Original subtitles

Do you recognize

what this is?

Changqing!

Guards,

- Prince Xin is unwell. - Changqing!

- Escort him back to his palace. - Your Highness!

Calm down.

- Restrain him! - Tell me now!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

Changqing!

Who are you?

- Your Highness! - Changqing!

Who are you?

Changqing!

Tell me, who are you?

=Blossoms of Power=

(Adapted from the novel, After My Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang)

=Episode 10=

Your Majesty,

I was shocked to realize

that Commandery Princess Zhaoning and my late wife

share many similarities.

Changqing, watch your words.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning is exceptionally intelligent.

What's difficult about making incense?

Are you suggesting that in the entire world,

only your wife was an incense master?

Ladies from noble families conduct themselves with grace.

Tapping one's fingers while in thought

is just a common mannerism among young women.

It's hardly unique to your wife.

As for the talk of two moons in the sky and the star gate opening,

even the Observatory Official can't explain the reason behind it.

For you to use

such a mystical and unprovable event as evidence

is far too forced.

Changqing,

your wife

passed away three years ago.

Could it be

that in your deep longing for your wife,

your mind has become unsettled?

I would like to ask the Commandery Princess

to clear my doubts herself.

You have long resided in northwest.

How did you know about that secret mountain path?

Your Majesty.

It seems at this point,

I can no longer hide it.

I admit

that Prince Xin's Consort and I

were close friends who had never met.

What?

Close friends?

Allow me to explain, Your Majesty.

The year I came of age,

my brother, Shen Yun'an, was ordered to the capital.

Seeing how much I missed my brother,

my father gave me a carrier pigeon

so I could correspond with him.

Unexpectedly, the pigeon was injured

and fell into the home of a young lady in the imperial capital.

After she nursed the pigeon back to health,

she had it send a message back to me.

I wrote back to thank her.

Through this exchange,

we became close friends who communicated only by letter.

That young lady

was Prince Xin's Consort.

Indeed.

Impossible.

I've never heard of this.

Qingzhi told me stories of the imperial capital,

and I told her about life in northwest.

We both had a passion for blending incense.

The secret mountain path and the method for making Jati flower incense

were things Qingzhi told me about in her letters.

After she married into Prince Xin's Manor,

our correspondence gradually lessened.

It was only later that I learned

of her unfortunate passing.

I was deeply grieved.

Changqing, do you have anything else to say?

Zhaoning,

this has all been a misunderstanding.

Please don't take it to heart.

Prince Xin did not harm me.

I am willing to let the matter rest.

Now that everything has been cleared up today,

I hope Prince Xin

will abandon that incredible delusion

and stop chasing shadows.

Do you know

that even if the person hidden deep in your heart

changes their appearance,

they will eventually be recognized?

Your deep love for your wife

is admirable.

But if this longing has turned into an illness,

perhaps it would be better to live in seclusion

to recuperate and cultivate your mind.

so as not to disturb others again.

Changqing,

if there is any more

improper conduct,

I...

will surely punish you severely.

Please forgive me, Commandery Princess.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

There is one thing I don't understand.

I'd like to ask you about it.

What is it?

Qingzhi had a proud and aloof nature.

She rarely socialized with anyone.

Why was it that she was only close to you?

I don't want to say.

Fine.

Then I won't ask again.

Let's go to my temporary palace.

I had Tian Yuan prepare some wild game dishes.

Please have a taste.

You're not going to ask anymore?

If you don't wish to say,

then I have no right to pry.

Everyone has their own secrets.

We aren't even engaged yet.

Even if we were,

I couldn't interfere in your private affairs.

And I certainly have no right to question you.

Your way of thinking

is quite different from other men in the world.

A marriage contract

gives a husband

the privilege of helping his wife with her troubles,

not the right to interfere with her thoughts.

Whether it's an engagement

or a future marriage,

it should not become a restraint on a lady.

After you.

Xihe, how are you?

Are you hurt? I've been searching for you all night with my guards.

I'm fine.

Completely unharmed.

I was the one who took you horseback riding.

And I failed to look after you.

If anything had really happened to you,

I would've regretted it for the rest of my life.

Young Master Bu,

don't listen to Her Highness making it sound so trivial.

