried to harm Ziqi.

He's taken the matter all the way to the ancestral hall.

Alchemy was popular in the former dynasty,

and that's when fireworks were first created.

In addition to saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal,

you can add copper, iron, cotton, and other materials

to produce different colors.

The fireworks I make sell very well.

Forget it.

You wouldn't understand even if I explained.

Let me put it this way.

If I really wanted to hurt someone,

I wouldn't make it so complicated.

A little more of one ingredient, or a little less of another—

and I could make sure no one here would survive,

including you!

So you admit you've hurt people.

I can hurt people,

but that doesn't mean I did.

You've already harmed people.

You're the Young Master of Miraculous Craft, aren't you?

My Beifu soldiers were killed by...

Brother!

Consort, take Ziqi away first.

Jiayu, go first.

I have something to say to my brother.

Ziqi, let's go.

Go.

I'm not leaving.

What exactly did I do to all of you?

It was the repeating crossbow you designed

that killed 30,000 of my Beifu soldiers.

Brother!

And you're still covering for her?

You've been so blinded by lust!

Xie Jiayu,

you say you didn't intend to harm Ziqi today.

I won't argue with you on that.

But what about the souls of my 30,000 innocent Beifu soldiers?

Dare you say it has nothing to do with you?

It was the flawed repeating crossbow you designed

that caused 30,000 Beifu soldiers to be nearly wiped out.

Fortunately, Wuyi held on until reinforcements arrived.

Dare you say you knew nothing about it?

What exactly was your Xie family plotting?

Impossible. There must be some mistake.

Xiao Wuyi.

I clearly...

I clearly designed it for a noble young master.

Don't worry, the Young Master of Miraculous Craft

will definitely design the repeating crossbow you want.

He only said he was taking it to a literary gathering

and just needed it to look good and intimidating.

Which noble young master?

He said his name was Xiao Sheng.

Xiao Sheng?

Xiao Wuyi,

she said you were the one who commissioned the design. Do you admit it?

Why are you called Xiao Sheng?

Isn't your name Xiao Wuyi?

Xiao Sheng is my birth name.

Wuyi is my courtesy name.

Ever since I went to the battlefield at 14,

no one has called me Xiao Sheng anymore.

No wonder.

No wonder when Qing Long and Yan Yue

came to Xiyue Restaurant to find me,

they got upset the moment I mentioned Xiao Sheng.

But that still doesn't add up.

It wasn't you who came to find me then.

But he looked like a pampered young maste at first glance.

If it's really as you say,

then he disguised his identity from the very beginning.

So who was really behind the deaths of my 30,000 Beifu soldiers,

using you as their pawn?

And who else knew

that you'd designed the flawed repeating crossbow?

How would he know my father?

The first lesson I learned after growing up

was that life doesn't always give us a choice.

You must be the pawn.

Jiayu.

Where are you going?

You really knew about this all along.

And yet, you're still protecting her?

I'm sure you can see it too, Brother.

Xie Jiayu knew nothing about it.

But if this matter gets out,

wouldn't it chill the hearts of the soldiers?

And this Xie woman, with her honeyed words and deceptive charm—

before she even entered the household,

she'd already harmed so many Beifu soldiers.

Don't those soldiers deserve to know the truth?

Does erecting a monument mean

that my soldiers' grievances are settled?

Of course not.

Then what do you intend to do?

You'll know soon enough, Brother.

Take care.

Look at this cloth.

You have a really good eye.

-Father. -Father.

-Mother. -Mother.

Good, good.

Darling, look.

Have you ever seen Yaoyao

so gentle and graceful?

Heir,

has my daughter caused you any trouble?

Jiayu has been wonderful.

Everyone in the household is fond of her.

My daughter might not be exceptionally outstanding,

but I never imagined

marrying her off in such haste,

much less as a secondary consort.

To be honest,

I didn't expect this marriage to actually happen.

Since Jiayu entered our household for the sake of the realm,

our family will naturally treat her well.

Please rest assured, Princess.

Mother,

he knows I enjoy making mechanical devices,

so he set aside a space in the household for me

to make the things I like.

The wedding was so rushed,

and I didn't have time to take many things with me.

Now that I'm back,

I'd also like to take my books on mechanisms

and tools with me.

Heir,

go with Nanxing to my study

and take all my blueprints.

Don't leave a single one behind.

I still have something I want to say to Father and Mother.

Yaoyao,

what are you doing?

Are you going to help Xiao Wuyi improve military weapons?

Then do you know what you are doing, Father?

Thirty thousand Beifu soldiers—

that's thirty thousand lives!

Father, you deliberately arranged for someone to come to me

and commission the repeating crossbow, didn't you?

