Original subtitles

This is poison.

I had someone test it.

It won't take effect until tomorrow.

It will be painless.

To die tomorrow?

What's the use

of keeping me alive

until tomorrow?

Xiao Wuyi has agreed to cooperate with me.

But now,

there's still one thing missing—

a pledge of allegiance.

So you want to use my life

to announce Xiao Wuyi's betrayal.

Lejun!

Have you lost your mind?

This is a deadly poison!

Wasn't it you who told me to drink it?

But

I could have found a way

to keep you alive.

Didn't it ever occur to you

to beg me just once?

But I no longer wish to live.

Mulian Yu.

What are you still pretending for?

Did you bring poison here today

just to hear me beg for mercy?

Three years.

You've been by my side for 3 years.

Three years of marriage between us—

all my indulgence toward you,

all the affection I showed you—

did none of it earn even a shred of your genuine affection?

No.

Our homelands are enemies.

All my blood relatives

were killed by you Northern Qin people.

Our families have been sworn enemies for generations.

How could there be any genuine affection between us?

Mulian Yu.

Can you promise me one thing?

If one day you win

and lead your army to attack Jiankang,

can you please

spare my brother's life?

He's the only family

I have left in this world.

Ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

If Heaven favors me

and that day truly comes.

I'll kill him with my own hands.

That way, you two can be reunited sooner,

and it won't have been in vain that you submitted yourself to the enemy,

exhausting your wits

and plotting your entire life for his sake.

Mulian Yu!

I'm sorry.

Sorry that

I've schemed against you once again.

If there is a next life,

may we meet again with different identities.

[Key to the Phoenix Heart]

[Episode 27]

Xiao Wuyi!

If you truly have faith in him,

please allow him

to stand before you as a true rival.

Lejun.

Lejun!

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

Lejun!

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

Lejun.

Mao.

I came too late.

You finally came to pick me up.

♪ The shape of time begins to fade ♪

Lejun.

I... I want to go home.

♪ Half by choice, half washed away ♪

Lejun... Lejun...

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

Go...

♪ 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 ♪

Lejun!

♪ Every soul is bound by cause and fate ♪

Xiao Wuyi!

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

Mao, I'm so tired.

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

The Eagle King has treated me very well.

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

He knew all along that I was a spy,

yet he still sincerely wanted to give me a peaceful life for the years I had left.

But I could never give him my genuine affection.

With the deep-seated hatred between our Prince Qi's household and him,

I could neither love him nor hate him.

Once our two nations go to war,

it's bound to be a fight where one side must die.

Today, I'm returning those 3 stolen years

to Jiayu all at once.

With my death,

Xiao Wuyi should be able to gain

the trust of Northern Qin.

Perhaps this can finally atone

for the sins I committed at Lingfeng Fort.

Please allow me to use this life of mine

to finally usher in the beginning of

your imperial legacy, Mao.

Mao.

Forgive me.

I want to rest now.

Retreat!

What if I don't want to be the wife of the infamous Demon Xiao,

but the wife of a hero?

I want you to live a long life,

to live in peace,

to leave behind an honorable name,

and to be remembered by all.

You are making things difficult for me.

That's right.

I insist on doing so.

Will you listen to me?

♪ A dying memory glimmers low ♪

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

On the day of the competition,

♪ Time itself comes to a sudden halt ♪

I took a liking to you.

My desire to marry you comes from my heart.

♪ So desolate ♪

It was never an act.

It's no coincidence.

♪ I traded obsession for this loss ♪

I came here specifically to find you.

♪ If I could lay my heart bare and cross ♪

With such a beauty throwing herself into my arms,

how could I possibly refuse?

♪ Would you once more have pity on 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 ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ I just want to see you one more time ♪

I've brought your two guards

back to you.

Aren't you worried I'll run away?

Yesterday,

in front of the two armies,

you killed Li Lejun in front of everyone,

proving your determination.

With this pledge of loyalty,

what more could I possibly worry about?

What?

You want to kill me?

Xiao Wuyi.

You've actually chosen to side with the Northern Qin bandits.

Are you still worthy of the title of Crown Prince Wenxi?

How can you face the brothers of the Beifu Army?

I, Xiao Wuyi, have never feared what others say.

If I hadn't done this,

would you

and those people of Southern Ye trapped in that sheep pen

still have a chance to survive?

Li Mao slaughtered my entire family

and seized control of the Beifu Army from me.

Now, driven by greed for glory, he's rushing headlong into danger,

poised to send our Beifu soldiers

straight under the blades and axes of the Northern Qin Army.

When that happens, forget about the Northern Expedition—

even the entire Northern Border will fall.

Soon enough, you'll find out

who's right and who's wrong.

