Original subtitles

[Pursuit of Jade]

[Episode 40]

Since His Majesty lacks virtue,

we might as well have him abdicate.

Yigui.

Be careful with your words.

What you said today—

neither I

nor my ministers here

heard a word of it.

Let's continue drinking

and enjoy

this wonderful moment together.

[Bearing Virtue, Bestowing Kindness]

Only the few of us knew about

that remark about abdication back then.

[Hear All Sides]

Could it be that

someone snitched?

It wasn't that I was being foolish.

The Late Emperor was autocratic and muddle-headed,

making life unbearable for the people.

And he feared that

the Crown Prince's virtue had spread far and wide,

so he deliberately propped up

the Jia family and the Sixteenth Prince.

If, back then,

with the combined power of the Xie, Wei, and Qi families,

we had put Crown Prince Chengde on the throne,

would the realm have been well-governed and at peace?

Crown Prince Chengde

was too indecisive

and lost the initiative.

The Crown Prince and Linshan died in battle.

And you, Grand Tutor,

have been depressed and sidelined.

Tell me—

would I have turned myself in?

Crown Prince Chengde did say back then

that although Li Xing came from a clean background,

he was obsessed with power.

Could it be...

Therefore,

when the Crown Prince decided to go to Jinzhou,

it was already a lost cause.

The Crown Prince was muddle-headed

and allowed himself to be swayed by sycophants,

even daring to plot to replace me.

What do you make of it, Sui?

Your Majesty is wise and will make the proper decision.

[Lord Changxin, Sui Tuo]

I've long been stationed in the Northwest

and know little of the court's affairs,

so I dare not speak presumptuously.

For the sake of the realm,

I

have no choice but do the unthinkable.

Nephew, will you aid me?

You are my sister's son.

You've got our Qi family's blood running through your veins.

Your Majesty means...

I wish to share the realm with you

and form an everlasting alliance.

The Late Emperor gave Lord Changxin an empty promise

and had him hold back his troops.

To eliminate his own son,

he even invited the fox into the hen house.

He was truly a man without virtue.

The Late Emperor

[Qingyuan Palace]

forged a letter in Rongyin's handwriting and sent it to me,

forcing me to turn back to the Capital from the rescue mission.

Yan.

While the fire's still raging, run now.

No.

We leave together!

Lord Wei, you...

If I hadn't made a sacrifice to save myself,

[Qingyuan Palace]

I'd have been labeled a traitor who defiled the harem,

and the entire Wei clan

would have been exterminated.

[Qingyuan Palace]

Go away!

Yan.

You go first.

Rongyin!

Don't worry. Leave this to me.

For 3 generations, the Xie, Qi, and Wei families have served Great Yin with absolute loytalty,

fighting bloody battles until our kin were all but wiped out.

What right did that cursed emperor have

to toy with us like that?

As for what happened next,

I assume you already know, Grand Tutor.

I was the one who bathed the imperial palace in blood.

If I hadn't staged the coup,

what other choice would I have had?

After Rongyin passed away,

I had no choice but to seize that cursed emperor by the throat

and force him to write an edict of abdication.

Only with me in charge of the court

could Great Yin remain stable

and the state be preserved.

As for Wei Qilin's infamy,

I had no choice but to force it upon him.

It was only because the Late Emperor

had schemed far too meticulously.

Before returning to the Capital, I handed the Tiger Tally

to my most trusted subordinate, Wei Qilin,

and had him request reinforcements on my behalf.

Your Highness.

This Tiger Tally is real.

Please send troops immediately!

This Tiger Tally is fake.

It doesn't match.

Everything was within the Late Emperor's calculations all along.

Later, misled by Qi Min,

Zheng reinvestigated the Jinzhou case from 17 years ago

and unexpectedly discovered that Wei Qilin's family was still alive.

Only by silencing them

could I preserve our bond as uncle and nephew.

Who would have thought—

human plans are no match for heaven's will.

Zheng ended up being saved by Changyu.

It seems fate had other plans.

This truly is a case of

an emperor abusing his power while his loyal subjects die unjustly.

So,

I lost in the end.

Shall we go in?

Let's go.

Fortunately,

the blade that is Xie Zheng

has found its scabbard—

Fan Changyu.