I once saw the man who called himself Xiao Sheng

entering and leaving your study.

What does that prove?

That indeed doesn't prove anything.

But now I understand, in my heart,

why you encouraged me to design

the repeating crossbow back then.

I even told you

about its flaws.

Not long after,

that man calling himself Xiao Sheng

came looking for the Young Master of Miraculous Craft to buy it.

Father,

can you truly say none of this had anything to do with you?

These three kowtows

are to thank you and Mother for raising me.

If you had sacrificed only me,

I could have understood—

you simply stood on a different side

and gave me up.

But what you've done now

is unworthy of the honor and integrity

expected of a great noble house.

Then what are you going to do?

Are you going to...

expose me, your father?

On the night of my wedding,

I couldn't do any of the things

you asked me to do,

nor will I ever do them.

The repeating crossbow created a debt of lives.

If one day

the Beifu soldiers come and ask me to pay for it,

then, as the daughter you have raised

all these years,

I will repay that debt with my life in your stead

and have no complaints.

But what this world is really like,

I will see for myself.

And the road ahead,

I will choose for myself.

So will Mao.

Mother, forgive me.

I really have no appetite

for this homecoming banquet.

We'll take our leave.

Darling,

eat while it's hot.

About how many people are there in the city?

Over 200,000 households.

Every Lantern Festival,

the city hosts its largest gathering.

The streets are packed with people.

Would there be 30,000 people?

There should be.

That many people?

That many people died because of me.

I need some time alone.

Qing Long, Yan Yue,

stay close. Don't let anything happen to her.

-Yes. -Yes.

[Chengyi Hall]

Excuse me, Shopkeeper.

Who is it?

-We're closed. -Sir.

Sir, I'd like a bag of pear blossom candy.

Sorry to bother you.

Come back tomorrow.

My sister is in a bad mood today.

She's always loved your pear blossom candy.

I'll pay 10 times the usual price.

What's the point of burning them?

Are you here to laugh at me?

Why would I laugh at you?

Laugh at how your own father used you

to bring ruin upon my Beifu Army?

You're the commander of the Beifu Army.

Aren't you angry with me?

Though it wasn't my intention,

I did cause the deaths of so many soldiers.

Why am I bothering with an idiot?

You're an idiot.

Why do you have so many questions?

There is no good or evil inherent in a technique; it is only a technique.

If I had to blame everyone,

besides you,

I'd have to start with Lu Ban.

What does he have to do with this?

If he hadn't invented all those tools,

the art of mechanical carpentry would never have come into being.

And after him,

I would also blame Mozi, who pioneered mechanical engineering.

Tracing back even further,

there's Zhang Hui, grandson of the Yellow Emperor.

Legend says he invented the bow and arrow.

Don't you want to place blame?

Every wrong has its source.

Bring them all to me.

I want to settle accounts with each of them properly.

As for you, at most, you're an accomplice.

From Chengyi Hall?

It must've been Mao who told you, right?

Mao gave this to me.

Mao treats me the best.

Xiao Wuyi,

you and your family

are not quite what I'd heard.

The night your father sent you here,

what exactly did he tell you?

Let me guess.

Did he say

that my family commands the Beifu Army

and is bound to rebel sooner or later?

And that, even if only for Li Mao's sake,

you had to marry into this family to keep an eye on me, right?

How do you know everything?

Are you some kind of demon?

War is waged on the battlefield—

and in the heart.

If only I could see things

as clearly as you do.

I don't understand my father.

Isn't the Beifu Army guarding the Northern Border?

Why did he do this?

I think you're better off staying a fool.

By the way, there's something serious I need to tell you.

What serious business could you possibly have?

Mao is sick.

What? How could he be sick?

There are so many imperial physicians looking after him.

How could he still get sick?

Is it serious? Take me to the palace now.

The imperial physicians have already examined him.

It's nothing serious.

He just hasn't had much of an appetite lately.

He wants you to make him some hawthorn cakes,

and I'll take them to the palace for him.

Is he really alright?

He just wants some hawthorn cakes?

Why would I lie to you?

Alright.

I'll make them tomorrow.

Xiao Wuyi.

The incident involving the repeating crossbow was never my intention.

But I owe you an unparalleled weapon

that will let your army turn defeat into victory,

protect your soldiers as they charge fearlessly ahead,

and secure the Northern Border.

I give you my word.

I'll definitely make it.

What, you don't believe me?

Okay.

I'll be waiting.

What? Why is he smiling all of a sudden?

Is Prince Qi sick today?

You didn't go to the palace today, Your Highness.

