Original subtitles

Sir.

May I ask

if can you cure blood stasis?

If Xiao Wuyi dies,

you can take back the military power he holds.

Why bother to save his life?

I just want to defeat him,

not to let him perish at my hands.

I can save him.

But if saving him

is at the cost of others' lives,

can you bear the weight of such a sin?

Yes.

I once saved your life.

In return, you promised to save three people for me.

The first one...

The first one

was the young emperor.

I did save him.

He is still alive now.

Then the second person

I'm asking you to save is Xiao Wuyi.

[Key to the Phoenix Heart]

[Episode 24]

It never crossed my mind

that you would help me.

I believe...

Mother would also agree to let me do this.

Right.

Neither did I expect

Xiao Wuyi to put righteousness above family,

reopen the An-Lu case,

and even tell the whole world

that Crown Prince Wenxi is dead,

thus leaving himself no way out.

It seems he really

doesn't care about that position.

All the people in this world pray for

nothing but peace and happiness.

Who cares if the throne is made

of gold or bronze?

I truly look forward to the Ye

that Xiao Wuyi tries to build,

and I'm glad to help him with it.

Yaoyao.

As your father, I...

I did much wrongdoing in the past.

I must apologize to you.

I am so sorry.

It's cold and harsh in the Northern Border.

Do take care

to stay warm.

Fuhua,

you had a good daughter.

His Majesty has agreed to establish the spring exam as a regular system.

The Grand Tutor has also submitted his resignation.

You beat me once again.

When will you go back to the Northern Border?

I've petitioned His Majesty for leave

to first inspect the capital's defense in three days before heading back

to the Northern Border.

The Eagle King's troops have been making moves.

I need to get back soon.

Now, I'm thinking

that you're about to die,

but there is still so much time left

in my life and Xie Jiayu's life.

Anything could happen.

So,

there shouldn't be rush.

The mystery of mineral deposits within the Phoenix Heart Token

has been cracked by Xie Jiayu.

If the court needs them in the future,

she'll tell you where they are.

With Xie Jiayu around,

this token

is no longer useful.

Xiao Wuyi!

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

You didn't hesitate to destroy

what others yearn for.

By replacing the token with Xie Jiayu,

you're trying to make sure no one can hurt her

whether you are alive or dead,

not even me.

You devised a thorough plan

and gave up everything,

yet in the final days of your life,

you chose to leave her and go to war.

Xiao Wuyi, what on earth

matters most

to you?

Please don't die too soon.

I will surely beat you once.

Xiao Wuyi!

Li Mao has gone back to the palace.

Let's go home, too.

Why is it broken?

This is the Phoenix Heart Token.

You already know it by heart, don't you?

What use does it have now?

Besides,

it was originally my mother's Phoenix Imperial Seal.

How about we melt it and cast it

into a hairpin for you?

[Prince Jing'an's Mansion]

Yuanji, you're so full of surprises.

You got the first place in the exam in just one try.

I thought the most nervous moment of my life would be the day

I married into Prince Jing'an's Mansion.

Little did I expect

to feel even more nervous now than that day.

That said, I've never been so clear

about my goal as I am today.

But I'm a bit worried about your identity.

If Mao ever...

Yaoyao, you're worried about nothing.

Prince Qi

was even more eager than I was about the exam results.

Since he didn't expose my identity,

I'm sure he won't either in the future.

Only when he has some kind of hold on me

will he feel more at ease using me.

[Zhuque Gate]

♪ The past is dust, we're passing through ♪

♪ No regrets for what we've lost and won ♪

♪ The shape of time begins to fade ♪

I deem it as a blessing for me to marry into the Xiao family,

to become part of the household,

♪ Half by choice, half washed away ♪

and to support each other here.

You'll be embraced by the vast world.

I wish you

all the best,

♪ If fate is fragile, what is right or wrong? ♪

and may all your dreams come true.

♪ We only live for what we can't let go ♪

♪ Love and hate fade like the shifting sand ♪

♪ What's right or wrong is better left unsaid ♪

♪ Every soul is bound by cause and fate ♪

♪ The past is gone, so let it slip away ♪

♪ The heart's a cage, but peace will break the chains ♪

♪ No need to speak, just leave it all to fate ♪

Where are you going, Darling?

Three years ago,

you fled to Northern Qin

and begged me for shelter,

saying that you offended Xiao Wuyi

and even your brother, the Regent, couldn't protect you,

so you were driven out of Southern Ye

to fend for yourself.

