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Subtitles and Timing brought to you by the Royal Troubles Team ⚜️ @viki.com

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[The Princess Royal]

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[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel, The Princess Royal]

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[Episode 31]

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I've always wanted to suppress the northern enemies

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to keep our country safe from constant skirmishes.

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Official Pei, do you have any useful suggestions?

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Perhaps we could hold a military examination next year.

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A military examination?

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That's a brilliant idea.

11
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I have always wanted to build an army that truly belongs to the royal family.

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It's a good idea to hold a military examination.

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After we suppress the northern enemies,

14
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I plan to station an army of 100,000 men in the South permanently

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to spread our culture and influence foreign enemies, so that 100 years from now,

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so that 100 years from now, the southern lands will be unified as one.

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Your Majesty, your exceptional foresight will make your plans come to fruition eventually.

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Besides, the southern lands have been plagued by floods for years.

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Instead of repairing the dam all the time,

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we should build another channel to divert the water flow.

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Unfortunately, the elite troops, money and food in the country all belong to the noble families.

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But the noble families only care for their self-preservation.

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Let alone start wars at the borders, even if there is a war in the capital,

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they will only try to negotiate rather than fight.

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Those cowards.

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What do you think of what I said?

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You are a wise emperor.

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I dare not say anything otherwise.

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Just speak your mind.

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My clan came from a humble background.

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We gained our reputation for your appreciation.

32
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My father has always been your loyal supporter, and I will follow in his footsteps.

33
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Very well.

34
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Your family and Cheng'er's mother's kinsfolk

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may have been commoners, unlike those from the noble families,

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but you have a heart of gold.

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In the future, I hope you'll continue assisting me in the state affairs.

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Especially Cheng'er. He's still young.

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You should guide him on his journey on my behalf to share my burdens, understood?

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I understand.

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Official Pei.

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His Majesty has high expectations for you.

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Has His Majesty been experiencing health issues lately?

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His Majesty has been experiencing temporary blindness in the morning for the past two days.

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We are secretly searching for famous physicians.

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Official Pei, you have to plan ahead.

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His Majesty wanted me to remind you that only the commoners will truly support you.

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I have conveyed His Majesty's message.

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I'll take my leave.

50
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Looks like chaos is drawing near.

51
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Official Pei, Consort Rou wants to see you now.

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Official Pei, a moment, please.

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Your Highness.

54
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Official Pei, come in, please.

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Greetings, Your Highnesses.

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This time, we've got ourselves into huge
trouble for taking down Wang Houwen.

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I have something to tell you.

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Privately, if possible.

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All of you may leave now.

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I'll take my leave.

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It's a fact that no one would dare to offend the noble families.

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However, we can't simply do nothing.

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After all, His Majesty is watching.

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Now that Wang Houwen has been gotten rid of, you have taken your stand.

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When you release the others afterward,

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the noble families would think that you're doing them a favor.

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If you release them from the beginning,

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would the noble families still think that you're showing them grace?

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Besides, this is the only way to create an opportunity for Prince Su to recruit talents.

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Had I not done all that, the noble families might have assumed that you're scared of them.

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You spoke my mind.

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Official Pei, as the chief examiner for the metropolitan examination,

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I'm sure it won't be hard for you to put a few names on the primary list of candidates.

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[Yang Xu, Wang Zhao, Wen Tong, Tian Xiwen, Liu Li, Chen Qing]

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Aren't these people all from noble families?

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Why don't they just follow the Royal Selection route?

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Their names are not included in the noble families' pedigrees.

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They're only related to them somehow.

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Your Highness, there are some things that I'm not sure if I should say.

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Pray tell.

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What do you want, Your Highness?

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Is it getting a large amount of money and living a peaceful life in the palace,

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or making Prince Su...

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ascend the throne?

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Sorry for my abruptness.

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But there are limited positions in the imperial court.

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Having more people from the noble families means there will be fewer opportunities for real commoners.

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You should know better than I do

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who can be of value to Prince Su.

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The metropolitan examination will commence

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on the 10th day of the 10th month in the 25th year of the Yongning Era.
[Notice of Metropolitan Examination]

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There will be two categories of passing candidates.

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Those on the Primary List will be appointed directly in the capital,

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and those on the Secondary List will be appointed in regional governments.

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That doesn't sound very appealing? I heard those regional positions are posts with very little to do.

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We'd better study harder.

97
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After all, those on the Primary List can work directly in the capital.

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- That depends on whether we can pass.
- Yeah.

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[Examination Hall]

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Your Majesty, these are the candidates for the palace examination.

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- Greetings, Your Majesty.
- Greetings, Your Majesty.

102
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- Long live Your Majesty!
- Long live Your Majesty!

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You may rise.