It was just to find Xie Jiayu something to do

so she wouldn't sit around brooding all day.

The pear blossom candy is too sweet.

Go get me a cup of hawthorn juice.

I think you're the one who wants some hawthorn cakes.

You love sour food.

Your Highness, there's something I can't figure out.

Given how naive Xie Jiayu is,

she was basically born to be someone else's pawn.

Grand Tutor Xie went to such great lengths

to marry her to you.

What was he hoping to achieve?

Surely he doesn't actually expect

her to bring back intel from our mansion.

Grand Tutor Xie is a master manipulator.

It's just that the one he's

scheming against isn't Xie Jiayu.

Then who is it?

If you can't figure it out, go ask Yan Yue.

I'm not asking her.

I'll figure it out myself.

This is the reward bestowed by His Majesty.

Lu Dayong, you led your men and refused the reward.

Are you trying to defy the imperial edict?

If I accept the reward,

[Lu Dayong, Lieutenant General of the Beifu Army]

I'd be betraying

the men who died in vain at Jiuzhang Plain!

[Feng Wu, Lieutenant General of the Beifu Army]

Still talking nonsense? Still...

What are you doing?

Are you rebelling?

Step aside! Kneel!

My Beifu soldiers

do not kneel without cause!

Get up, all of you!

Give me the roster.

Feng Zhiyuan.

Fang Shiba.

Cao Xing'an!

Your Highness,

in the battle of Jiuzhang Plain,

why did our 30,000 soldiers die in vain?

At that time, the Directorate of Armaments rushed out a batch of repeating crossbows.

They said those crossbows could fire nine arrows in one shot.

But on the battlefield,

the crossbows lost accuracy after a few shots.

Only last night did we learn

that the one who designed the crossbow

is your newly wedded secondary consort—

Grand Tutor Xie's daughter, Xie Jiayu!

May I ask, Your Highness—

was your marriage to Xie Jiayu

meant to seek peace with the noble clans?

Are you going to participate in the peace talks with Northern Qin?

Have you forgotten

our blood feud with Northern Qin?

Insolence!

Stop!

Fifty strikes with the military rod.

Yes, sir.

Men, take him away.

Distribute the reward.

-Your Highness, we're incompetent. -Your Highness.

We still let word about the Young Master of Miraculous Craft slip out.

Was it Young Master Yao?

Is he displeased that you haven't punished Lady Xie,

so he deliberately spread the news within the army?

No.

Maybe it was the Empress Dowager.

Have we found any leads on that impostor

within the palace?

Not yet.

Your Highness,

I'm afraid there are spies in the army now.

If we don't give the soldiers an explanation,

the consequences may not end with you alone.

There might even be a mutiny in the army.

Yuanji. Yuanji.

Wait for me.

Are you going out to buy books, Yuanji?

Can you give me a ride?

Didn't the Heir forbid you from going out?

Why are you in such a hurry?

I want to make some hawthorn cakes,

but we've run out of osmanthus honey,

so I want to sneak out and buy some.

For the Heir?

No.

Why would I give the cakes to him?

I heard from Mother-in-law

that he loves hawthorn cakes the most.

Actually, he likes anything sour.

But I'm not making them for him.

They're for my good friend in the palace.

Li Lejun,

Princess Pingning.

She's been sick

and wants something sour to whet her appetite.

I wonder how they're doing in the palace.

With so many imperial physicians and servants,

how could she still be sick and lose her appetite?

Yuanji, you're the Empress Dowager's niece.

You must know her better than anyone.

Is Her Majesty easy to get along with?

Yuanji. Yuanji.

What are you thinking about, Yuanji?

You've been lost in thought for so long.

Don't worry.

The Empress Dowager has always been kind to those useful to her.

And Prince Qi and Princess Pingning

are the most useful people

to her right now.

They'll be fine.

That's a relief.

Get lost.

Scram!

Da?

Stop the carriage.

Get lost now.

A mute, wanting to join the Imperial Guard?

Do you really think you're worthy of that?

What? I told you to get lost.

[Yue Qingyang, Commander of the Imperial Guard]

Can't you understand?

Why can't you understand?

You dare fight back? I...

Stop!

Are you okay?

Why are you hitting him?

Everyone admitted to the Imperial Guard

comes from a distinguished family.

Him—a commoner with nothing to his name—

do you really think just anyone can join?

The notice doesn't say mutes can't join,

nor does it say only nobles may apply.

As long as they meet the requirements,

anyone can sign up.

The Imperial Guard embodies the authority of the throne.

It protects the capital

and safeguards all the people under the Emperor.

How dare you abuse your power?

You've certainly got a sharp tongue.

If you have the guts, come argue in my Imperial Guard Office.

