Original subtitles

♪ The white sail came too late ♪

♪ Where did he go? ♪

♪ Snow veils the mountains ♪

♪ Love endures beyond life and death ♪

♪ A black chess piece ♪

♪ Whose game did he stumble into? ♪

♪ All his life, there's no escape ♪

♪ In ten thousand years, what will still remain? ♪

♪ Will anyone still love with an unchanging heart? ♪

♪ I will remember ♪

♪ Those days long past ♪

♪ As the wind drifts with the white sail ♪

♪ Ten thousand years ago ♪

♪ Did you once walk this shore? ♪

♪ Why can't our bond be severed in this life? ♪

♪ I am lost yet willing ♪

♪ Still I love you with a steadfast heart ♪

♪ Until all things fade away ♪

♪ The stars will remember us ♪

[Love & Crown]

[Adapted from the novel "My Queen" by Xie Lounan]

[Episode 4]

We have an invitation.

Please,

go upstairs

to the Green Haitang Chamber.

This young lady is a distinguished guest.

Let her in.

Please

come with me.

Let's go.

Master,

why did you let her in?

Willow

and haitang blossoms.

She's one of us.

Look.

Sorry for the long wait.

The highlight of our show today

will begin soon.

You who come to this pleasure boat

must have already known the rules here.

A blind auction.

You each have three haitang flowers on your table,

representing three bidding chances.

But let me put out a disclaimer now.

If you bid but fail to pay,

you'll be fed to the fish.

What are we bidding for today?

I wonder.

Allow me to start the bid.

My starting price is

100 liang.

200 liang.

How can we bid when we don't know

what it is?

400 liang.

400 liang already? This soon?

Mr. Niu offers 400 liang.

Do I hear a higher bid?

3,000 liang.

- 3,000? - 3,000?

Are you out of your mind?

How generous of this gentleman.

3,000 liang.

Any

higher bids?

5,000 liang.

5,000 liang?

5,000 liang?

That's not fair.

He didn't throw the flower.

Patience, my esteemed guest.

Guests on the second floor, in the Golden Haitang Chamber

have special privileges,

but they all have only three chances

as well.

6,000 liang.

8,000 liang.

8,000 liang?

Enough is enough.

Stop it.

What if they feed you to the fish?

Did you hear me?

Two fluorite night pearls.

Two fluorite night pearls.

Fluorite night pearls.

What an elucidating experience.

That spoiled brat.

What exquisite fluorite night pearls.

Fine tributes from the Western Sea.

May I know where you hail from,

Mr. Bai?

This is just a transaction.

Outside of this pleasure boat,

we're both strangers.

Right.

I agree.

I wonder what it is that my husband spent a fortune

to purchase.

When can we get it?

You're so impatient, Miss.

Come with me.

After you.

Wait for me here.

I'd like to see a friend.

A friend?

Who?

You're alone.

Oh, my dear brother. Are you worried

that I might feel lonely,

so you came to have a heart-to-heart talk with me?

Someone tried to kill me when you learned

that I joined Fenglai Pavilion.

As my only brother,

you sure want me dead.

You think I tried to kill you?

Are you implying

that it was your mother who wanted me dead,

and you had no idea at all?

Just like all the times before,

it's always your mother who wants me dead,

not you.

Will you believe me if I say I have nothing to do with it?

Whether it's your or your mother's doing,

it makes no difference.

Right.

You lured me to Botang Pleasure Boat.

What if I kill you right now?

Can you kill me though?

I can try.

I don't have time for a spar right now.

Many kids

on this boat are waiting

to be rescued.

Drop your act.

You forsook moral principles for the throne.

A human life is nothing in your eyes,

let alone the lives of those kids.

You only care about ruling Great Qi.

Yes.

I do care about our empire

but I care more about the lives of my subjects.

Even if it's just one person,

that person is still a citizen of Great Qi.

You're still

the sanctimonious Xiao Huan I know.