My deal with the Eagle King

is nothing more than a way to reclaim

what originally belonged to me.

Whether to stay... Or to leave,

it's up to you.

My parents were both killed by the people of Northern Qin.

I swear I'll never ally myself with these bandits in this lifetime.

Xiao Wuyi,

you're not worthy of the title of Crown Prince Wenxi.

Please forgive us, Your Highness.

Whether they live or die,

Young Lord Xiao, it's your call.

They're just 2 stray dogs.

Let them get lost.

Don't look back.

The more isolated His Highness is,

the more the Eagle King will trust him.

Lejun wanted to completely sever

the bond between you and Xiao Wuyi.

Just like how it was back then

with my mother's death.

No matter how many reasons I came up with,

or how many excuses I made for Lejun

in my heart,

the friendship between us

still came to an abrupt end.

Because

that was my dearest mother.

She always hoped

I could become a true emperor,

free from anyone's constraints.

She was worried I'd become too dependent on Xiao Wuyi,

and that

I'd let my guard down because of you.

Through this deadly gambit,

she fulfilled the plan Wuyi and I had devised,

yet she also severed all ties

between us once and for all.

"Five days from now, when the north wind rises,

meet at Dingfeng Slope."

This was found on the sole of Li Lejun's shoe.

It seems the day for the decisive battle

has finally come.

The new caltrop fireball is ready.

It's completely different from the previous version.

I'll take you to see it.

I'll go make the record.

Okay.

This is called "stone fat,"

also known as "weishui."

Stone fat oil deposits are different from lard or tallow.

They form alongside mineral deposits.

They are flammable but inedible,

and even water cannot extinguish them.

They can stretch for thousands of miles

and burn without end.

Even water can't extinguish them?

Then with this substance,

we'll surely be invincible.

I once promised Wuyi

that I'd create the caltrop fireball before the Northern Expedition.

Though he's not here today and cannot see it,

I haven't failed in my mission.

I have to go now.

But don't worry.

Cui Shao'an is overseeing the production of the caltrop fireball.

Are you going to find Wuyi?

This battle could result in a great victory

for the Beifu Army,

for Ye, and for you.

But for Xiao Wuyi,

defeat is certain.

He had already resolved to die,

and now, the two-month deadline is nearly up,

and the miraculous doctor's medicine won't last much longer.

I won't let him die.

I'm going to find him.

I'll definitely bring him back alive.

The loyalty to stand through life and death together—

that's the Xie Jiayu I know.

Go on.

You're not stopping me?

I tried.

But I couldn't.

Take care.

You take care too.

Do you really have to go to the Northern Border?

I built the Beifu Army all by myself,

and they once answered only to my command.

Three years have passed since the reforms. The military system may have changed,

but the loyalty of the soldiers has not.

Yizhi.

The tragedy of the An and Lu families must never happen again.

The army's loyalty should not lie with one man,

but with the people.

No matter who becomes the commander of

the Beifu Army,

and even without me, Xiao Wuyi,

the Beifu Army must know

that they are fighting for Ye.

So you don't plan to come back?

Will we ever see each other again?

I hope that, in the final days of my life,

I can pave the way for the Northern Expedition.

Was this your plan from the very beginning?

What about Xie Jiayu then?

Tell Xiao Wuyi that,

as he wished,

the next time we meet, it will be as emperor and subject.

Got it, Mao.

Goodbye, Yaoyao.

Your Highness Prince Qi,

I hereby take my leave.

Goodbye,

Xie Jiayu.

♪ A dying memory glimmers low ♪

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

♪ Time itself comes to a sudden halt ♪

Bring all the military reports and memorials here.

♪ So desolate ♪

♪ I traded obsession for this loss ♪

♪ If I could lay my heart bare and cross ♪

♪ Would you once more have pity on me ♪

I won't get married.

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

I just want to stay by your side, Mao.

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

I have the best older brother in the entire world.

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

Mao.

♪ I fear you might have forgotten me ♪

I will protect you, no matter what.

♪ I fear no doom of endless karmic pain ♪

♪ Only that you drift far from my side ♪

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

♪ I'd bid farewell to every worldly part ♪

♪ Just to gaze upon you one last time ♪

We've just received a battle report.

Last night, scouts detected a sudden fire

breaking out at the Beifu Army Camp.

Li Mao's army immediately broke camp

and marched westward, bypassing the Jing River.

He's going to Dingfeng Slope.

Dingfeng Slope?

Li Mao must be heading there,

because Dingfeng Slope holds a secret that has never been revealed to outsiders.

What secret?

To the south of Dingfeng Slope

are 2 iron mines marked by the Phoenix Heart Tokens.

