Original subtitles

(The Shadow Sovereign)

(The Ministry of Justice Prison)

Clerk Shen, you must be careful.

Your noble deeds will stay with me always.

I promise to act with caution.

If this proof can topple those corrupt officials

and restore order to the court,

then I can die without regrets.

Take care, Clerk Shen.

So, it was you

who caused all of this.

You've been lying to me this whole time.

It wasn't me.

It was you.

You made His Majesty kill my father and brother!

It wasn't me.

So, you were the one who got my father killed.

You're no different from them.

- All of you are murderers! - Murderers!

- It was you! - It was you!

It wasn't me!

No.

It wasn't me.

Don't be scared.

It's just a dream.

(I don't smell special.)

(When the Princess sleeps alone, she always has nightmares.)

(Jian Xin said she'll be fine if Censor Shen is there.)

(Make sure to stay by the Princess's side at night.)

(So you want me here)

(because I can chase away your nightmares.)

(You're too tired.)

(Just sleep well.)

(I promise those nightmares)

(will fade away someday.)

Zhao Yang!

The Eastern Palace assassins.

Their clothes and weapons are proof.

A capital crime of killing one's own kin. I'll see His Majesty at once.

I'll take care of the bodies.

Since I'm here, I won't let the Eastern Palace take the blame.

I'll admit to stealing those 500,000 bushels of grain.

You want to take the blame?

Do you even know what crime you're admitting to?

I'll admit it.

It's the Cui family hoarding state resources.

That crime doesn't warrant death.

You have no place left in the Eastern Palace.

If you report the Crown Prince for killing his own kin,

you're signing your own death warrant.

Let this matter end here.

Shen Xiao.

If you really want to protect her,

then let things go right now.

Getting her out safely is your best move.

Chief Commandant of Yulin, Cui Jin Zhi,

stood by during the crisis and hoarded grain.

He failed to discipline his men.

He is hereby stripped of his Chief Commandant title.

He will temporarily keep his title as the Prince Consort.

His salary will be docked for three years.

Let this serve as a warning to others.

Thank you for His Majesty's grace.

Here's another decree for Censor Shen Xiao.

Censor Shen investigated the Yongtong Canal case thoroughly,

showing loyalty and diligence.

He is granted the right to submit secret memorials directly.

His memorials will go straight to His Majesty.

Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.

Shen Xiao, I ordered you to collect grains.

In the end, even though you didn't get the grains through collection,

I still consider it your accomplishment.

My loyal ministers.

The Cui family has been a pillar of the Ye Dynasty since its founding.

All of you petitioned to protect him.

So I gave him a lighter sentence.

But if every noble family

relies on their ancestors' achievements to cover up their mistakes,

the Ye Dynasty won't survive.

Repairing the Yongtong Canal is my command.

If anyone causes trouble again,

I will punish them severely.

(When Cui Jin Zhi was punished, )

(all the noble families finally understood)

(that even the Prince Consort can be punished.)

(And with His Majesty openly threatening them in court, )

(all the noble families donated the grains themselves)

(without needing any urging.)

(Now, the Yongtong Canal)

(can finally be repaired properly.)

Congratulations, Censor Shen.

You've become a trusted minister of the Emperor. You've earned it.

Greetings, Seventh Prince.

I shouldn't have kept my identity a secret from you.

You should've been more secretive about it.

When you rule the nation someday,

you could surprise me then.

Are you not mad?

Not at all.

My best friend is the Seventh Prince.

He'll be the ruler of the nation one day.

That's truly an honor for me.

I told you Censor Shen wouldn't get mad.

You insisted on coming to apologize yourself.

You are here too.

All my grains have been delivered.

Of course I have to watch over them myself to feel at ease.

In case you catch me slipping up and report me straight to His Majesty.

If there's a next time, I'll definitely prepare a clean blanket for you.

You want there to be a next time?

Sister, you two...

I'm Censor Shen's creditor.

After all, that official robe of his cost me 80,000 bushels of grain.

But you got almost a million bushels from the noble families.

You definitely came out ahead on this deal.

I, Shen Xiao,

on behalf of the countless people of Ye,

thank you once again, Your Highness.

Now that the Yongtong Canal is open,

it's a complete falling-out with the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince's foundation is still solid.

He'll definitely strike back.

Le Sheng.

Under the guise of making maps,

keep contacting the royals and neutral officials in secret.

Build up your reputation.

Shen Xiao, besides overseeing Yongtong Canal,

use your right to submit reports directly

to secure your position at court.

You two, with one in the shadows and one in the open,

maybe we can find a chance to survive.

Understood.

For a woman,

you've ruined the Cui family's legacy built over a century.

If your father were here,

he'd personally beat you to death for being an unfilial son!

If you mess up again

and bring shame to the family,

you'll be erased from the family records.

You'll never be allowed back into the clan!

You'd better watch yourself.

Prince Consort.

His Highness has asked me to deliver a message.

Your actions today

were honestly disappointing.

His Highness trusted you,

helped restore your family's honor,

but you destroyed your own foundation.

I am guilty of that.

But I did it to help the Eastern Palace.

Even if Zhao Yang is no longer favored,

if she dies suddenly in prison, His Majesty will investigate it.

But what His Highness wants

is a clean solution to end all future troubles!

Tell His Highness

I swear on my father's spirit in heaven

that I absolutely have no intention of ever defying Your Highness again.

But Zhao Yang is my wife.

Her life

should be in my hands.

Thank you for His Highness's mercy.

I'll pass that on myself.

That Cui Jin Zhi.

For a woman,

you cast aside

even your family's fate and my grand plans.

Lust has clouded your judgment.

He actually wants to save Zhao Yang's life.