Let me borrow a line from Changyu:

"be a good pig in this life,

and a good person

in the next."

People like me

will probably fall straight into hell.

I'm afraid there won't be a next life for me.

Little wooden horse,

running clip-clop.

Little boy, spirits high.

Sword in hand, singing loud.

I'll chase all of you away.

It's time for the morning court.

Morning court.

Morning court.

My dear ministers,

what do you have to report to me?

Prime Minister Wei, why are you kneeling?

Am I that scary?

Never mind. Never mind.

If there's nothing else, court is dismissed.

It seems this empire

can only rely on me after all.

Rely on me. Rely on me.

Brother.

Look what treats I brought you.

These are all your favorites.

Candied plums,

and your favorite osmanthus cakes.

Come on, have a bite.

Delicious. Delicious.

Eat slowly. Don't choke.

Delicious.

Brother,

do you still recognize

who I am?

W-What?

Brother...

What did you say?

I am wise? That's right.

What did you say?

I thought you wouldn't come.

I had to see you off one last time.

You may break your word,

but I won't.

It was kind of you

to make this soup especially for me.

I appreciate the effort.

Even ordinary death row prisoners

get a last meal before heading to

the execution ground, don't they?

Feed me.

Don't let your efforts go to waste.

What's wrong?

Can't bear to do it?

It was brewed well.

It's just a bit cold.

Do you know

when I

truly fell for you?

I do.

But if I could do it all over again,

I definitely wouldn't have pulled you out.

You're the only one

who didn't look afraid

after seeing my face.

This is a reward for you.

I saw in you

something I had longed for all along—

freedom.

You once had it too.

It was right in front of you,

but your mask kept you from seeing it.

Thank you

for keeping your word.

You hate me so much,

yet you still granted my wish.

Yu Qianqian,

I really like you a lot.

Therefore,

if there's a next life,

I hope

we never meet again.

Is there any left?

Don't let it go to waste.

This is the end.

You once told me

that if you died,

you could go back.

I want to know

who you are really—

a wandering spirit,

or a fallen immortal?

Tell me.

I want to die knowing the truth.

I'm just me.

I'm Yu Qianqian.

You...

You liar.

Are you all right?

Changyu.

I have a secret.

I came from a place far, far away.

I might not be able to go back.

If it's too far,

then don't go back.

Let's go back to Lin'an

and live a good life there.

Let's go.

[Yin]

[In the 18th year of Yongping,]

♪ The world is vast ♪

[the name Yu Bao'er was officially entered into the Imperial Genealogy.]

♪ The storm is rising ♪

[His mother Empress Dowager Yu renamed him Qi Yu.]

[In mid-spring of that year, the new Emperor ascended the throne and proclaimed the era Yongxing.]

♪ Day and night ♪

[He honored his birth mother Yu as Empress Dowager Mingde,]

♪ We strive to save the world ♪

[granting her the right to attend court behind the screen.]

[He posthumously conferred the title of Earl of Zhongyong]

[on the late General of Huaihua, Wei Qilin,]

♪ All people ♪

[and the title of Marquis of Wusu on the late General Meng Shuyuan.]

♪ Are part of the past ♪

[He specially appointed the Marquis of Wu'an, Xie Zheng, as Prince Regent,]

[entrusting him with the management of overall state affairs,]

[and promoted Fan Changyu to the Grand General of Huaihua,]

♪ What's the date today? ♪

[granting her the title of First-Rank Lady Protector of the State,]

[together assisting in the governance of the court.]

♪ How lamentable ♪

[As the new emperor ascended the throne in his youth,]

[the Three Excellencies stood in balance,]

[both court and country placed their hopes upon them,]

[and peace prevailed throughout the realm.]

Long live the Emperor!

♪ All people ♪

Long live the Emperor!

♪ Are part of the past ♪

Long live the Emperor!

♪ What's the date today? ♪

♪ How lamentable ♪

Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!

[Yin]

[Think with Caution]

Don't forget what you promised me.

Since the Empress Dowager isn't around,

go ahead and eat more.

Don't worry, Changning.

When I take power in the future,

I won't touch the Prince Regent or the Grand General of Huaihua.

Only incompetent emperors suspect their subjects.

When you take power in the future,

can you make me a princess?

You want to be a princess?