If he holds Dingfeng Slope

and establishes a Directorate of Military Equipment there,

using it as a base

to train troops, forge weapons,

store grain, and raise livestock,

not only will the capture of the Capital be just a matter of time,

but he'll also no longer have to rely on the aristocratic clans for supplies.

Your Highness.

There's a woman outside

claiming to be Xiao Wuyi's consort.

Let me go.

I just told you,

I am Xiao Wuyi's consort.

If you don't believe me,

just call him out and ask him yourself.

Xiao Wuyi, I'm here!

Xiao Wuyi...

Look at him.

Just let me go.

You... Tell him to let me go.

Xiao Wuyi.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to share life and death with you.

Xiao Wuyi.

I had to set the Beifu Army Camp

on fire just to escape.

And this is how you greet me?

All those days I spent crying for you were for nothing then.

Xie Jiayu, long time no see.

It seems you are truly devoted

to Young Lord Xiao.

Let her in.

Yes!

The food is ready. Please enjoy.

Xiao Wuyi...

Now that you've escaped Li Mao's control,

you could go anywhere you wish.

Why come running here and throw yourself into danger?

Are you crazy?

Don't you know

that once you enter this place,

leaving will be nearly impossible?

How many times do I have to tell you?

I'm here to share life and death with you.

Understood?

But

if you're bothered by the fact that Li Mao forced me to marry him,

then I'll leave right now.

What nonsense are you talking about?

Then why haven't you smiled at me even once?

I've already resolved to die.

My reputation out there is in tatters.

Why should I drag you down

to suffer alongside me?

Didn't we promise each other long ago that

whether you achieve glory and fame

or are reviled by the masses,

I will always be by your side?

I, Xie Jiayu, stand by my word.

Xiao Wuyi.

As husband and wife, our fates are bound together.

All I want is for you to live.

Even if everyone abandons me,

as long as you're by my side,

I, Xiao Wuyi, won't have lived this life in vain.

Once I've wiped out Li Mao's army,

I'll come find you.

The weapon I promised you—

I've successfully made it.

Your Highness.

Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu

have been doing nothing but

eating and drinking all day.

What do you make of this, Imperial Envoy

Do you think Young Lord Xiao's consort

really just came here

to share life and death with Xiao Wuyi?

I've heard a saying among common folk,

"Husband and wife are like birds of a feather.

But when disaster strikes, they fly their separate ways."

Your Highness surely doesn't really believe

there's anyone in this world who'd die for love, do you?

I certainly don't believe it.

But that Xie Jiayu is truly different.

Back in Jiankang,

Xiao Wuyi was deeply in love with her,

yet she was childhood sweethearts with Li Mao.

Between Xiao Wuyi and Li Mao,

Li Lejun's death was merely the last straw.

The one who truly drove those two apart

was Xie Jiayu.

Since Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu

share such a deep bond,

doesn't that mean we've got

even more leverage against Xiao Wuyi now?

His Majesty means...

This is a rare opportunity.

Very well. As His Majesty commands,

even if the mines at Dingfeng Slope

turn out to be a colossal trap,

we shall still brave it.

Beat the drums and muster the troops!

Understood!

Your Highness, please don't go any further.

Got it.

You all head back first.

What?

Are Heir's words no longer enough to command you?

His Highness said

that Heir's an important guest here,

yet you keep watching us every day.

Do you intend to eavesdrop on our private affairs as well?

Step back.

The Eagle King probably thought

you came here to gather information.

Who would have thought

you really came to join me in death?

So, are you saying

I shouldn't have come?

I didn't mean that.

Tell me the truth—

were you happy to see me?

I was.

I was so happy.

Then do you know how upset I was

when I saw your letter?

Xiao Wuyi, if you ever do something like this again,

I will absolutely not forgive you.

Or

you can just go live with Li Mao.

No, that's not right either. Li Mao said

the next time you met,

as you wished,

it'd be as emperor and subject.

The coroner has done the autopsy.

Before Lejun died,

she had already taken poison.

You never meant to shoot that arrow.

Even if Li Lejun had taken poison

and was destined to die,

Lejun was still his sister.

In the end, what that arrow

shot through was the youthful friendship

between Xiao Wuyi and Li Mao.

Then on the battlefield,

you two...

No matter how my relationship with Yizhi

changes,

when it comes to Southern Ye

and the affairs of the court,

we'll always share the same aspirations.

This is something he'll never change.

Now that so many people have sacrificed,

no matter how hard the road ahead is,

we must persevere and keep moving forward.

Did Lejun

leave any final words?

If you ever have the chance,

please deliver this message to Jiayu for me:

I have never done anything

in my life that I regret.

Be it resentment or hatred,

I've accepted it all willingly.