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- Thank you, Your Majesty.
- Thank you, Your Majesty.

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Please set a question for the candidates Your Majesty.

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How can a ruler ensure that his officials

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are free from corruption, that his people harbor no greed, and that every family can sustain themselves?

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How can the ruler maintain the country's traditions and culture,

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create an education system that is accessible to all, and build a competitive agricultural industry?

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A good strategist knows
how to win a battle without fighting.

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A good general knows how to quash his enemy's plans to end a battle

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even before it starts.

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Discuss the topics above.

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I shall read your answers myself.

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Out of the seven major noble families in the capital,

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other than the four main ones who have lasted for nine generations,

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I see we have representatives from the other three noble families.

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I'm greatly honored by your gracious presence.

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Your Highness, we're here to congratulate you in advance

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for taking back the Inspectorate Office from Consort Rou

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and being reinstated as the Supervisor of the Inspectorate Office.

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You jest, Official Wang.

123
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The Inspectorate Office is doing fine under the leadership of Consort Rou and Prince Su.

124
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What do I have to do with this?

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We're here today to discuss with you

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how we can help you regain the Inspectorate Office's leadership.

127
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Your Highness, if you have any request,
pray tell.

128
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Official Zheng, you're a sensible one.

129
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Actually, I know why exactly you're here today.

130
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Instead of putting it as helping me, I'd say that you're helping yourselves.

131
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The fall season is ending soon.

132
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The officials that Consort Rou has dealt with will all be executed by then.

133
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You want me to take over and change the original sentence

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so that your family members won't be executed, especially Official Wang's.

135
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Let me guess what's on your mind.

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Consort Rou is ambitious and bears a grudge against the noble families.

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If no one stops her, she will become a threat in the long term.

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While she's reforming the system of the imperial examination today,

139
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in the future, she might be targeting your military forces, power, and supplies.

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You see everything clearly, Your Highness.

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Right now, Consort Rou is under my imperial father's protection,

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so if you take action against Consort Rou, you would be taking action against my imperial father.

143
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Yet, you wouldn't want to confront my imperial father directly,

144
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so you're trying to make me a puppet of yours

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and manipulate me to start a war against my imperial father.

146
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However, why would I want to become someone's puppet?

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You've misunderstood us, Your Highness. We're here to assist you, not to manipulate you.

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So, you're willing to follow my orders?

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Inform the Prince Consort

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that I will ask Chen Houzhao to enter the capital tonight to lodge a case at the Ministry of Justice.

151
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Tell him to order Pei Liming to act.

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Make sure Su Rongqing doesn't intercept.

153
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Also, prepare the testimonies provided

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by the candidates which shows that they were coerced by Consort Rou to drop their cases.

155
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I want to read them tonight.

156
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You also need to inform Miss Shangguan to prepare the evidence

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showing they used torture to force a confession.

158
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Also, prepare a nice set of clothes for me.

159
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Tomorrow, I must look pretty when I attend the morning audience.

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Understood.

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Your Majesty,
[Taiji Hall]

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Wang Houwen and his accomplices should be executed according to the law.

163
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Please decide on a date for their execution.

164
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I hope you can reconsider your decision, Your Majesty. My father was the Minister of Personnel.

165
00:13:44,340 --> 00:13:47,360
We have only listened to Consort Rou's side of the story.

166
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That's not enough to prove his guilt.

167
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Therefore, I implore you to postpone the execution.

168
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The execution dates have always been set by the Bureau of Astronomy.

169
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Since when is this a topic of discussion in the court?

170
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You've been working here for years. Don't you know the rules?

171
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You have a point, Official Shangguan.

172
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A woman usurps a man's power, which will destabilize the country.

173
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What are you implying, Official Gu?

174
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Your Highness. I am just fulfilling my duties as a censor.

175
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You're calling me a woman usurping a man's power.

176
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Why didn't you say the same thing when Princess Pingyue was here?

177
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At least, Sister didn't make that many wrongful convictions.

178
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Why are the officials unsatisfied with you?

179
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Consort Rou, shouldn't you do some self-reflection?

180
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You're all ganging up against me!

181
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Your Highness, you said that I've made wrongful convictions.

182
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Do you have any evidence?

183
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If not, then you...

184
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I do.

185
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Greetings, Imperial Father. Long live Your Majesty.

186
00:15:10,580 --> 00:15:13,900
I didn't summon you. What are you doing here?

187
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For myself, for officials, and for all scholars of humble roots,

188
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I'd like to seek justice from Noble Consort Xiao Rou.

189
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I hope you can give us justice, Father.

190
00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:32,040
Pingyue, you should be resting in your mansion today.

191
00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:35,300
Imperial Father, please summon the plaintiffs.