You again?

Why do you two always fight when you see each other?

I told you to wait for me there.

I...

We have to pick the goods.

They are here.

Help yourself.

Are these murder thralls?

Keen eyes, Mister.

They are stone men.

They are invincible

and feel no pain,

perfect for a killing machine.

It's hard to make one,

and that's why it's expensive.

We only have 10 minutes to save them.

After 10 minutes,

Prince of Yuzhang will surround the boat.

None of the passengers

will be able to escape.

We want

this one.

Wise choice.

There are small boats behind the boat.

Someone will pick you up there.

Protect yourself

and take the kids away.

Run!

Here.

Mother!

Careful.

Careful.

Here.

Come.

Take the kids away first.

I'll save Bai.

Why did you return?

We fight together.

Who are you?

It doesn't matter.

What you need to know

is

That he is not for you to kill.

It's too late.

Surrender yourself now.

You came nonetheless.

It is my feudal land.

If someone wants to commit an atrocious crime on my land,

they'll have to get through me, Prince of Yuzhang.

Enemy vessels are three zhang away from our boat.

The boat must be destroyed.

Long live Lingbi.

We give our lives to you.

Long live Lingbi.

We give our lives to you.

Long live Lingbi.

We give our lives to you.

Long live Lingbi.

We give our lives to you.

Long live Lingbi.

We give our lives to you.

Long live Lingbi.

- We give our lives to you. - Run!

Long live Lingbi.

We give our lives to you.

Long live Lingbi.

We give our lives to you.

[Fenglai Pavilion]

Miss Ling,

you merely suffered from the shock,

so you're fine.

He, however, got the short end of the stick.

His back is seriously wounded,

and he is suffering from nightmares.

We don't know when he'll wake up.

Bai.

I'm sorry.

Please be all right.

What a joke.

What a joke.

You want to regain your power?

Have you forgotten

that you gave it to us willingly in the past?

Your Highness.

It is cold out here,

and you have a weak constitution.

Why are you standing here alone?

Don't do this, Your Highness.

Come.

If one day,

I become the emperor,

I shall make you the Grand Chancellor,

and Cangcang the empress.

The Empress Dowager never takes His Highness seriously.

His Highness is isolated politically.

It is shrewd of him to form an alliance with the Grand Tutor.

But should he become the emperor in the future,

this promise might be the one thing that binds him.

Indeed.

Grand Tutor Ling,

when will you let me rule in my own right?

The day Cangcang weds you

will be the day you take real power.

Unfortunately,

you might not live to see that day.

Isn't it great to be the Bai Chifan

who roams freely in the martial world?

If I lose my power,

I'll lose my life too.

I will treat Cangcang with sincerity.

Your sincerity is a joke.

What a lovestruck ruler!

Not only did you fail to regain your power,

but you will live like you used to before,

wondering every day

if you can live to see the sunrise tomorrow.

You lay low for ten years,

but you messed up your plan in one crucial moment.

You brought this upon yourself.

No.

No.

What should I do?

This can't be it.

Bai.

Bai.

You're finally awake.

Cangcang.

Marry me.

What?

Cangcang.

I love you.

Marry me.

All right?

Luo.

Cangcang.

Father wants me

to bring you back to the Capital.

Come with me.

Let Cangcang go already.

I'm going to marry Cangcang.

Luo, don't hurt Bai.

Cangcang.

Since the beginning, he approached you to fulfill his plan.

He has an agenda.

I know very well if he has an agenda or not.

Someone with a secret agenda

will not risk their lives to save me again and again.

Cangcang.

He did that to earn your sympathy.

Can't you tell?

Luo.

I can tell if it's a ruse

to earn my sympathy,

or if he truly cares about me.

You'd rather believe a stranger you just met

than me?

I...

I didn't mean it that way.

Do you...

Do you fancy him as well?

Father wants me

to bring you back.