What now?

You want to return to your homeland?

Do you not fear death anymore?

Isn't there a saying in Southern Ye?

That is, "Once a couple, always a bond."

Can you really bear to leave me behind?

Don't you forget

that I've never intercepted a single letter

you've sent to Jiankang in secret

after collecting intelligence in the Capital.

What discontent can you possibly have?

So you've been using me.

All you've done is for today, right?

I just presented

a great opportunity to your brother.

You should be thanking me.

For that injustice from over 20 years ago,

it is time to put an end to it.

After all, your brother is a descendant of the Xie family, isn't he?

Guards!

Take her away.

-Yes. -Yes.

[Post House, Guazhou]

By order of the Heir's Consort,

Your Highness must not strain your eyes anymore.

You think you run the place,

now that someone's backing you up?

I'm just following orders.

If Your Highness is angry,

take it out on Her Highness.

It's noticeable in this inspection of the capital's defense

that the Imperial Guard's combat power has improved.

The reform has proven effective,

and removed the potential risks of the Northern Expedition.

Why are you still worried, Your Highness?

I don't like war,

but peace can't be restored without it.

Whether a nation prospers or falls,

it is always the people who suffer.

From now on, you are no longer registered as a slave,

but the manager of the Miraculous Craft.

I'm leaving you to handle everything

I have in Jiankang.

Ever since Cang'er's passing,

I've been considering your placement.

Good thing you didn't fall in love with Qing Long.

Otherwise, I would be worried

if I had to marry you to a man who could

get on the battlefield anytime.

There's no way I'd be into him.

But I can see he clings to you all the time.

He's not clinging to me.

He's clearly trying to spend

more time with Yan Yue through me.

Then what about you?

I also love being around with Yan Yue, of course.

In my heart,

Your Highness

is the most important.

I wish to stick with you, My Lady.

You silly girl.

I just entrusted you

with my biggest fallback.

You're highly talented in business and accounting.

Both warfare

and weapon manufacturing

cost a great deal of money.

If I am short of money in the future

and write to you for help,

you must not pretend not to see it.

I swear, My Lady,

to manage the Miraculous Craft well

and make more money for you.

Master, are you sure about sending all these books

to the Imperial Academy?

You've gone to

great lengths to collect them all your life.

Now that I'm letting things go,

I might as well do it all the way.

Master, do you really think

His Highness chose the correct path?

Jiayu...

Yaoyao said something right.

Each generation has its own path to walk.

Now, Yizhi is sure to ascend the throne.

Although the path he will take

may not be correct,

sticking to old patterns is surely wrong.

As for us...

As for us old folks,

it's time we made way for them.

Grand Tutor!

Can you really bear to leave Jiankang?

Prince Jing'an?

Are you really going to

let me and my family off the hook so easily?

What do you mean?

I wrote

this confession to Empress Wenxi myself.

Grand Tutor, don't you want to know

who orchestrated

that injustice

from years ago?

Aren't you...

Master!

Someone come here!

Is anyone there?

How odd. Why is no one around?

Mother!

Ruisheng!

Father!

Did Father go out for drinks and gambling again?

Prince Qi invites Your Highness

to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

[Grand Tutor's Mansion]

Yaoyao.

Please don't cry when you see the Grand Tutor later.

Though he had selfish motives before,

he did spend 18 years raising you.

Death wipes away all wrongs.

So don't hate him anymore.

♪ A dying memory glimmers low ♪

♪ You appear, but I can't hold you so ♪

♪ Time itself comes to a sudden halt ♪

♪ So desolate ♪

I made this black jade thumb ring

on my own specifically

as a birthday gift to you, Father.

♪ I traded obsession for this loss ♪

What do you think?

Is it pretty?

♪ If I could lay my heart bare and cross ♪

Yes.

So pretty.

♪ Would you once more have pity on me ♪

I'll keep it on all the time,

and think of my dearest Yaoyao all the time.

♪ If the heavens should change and fate tear me apart ♪

Great.

♪ Yet still cannot undo one beat of my heart's art ♪

♪ I've traveled so far— the day I find you again ♪

♪ I fear you might have forgotten me ♪

♪ I fear no doom of endless karmic pain ♪

♪ Only that you drift far from my side ♪

♪ Apart from you, the world is an endless night ♪

Father...