192
00:15:35,860 --> 00:15:40,240
You know I'm your imperial father, yet you dare order me around!

193
00:15:44,500 --> 00:15:47,500
Your Majesty, since the Princess is filing a complaint against Consort Rou,

194
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as the wise ruler of this country, you should resolve this case first.

195
00:15:54,860 --> 00:16:01,720
Your Majesty, please summon the plaintiffs involved in the case handled by Consort Rou.

196
00:16:13,500 --> 00:16:16,720
- Summon them. 
 - Summon them.

197
00:16:26,820 --> 00:16:29,060
- Greetings, Your Majesty.
- Greetings, Your Majesty.

198
00:16:29,060 --> 00:16:33,420
- Long live Your Majesty.
- Long live Your Majesty.

199
00:16:35,900 --> 00:16:41,440
These plaintiffs... have already been found guilty.

200
00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:44,260
Your Highness, you think someone is framing you?

201
00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:48,080
What about him?

202
00:16:55,620 --> 00:16:57,420
He is?

203
00:16:57,420 --> 00:17:02,140
I am Chen Houzhao, one of last year's candidates from Qingcheng, Yuzhou.

204
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It's you.

205
00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:06,340
I tried searching for you, but you were nowhere to be seen.

206
00:17:06,340 --> 00:17:11,100
Are you here today under someone's coercion?

207
00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:17,800
Your Highness. Why would anyone coerce me?

208
00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:21,380
Even if someone did coerce me into coming here,

209
00:17:21,380 --> 00:17:25,260
I wonder who coerced your cousin, Xiao Shunwen,

210
00:17:25,940 --> 00:17:28,700
into stealing my exam candidature in the spring examination.

211
00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:33,100
I couldn't find you when I was investigating the imperial examination fraud.

212
00:17:33,100 --> 00:17:35,640
If you truly have grievances, why didn't you lodge a complaint earlier,

213
00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,500
instead of coming here today and making these stories up?

214
00:17:38,500 --> 00:17:40,580
Making stories up?

215
00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:45,320
Do you know how much I've suffered while studying for the past dozen years?

216
00:17:45,320 --> 00:17:48,780
Do you know how many clothes my mother had washed to earn my tuition?

217
00:17:48,780 --> 00:17:51,420
She even over strained her eyes since she worked too hard embroidering.

218
00:17:51,420 --> 00:17:54,000
My family had pinned all their hopes on me,

219
00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:58,380
yet those scoundrels, Xiao Shunwen and Xiao Pingzhang, stole my identity, my examination script,

220
00:17:58,380 --> 00:18:00,420
and my endeavors over the past dozen years!

221
00:18:00,420 --> 00:18:02,820
And you're saying that I'm making stories up?

222
00:18:02,820 --> 00:18:05,220
Young Master Chen, calm down.

223
00:18:05,220 --> 00:18:07,060
I just wanted to confirm the truth.

224
00:18:07,060 --> 00:18:10,820
If you have grievances, you don't have to yell. Just tell us what happened.

225
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I will remain impartial and seek justice for you.

226
00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:16,380
Justice?

227
00:18:18,360 --> 00:18:23,600
The justice you mentioned was sending your men to search for me and hunt me down,

228
00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:29,360
hoping that I'd never return alive, and that this case remains forgotten?

229
00:18:29,360 --> 00:18:33,380
- What nonsense is that?
- Don't you even know what you've done?

230
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You lied that I died of illness in the capital

231
00:18:37,020 --> 00:18:39,940
and threatened my mother with my brother's future

232
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so that she wouldn't come to Huajing and pursue my case further.

233
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I even have a letter from you that promised you would arrange a position for my brother.

234
00:18:51,220 --> 00:18:54,960
Your Highness, is there anything else you have to say?

235
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Now I know.

236
00:18:59,940 --> 00:19:03,320
Your Majesty, this is a set-up!

237
00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:08,560
All the evidence they're presenting is fabricated just to set me up!

238
00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:12,420
Chen Houzhao went missing after he lodged his case with Pingyue.

239
00:19:12,420 --> 00:19:14,300
If I really wanted to harm him,

240
00:19:14,300 --> 00:19:18,700
why would I search for him, and argue with Princess Pingyue over him?

241
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Your Majesty.

242
00:19:20,540 --> 00:19:25,660
Your Majesty. Why don't you dismiss these people who are kneeling here first?

243
00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:29,640
- Thank you, Your Majesty.
- Thank you, Your Majesty.

244
00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:35,300
Next up, I'm going to show you the next batch of plaintiffs.

245
00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:40,780
The second batch of plaintiffs are the victims of the imperial examination fraud case

246
00:19:40,780 --> 00:19:43,540
that was investigated by you.
[Wen Xingzhi, Wen Lunhai, Wen Zhaoke...]