Yeah, like Miss Royal Physician—

so majestic and impressive.

And when I take a Prince Consort in the future,

he'll have to bring out his entire family fortune as the betrothal gift.

All under heaven belongs to me.

No one has a greater fortune than I do.

Do you want to be my Empress?

You're going to give me the imperial palace as the betrothal gift?

Not just the imperial palace. The whole realm.

The realm?

What is that?

It's everything—

from the place where Changyu fights wars,

to this imperial palace,

and to all the lands farther south—

all of it belongs to me.

If you become my Empress,

then all of it will be yours.

That big?

Even the falcon would have to fly for days to get there.

You can't go back on your word.

Let's pinky swear.

Pinky swear.

Cross my heart and hope to die,

stick a needle in my eye.

Qi Yu! How many times did you have people bring you snacks today?

Aren't you worried you'd get cavities?

Come out!

Get over here!

You really are

getting more and more disobedient, aren't you?

Fairy Sister, don't hit him.

Changning, be good.

Do you have any idea

how many cavities you already have?

-How dare you run? -Fairy Sister!

Get over here!

Come here, you!

[Prudent in Action, Mindful of Peril]

You slack off on your studies,

yet you still dare to eat so many sweets?

Get over here!

[Li's Mansion]

Easy. Easy.

Look at this. Seriously.

We're conducting a house confiscation here. Behave yourself!

Go stand over there.

Grandfather.

Great Yin's wars

against Beijue have left the state treasury depleted.

Our Li family donating our entire fortune

can be considered an act of atonement.

His Majesty and the Prince Regent are men of their word.

I believe they'll let bygones be bygones.

Please rest easy, Grandfather,

and live out your days in peace.

What "living out my days in peace"?

It's nothing but

confiscation and exile.

The crimes our Li family committed are utterly unforgivable.

This is already the best outcome possible.

If they hadn't shown mercy,

I'm afraid the Li family

would have been wiped out completely.

I acted like a villain for nothing.

Seventeen years ago,

I really acted like a villain for nothing.

Wenkan.

Did you really

request to be exiled to the frontier,

to suffer in that bitter, desolate place?

Perhaps

this is the best arrangement fate has to offer.

[Lin'an]

Changyu, you're back!

Changyu, you're back!

Changyu!

Changyu, I missed you so much!

Changyu, you're back!

-Changyu! -You're back!

Changyu, you're back!

Changyu, you're back!

Changyu, you're back!

Mrs. Fan!

Changyu!

Changyu!

Mrs. Fan!

-Greetings, Grand General of Huaihua! -Greetings, Grand General of Huaihua!

Please.

Grand General of Huaihua!

-Dear! -Changyu, you're back!

Mrs. Fan!

[Luo's Pawnshop]

Mrs. Fan, you're back.

Mrs. Fan, you're back!

Changyu!

You're back.

-Grand General of Huaihua! -Mrs. Fan!

Changyu.

Changyu!

Changyu!

Changyu!

You're back!

Changyu, you're back.

♪ In the east wind, flowers bloom at night ♪

♪ Blowing down the stars like rain ♪

♪ Fine horses and carved carriages fill the fragrant streets ♪

♪ The phoenix flute resounds ♪

♪ The jade pot light revolves ♪

♪ A night of fish-and-dragon dances ♪

You must've waited for this moment

for a long time.

♪ But in the crowd once and again I look for her in vain ♪

♪ But in the crowd once and again I look for her in vain ♪

♪ When all at once I turn my head ♪

♪ I find her there ♪

♪ Where lantern light is dimly shed ♪

[Memorial Tablet of Wei Qilin] [Memorial Tablet of Meng Lihua]

Please bless Changyu and the other kids to return soon.

Dear, that's enough.

Good people like Changyu and the others are watched over by Heaven.

They'll surely be alright.

How could you men possibly

understand what it feels like for a mother

to have her own flesh and blood taken away from her?

Have we no shame?

You think we could just claim to be the Grand General of Huaihua's parents?

What are you thinking?

Mr. Zhao! Mrs. Zhao!

Dear.

Dear, listen.

We're back!

Is that Changning's voice?

-You miss them so much you're imagining things. -Mr. Zhao! Mrs. Zhao!

Listen.

Listen to what?