♪ Even if my beating heart wears thin and fades ♪

♪ I'd choose this fate till death's final line ♪

♪ I only hope the mortal lands ♪

♪ Can grant our wishes ♪

♪ Through endless night, let heaven and earth fall apart ♪

Father!

♪ I'd bid farewell to every worldly part ♪

The chapter of Jade Algae in the Book of Rites says:

♪ Just to gaze upon you one last time ♪

"Keep the voice calm, the head upright, and the bearing dignified."

Do you remember what it means?

A person of virtue should

behave and speak with composure,

holding his or her head high when walking and sitting.

Father,

sorry for losing my manners just now.

If you were not my daughter,

you could have

led a freer life.

Father...

How did this happen?

What exactly was going on?

Wasn't he preparing to retire

and return to his hometown?

Who on earth did this?

It was Xiao Ju.

What?

That's impossible.

The Commandant of Justice and the common people witnessed it.

Xiao Ju

was caught on the spot.

Your Highness!

Say what happened.

Yes, Your Highness.

Heir's Consort,

today, I heard someone causing trouble in the Grand Tutor's Mansion,

so I came.

Then I ran right into Prince Jing'an committing a murder here.

Who are you?

Prince Jing'an?

He slashed at everyone he saw as he moved.

All the people on this very street can testify

that the assailant was exactly Prince Jing'an, Xiao Ju.

Suddenly, a cart dashed in

and knocked the fleeing Prince Jing'an down.

Only then was he captured.

All of this seems unreasonable.

If Prince Jing'an wanted revenge

for knowing my father

had conspired with Liu Zhaolin,

he wouldn't have chosen to do it in broad daylight,

gone out to the street instead of small alleys

upon being discovered, or slashed at others.

Wasn't it practically finding witnesses for himself?

I was also confused,

till I found this in the Grand Tutor's arms.

This is...

a confession letter Prince Jing'an wrote to Empress Wenxi years ago.

This confession letter

is dated the 12th year of the Zhaoning reign,

exactly on the eve of the Capital's fall.

Back then, Prince Jing'an was well aware

that the An and Lu families were falsely accused,

yet he still brought these 200-odd people onto the execution ground.

So, when Prince Jing'an learned

that this letter was in the Grand Tutor's hands,

he killed the latter to silence him.

This makes perfect sense.

It's not right.

My father figured out long ago that the An and Lu families were wronged.

If he had known about this letter,

he wouldn't have kept silent for so long.

When the Capital fell,

if this letter wasn't ruined at war,

then it must've gone to Northern Qin...

Right.

It's Northern Qin.

Commandant,

did you see Prince Jing'an speak at that time?

No, he didn't.

That explains it.

One's accent gives away one's identity.

Mao, do you remember Cui Jun?

He used the secret disguise technique of Northern Qin.

This is all a conspiracy by Northern Qin.

Your Highness...

Who had the audacity to tie me up?

Untie me now!

Prince Jing'an,

what do you have to say?

I...

was on my way home after gambling

when someone attacked me.

Then I woke up and found myself here

without knowing anything.

Your Highness,

Anfeng Restaurant,

Laowang Temple,

Su's Rouge Shop, and four other

spy outposts of Northern Qin

have all been investigated.

The Northern Qin spies are working as normal,

showing no suspicious activity.

Neither has anyone withdrawn.

If this was really the work of Northern Qin spies,

logically speaking, whether it was a success or a failure,

they would've withdrawn instantly.

But they didn't leave.

They must have no knowledge of this, since they wouldn't

just wait to be rounded up all at once, right?

Prince Jing'an,

you said someone attacked you.

Was there a witness?

Probably...

no.

When I go gambling,

I always do it behind my wife's back.

But Jiayu knows it.

Is the content of this confession letter true?

Back then, in order to...

suppress the noble families,

I...

didn't reveal the truth, indeed.

Given that justice has been restored for the An and Lu families...

Guards!

-Yes! -Yes!

Detain everyone in Prince Jing'an's Mansion,

and have Xiao Yao arrested and brought back from Yingzhou immediately.

Strip him of his post there as well.

Yes.

Your Highness...

The detention will be in secret.

Your Highness, this...

This...

Xiao Wuyi hasn't returned from the inspection tour yet.

All that has happened here must be kept secret

from him, in case he flees.

Escort the Heir's Consort into the palace.

Take her away!

Shouldn't you say something?