You have no idea how dangerous it was.

It was all thanks to the Crown Prince's help.

The Crown Prince?

With how frail he is?

I don't believe it.

What's wrong with being frail?

Being strong and robust

is useless if one is unwilling to protect his wife.

Although Crown Prince is physically weak,

he risked his life to help Her Highness.

He is a true gentleman.

How is the search for the live bees I asked you to find?

You only care about requesting live bees to treat Crown Prince's eye ailment.

It seems

this marriage is settled.

Your Highness,

this matter of the star gate may sound mysterious,

but Prince Xin has always been cautious and prudent.

How could he lose his composure over such a legend?

Besides,

this concerns the Commandery Princess's true identity.

Since you intend

for her to be the Crown Princess of the East Palace,

shouldn't you

investigate this thoroughly?

When I first met her,

she was Shen Xihe.

Regardless of whether the star gate exists,

since my heart belongs to her,

if she doesn't want to talk about it,

I will not pry.

Think carefully again.

Did your elder sister and Commandery Princess Zhaoning

have any sort of friendship?

Brother-in-law,

my sister never treated me,

the daughter of a concubine,

as a real sister.

She always ignored me.

I know very little about her.

Are you sure you never saw

her receive letters from northwest?

I never saw any.

How could you mistake Commandery Princess for Gu Qingzhi?

How insolent.

Do not address your fifth sister-in-law by her given name.

I know.

You're trying to find out if your wife and Commandery Princess

really corresponded by letter.

Do you really think Commandery Princess is your wife?

What?

Are you trying to stop me?

I have to stop you.

What are you going to do?

Then you'll have to kill me.

Have you gone mad?

I thought you were drowning in sorrow over your wife's death

and hadn't moved on.

But now it seems

you clearly want to lock yourself away

for the rest of your life!

I have lost my mind.

The woman I loved most has left me,

but everyone around me

is forcing me to act as if nothing happened.

They say,

"A man lost in love is useless for greater things."

They say,

"A great man need not worry about finding a wife."

"Just find another suitable woman."

But has anyone

ever understood my pain?

I know your pain.

But Commandery Princess is not your wife.

Your obsession is just an illusion.

I'm begging you, let yourself go.

Please?

I will never give up.

- It's Crown Prince. - Changqing.

Your Highness.

Greetings, Changqing,

Changying.

Why are you here, Your Highness?

This place is hidden in a bustling city,

a quiet and peaceful corner.

It's a perfect place to hide a mistress.

Secretly hiding the descendant of a convicted official.

Changqing, you truly are audacious.

Father has always held you in high regard.

Over the years,

you've learned a great deal about the art of ruling.

Coupled with your exceptional intelligence since childhood,

in the eyes of the court officials,

you are the candidate for Crown Prince that Father has groomed

for over a decade.

If Gu Qingshu were to be exposed,

tell me,

wouldn't the noble families and officials backing the other princes

all rise up and attack you?

What?

You want to get rid of me?

I don't want your life.

I just want you to stop

bothering Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

This is just a small request.

I hope you'll consider it seriously.

How could Crown Prince know about Gu Qingshu's existence?

I was careless.

However, through this,

I've seen his true colors.

It's not a total loss.

Are you saying

he's faking his illness?

I don't think he's faking it.

But he must have his own sources of intelligence in the court.

Our every move

is under his control.

I had considered that the Crown Prince

might be someone who hides his true abilities.

But I never expected that

while he was alone and away from the capital,

he could weave

such a large and intricate web.

Then, Changqing,

what do you plan to do?

The Crown Prince may be powerful enough to stir up storms,

but he cannot threaten

me, Xiao Changqing.

I switched out the descendant of a convicted official.

My crime is unforgivable.

I ask for your severe punishment, Father.

It's been so long.

You're only just now remembering to confess to me?

Shu...

has reached marriageable age.

If I were to keep her hidden for her entire life,

I'm afraid Qingzhi would resent me

for not taking good care of her sister.

Today, I've dared to bring her before you, Father.

For all my crimes,

I am willing to bear the consequences.

Changqing,

I know that you are grieving the loss of your beloved wife

and your heart is still heavy.

Since you dared to save Second Young Lady Gu,

it is my will

to bestow her upon you.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

- Father, - I...