Don't make my job difficult for me.

Luo.

Headstrong as I may be,

I dare not defy my father.

Give me three days.

Once I settle everything,

I'll see my father and ask for a punishment.

But today,

you're not hurting Bai.

[Fenglai Pavilion]

I'm coming.

Bai?

What is this?

A gift.

A gift?

Frostflame Iron?

Give this

to your master.

Cangcang,

if I want your hand in marriage,

I'll have to earn your father's and master's recognition.

I don't want to see any tension

between you and them because of me.

So

Let's pay your master a visit.

I'm sure he'll be over the moon.

Among all things, he loves

making swords the most.

Doesn't this belong to Prince of Yuzhang?

Why do you have it?

[Heroic Composure]

Frostflame Iron?

It's mine.

Why must I give it to you?

Botang Pleasure Boat was destroyed.

The Lingbi Sect suffers another great loss.

You also solved the case of the missing boys.

I'm sure the imperial court will reward you handsomely.

You don't need the Frostflame Iron.

I can

give it to you for free.

But only if you...

If I?

I'm afraid you can't give me

what I want.

Don't covet

what isn't yours.

Give me the Frostflame Iron.

Are you ordering me as the emperor

or are you pleading as my brother?

What do you think?

Whatever.

I saved you twice in the quarry

and on the boat.

I will ask you to pay me back

for those favors eventually.

Consider this iron ore

my gift to you for your upcoming wedding.

Thank you.

Bai, wait for me.

Cangcang.

Didn't you say your master is a swordsman?

I thought a swordsman would go on an adventure to uphold justice.

Why is your master

residing in this remote area?

He was a swordsman,

and now, he's a recluse.

Because

he doesn't like the hustle and bustle.

How did you meet your master then?

Did I tell you

why I wanted to rescue those kids?

When I was little...

Father!

I miss Mother.

Can we visit her grave?

Cangcang.

I'm busy.

Quit making a fuss.

Go back now.

No.

I don't want to stay home alone.

Cangcang.

Be a good girl.

We

Will visit her grave in the future.

Bring her back.

Find some playmates for her.

Go back now.

Slow down, Young Lady!

Don't trip yourself.

If you won't bring me there,

I'll go there myself.

Try running now.

Run!

I'll spank you.

Father will save me!

Run!

Try running.

- He'll save me. - Come out!

My father is the best father in the world!

You had

similar experiences,

so you hate those who traffic

children.

What does this have to do with your master?

Mercy, sir.

I've not seen this girl before.

I'm serious, sir.

Just

take that girl away.

For free.

Don't be scared.

Let me help you.

Easy now.

I'll take you home, all right?

I'm not a bad guy.

Tell me.

What is your name?

And then?

And then,

Master brought me to my father.

My father hugged me and cried.

Master also told Father

that his daughter had suffered the same fate,

and that he had been looking for her.

Did he manage to find her?

It's over there.

Master told me

that she loved haitang blossoms the most.

Even though I have never met her,

I'm sure

she missed her father

and this wonderful world a lot.

[Tombstone of Beloved Daughter, Li Xiaotang]

So later,

I made the decision

that even though Master had lost her daughter,

I would

treat him as if he were

my father.

Bai.

You will treat Master with kindness,

won't you?

[Tombstone of Beloved Daughter, Li Xiaotang]

Master, I'm here.

Master.

I'm here to visit you.

Master.

I'm here to visit you.

Where did he go?

What are you doing here?

I'm here to see Cangcang's master.

You're not welcome here.

Are you saying that as Cangcang's master,

or as the Ghost King?

As expected of a student of Grand Tutor Ling.

Do you know

what your teacher thinks of you?

He said

you were like a wolf pup

prowling in the snow.

People assume you're alone

and powerless.

But they seem to forget

that you

are still a wolf.

Master!

You're here.

I was looking for you.

Greetings, sir.

I see you have talked to him.

