Original subtitles

Aunt,

have a sip of tea and take your time.

Three years ago,

your eldest cousin trusted the wrong people.

He couldn't refuse them out of politeness

and was forced

to ghostwrite that essay.

Now, it's been dug up.

You know

your grandfather is strictly principled.

He definitely won't step forward to plead for him.

Your uncle is furious,

but he has no other way either.

Xihe,

I am truly at my wits' end.

That's why I've come to beg you.

Your Highness, I urge you to consider carefully.

There are three thousand candidates this year.

If, as you said, we investigate this to the very end,

I'm afraid

half of the noble families

will be wearing mourning clothes.

Your Highness,

the Censorate executed twenty-seven people in seven days,

causing a mutiny in the border army.

Furthermore, corrupt officials are using the fraud case

to frame the loyal and good.

I am not afraid of cutting out the sore,

but of damaging the heart and lungs in the process.

We are willing to risk our lives to guarantee a thorough investigation,

but please make it clear, Your Highness.

If the case reaches the Censorate

and a prince's disciple passes a note, what should be done?

Can this executioner's blade sever a golden chain?

Harsh laws for urgent times, gentle handling for delicate matters.

Your Highness, it might be better

to first execute the seven confirmed corrupt officials

to uphold the law,

and as for the other involved scholars,

(Sixian Hall) send them to serve in the military.

This fulfills your goal of purging the selection process,

while avoiding the risk of alienating the noble families.

Great.

What a perfectly safe piece of advice.

Do you all know

how many innocent souls are buried

in the fraud cases of past dynasties?

The bribes in this year's examination are piled to the ceiling.

Even the children in the streets are singing,

"The rich claim the golden list, while the poor bury their ink."

My father implemented the talent selection system

to break

the noble families' monopoly on officialdom,

giving students from humble backgrounds a chance

to realize their ambitions and showcase their talents.

Now, this buying and selling of examination results

is crueler than the harsh officials in the Discourses on Salt and Iron.

Poor scholars

pour their hearts out and study hard for a decade,

only to end up as ghostwriters for the rich.

I'll lay it on the line today.

Anyone involved in this examination fraud,

from nobles down to petty clerks,

every single one of them

will not be spared.

Your Highness,

Commandery Princess Zhaoning's cousin,

Minister Tao's eldest grandson,

was also involved in the fraud.

The evidence is conclusive.

=Blossoms of Power=

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

=Episode 20=

(East Palace)

Xihe, you came to see me on your own accord.

I assume regarding your cousin,

your aunt has already pleaded with you.

You guessed correctly, Your Highness.

Xihe, I...

You don't need to say anything.

There's no need to show him favoritism.

Since my cousin made a mistake,

he should be dealt with accordingly.

People must always pay the price

for the mistakes they make.

Only then can they learn their lesson

and hold reverence for the law.

Then what about your grandfather's family?

How do you consider them?

My grandfather is not at fault.

No one can use this to falsely accuse him.

As for whether my aunt will hold a grudge against me,

that is not my concern.

I have a clear conscience.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Along this journey,

you clearly need the support of your maternal family the most,

yet you risk offending the Tao family

to place righteousness above family loyalty.

I can see that

you're looking forward to

a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Qingzhi once sent me a policy essay.

Its insights were unique and its arguments sweeping.

The essay began by stating,

"I have heard that the essence of governance

lies in equitable land distribution and the people's peace.

The teachings on regulating water and land are still fresh in our minds.

Yet today, all fertile land belongs to the wealthy,

while the poor have not even a sliver of land to stand on."

You remember it word for word.

The writing was so bold,

and it's truly unforgettable.

Back then, my only thought

was to catch the person who poisoned me.

Over time,

my heart filled with resentment and bitterness.

The master at the Taoist temple suggested I travel.

Taking the imperial examination at the time

was just a whim.

But I saw with my own eyes

candidates getting the exam questions in advance

and swapping their papers on the spot,

while the examiners turned a blind eye.

I could have submitted a memorial to the throne,

but I knew

even if I reported it then,

it would only clean up the local practices temporarily.

It wouldn't serve as a nationwide deterrent.

What I want

is a sweeping and decisive purge.

For at least ten years,

I want wrongdoers

not to even dare harbor evil thoughts,

and allow those with true ambition

to stand out.

Your time among the people back then

is what makes you so clear-headed and thorough today.

But regarding this matter,

how did you know it was me?

I remember

the candidate they later investigated

was named Xiao Huaiqian.

Xiao and Xiao sound the same.

Hua was changed to Huai,

turning outward brilliance into inner depth.

Yong was changed to Qian,

turning noble arrogance into a humble demeanor.

It showed that the person

wanted to hide his prominent identity.

No matter how I disguise myself,

you can always see right through it.