247
00:19:43,540 --> 00:19:48,440
You said you made painstaking efforts to deal with this case, so justice could be served.

248
00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:51,900
Then, Your Highness, since you've claimed to uphold justice,

249
00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:54,760
why did you threaten to bar these candidates from the metropolitan examination

250
00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:57,460
unless they drop their cases?

251
00:19:57,460 --> 00:20:00,060
While those who stole their candidatures can go unpunished,

252
00:20:00,060 --> 00:20:04,700
all you're doing is just returning these candidates' rights that were theirs all along.

253
00:20:04,700 --> 00:20:09,300
Was this what you meant by upholding justice?

254
00:20:14,700 --> 00:20:18,920
Your Majesty. Consort Rou abused her authority in the Inspectorate Office

255
00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:21,540
to demand bribes from our Gu Family.

256
00:20:22,420 --> 00:20:25,020
Here is the ledger that proves it. Please check it, Your Majesty.

257
00:20:25,020 --> 00:20:28,540
The Zheng Family also has the ledger proving she demanded bribes from us.

258
00:20:28,540 --> 00:20:30,420
So does the Wang Family.

259
00:20:30,420 --> 00:20:31,900
So does the Lian Family.

260
00:20:31,900 --> 00:20:34,020
- So does the Peng Family.
- So does the Sun Family.

261
00:20:34,020 --> 00:20:37,420
- So does the Chen Family.
- So does the Hu Family.

262
00:20:37,420 --> 00:20:40,420
And the Zeng Family as well.

263
00:20:40,420 --> 00:20:43,060
Your Majesty, they're framing me...

264
00:20:43,060 --> 00:20:44,540
Your Majesty.

265
00:20:44,540 --> 00:20:47,520
Consort Rou engaged in corrupt practices and bent the law for personal gain.

266
00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:49,980
She deliberately attempted murder and framed innocent loyal people.

267
00:20:49,980 --> 00:20:53,540
Therefore, I implore you to take Consort Rou into custody, investigate her,

268
00:20:53,540 --> 00:20:55,840
and punish her according to the law.

269
00:20:58,500 --> 00:21:03,060
Your Majesty, we implore you to take Consort Rou into custody, investigate her,

270
00:21:03,060 --> 00:21:05,880
and punish her according to the law.

271
00:21:10,580 --> 00:21:12,660
Official Pei.

272
00:21:12,660 --> 00:21:14,540
Official Su.

273
00:21:15,060 --> 00:21:17,860
Why aren't you two kneeling?

274
00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,680
Your Majesty, I implore you to take Consort Rou into custody, investigate her,

275
00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:34,900
and punish her according to the law.

276
00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:41,820
Your Majesty, I implore you to take Consort Rou into custody, investigate her,

277
00:21:41,820 --> 00:21:43,840
and punish her according to the law.

278
00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:52,180
Very well.

279
00:21:55,020 --> 00:21:59,960
Very well. You're all trying to pressurize me.

280
00:21:59,960 --> 00:22:03,240
You're all colluding to pressurize me!

281
00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:06,800
Your Majesty.

282
00:22:08,020 --> 00:22:10,540
We are not pressurizing you.

283
00:22:10,540 --> 00:22:15,860
If Consort Rou did not do all that, no one would do anything to her.

284
00:22:15,860 --> 00:22:22,920
But since Consort Rou did all that, then she should know that justice has long arms.

285
00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:26,540
This day had to come sooner or later.

286
00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:41,160
You are the Emperor, the ruler of this country.

287
00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,700
As the people's leader, you should set an example.

288
00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:50,140
You can't bend the law to your liking.

289
00:22:50,140 --> 00:22:54,620
I understand that you favor Consort Rou,

290
00:22:54,620 --> 00:22:59,260
but you've put your heart and soul into the imperial examination.

291
00:22:59,260 --> 00:23:01,320
Are you sure that you, just to protect her,

292
00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:05,040
want to ruin the justice that hundreds of upright scholars deserve,

293
00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:07,380
destroy our country's laws and principles,

294
00:23:07,380 --> 00:23:11,240
and sully your reputation that will be recorded in historical records?

295
00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:16,560
If you still show favoritism towards her, how would our Li Family's ancestors think of you?

296
00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:22,180
How would the officials think of you? How would the people think of you?

297
00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:29,820
Centuries ahead of now, how would historical records describe you?

298
00:23:36,020 --> 00:23:39,730
Your Majesty, as your child and your official,

299
00:23:39,730 --> 00:23:43,700
I do not wish to see your reputation tainted.

300
00:23:43,700 --> 00:23:48,200
Therefore, I ask you to enforce the law impartially by taking her into custody

301
00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:50,060
and investigating her thoroughly.