Mr. Zhao! Mrs. Zhao!

It's real!

They really are back.

Is anyone...

Mr. Zhao! Mrs. Zhao!

Changyu.

Changyu!

Changyu, you're back!

Mr. Zhao.

Mrs. Zhao.

You're tanned,

and you've lost weight, kid.

You must have been through a lot.

You're home now. That's what matters.

Godmother.

Godfather.

I came back in one piece.

I'll take care of you two from now on,

and we'll never be apart again.

I'll take care of you, too.

Changyu.

What did you call us?

On the way back, Changyu

kept thinking about

changing how she addresses you.

Please grant her wish.

Sure.

We don't deserve such a blessing.

You're not leaving, right? That's the best news.

No matter how high-ranking the officials you've met,

or how much of the world you've seen,

nothing compares to home.

Nothing compares to having parents around, kids.

We won't be separated again, kids.

We'll never be apart again.

Mr. Zhao. Mrs. Zhao.

We're back!

Mr. Zhao. Mrs. Zhao. We're back safe and sound.

From now on, we'll take care of you two together.

Jin Yuanbao.

You've matured.

Come on, get up.

Mancang.

You're still so strong.

Manwu.

Mrs. Zhao.

W-Where is Mandi?

There's one missing.

Godmother.

Mandi...

He didn't make it back.

Why does there have to be one missing?

Good kid.

You're home now.

That's what matters.

You're home now.

Quick, come inside.

-Come on in. -Come on in.

Come.

We're home, Changning.

We're home.

[Memorial Tablet of Late Friend Zisu] [Memorial Tablet of Late Friend Fuling]

[May Mercy Guide All to Salvation]

Mother.

Mother!

Your Majesty.

You should address the Empress Dowager as Imperial Mother.

Imperial Mother, come here.

What is it?

Imperial Mother, I want to issue a decree

and make Changning my Empress.

Then you have to ask

whether Changning is willing or not.

Last time, Changning asked me to make her a princess.

I refused

and told her I'd make her Empress instead.

Changning has already agreed.

We even pinky-swore on it.

That still won't do.

Why?

Because you are both still too young.

You can only get married when you grow up.

Wait until your coming-of-age ceremony—

then you can go ask Changning.

Alright.

It's snowing.

It's a quarter to 12 now—

time for Wei Yan's execution.

Yigui.

Jiuheng prepared this wine for you personally,

to save you from suffering

the pain of a lingering death.

It's the time of heavy snow again.

It's the time of heavy snow again.

Did you make your uncle angry again?

Uncle's teaching is so hard,

and he has no patience.

He keeps scolding me.

Uncle.

I won.

You're finally here.

It's getting late.

It's time for you to go back.

[Wei Yan, who once served as Chancellor, though achieved great merit in assisting governance,]

[could not atone for his crimes. First, there was the tragic death of 100,000 soldiers in Jinzhou;]

[and later, the relentless flames of war at the frontier. He brought disaster upon the state, abandoned the loyal,]

[deceived the people, and slew his own kin. One who destroys the moral order]

Be a good pig in this life,

[and uses the common people as kindling, even while raising the banner of universal peace,]

and a good person

[commits a crime of the highest magnitude and must be executed.]

[His family property was confiscated; his lifetime of merits and faults is left for posterity to judge.]

in the next.

People like me

will probably fall straight into hell.

I'm afraid there won't be a next life for me.

[Two months later]

You know what?

Ever since we returned to Xigu Lane,

this tree has somehow become "the matchmaking tree."

They say the romance between the Grand General of Huaihua

and the Prince Regent began right here under this tree.

How did the rumors turn out like this?

Didn't you pick me up from the snowy river crossing?

♪ The scenery is as clear as me ♪

Anyway, they say this tree works wonders.

♪ With very pale colors ♪

As long as you toss your red ribbon up into the tree,

♪ Just like the outline in the mirror ♪

the one whose ribbon becomes entwined with yours

is your destined one.

♪ I think that's me, being naive ♪

You're quite superstitious.

♪ Unlocking my heart ♪

It's true.

Many people met their destined ones

♪ I hid you in my soul ♪

after making wishes here.

♪ The moon is as quiet as me ♪

♪ The light shines ♪

♪ It illuminates the turbulence in my heart ♪

Do we have to sneak around like thieves

♪ It seems to be the fire of love ♪

in the middle of the night?