Just like when we first met.

I also know that

while catching the poisoner is important,

what you never forget

is eliminating the chronic poison

that has seeped into the nation's veins.

So regarding my cousin,

you need not worry.

Please enforce the law impartially and set an example.

Now that we've discussed everything,

I should head back to the manor.

Before you go back,

I'd like to take you somewhere.

Come.

Here are your meatballs.

Enjoy your meal.

If others saw you right now,

who would think

you're the cold and heartless Commandery Princess Zhaoning?

If you could see yourself right now,

you wouldn't think

you're the calculating

and deeply scheming Crown Prince.

Slow down.

You two,

come in and guess some riddles!

(A Lady Holding Up the Roof Stabilizes the World)

Do you know the answer?

A roof radical over a lady

combined with the character for "lady"

makes the character "An" for peace.

(Peace)

It's a good riddle.

For the world to be at peace,

ladies should naturally have their place.

This riddle is quite unique.

The bottom of "Qin" is the character "He" for grain.

Grain is wood, and water nurtures wood.

Replacing it with water makes the character "Tai" for prosperity.

Only with abundant agriculture

can the country prosper and the people be at peace.

(National Prosperity and Peace)

Though I've long known of your unmatched brilliance,

every single time,

you still manage to amaze me.

It's the riddle maker who hid the foundation of the state

within the strokes of the characters.

It's the foundation of the state

hidden in your heart.

Would you care

to add a token of good fortune to the blessing?

In the royal court,

I only wish for peace and prosperity for the nation.

But when I am with you,

I only pray for our twin lotuses to bloom.

It's beautiful.

The night is late and the dew is heavy.

Couldn't I take care of it for you?

Why must you trouble yourself?

If you catch a cold,

you'll have to drink herbal medicine again.

This flower is delicate.

It will wither if not carefully tended to.

I wouldn't feel at ease leaving it to others.

Mo Yu,

go fetch some more hot spring water.

Yes.

The reason this Slender-Leaf Qionghua is so precious

is that it can be used in medicine.

It nourishes the yin, protects the lungs, and detoxifies.

The Crown Prince coughs frequently.

Half of it is a disguise in front of others,

and half of it is real.

I'm afraid the residual poison hasn't been cleared and has damaged his lungs.

So Her Highness works so hard

all for the Crown Prince.

Could this be

what the storybooks call

"the dawn of love and deep-rooted affection"?

(Residence of the Heir of the Marquis of Shunan)

Hurry up.

Handle with care.

Got it.

That Cui Jinbai.

I haven't seen him for days.

He's been busy with Crown Prince on the fraud case.

I thought he had let me off the hook.

- Young Master. - Young Master.

Look at how carefully he's picking things out.

Anyone who didn't know

would think he's planning to live here for thirty years.

Halt.

What is it?

Where are you going?

Just going out for a stroll.

I'll go with you.

No need.

I suddenly feel

a bit tired.

I'll go back and rest.

Alright.

I have some business at the Court of Judicial Review later.

Get some good rest.

Okay.

You go do your thing.

I won't bother you.

See you.

Young Master Bu,

you haven't been here for days.

It's not that I didn't want to come.

During the fraud case,

I had to keep a close eye on the security of the capital.

Yu'er,

your little hands are getting even softer and whiter.

Come.

Young Master Bu, you're lingering among the beauties,

looking quite delighted.

Why are you here?

You're playing around with official courtesans.

Do you know you've committed the crime of corruption?

Stop talking nonsense.

Don't think because you're in the Court of Judicial Review

and have been a Vice Minister for a few years,

you can just pin crimes on people.

In our dynasty, official courtesans are performing artists

belonging to the government.

According to the law,

officials who are overly intimate with official courtesans

face ten years in prison.

I was just looking at Yu'er's soft white hands

and joking around a bit.

It seems you know you're in the wrong.

I can let this matter go for now,

but you must promise me

never to set foot in these pleasure houses again.

What gives you the right to deprive me of my right to enjoy myself?

Are you that inseparable from singing and dancing?

Yes. You don't know how to appreciate it,

and you want to stop others from appreciating it too.

You're simply unreasonable.

Fine.

I'll accompany you.

He's accompanying you?

Suit yourself.

Do you know what dance this is?

Isn't it just a water sleeve dance?

This is the Qingshang dance.

It originates from the Han Dynasty Music Bureau.

Specifically, the three Qingshang modes of Xianghe songs.

It features rare dances and extraordinary talents.

Several emperors of the previous dynasties loved this dance.

Later, it became widely popular among the common people.

The Music Office continuously absorbed and improved upon folk music and dance,

resulting in the spectacular performance we see today.

You may step down.

Qian'er's pipa playing, in the entire imperial capital,

can be considered unparalleled.