302
00:24:13,380 --> 00:24:14,980
Your Majesty.

303
00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:32,960
- Someone! 
 - Your Majesty. You don't trust me?

304
00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:34,580
Throw Consort Rou into prison.

305
00:24:34,580 --> 00:24:37,420
The Ministry of Justice will take over this case.

306
00:24:37,420 --> 00:24:43,320
Your Majesty. Princess Pingyue had worked tirelessly to establish the Inspectorate Office,

307
00:24:43,320 --> 00:24:47,440
yet she was then maligned by Consort Rou, saying that she killed Scholar Chen Houzhao.

308
00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:52,240
However, it is clear that Chen Houzhao is not dead, which proves the Princess is innocent.

309
00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:54,400
Therefore, I request that Princess Pingyue be reinstated

310
00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:57,200
so she can investigate Consort Rou's case.

311
00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:07,480
Does everyone else here hold the same opinion?

312
00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:10,720
- We do!
- We do!

313
00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:20,180
Fine.

314
00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:26,030
I have a fine daughter.

315
00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:29,200
A fine one, indeed.

316
00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:33,780
I did not misjudge you, after all.

317
00:25:35,100 --> 00:25:37,160
Thank you, Your Majesty.

318
00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:46,420
Since all of you... have already come to this agreement,

319
00:25:46,420 --> 00:25:48,980
why am I even here?

320
00:26:06,460 --> 00:26:11,920
Before Consort Rou is sent to prison, I want to meet her at the Imperial Study.

321
00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:14,060
Yes, Your Majesty.

322
00:26:20,580 --> 00:26:22,080
Court dismissed!

323
00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:25,440
- Take care, Your Majesty.
- Take care, Your Majesty.

324
00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:33,380
Someone. Take the suspect, Xiao Rou, away.

325
00:26:33,380 --> 00:26:37,260
Don't touch me. I can walk myself.

326
00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:06,120
It's not too late to give up now.

327
00:27:11,180 --> 00:27:14,160
Thank you for your kind reminder.

328
00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:17,220
I appreciate it.

329
00:27:25,620 --> 00:27:29,580
[Taiji Hall]

330
00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:41,300
Rong Rong, I've always been by your side.

331
00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:50,380
I thought you would assume that I'm happy.

332
00:27:51,720 --> 00:27:53,400
Then are you happy?

333
00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:58,060
What's there to be happy about all this in-fighting?

334
00:27:59,980 --> 00:28:05,100
Perhaps the past me would feel happy.

335
00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:09,320
But after going through so much,

336
00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:16,460
I no longer feel any joy in bringing down someone like Consort Rou.

337
00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:22,300
The only thing that would elicit joy is when no one like her exists anymore.

338
00:28:24,500 --> 00:28:27,200
No one is more noble than anyone else.

339
00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:31,940
I was just born into a more noble family than she was.

340
00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:41,820
You are kind enough to feel pity for her.

341
00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:49,080
In this world, there are lots of victims and sufferers.

342
00:28:49,080 --> 00:28:53,560
However, there are only a few evil-doers.

343
00:28:54,500 --> 00:29:01,660
If everyone uses their tragic backgrounds to justify their wrongdoings,

344
00:29:01,660 --> 00:29:06,060
then there is nothing to restrain evil anymore.

345
00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:15,340
Your Highness. Detesting evil is the only way to celebrate kindness.

346
00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:20,980
Am I kind, though?

347
00:29:25,700 --> 00:29:29,640
You can be kind. Be someone who slays evil.

348
00:29:35,380 --> 00:29:37,220
Actually...

349
00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:41,420
I've been thinking of something.

350
00:29:42,340 --> 00:29:48,660
Be it the noble families or commoners, why do we separate them into different classes?

351
00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:56,320
If there comes a day when we no longer talk about noble families and commoners,

352
00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:59,300
and everyone gets to be treated the same way,

353
00:29:59,300 --> 00:30:03,260
that can be called true fairness.

354
00:30:06,260 --> 00:30:08,420
That's an immense act of kindness.

355
00:30:14,020 --> 00:30:15,820
If it is an immense act of kindness...

356
00:30:17,100 --> 00:30:21,020
then we have to stay on this path.

357
00:30:28,460 --> 00:30:35,700
Rong Rong, I'm glad that you're truly on my side this time.

358
00:30:40,900 --> 00:30:44,680
Your Majesty, Consort Rou is here.

359
00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:54,140
Your Majesty.

360
00:30:57,200 --> 00:31:02,060
I knew you wouldn't abandon me.

361
00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:04,440
Your Majesty.

362
00:31:21,900 --> 00:31:24,620
You useless woman!