What should I say?

Mock me, scold me, throw

a tantrum or threaten me.

Anything is fine.

Just do what you used to.

Time passes like a flowing river.

How can you expect things to remain the same?

Did I turn you into this?

You knew my father's death was suspicious in many ways,

and that Prince Jing'an was framed by Northern Qin.

But you still seized on it to stir up more trouble.

How I wish you were angry

partly because of me.

I thought after the spring examination,

you and Xiao Wuyi had reconciled.

But I'm also afraid you'd only remember the bad things about me.

You believe Xiao Wuyi has never coveted power,

and you've obtained the Phoenix Heart Token.

He can't prove he is Crown Prince Wenxi by any means.

Besides...

he can't live for much longer anyway.

Don't you resent him for dragging you down

as his days are numbered?

No one can drag me down.

I willingly chose to stick with him.

Then if he leaves you forever,

what will you do?

As long as he has never let me down,

even if he is gone forever,

I'll still feel like he's around.

I'll carry on his legacy

and live my life well.

Does it mean you left me back then

because I somehow let you down?

I just couldn't understand you,

like now—

I still can't tell

when you are acting

and when you are being genuine.

Maybe

you really are suited to be an emperor.

Unpredictable.

Calculated like a sovereign.

How very fearful.

Officers,

I'm terribly sorry.

I'll go right away.

Are you alright?

You keep me in chains yet protect me.

Mao,

you're such a contradiction.

I remember you're allergic to peaches.

Never did I imagine that one day,

I'd have no choice but to attack you.

Freeze!

As you said,

Prince Qi knew that Northern Qin

plotted to turn a ruler against his ministers,

yet he still capitalized on it to seize

Prince Jing'an's military power.

So he just faked his previous alliance with Wuyi...

Right now, I have no idea

if he's being genuine or pretending.

The priority

is to have Xiao Wuyi found

and warned not to come back to Jiankang

so he won't fall into this trap.

You're right.

A man is judged by his actions, not his thoughts,

let alone a sovereign.

I'm afraid only I can

speak up for the Xiao family now.

I'll submit a memorial tomorrow.

Don't, Yuanji.

Or you'll irritate Prince Qi.

An official must be loyal,

but not blindly loyal.

If there are so many doubts about this case,

then it is my duty to submit a memorial on it.

You stay here for the night.

Keep up!

Da is leading some Imperial Guards to look for you.

They are almost here!

Yuanji, lend me the seal of the Household Department.

No problem.

She ran away,

after robbing me of the Household Department seal.

Leave town tonight,

and rush to the post house.

Make sure you tell the Heir about the incident in Jiankang

before Prince Qi's people arrive.

Got it.

However, now, there must be ambushes

all around the city walls.

This time, leaving town

will get you in grave danger.

I alone might not be able

to fight off many soldiers,

but I can definitely outrun them.

There won't be anyone left for you to use here

once I am out of the city.

As for your safety...

Don't worry.

Who's there?

I'll protect the Heir's Consort.

You're also a royal Shadow Envoy?

Not just me.

In Jiankang,

there are many others like me,

who were ordered

years ago to protect Crown Prince Wenxi.

But Crown Prince Wenxi has never called on us.

He only hopes that we live our lives well.

Ye Xing?

Your Highness!

Prince Jing'an killed Xie Huaigui and was caught

by the Commandant of Justice on the spot!

While being pursued,

Prince Jing'an even severely injured the Commandant.

Prince Qi has ordered

everyone in the mansion to be detained!

What about the Heir's Consort?

He Yuan,

you are not an imperial censor.

It is not your duty to remonstrate.

Has Your Highness forgotten about the Northern Expedition?

How insolent!

Do not forget whose salary you take.

I am completely loyal, and I admonish

for the good of the country.

The Xiao family has been in charge of Beifu for years,

with a distinguished military record and a credit to the nation.

I hope Your Highness will investigate the Grand Tutor's death thoroughly,

and not be instigated by Northern Qin

to sow discord between Your Highness and the Beifu Army,

thus jeopardizing the Northern Expedition.

Such clever yet fallacious remarks

have added to your offense.

Strike him 30 times with a cane

right here in the court.

Yes.

Attendants!

Years ago, when the Capital fell,

countless Ye people were reduced

to slaves of Northern Qin,

living a life worse than that of an animal.

War has never ceased for 20-odd years.