Then tell me, this piece, White Snow in Spring Sunlight,

what makes it so unparalleled?

Spring Sunlight is derived from all things sensing the spring,

and the gentle, soothing breeze.

White Snow

is derived from awe-inspiring purity,

and the crisp sound of snow on bamboo.

Her playing technique is beautiful and fluent.

But it's too beautiful,

thus losing the original intention of this piece.

Decadent music

is truly inferior.

Young Master Bu,

do you know...

- Young Master! - Young Master!

What's wrong, Young Master?

Are you feeling unwell?

My head hurts.

Go bring

Xie Yunhuai here.

You may have caught a cold.

I'll go get your medicine.

Have you forgotten?

Physician Xie has gone beyond the frontier.

Forget it.

This is infuriating.

Young Master Bu,

where are you feeling unwell?

What are you doing here?

Don't you go to the Court of Judicial Review?

Is this how the Young Master's Residence treats its guests?

Won't you even offer me a seat?

Do you really not want to see me that much?

What do you think?

Every single day,

you keep an eye on me from morning till night.

One of these days, you're going to drive me crazy.

If you could keep yourself in check,

I wouldn't have to.

Why should I?

I've lived freely in the imperial capital since I was a child.

No one has ever tried to keep me in line.

I've long been used to living without restraints.

If you can't stand it, then move out.

It suits us both.

You're not leaving, are you?

Fine. I'll go.

Young Master.

Although Physician Xie isn't here,

a highly skilled foreign physician has just arrived.

I'll go invite him over.

Get out.

Just get out.

Why are you sitting here?

Waiting for you to calm down.

Calm down?

The moment I see you, I can't calm down.

Then don't look at me.

Lord Cui,

I'm begging you.

Will you just leave me alone?

Fine.

I promise.

From now on, I'll try not to go to those places so often.

Good.

But if you break your word,

I'll do what I did today again.

(East Palace)

Your Highness.

This time, I traveled far beyond the borders

and brought back an extraordinary person.

He is especially skilled in detoxification.

I took the liberty

of having him diagnose you, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Then I will trouble you, Physician Ale.

How could His Highness's blood

be like this?

Tell me,

how much time do I have left?

Originally, you had three to five years.

But Your Highness,

you've risked your life several times and damaged your meridians.

Now,

you only have one year left.

Is it truly beyond saving?

There is one more method.

This set of golden needles

has been soaked in a poison-drawing decoction Ale specially formulated.

They can be inserted into acupoints to fight poison with poison.

However, this method,

compared to previous treatments,

will be a hundred times more painful.

A hundred times more painful?

The previous poison treatments

were as painful as scraping bone and piercing the heart.

How can His Highness endure this?

Speak freely.

There are twelve needles in total.

Three needles break mortal bones.

Twelve needles shatter the soul.

By the eighth needle,

even the toughest man

will be in so much pain that his soul will shatter.

You've experienced it yourself?

Let me see.

I am incompetent.

I could only endure four needles.

Why did you go to such lengths?

You secured a title of honor

for my mother.

Your kindness to me is as deep as the sea.

Even if my body is smashed to pieces,

I am willing to do it.

We will use this method.

Whenever I think of her,

I know I cannot die.

As long as I can stay by her side,

even one more day is good.

Your Highness, why did you summon me

to the palace?

I've seen Yunhuai.

He told me some good news.

What good news?

Yunhuai said

right now,

I don't even have three to five years left.

That's good news?

You won't have to keep your guard up against me.

Isn't that good news?

How much time is left?

One year.

This might not be a bad thing.

After all, what you valued in me from the start

was my short life.

Why don't we make a deal?

What deal?

My lifelong wish

is to marry you.

If you are willing to marry me,

I will form an alliance with you,

and help you keep the Shen family and the Northwest Army safe.

Everything you want,

I will give to you.

You believe that people's hearts are fickle.

Even if I were to have a change of heart after we marry,

I wouldn't live long enough to be your enemy.

If you become the Crown Princess,

it will make things much easier for you.

You can also help me fulfill my unfulfilled wishes.

Your wish

is to find the one who poisoned you?

It used to be.

Now,

not entirely.

This poison

should not become a curse that traps me.

No matter how much time heaven grants me,

I should do more

meaningful things for the world.

These are the dates chosen by the Ministry of Rites.

If you are willing to join hands with me,

then pick one.

But don't pick one too far in the future.

I'm afraid I won't live to see it.

As for your words today,

I will consider them carefully.

Xihe,

every word you say,

every single syllable,

I will keep firmly in my heart.

If you want to say something that will break my heart,

don't say it lightly.