♪ Just a few sparks ♪

If people saw us, the protagonists of the story, coming here to pray ourselves,

♪ Let me hide in your heart ♪

they'd probably laugh their heads off.

♪ I pray that our love ♪

♪ Will never end ♪

♪ It's worth my foolishly waiting ♪

You go first.

♪ For a lifetime ♪

Scared?

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

I'm the head of the family,

so it's only right that mine entwines with yours.

♪ So what if we encounter difficulties? ♪

Okay.

♪ I pray that our love ♪

♪ Will not be like sand slipping into the sea ♪

Go ahead.

♪ I'd rather use this life ♪

♪ To guard our love forever ♪

Please, entwine with his.

Entwine with his.

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

♪ Why do we need to seek cause and effect ♪

This doesn't count.

What are you doing?

I'm doing it again.

I have to take it down and throw it again.

Mine didn't entwine with yours.

It's okay.

It already did.

How so? Look, I don't even know

-whose ribbon mine is entwined with... -Trust me.

In this life,

the next life,

for all lifetimes,

the two of us will always be entwined.

♪ The moon is as quiet as me ♪

♪ The light shines ♪

But I still have to take it down.

Let's go.

♪ It illuminates the turbulence in my heart ♪

Put me down.

No.

Do you hear me?

♪ It seems to be the fire of love ♪

I can't hear you.

I have to go back.

♪ Just a few sparks ♪

♪ Let me hide in your heart ♪

[Changyu and Zheng, for all lifetimes]

♪ I pray that our love ♪

♪ Will never end ♪

♪ It's worth my foolishly waiting ♪

♪ For a lifetime ♪

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

♪ So what if we encounter difficulties? ♪

♪ I pray that our love ♪

♪ Will not be like sand slipping into the sea ♪

♪ I'd rather use this life ♪

♪ To guard our love forever ♪

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

♪ Why do we need to seek cause and effect ♪

♪ Clear and quiet ♪

[Five years later] [Jinzhou Barracks]

It's been years since we last came to the barracks.

Memories are flashing back.

Yeah.

Assemble!

Assemble!

Assemble!

Hurry up!

Greetings, Prince Regent and Grand General of Huaihua.

Beijue is invading.

The Blood-Robed Cavalry is assembling.

Dear, I'll have someone send you back to Lin'an.

What are you talking about?

I'm going with you.

Nonsense.

You haven't been to the battlefield in years.

Don't underestimate me.

My title of General of Huaihua

wasn't earned without plenty of battles.

Someone!

Yes.

Bring my armor.

Yes.

Whoa!

General Xie.

If you encounter any danger,

hide behind me.

You're already mother of two.

Grow up a bit, alright?

Then let's be careful in all things.

May we return safely.

May we return safely.

Hyah!

Hyah!

Hyah!

[The End]

[Post-Credits Scene]

[If the Jinzhou Massacre 17 years ago had never happened]

Zheng is really diligent with his sword practice.

A few days ago,

his father pointed out

that his sword moves weren't solid.

These past few days,

apart from eating, sleeping, and studying,

he's spent all his time here

practicing swordsmanship.

He's been this stubborn

since childhood.

He's not like me at all,

nor his father.

He's more like his uncle.

"A nephew takes after his uncle."

That saying exists for a reason.

This one in my belly

is quite lazy, though—

full-term already,

yet barely any movement.

I'm guessing

it's a quiet girl.

But when her father teased her,

she made such a commotion

that he couldn't sleep all night,

and with a worried frown, he asked me,

"what if it's a boy?"

How come?

General Wei likes daughters so much?

He was grinning from ear to ear when he said to me,

"if it's a girl,

we'll name her Changyu."

And what if it's a boy?

He said boys are tough,

so we'll call him "Iron Ball"

or "Bull" for now.

When he grows up,

we'll have his grandfather give him a proper name.

I heard

there's a folk method

where a young child can tell

if a pregnant woman is carrying a boy or a girl.

Want to try?

Sure.

Zheng.

Come here to Mother.

Let me ask you—

what do you think, is Mrs. Meng

carrying a boy or a girl?

A girl.