363
00:31:24,620 --> 00:31:27,920
I plotted so hard to wrestle the authority of the Inspectorate Office for you

364
00:31:27,920 --> 00:31:31,720
and I kept reminding you that other than the certain noble families I told you,

365
00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:33,860
you were to do nothing to anyone else.

366
00:31:33,860 --> 00:31:36,980
Look what you've done.

367
00:31:36,980 --> 00:31:41,460
Just for a few chests of silver taels, you've ruined half my life's work!

368
00:31:41,460 --> 00:31:43,320
- I...
- You've dug your own grave!

369
00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:47,100
I was framed. I was set up.

370
00:31:47,100 --> 00:31:49,320
- Pei Wenxuan...
- Enough!

371
00:31:49,320 --> 00:31:53,480
Even if what you said were true, who would believe you?

372
00:31:54,740 --> 00:31:57,560
If you had at least half of Shangguan Yue's composure,

373
00:31:57,560 --> 00:32:01,140
Cheng'er would have been the Crown Prince by now!

374
00:32:01,140 --> 00:32:04,680
Your Majesty. I'm too foolish. I'm wrong.

375
00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:07,080
Don't be angry with me, please.

376
00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:10,280
Take care of your health, Your Majesty.

377
00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:14,420
I only have you left.

378
00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:20,820
But I only have myself left.

379
00:32:29,040 --> 00:32:31,520
The only thing you can do now...

380
00:32:32,440 --> 00:32:36,820
is to find a suitable time to write a letter.

381
00:32:38,500 --> 00:32:43,540
You can say that the Crown Prince framed you,

382
00:32:44,640 --> 00:32:48,060
and that you would prove your innocence by death.

383
00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:52,600
When you die, all this will come to an end.

384
00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:57,340
This is the only way to keep Cheng'er's reputation untainted.

385
00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:01,080
Your Majesty!

386
00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:03,140
Don't blame me.

387
00:33:03,960 --> 00:33:08,700
Given how things are now, I can no longer help you.

388
00:33:08,700 --> 00:33:10,440
Your Majesty.

389
00:33:12,320 --> 00:33:16,740
You're the Emperor and you can't help me?

390
00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:21,520
You can't even protect your woman?

391
00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:34,460
In the end, it's all because of your cowardice and incompetence!

392
00:33:35,580 --> 00:33:37,880
You're scared of the noble families.

393
00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:42,100
- You're scared that they would overthrow you anytime, and that you have to do...
- Silence!

394
00:33:42,820 --> 00:33:46,515
I will show you some mercy on the account that you're Cheng'er's mother,

395
00:33:46,515 --> 00:33:49,920
- so stop spouting nonsense!
- Am I spouting nonsense?

396
00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:54,440
All I did was expose your weakness.

397
00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:58,520
I'm going to die anyway, so what else can you do to me?

398
00:33:58,520 --> 00:34:02,529
- Say that again, and I will remove Cheng'er's title as a prince!
- Go ahead!

399
00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:08,040
If you want to free your family from the Shangguans' clutches,

400
00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:12,780
Cheng'er is your only choice. You won't have another son anyway!

401
00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:17,880
What did you say?

402
00:34:19,320 --> 00:34:24,160
After I gave birth to Cheng'er, you've never had any children.

403
00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:27,140
Haven't you thought about why?

404
00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:36,200
What did you do to me?

405
00:34:36,200 --> 00:34:42,300
The soothing soup you drink every day is made by me.

406
00:34:49,000 --> 00:34:53,860
I'm going to kill you, you evil woman!

407
00:35:11,380 --> 00:35:13,880
You can't bear to do it?

408
00:35:16,500 --> 00:35:19,240
You can't bear to kill me?

409
00:35:21,140 --> 00:35:25,880
Li Ming, why are you such a coward?

410
00:35:25,880 --> 00:35:31,420
You're neither kind nor ruthless enough.

411
00:35:31,420 --> 00:35:35,200
You fail to be a benevolent ruler. You fail to be a filial son.

412
00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:39,500
You fail to be a loving father. You fail to be a worthy husband!

413
00:35:39,500 --> 00:35:43,260
You're a selfish man, after all, yet you were born with some conscience.

414
00:35:43,260 --> 00:35:46,500
You could have enjoyed your life as a cowardly emperor,

415
00:35:46,500 --> 00:35:48,740
and the Shangguan Family could ensure you're well taken care of.

416
00:35:48,740 --> 00:35:51,960
Yet, you are unwilling to do so.

417
00:35:53,900 --> 00:35:57,260
Now you're halfway through your life, but what have you achieved?

418
00:35:57,260 --> 00:35:59,700
You're left with nothing, not even a real family!