Your Highness.

Who is he?

He used to work in the Ministry of Revenue.

He's an old colleague of Shen Qing Zhi.

I've always had doubts.

Shen Qing Zhi is just a clerk.

How did he get so much evidence against the Eastern Palace?

So I secretly sent someone to find this man.

Your Highness, I only know

that Shen Qing Zhi once met Princess Zhao Yang.

I don't know anything else.

What did you say?

Your Highness, please believe me. I wouldn't dare lie.

I speak the truth.

Take him away.

Your Highness, please spare me! Your Highness!

Your Highness!

- Your Highness. - Zhao Yang has always been plotting against us.

Your Highness, Zhao Yang has turned against the Eastern Palace.

This threat must be eliminated.

Since Cui Jin Zhi has softened toward her,

he can't handle this matter anymore.

Do it cleanly.

Yes, Your Highness.

(Your Highness.)

(There's something at Qianfo Temple that concerns you.)

(I'll wait for you at the temple.)

Bad luck, go away.

Bad people, go away.

Bodhisattva, please bless our princess

so that she'll never get locked up again.

Censor Shen.

Bad people, go away.

Bad people, go away.

Did you invite me to Qianfo Temple to discuss something important?

Yes.

But I only invited you.

Bringing them along can avoid suspicion.

Bad luck, go away.

Bad people, go away.

Bodhisattva, bless us.

Xiao Que.

Can you go play by yourself for a bit?

Let me talk to Her Highness alone.

I'm not going. I want to play with Her Highness.

It's like giving a flirty glance to a blind man.

Xiao Que.

The temple has prepared delicious vegetarian food for Her Highness.

If you're late, they'll be gone.

Really? Your Highness,

I'll go and check it out first.

I'll get going first.

Censor Shen, Your Highness,

take your time talking.

What do you have to say

that even they can't hear?

I would like to ask you

to draw a fortune stick with me.

You're acting weird.

Did you call me here just to draw a fortune stick?

Well, we're already here. Why not draw one?

I don't believe in the higher power.

I only believe in myself.

My fate is in my own hands.

Why bother with fortune sticks?

Fine. Then I'll draw one.

How much longer until Her Highness comes to eat?

Just wait.

(Censor Shen won't let her go so soon.)

Xiao Que, you can't eat that.

I can. This one fell on the ground.

The Princess definitely can't eat it now.

But we can't waste food.

I used to be so hungry, I'd even eat tree bark.

If I hadn't met the Princess,

I probably would've starved to death long ago.

Xiao Que, come here.

Xiao Que, eat this fresh one.

No way. We have to wait for the Princess to eat the ones on the table.

(Great Fortune)

Li Shu, I have something to tell you.

What did you just call me?

Li Shu.

Xiao Que!

Xiao Que.

What's wrong with you?

Xiao Que!

Xiao Que.

Xiao Que.

Xiao Que.

Xiao Que.

What's going on?

Xiao Que!

What's going on?

I think she's poisoned.

The veggie bun.

She ate the veggie bun.

Xiao Que.

Xiao Que.

Am I poisoned?

Am I going to die?

No.

You won't die.

Go and get the imperial physician now!

Your Highness, don't be sad.

If I can die with a full stomach,

that'll be the happiest thing ever.

No, you won't.

You won't die.

Has your bad luck

been cleared?

It's all gone.

Thanks to you.

That's good then.

Xiao Que.

Xiao Que.

Go away.

If someone of low-born status learns to read or write,

it's considered overstepping their place.

No wonder you're so scared.

The Princess is precious.

Make sure nothing happens to her.

Not even a scratch.

Or lose even a bit of weight.

Otherwise, I won't forgive you!

When the Princess drinks tea,

she needs to eat golden milk pastries with it.

They must be freshly made from Yuyi Pastry House.

Xiao Que.

Xiao Que.

Every dish is poisoned.

This was meant for you.

We can't stay here any longer.

Let's go!

Your Highness, the temple is surrounded.

We'll take Xiao Que out the side door.

Go!

Your Highness.

I'll carry Xiao Que.

I'll take you out.

I will get you out.

(Qianfo Temple)

Hurry! Don't let them get away!

Jian Xin, we're not far from Le Sheng.

Take the kid to him. Have him call for reinforcements.

I'll help Her Highness escape.

- But... - There's no time. Hurry!

You're from the Eastern Palace.

Impressive.

That was really impressive.

I just wanted to clean house and send my royal sister off.

But I didn't expect to get Censor Shen as a bonus.

Crown Prince, what are you doing?

About those 500,000 bushels of grain,

I didn't know

Cui Jin Zhi would take the blame for me either.

Zhao Yang.

My dear sister.

All these years,

you've acted so obedient in front of me,

pretending to be greedy and lustful.

You fooled me

and the Eastern Palace.

You must feel proud.

What I hate most is betrayal.

And you

are an ungrateful wolf I can't tame.

Today,

I'm going to watch you die.

I didn't expect this from you, Censor Shen.

Interesting.

You all are really interesting.

Censor Shen, you are risking your life to protect her.

Do you actually have feelings for her?

Do you even know

what kind of person Zhao Yang really is?

Do you know

who caused your father's death?

My father found solid proof of your corruption.

You silenced him.

So you aren't as clueless as I thought.

But where did

those so-called ironclad proofs come from?

From Princess Zhao Yang, whom you are risking everything to protect.

She

personally handed those ironclad proofs to your father herself.

Shen Xiao.

About your father's death,

she played a huge part in it.

Shen Xiao.

Even now,

are you still willing to risk your life for her?

Li Chong.

You're the real culprit here!

Zhao Yang.

You're asking for death.

Shen Xiao!