Seize them!

Hold on!

Yuanji.

The commanders of the Imperial Guard mostly

come from powerful noble families.

Better not start a conflict with them.

So it's the ladies from Prince Jing'an's household.

Young Lord Xiao is truly lucky in love.

I wonder

which two ladies have graced us today.

What's it to you?

Just curious.

I recently heard a story at a restaurant

saying that the Young Master of Miraculous Craft,

who caused the death of 30,000 Beifu soldiers,

is the new secondary consort of the Heir of Prince Jing'an.

Young Lord Xiao is so romantic

and broad-minded

that he even married the culprit who caused

the death of the Beifu soldiers.

I just wonder if those Beifu soldiers

could be as forgiving as he is.

That Young Master of Miraculous Craft

wouldn't happen to be you, right?

You...

Who shot that?

W-Who shot the arrow?

Yue Qingyang, instead of running your mouth here,

you should train your troops more

and focus on your duties!

Then perhaps, when the Prince of Changsha staged his coup,

your men wouldn't have wet themselves

waiting for our Beifu Army to march all the way here and save you!

Return to the mansion!

You'll regret this.

Da said that after Mao entered the palace,

he had to find a way to survive on his own.

He tried to join

the Imperial Guard just to be closer to Li Mao.

But the Imperial Guard accepts only

nobles or men from respectable families.

He went many times and was chased away each time.

You did it to be closer to Mao?

"His Highness saved my life.

Naturally, wherever he goes,

I will follow."

In that case,

are you willing to join the Beifu Army first?

Once I find a chance, I'll get you into the Imperial Guard.

Get up.

Thank you, Young Lord Xiao.

Let's go.

What?

Who said you could leave?

Hey, what are you doing?

Who said you could leave the mansion?

I warned you on our wedding day—

don't go around causing trouble under the title of my secondary consort.

How did I cause trouble?

Didn't you ask me to make hawthorn cakes?

How was I supposed to make them without osmanthus honey?

Mao doesn't like sour food.

And another thing, I'm not really your secondary consort.

I'm just staying temporarily at your household.

Temporarily!

If it weren't for Mao...

If it weren't for Mao,

you wouldn't be staying in this mansion at all.

I don't need you to remind me of that.

Do you think I enjoy

looking at your annoying face every day?

Me? Annoying?

From today on,

you are not allowed to leave the mansion

without my permission.

Yan Yue, keep an eye on her.

Yes, Your Highness.

Say whatever you want to say.

Your Highness is only trying to protect Lady Xie.

If you'd explained it to her properly,

she might have listened.

I don't need it.

Your Highness, we have news.

The fake Xiao Sheng was the Empress Dowager's doing.

This indeed looks like my mother's doing.

Grand Tutor Xie,

Mother used the Young Master of Miraculous Craft

to undermine Xiao Wuyi's influence within the army

and implicate your daughter.

If Xiao Wuyi really takes action against your daughter,

do you resent Mother for it?

The Empress Dowager wasn't wrong to curb the Beifu Army's power.

Fine.

Mother wants power,

Xiao Wuyi wants the northern expedition,

you want to preserve the prestige of the noble clans,

the officials want to keep their positions,

and Li Mao...

I don't care what Li Mao wants.

You all scheme and plot right in front of me,

and I don't care about that either.

At most, I have

another year or two left.

As long as I can still stand,

I'll keep holding things together for all of you.

The day I can no longer hold on,

the realm will be yours to do with as you please.

I'm tired. You may leave.

I obey, Your Majesty.

Grand Tutor Xie.

You recommended Li Mao.

Valuing friendship and loyalty is both his strength

and his weakness.

Xiao Wuyi once saved his life.

One careless step,

and he might become Xiao Wuyi's puppet.

I don't want to go to the underworld,

ashamed to face my ancestors,

who would say I chose a ruler who ruins the country.

For now, I've granted him the honor of regency,

but if

he fails to meet my expectations,

I will not make him the crown prince.

Do you understand?

Please rest assured, Your Majesty.

The crux of this whole game between Xiao Wuyi and Prince Qi

is my daughter, Jiayu.

Prince Qi is benevolent,

but even the most benevolent person

will have desires once he feels something is beyond his reach.

And nothing awakens desire

more than watching the woman he loves

drift farther and farther away

while being powerless to stop it.

You married your own daughter into Prince Jing'an's household

simply to manipulate Li Mao's ambition?

Your Majesty is wise.

You're truly a loyal subject of my realm.

Did you see that?

So these are your master's true colors—

the statesman who has served three reigns.

You want to leave,

but can you?

We're all just pawns

in the hands of these old men.