419
00:35:59,700 --> 00:36:03,180
Even I find you pathetic!

420
00:36:06,540 --> 00:36:08,380
Li Ming.

421
00:36:11,540 --> 00:36:19,180
Wait till you reach the end... and die alone.

422
00:36:52,940 --> 00:36:54,820
Your Majesty.

423
00:36:54,820 --> 00:36:58,280
Consort Rou has been sent to prison.

424
00:36:58,940 --> 00:37:01,340
Should I summon the imperial physician here?

425
00:37:07,900 --> 00:37:09,180
Fu Lai.

426
00:37:09,180 --> 00:37:10,900
Yes, Your Majesty.

427
00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:14,200
I remember that when I first met you...

428
00:37:15,620 --> 00:37:18,240
you were only 11 years old, right?

429
00:37:18,980 --> 00:37:24,120
Your Majesty, I had just turned 11 back then.

430
00:37:29,460 --> 00:37:31,160
Have we...

431
00:37:32,500 --> 00:37:34,660
all grown old?

432
00:37:34,660 --> 00:37:36,620
Your Majesty.

433
00:37:36,620 --> 00:37:42,060
I have been serving you for almost 40 years.

434
00:37:48,580 --> 00:37:51,220
Ever since I was ten years old,

435
00:37:52,500 --> 00:37:56,060
I swore I would be a good emperor.

436
00:37:58,900 --> 00:38:02,100
I worked diligently for decades,

437
00:38:03,420 --> 00:38:05,120
but now...

438
00:38:06,940 --> 00:38:10,200
everything seems to be back to square one.

439
00:38:11,500 --> 00:38:13,800
I am all alone.

440
00:38:17,580 --> 00:38:22,900
I finally understand why people

441
00:38:24,790 --> 00:38:28,540
call an emperor a loner.

442
00:38:37,580 --> 00:38:39,340
Many years ago,

443
00:38:40,340 --> 00:38:43,500
I was pretty happy

444
00:38:45,020 --> 00:38:47,680
when I sent people to build Beiyan Pagoda.

445
00:39:01,720 --> 00:39:03,180
Come on.

446
00:39:10,980 --> 00:39:14,300
Summon Consort Rou's nephew, Xiao Wen.

447
00:39:14,300 --> 00:39:16,760
I need to talk to him.

448
00:39:18,860 --> 00:39:20,900
Yes, Your Majesty.

449
00:39:31,860 --> 00:39:34,260
Consort Rou has fallen.

450
00:39:34,260 --> 00:39:37,240
It's time to clean house.

451
00:39:54,020 --> 00:39:55,780
Mother!

452
00:39:55,780 --> 00:39:57,540
Huayue.

453
00:39:57,540 --> 00:40:00,380
Why are you here? Are you doing well?

454
00:40:00,380 --> 00:40:03,020
I didn't implicate you, did I?

455
00:40:03,020 --> 00:40:06,460
As soon as I heard that you were in trouble, I sent someone to ask my third uncle for help.

456
00:40:06,460 --> 00:40:10,000
He used his connections, and finally managed to get me in.

457
00:40:11,460 --> 00:40:12,820
What about Cheng'er?

458
00:40:12,820 --> 00:40:15,700
He's doing fine. He's in the mansion now.

459
00:40:15,700 --> 00:40:19,460
Mother, what should we do now?

460
00:40:20,660 --> 00:40:24,860
We fell deep into the enemy's trap this time.

461
00:40:24,860 --> 00:40:32,620
Remember, in the future, trust no one else other than our own family.

462
00:40:32,620 --> 00:40:36,160
Do not ever use Cui Yulang again.

463
00:40:36,700 --> 00:40:41,300
Mother, what should I do?

464
00:40:41,300 --> 00:40:44,220
What can I do to save you?

465
00:40:45,040 --> 00:40:46,460
I'll get married.

466
00:40:46,460 --> 00:40:49,320
- I'll marry someone powerful...
- Huayue.

467
00:40:50,420 --> 00:40:53,220
Stop having such impractical thoughts.

468
00:40:53,220 --> 00:40:55,780
Stop thinking about how you can save me.

469
00:40:55,780 --> 00:40:59,340
I'm afraid I can't escape death this time.

470
00:41:01,140 --> 00:41:06,620
What you should do now is take care of yourself and Cheng'er.

471
00:41:07,740 --> 00:41:14,120
There are two paths that you can choose.

472
00:41:14,940 --> 00:41:16,600
The first path is...

473
00:41:18,100 --> 00:41:20,840
don't come to visit me in prison anymore.

474
00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:22,460
Sever all ties with me.

475
00:41:22,460 --> 00:41:30,040
Beg your father to allow you and Cheng'er to move to stay with your uncle,

476
00:41:30,780 --> 00:41:35,260
stay away from the royal family, and lead a peaceful life.