As I reach the end of my journey,

my only regret is

that I won't be able to

view the beautiful landscapes of Ye with her.

Why are you sighing?

Nothing.

I just hope when we return to Jiankang,

we'll still make it in time for the Thousand Lantern Festival.

The journey of life is like sailing on a boat.

The passengers come and go,

and some people

are destined to accompany you only for a part of the journey.

When their time comes, they will leave.

We must learn to let go.

That may be true,

but I don't want to hear

any words of ill omen.

Not today,

not tomorrow.

Xiao Wuyi, hold out your hand.

What is this?

This is a life-saving pill

I begged the miraculous doctor to make.

Keep it safe.

Why are there so many people?

Your Highness.

What's this supposed to mean?

Throughout history,

whenever generals went off to war,

their family members were often held as hostages.

Li Lejun took this poison as well.

As long as we win,

Young Lord Xiao, your consort and the people of Southern Ye

will surely be safe and sound.

Your Highness, this place is surrounded by mountains on all sides,

with only a small road leading out to the northeast.

If the Beifu Army are to block this road,

we'll be trapped here with no escape.

Although this map is authentic,

I fear Young Lord Xiao may have ulterior motives.

Pass my order:

Act as usual.

Lure the enemy in!

Roger that!

It seems Your Highness has never trusted me.

Was my acting really that bad?

Your acting was excellent, Young Lord Xiao.

It's just a pity I don't care for plays.

If you told me you were plotting a rebellion, I'd believe it.

But that you'd defect to Northern Qin?

No matter how well your acting was,

I'd never believe it.

My men have all arrived.

Today is the day

that Beifu meets its end!

They are all still alive?

Even if the Xiao family were to die,

they'd only die on the battlefield.

How could they possibly die because of your schemes and treachery?

So it was all fake from the very beginning?

Warriors of Beifu!

Charge!

Kill!

Wuyi, catch this!

Move, move. Faster.

Faster!

Move.

Hurry up!

Hurry!

Move faster!

Come on!

Faster!

What are you dawdling for?

Promise me

you'll take good care of yourself

and wait for me to come back.

Xiao Wuyi.

You liar!

Move, move.

Faster!

Move faster!

Move.

Grandma!

What are you doing?

Hurry up.

What are you doing?

Stop hitting him!

Get up!

My kid...

What are you looking at? Get to work!

Killing is for the sake of saving lives.

Xie Jiayu.

You're not left with nothing.

The Northern Qin people see us Ye people as nothing more than pigs and sheep

to be slaughtered. Rather than waiting here to die

and be slaughtered,

why not take up your weapons

and fight them?

They are no different from us.

They are also made of flesh and blood.

They too will die and feel fear.

Don't you

want to go home?

We all will die sooner or later.

At worst, we die together!

No one is born a coward.

It's just when they become accustomed to bowing their heads,

courage and determination

must be shown to them by someone—

with their life and blood.

You came just in time.

Let's get this over with quickly

and go save Xiao Wuyi.

He's about to take the Eagle King down with him.

Father.

Xiao Wuyi, you've lost.

Today, Dingfeng Slope

will be the graveyard for both you and the Beifu Army!

Who wins and who loses,

who lives and who dies—

it still remains to be seen.

His Majesty's army has arrived!

Defend!

Retreat!

Attack!

Attack!

Attack!

Attack!

Eagle King.

How could you run away?

This battle has just begun.

So you threw yourself into this

not for me,

but for...

Think about it. Prince Qi wouldn't let me take all the military credit.

Then would your young emperor

spare a powerful minister like you?

Now that we've both suffered heavy losses,

he wants to reap the spoils.

But little does he know

that he's the real prey in this game.

Load!

Prime!

Fire!

So this is the true main force of the Beifu Army.

The Beifu Army

has burned and cut off all the escape routes from Dingfeng Slope!

Xiao Wuyi saw that I was at odds with His Majesty,

so he deliberately put himself into this fray,

all to lure His Majesty into taking action so he could wipe out the main force

of our Northern Qin Army here at Dingfeng Slope.

He and his father

never intended to return alive.

Even if I die today,

I'll personally finish you off!

Yao!

Father!

Father...

Father...

Father!

-Father! -Yao, let's go!

I won't leave.

Don't look back.

Go!

Father!

Wuyi, I can agree to your plan,

but you need to agree to one condition:

you must stay alive.

Those with ambition cling to life;

those who die for their cause seek death.

Xiao Wuyi, cling to life for me from now on,

will you?

I'm sorry, Yaoyao.

Fire!

Xiao Wuyi!

You lunatic!

As Crown Prince Wenxi,

do you really have no regard for your own life?

Someone like you

will never understand what I've been fighting for in this life.