Now, I have arrested Prince Jing'an

not because of the Grand Tutor's death,

but the purpose of sacrificing a sinful minister's head

to the upcoming Northern Expedition.

I no longer care if you lot

suspect my identity,

because what I need to do

is let my determination be seen by all in the world.

Your Highness, a secret report from the Brocade Guard.

Announce it.

Read it out aloud before the top scholar of the spring exam.

Yes.

Beacon fires were lit and an urgent message came from afar:

A Black Cavalry squad of the Beifu Army

is traveling day and night,

heading straight for Jiankang.

They are moving so fast

that they are now less than 20 li from Xuan River.

The squad is about to cross the river,

so prepare defenses now.

Let there be no oversight.

Did you hear that?

Xiao Wuyi has deployed a troop back.

Since the Beifu Reform began,

unless ordered by the imperial government,

local garrison troops cannot leave their stations.

This is a military rule set by Xiao Wuyi himself,

yet he broke it.

Do you still want to plead for him?

Take this secret report

and have a good look at it yourself!

-I want to get out of here! -There, there.

-Don't cry. -I want to get out!

I want to get out of this place!

Mom, I want to get out of here!

Don't be afraid. Eat it.

Any findings?

Ye Xing just sent over a message.

The Black Cavalry troop can't be reached after crossing Xuan River.

The Heir's journey back to the Capital must be dangerous.

If success can't be guaranteed,

maybe we should

head back to the Northern Border.

Back to the Northern Border?

Then what about Prince Jing'an

and Young Master Yao?

If you're afraid to die,

I'll risk my life.

You...

Your Highness.

They are coming for us.

Mom, I'm scared.

Don't be.

Where are they?

Still haven't

found Xie Jiayu?

General Da has led the Imperial Guard

to search the entire Jiankang,

but found no trace of the Heir's Consort.

As the Beifu Reform has progressed for two years,

the Imperial Guard has taken a brand new look,

with the ability to seal the city like a drum.

But Xie Jiayu still

managed to disappear under our noses.

This means Xie Jiayu, Xiao Wuyi,

and even some others

know a secret escape route

in Jiankang that I am unaware of!

It proves that I still don't

have complete control over Jiankang!

It already happens in a city.

What if it spreads to the whole country?

Xiao Wuyi is back in Jiankang now, isn't he?

Yes.

Have Jing Lan keep a close watch on Xiyue Restaurant

and the Miraculous Craft.

Yes.

Careful.

[Xiyue Restaurant]

Xi-Xiyue Restaurant...

Why is a part missing?

This is a Ghost Lamp.

It has a special meaning.

What kind of meaning?

Does it send warning signals or what?

Yes.

It does send warning signals.

Keep drinking!

Tonight, none of us can go home until we're drunk!

Let's drink!

Come on, let's go.

This...

Xiao Wuyi is cunning and sly.

Even if he's back,

he won't walk right into the trap by coming here.

[Court of Judicial Review]

So we're in the Court of Judicial Review now.

This is hardly an accomplishment.

Are Prince Jing'an, Princess Jing'an,

and Xiao Yao all in there?

Yaoyao,

it's time to go home.

You figured I'd come here.

I also figured you'd use Xiao Wuyi

to create a diversion.

What, aren't you afraid I'd catch him?

You wouldn't be able to.

Right.

I did fail to catch him.

He ended up running away.

Nonetheless,

I guessed you'd take this chance to come rescue his family out of prison.

Run!

Let's go, Madam Liu.

Xiao Wuyi, why did you come here?

I had to, or you can't escape.

Xiao Wuyi,

release His Highness!

Xiao Wuyi,

is this what you call

"being devoted to the country"?

Li Mao, you clearly went way out of line.

You were perfectly aware

that my father was murdered by Northern Qin,

yet you still seized on it

to take the power over the Beifu Army

and persecute Prince Jing'an's family.

How can you be so unreasonable?

Since when has Jiankang ever been a place

where being reasonable works?

The secret passage you just went through

and the martial masters hidden in the crowd—

are you keeping them

so you can reason with me in the future?

Xiao Wuyi,

tomorrow is the day of execution.

Even if you can escape death,

those three

family members of yours will not.

Li Mao,

I've been tolerant enough with you.

When we meet again,

I will show you no mercy.

Your Highness!

No need to go after him.

With Prince Jing'an and his other family in my hands,

he'll surely hurl himself into the net.