477
00:41:35,260 --> 00:41:37,480
No, I don't want this path.

478
00:41:38,220 --> 00:41:40,100
The second path is...

479
00:41:41,820 --> 00:41:45,700
You need to take a gamble and risk everything you have. It will be very difficult, though.

480
00:41:45,700 --> 00:41:48,580
Mother, just tell me what to do.

481
00:41:48,580 --> 00:41:51,020
Kill Li Chuan.

482
00:41:52,380 --> 00:41:57,740
Better yet, kill Li Rong as well.

483
00:41:57,740 --> 00:42:00,940
That would make Cheng'er the only remaining prince

484
00:42:00,940 --> 00:42:06,140
and your father would protect you and Cheng'er from any harm.

485
00:42:06,780 --> 00:42:11,860
When Cheng'er ascends the throne, you will become the Princess Royal.

486
00:42:18,460 --> 00:42:21,580
Take this token.

487
00:42:21,580 --> 00:42:25,620
Go to your uncle. He can mobilize troops.

488
00:42:26,820 --> 00:42:28,340
Huayue.

489
00:42:29,660 --> 00:42:33,640
No matter which path you choose,

490
00:42:34,620 --> 00:42:40,820
I will write a confession to take all the blame

491
00:42:40,820 --> 00:42:45,860
so that you and Cheng will remain safe.

492
00:42:47,120 --> 00:42:48,760
Huayue.

493
00:42:49,660 --> 00:42:53,540
There's nothing else I can do to help you.

494
00:42:53,540 --> 00:42:57,700
You will have to rely on yourself in the future.

495
00:43:01,890 --> 00:43:05,460
[Xiao Mansion]

496
00:43:05,460 --> 00:43:08,720
Don't panic. Don't panic.

497
00:43:09,580 --> 00:43:12,000
I can't let people laugh at me.

498
00:43:13,580 --> 00:43:18,340
Don't panic. I can't let other people think that without my mother, I'm totally vulnerable.

499
00:43:24,660 --> 00:43:28,180
Uncle! Uncle, it's me, Huayue!

500
00:43:28,180 --> 00:43:29,980
Calm down.

501
00:43:29,980 --> 00:43:33,180
Did your mother leave any messages?

502
00:43:38,620 --> 00:43:41,140
Mother handed this token to me.
[Rou]

503
00:43:41,140 --> 00:43:43,600
She told me to kill Li Chuan as soon as possible.

504
00:43:43,600 --> 00:43:50,820
Subtitles and Timing brought to you by the Royal Troubles Team ⚜️ @viki.com

505
00:43:50,820 --> 00:43:54,300
♫ Who gazes at the sky from afar? ♫

506
00:43:54,300 --> 00:43:57,780
♫ Who gazes at the sky from afar? ♫

507
00:43:57,780 --> 00:44:01,220
♫ In the night's chill breeze ♫

508
00:44:01,220 --> 00:44:04,740
♫ What is she singing for? ♫

509
00:44:04,740 --> 00:44:08,180
♫ The wind caresses the hills ♫

510
00:44:08,180 --> 00:44:11,590
♫ The wind causes ripples on calm water ♫

511
00:44:11,590 --> 00:44:18,060
♫ Moonlight graces passing souls ♫

512
00:44:46,300 --> 00:44:49,680
♫ Her steps get slower and slower ♫

513
00:44:49,680 --> 00:44:53,100
♫ She's trod a lengthy path ♫

514
00:44:53,100 --> 00:44:56,620
♫ Memories lost then found ♫

515
00:44:56,620 --> 00:45:00,060
♫ Gazing idly as clouds roll by ♫

516
00:45:00,060 --> 00:45:03,600
♫ She holds a red candle ♫

517
00:45:03,600 --> 00:45:06,940
♫ To brave the thick fog ♫

518
00:45:06,940 --> 00:45:10,500
♫ Life can be bitter sometimes ♫

519
00:45:10,500 --> 00:45:14,000
♫ Experience it with grace ♫

520
00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:17,440
♫ Like a fleeting dream ♫

521
00:45:17,440 --> 00:45:20,820
♫ Like a fleeting dream ♫

522
00:45:20,820 --> 00:45:27,110
♫ Neither warmth nor cold will last ♫

523
00:45:27,860 --> 00:45:31,260
♫ Like a fleeting dream ♫

524
00:45:31,260 --> 00:45:34,720
♫ Like a fleeting dream ♫

525
00:45:34,720 --> 00:45:41,380
♫ The moon is reflected in her eyes ♫

526
00:46:09,360 --> 00:46:16,120
♫ In her gaze,
the unwavering faith remains ♫