Shu is my wife's younger sister.

I have always regarded her as my own sister.

Qingzhi passed away not long ago.

I am not yet willing to remarry or take a concubine.

Fine.

Then I won't force you.

Thank you, Father.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

(Prince Xin's Manor)

This is the second time you've saved my life.

I truly don't know

how to repay you.

It was His Majesty who pardoned you.

Besides,

I didn't do this for you,

nor do I need to be repaid.

No, Brother-in-law.

Since childhood, I have never been doted on by my elders.

After the Gu family's downfall,

it was under your protection

that I was lucky enough to survive.

If you wouldn't mind,

I am willing to serve you in my sister's place.

I look after you

because you are Qingzhi's only living relative.

There is no other reason.

Also,

you must remember this.

There is no one in this world

who can replace Qingzhi.

I'll have someone escort you back.

No one can replace her?

What about Commandery Princess Zhaoning?

(East Palace)

Your Highness, how are

your eyes feeling?

Although I still can't distinguish colors,

the stinging and dryness

have improved a lot.

Since we are now allies,

I won't be a stranger.

Thank you for your trouble.

♪If not for the chirping of a few insects♪

♪In the warm days, a gentle breeze blows open the blossoms on a tree♪

♪How else would I think of someone?♪

♪A faint taste of longing on my lips♪

♪Like a thousand twists and turns♪

♪Gone forever, yet I savor the memory again and again♪

I wonder if you've heard

that in the Imperial Study today,

Changqing met with His Majesty

and admitted that three years ago, in prison,

he secretly swapped out the descendant of a convicted official.

Who was it?

The second daughter of the Gu family,

Gu Qingshu.

Not only did Father not blame her,

but he even returned some of the Gu family's assets to her.

He also granted her the title of County Princess Liyang.

What are you thinking about?

I'm thinking

about how these ladies from prominent families

can fall from grace overnight,

reduced to dust,

and just as quickly,

they can be restored to glory.

If a lady doesn't take control of her own destiny,

she will be like a rootless duckweed.

Never mind the second Gu daughter.

Even the eldest,

Gu Qingzhi,

the paragon of ladies in the capital,

the foremost among noblewomen,

didn't want to marry Changqing,

but she had no choice.

In the end, she met a tragic fate.

But I think

Gu Qingzhi

never bowed to fate.

When her family was destroyed,

she still held her destiny

firmly in her own hands.

What do you mean by that?

With Gu Qingzhi's intelligence and resourcefulness,

if she had wanted to,

she could have found a thousand ways to avoid marrying into the royal family.

But a lady with upbringing and responsibility

etched into her very being

would not, for her own selfish reasons,

abandon the mission her family entrusted to her.

Marrying Changqing was an all-or-nothing gamble.

She knew long ago

that the struggle between noble families would inevitably lead to bloodshed.

So, as Prince Xin's Consort,

she guarded the Gu family and protected her clan.

Although the Gu family was ultimately defeated,

I believe

that Gu Qingzhi's heart was free of regret and guilt.

They were a family.

They supported each other.

working together.

She had no choice but to take responsibility.

She did everything she could.

And she used her own life to set a trap and avenge the Gu family.

Why are you looking at me like that?

It's nothing.

I'm just a little surprised.

This must be the Songyue Blade, which can slice through iron like mud.

Just the agate on it...

A single stone is worth a fortune.

I see you have good taste.

My best friend is celebrating a happy occasion.

So I'm hosting a drinking contest here.

Whoever can beat me,

this precious blade

will be theirs.

Young Master Bu,

I'll take you on.

Young Master Hu.

- Nice! - Awesome!

Please.

- Young Master Bu. - Young Master Hu.

Stop drinking.

Stop drinking.

Stop drinking. How much have they had?

- Jin Shan. - Yes.

Fill it up for me!

Young Master, maybe you shouldn't drink anymore.

Fill it up.

- Vice Minister Cui. - Vice Minister Cui.

Stone Cui.

Pour the liquor.

You two are evenly matched.

If you keep drinking,

I'm afraid you'll harm yourselves.

Why don't we call it a draw?

The blade will still belong to Young Master Bu.

Young Master Hu,

I'll give you a fine blade some other day.