(Auspicious Day for Marriage: 10th Day of the 2nd Month, 23rd Year of Youning)

(Auspicious Day for Marriage: 2nd Day of the 3rd Month, 23rd Year of Youning)

(Auspicious Day for Marriage: 8th Day of the 5th Month, 23rd Year of Youning)

♪A wall that collapses at a single push♪

♪Frost that melts at a single smile♪

♪How can you be this wonderful♪

♪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♪

I was picking Immortal Vine,

and happened to save you.

Save me...

That was our first encounter.

There was absolutely no scheming involved.

But as long as you believe

that I will never hurt you,

that is enough.

Do you know

why it withers once it leaves the water?

Because it was born

to be bathed in the gaze of lovers.

Do you know

how much I wanted you to ask,

"Where are you going?"

"What are you going to do?"

♪Give you a moon in return♪

Since I was nine,

I haven't known what joy is.

But now,

I know.

It is being with you.

I'm very easy to coax.

Even if it's a lie,

I'm willing to believe it.

I wonder if you would be willing

to marry me.

♪You'll never♪

♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

♪Wind that misses the grasp♪

♪Light that ignites at a single touch♪

♪A person can find strength time and again♪

♪Our past♪

♪Has been full of ups and downs along the way♪

♪Admitting my confusion just like your regret♪

♪How hard can it be?♪

Your knot

looks more exquisite the more I look at it.

I wonder when

I will also be on someone's mind,

and have someone

pray for my good fortune and longevity.

♪Stepping out of this long game of hide-and-seek♪

♪The flustered mortal world♪

♪Your eyes remain clear and bright♪

(East Palace)

I thought

you wouldn't come.

Since you invited me,

I would naturally come.

So,

what is your answer?

For that one year,

I'll be a good wife to you.

Don't move.

You know very well

I'm only marrying you because you have one year left to live.

Yet you're still so happy.

Each dawn, each dusk, each moment together,

that will be a lifetime.

My life

rises and sets like the sun.

My heart

remains unchanged for eternity.

I chose the nearest auspicious date.

(Yong'an Hall)

Grandmother,

I came to see you as soon as I returned.

What a filial child.

How has your health been lately?

Good.

Greetings, Your Highness.

You may rise.

Greetings, Commandery Princess.

Greetings, Your Highness.

I asked Xihe to come keep me company.

She is about to marry the Crown Prince.

Soon,

she will become your sister-in-law.

I heard you will stay in the capital.

Yes.

Father has issued a decree,

appointing me as the General of the Gallant Cavalry.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

I always remember

the times I spent with you.

Taking care of the children in Gudu Garden together,

paying respects to the fallen soldiers at the cemetery together.

Far away in Anlan,

in the dead of night,

I sometimes regretted leaving the imperial capital.

You are a born soldier.

At that time, the imperial capital

wasn't the best place for you to showcase your talents.

Your ideals and ambitions

belong on the battlefield.

Defending the country is beyond reproach.

You made the right choice.

Don't worry.

I didn't come back this time to pester you.

The past is in the past.

I only wish you

a smooth future

and to follow your heart.

I invited you here today

to pick out your wedding dress.

All the ceremonies for our wedding

are handled by the Palace Administration and various departments,

in coordination with the Ministry of Ceremonies.

But Xihe, you should choose what you like.

Take your time.

I only hope that on the wedding day,

I can see joy in your eyes.

Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness.

This booklet follows the royal regulations

for your wedding attire.

Please take a look, Your Highness.

(Crown Prince's Wedding Attire Catalog)

If I may, Your Highness,

royal weddings in our dynasty

favor bright colors, usually with crimson as the main color,

paired with various patterns.

This white pattern is so unique.

It looks like a sky full of stars.

All the wedding dresses

will be made according to Commandery Princess Zhaoning's preferences.

Yes, Your Highness.

(Auspicious)

Your Highness,

the pearls on this veil

were personally selected for you by the Crown Prince.

And he strung them one by one

with his own hands.

This shows

His Highness's sincerity in marrying you.

Put it on.

Her Highness looks like a fairy descending to earth.

Why are you crying on such a joyous day?

The bridal procession from the East Palace is here!

Please have a seat, you two.

I'm not tired.

The Commandery Princess has arrived.

Bow.

Bow again.

Xihe,

your father and brother are not here.

Today, your uncle and I

will see you off to your marriage.

May the two of you

be of one mind and heart,

respect each other,

tie the knot forever,

and form a lifelong bond.

I wish you

mutual respect and harmony in your marriage.

May you live in harmony,

continue the family line,

and grow old together.

Grandfather and Uncle, I will always

keep your earnest teachings in my heart.

Don't miss the auspicious hour.

Go.

The bride departs!

Set off.

Your Highness, please behave yourself.

On our wedding night, with my beautiful bride,

perhaps you could teach me

how to behave.

Your Highness, you and Xihe are newlyweds,

but you should still exercise some restraint.

♪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)