If it's a girl,

how about you marry her

and make her my daughter-in-law?

Why should she be your daughter-in-law?

Because I like her.

Okay.

If it's a girl,

we'll name her Changyu.

[Chang]

[Changyu]

[Verdure Soaring to the Clouds]

Greetings, My Lady.

Thank you for coming, Nanny.

So? Has she given birth?

Yes. Both mother and daughter are safe and healthy.

She specially sent me to bring the good news.

Thank you for your trouble, Nanny.

Come on, please come inside.

It was really considerate of her.

I've also prepared a small gift

as a token of my congratulations.

Thank you.

How's her health?

She's doing well.

Please pass a message to her for me, Nanny.

Tell her I'll come visit in a few days.

Alright.

Please, no need to see me out, My Lady.

Thank you, Nanny.

[Verdure Soaring to the Clouds]

Mother, did Mrs. Meng give birth?

Yes.

What,

are you already thinking about your little future wife, Zheng?

[Changyu's Birthday]

[Changyu's Birthday: January 17, 5th Year of Qinghe]

[16 years later]

Over the past 5 years,

Father has finally worn down the Beijue army

until their treasury is nearly exhausted.

For those old relics in the court

to propose a ceasefire now—

wouldn't that be plainly giving the Beijue forces

a chance to rest, recover,

and make a comeback?

I've come to the Capital this time on my father's behalf

to persuade His Majesty

to continue sending troops,

strike straight at the Beijue army's stronghold,

and eliminate the threat once and for all.

But do you really think

it was those old ministers who proposed the ceasefire?

The wars your father has fought these past years

have been steady and measured.

His aim has been

to wear down the Beijue army

and drag them into total exhaustion.

But His Majesty doesn't see it that way.

But my father has always been

utterly loyal to His Majesty.

Twenty years ago,

His Majesty was just as virtuous and loyal

as the current Crown Prince, Qi Min.

Yet over the years,

his attitude toward the Eastern Palace

has always been one of caution, fearing a repeat of past troubles.

He even guards against

his own son so heavily,

let alone those marquises of different clans stationed in the Northwest,

holding 100,000 troops.

How could he simply let them act as they please?

Alright.

Put aside the counterattack on Beijue for now.

When you see His Majesty,

if you bring it up again,

His Majesty will still use

things like the floods in the south

as an excuse.

Thank you for your advice, Uncle.

Come on.

By the way,

your aunt has made some food.

Let's have a bite.

Now,

you can finally have a few drinks with me.

Now, neither Father nor General Wei can out-drink me.

Then I'll measure myself against you today, Uncle.

You've really grown up, huh?

[Received Grace, Cherished Favor]

Alright then.

Let's settle this at the table.

After you.

[Yixiang Restaurant]

Ladies. This way, please.

Alright.

Please.

-Watch your step. -For some unknown reason,

since coming to Lin'an,

I've felt a sudden sense of familiarity.

You two must be noble guests from the Capital too.

Upstairs, please.

The other guests are already waiting for you.

Manager.

You look a bit familiar.

Have we met somewhere before?

I don't know why,

but now that you mention it,

I feel the same way.

Maybe in a past life,

we were truly close friends.

Dear,

let me treat you to our specialties.

Let's go.

You've all had a long journey.

Let's drink to that.

-Come on. -Cheers.

Thank you all for your hard work.

Bottoms up.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

This is our Yixiang Restaurant's signature Hasma Soup.

Please enjoy, honored guests.

-It smells pretty good. -Hasma Soup?

Smells great.

Honored guest, would you like a taste?

Are you feeling unwell, honored guest?

I'll go get changed.

Please enjoy yourselves.

Honored guest.

Are you sure you're alright?

I'm fine.

Manager, you may go about your business.

The soup is so good, yet you threw up.

I'm so pretty, yet you threw up again.

Utterly baffling.

Are you alright, Your Highness?

Your Highness is usually most courteous.

Why are you

so repulsed by a restaurant manager today?

The food taster tried that soup just now,

and there was nothing wrong with it.

I don't know the reason either.

Perhaps we were enemies in a past life.

When I saw her,

my heart was filled with joy,

yet I couldn't get close.

The moment I did, I felt like vomiting.

Perhaps this is what people mean when they say

some connections are fated but not meant to be.