All right, then.

Let's go.

I'll take you home.

Who are you to me?

What gives you the right to make decisions for me?

Jin Shan, bring the blade.

Yes.

Young Master Hu.

Quickly.

Go get a bowl of sobering soup.

Yes.

Jin Shan, pour the liquor.

Drink.

Drink him to death.

This is completely improper.

Vice Minister Cui.

You're very handsome.

Your words and actions are outrageous.

You're drunk out of your mind.

Where did he go?

He's gone...

(Clarity and Serenity)

Your Highness,

I asked Young Master Bu to find some live bees.

Physician Xie can use the stingers of wild bees

to stimulate your acupoints and treat your eye condition.

Thank you for your concern.

It's just a small matter.

To you,

it may be a small matter.

But to me,

it is precious.

Physician Xie, you may begin.

Could you

stay here with me?

All right.

I'll wait here.

Physician Xie said

these stings will heal in three to five days.

You just need to rest and recover.

Your Highness, it's time for your medicine.

There's nothing wrong with your hands.

Yet you insist on being served.

I'm...

too weak to take care of myself.

In half a month,

after my coming-of-age ceremony,

I will ask my father

to arrange our marriage. How about that?

We've already agreed.

This is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

It's best not to get too emotionally involved.

I don't want a future

where you expect all your efforts

to be reciprocated.

When you can't get what you want,

you'll grow resentful.

All right.

Then in the future,

no matter how I treat you,

I do it of my own free will.

You don't have to feel indebted to me.

With a response like that,

are you satisfied?

I am.

Your Highness, from what Commandery Princess said,

it seems she's willing to marry you.

But she was so blunt about her lack of feelings.

As long as she's willing to marry me, that's enough.

First, I'll secure the marriage.

Then, I'll win her heart.

If she isn't devoted to me,

it just means I haven't been good enough to her.

(Jade Terrace and Auspicious Dew)

Who is Bian Xianyi close with in the palace?

Is there any new information?

She doesn't like to draw attention to herself.

When she doesn't have to attend palace banquets,

she keeps to herself and rarely goes out.

Move!

I didn't mean to offend you.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

It's fine.

Don't worry about it.

Princess Pingling ordered me to...

Did the fall knock you senseless?

If you're still breathing,

then climb back up there and get it for me.

Mo Yu.

Shen Xihe.

You see me,

and you don't even come forward to greet me?

I heard that because of the cliff incident,

His Majesty punished you by making you copy the Heart Sutra 100 times.

It seems

that copying scriptures

has failed to improve your character.

You...

How dare you mock me?

I...

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Shen Xihe,

you're becoming more and more insolent!

I have no grudge against you.

Why did you deliberately cause me to fall off the cliff?

I only whipped your horse.

Who knew it would run toward a cliff?

What does that have to do with me?

So you did it, but you won't admit it.

Forget it.

I can't be bothered to argue with you.

But let me give you a word of warning.

If there's a next time,

it won't be as simple as just breaking your nose.

How dare you threaten Her Highness with such insubordination?

You failed to serve Her Highness well.

Her Highness doesn't have the heart to blame you,

so I taught you a lesson on her behalf.

I'm sure you won't blame me

for overstepping my bounds, right?

It's getting late.

We have plenty of time.

I will come

visit you again another day.

- Your Highness. - It hurts so much.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

What are you standing around for?

Go to the Imperial Medical Office!

Your Highness, are you just going to let her off the hook?

She's spoiled and arrogant.

All she knows is how to be condescending and provocative.

She's no threat.

However, the one who sent assassins after me

and threatened Bian Xianyi into poisoning me

is the real venomous snake hiding by my side.

We must investigate this thoroughly.

- Yes. - Yes.

(Cultivate Virtue and Practice Righteousness)

Your Highness,

this bronze sachet was found in Bian Xianyi's room.

There's still some incense residue on it.

First, take this item

to Commandery Princess's Residence.

Then, find out which types of incense are used in each palace.

Yes.

This fragrance is Three Balanced Elements Incense.

It's an incense made from borneol, musk powder,

and the finest agarwood.

The formula is exquisite and the ingredients are expensive.

Ordinary people wouldn't use it.

Palace maids and attendants

certainly couldn't afford this kind of incense.

Your Highness,

Crown Prince sent over this report on incense usage.

(Monthly Incense Usage Report)

This Three Balanced Elements Incense is only used in three places.

Princess Pingling's chambers,

the Empress Dowager's Buddhist prayer hall,

and Consort Liang's chambers.

I've noticed that silk sachets are more common in the palace.

Bronze incense holders are rarely used.

This pattern is unique to northwest.

Your Highness, look.

The flowers are so beautiful this year.

Greetings, Your Highness.

There's no need for such formalities.

I am a bit tired.

Please, feel free to stay.

Your Highness,

I have something I'd like to return to you.

Who says this belongs to me?

I don't recognize this item.

This was found in Bian Xianyi's room.

Your Highness,

do you wish to argue this before His Majesty?

I have so many sachets.

Who can be bothered to remember every single one?

That Bian Xianyi was a good dancer.

Perhaps I gifted it to her before.

Or maybe she stole it.

How would I remember?

But I must advise you.

It's best to watch what you say.

I am His Majesty's consort.

How dare you slander me with baseless accusations?

Tell Mo Yuan

to gather evidence of her crimes.

Present it all to His Majesty.

She has intentionally plotted murder.

She has several lives on her hands.

She cannot be spared.

Yes.

Your Highness, if Commandery Princess Zhaoning refuses to let this go,

what should we do?

What is there to fear?

I am the Emperor's consort.

No matter how arrogant she is,

she is merely the daughter of a subject.

What could she possibly do to me?

Yes.

Throw out all the sachets in my chambers.

Yes.

Go.

Your Highness.

I'll go get the imperial physician right away.

It's nothing.

The wound isn't deep.

Bai Fu is usually so gentle.

It's always been closest to you, Your Highness.

Why did it suddenly go wild?

An animal is just an animal.

Xiao Changyu.

Look at you, half-dead.

When will you ever avenge your uncle?

That useless Bian Xianyi.

She failed to poison Commandery Princess Zhaoning

and ended up poisoning herself to death.

Because of Shen Xihe,

your uncle, Ye Qi, was exiled a thousand miles away

and died in a land of pestilence.

Those wretches in the palace,

knowing I have no family to support me,

humiliate me as they please.

You must get rid of Shen Xihe for my sake.

Xianyi is gone.

My heart

is gone with her.

Nonsense.

You think Bian Xianyi was deeply in love with you?

The truth...

The truth is, she was using me all along.

She used me for protection,

to fend off her unwanted suitors.

In reality, she loved someone else.

I knew all of it.

You knew?

Then why did you still protect that wench?

How much longer will you let a dead person

haunt your heart?

If that sickly Crown Prince

marries Shen Xihe

and gains the support of northwest,

his position on the throne will be secured.

What chance will you have then?

Mother,

I have never wanted to fight for it.

I have disappointed you.

Useless.

Useless!

Physician Huang,

what's wrong with Her Highness?

It seems to be an external affliction from pathogenic wind.

Her Highness's qi and blood were already somewhat deficient.

I will first prescribe a formula to dispel wind and relieve the exterior.

You must ensure Her Highness takes it on schedule.

She should recover in a few days.

Li Yanhui, you don't still think you're a princess, do you?

If it weren't for His Majesty's arranged marriage,

do you think you would have survived?

County Princess Liyang used me to provoke Prince Ding's Consort

and cause trouble.

If I had been cut by these porcelain shards,

would that have been what you wanted?

♪I've hidden so many words♪

♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

♪So never uncover♪

♪The sand that slips away with one grasp♪

♪The flower that withers after one bloom♪

♪Silently buried deep inside my heart♪

♪Every answer I gave♪

♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

♪Hiding my tear-filled eyes when I hurt you♪

♪How hard it truly was?♪

♪The wounds that healed with just a little comfort♪

♪The lies made whole with a single embrace♪

♪Pretending to be brave as if I'd never been hurt♪

♪It's a shame I never could♪

♪Give you a moon in return♪

♪With the same open heart you loved me♪

♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

♪Never knowing I was lost♪

♪Why don't you take me away?♪

♪Lead me out of this endless game of hide-and-seek♪

♪You'll never♪

♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

(No animals were harmed in the making of this film)