Allow me to introduce...

No need.

We met just now.

Then,

about our marriage...

I am

just a farmer now.

Your father

should have the final say.

What do you mean?

You're as important to me as my father.

I trust your judgment.

Cangcang,

Bai Chifan told me

that you came to have a sword made.

Quick.

Give me the Frostflame Iron.

Your Majesty,

I found something important whilst investigating

Grand Tutor Ling.

Ling Cangcang's master is likely

to be the Ghost King.

Likely, you said?

Don't you know how important he is

to Cangcang?

I can capture Li Lu

and interrogate him

before we decide.

No need for that.

If I want Cangcang to marry me,

I must pay him a visit.

If he turns out to be the Ghost King,

we can only act on a full moon's night.

Bai.

What are you doing out here?

I'm here to get some fresh air.

Did you know?

Master never lets anyone into his sword cottage.

But he lets you in.

That means you've earned his recognition.

What's wrong?

The full moon's night is near.

Indeed.

It feels like the moon here

is prettier than anywhere else.

In the past,

Master would never allow me to admire the moon

on a full moon's night.

But tomorrow is a full moon's night

and the day we'll get our swords.

I hope

he won't chase me away this time.

Cangcang.

I pray that you won't resent me.

Is it done?

Yes.

Cangcang.

Take a look.

What an amazing blade.

Master,

it is a good sword.

If that is your choice,

you should now name it.

Master,

I have already thought it through.

Can we call it

Willow?

Of course.

Thanks, Master.

Bai Chifan,

you can have this sword.

Master,

you should give it a name.

The dragon hasn't soared high,

but his reign can already be felt.

This blade

shall be called Rex.

Rex

and Willow.

Those are good names.

Consider

these two blades

my gifts to your wedding.

Bai,

thank my master already.

Thank you for the sword, sir.

Thank you, Master.

You're here.

Is Cangcang asleep already?

Without her chattering,

it feels quiet.

You shouldn't have stayed here tonight.

I'm sure your men

are all around this sword grave.

You have already noticed my plan,

yet you decided to stay.

Are you surrendering yourself?

Do you know why

Cangcang named the blade

Willow?

My daughter

was playing house with the kids from the same village.

She loved to pretend to be a heroine.

[Tombstone of Beloved Daughter, Li Xiaotang] She went out to play all the time,

and pestered me

to make her a wooden sword.

Your sword is the best sword in the world, Father.

Thank you, Father.

Should we give the sword a name?

Sure!

That day when I found my daughter,

I saw a mountain full of cadavers.

All I could find of her

was a mangled hand.

That hand

was clinging to the wooden sword tightly

but she...

She was gone.

I held her hands

and carved the name, Willow,

on it

by guiding her

step by step.

Breeze passes through the willow tree softly.

The moon shines on the haitang blossoms.

So you know

the complete codes.

On Botang Pleasure Boat,

when Jin Haitang

saw the haitang blossom pendant on Cangcang's waist,

she let us into the auction.

I suppose the pendant

was left behind by your daughter.

You are indeed using Cangcang.

She's such a sweet girl.

How could you...

So the Ghost King

has empathy?

Why did you lead the Lingbi Sect

and commit inhumane crimes then?

Factors out of our control

often bind us.

The Ghost King is but a puppet.

I don't think myself morally perfect.

I seek vengeance

and repay gratitude.

But why give your life away now?

Come to the palace with me and repent.

You will bring solace to everyone.

Heed my warning.

Stop pestering the Lingbi Sect.

If I don't die,

there will be no peace.

So make it quick.

Alas, what a cruel joke from life.

Keep the truth from Cangcang.

A promise from the emperor

shall never be broken.

Do it.

Master!

Master!

Master!

♪ The rouge spilling into old snow ♪

♪ The waning moon in your eyes... ♪

Master!

Master!

Wake up, Master!

♪ Only a wisp of smoke binds the butterfly ♪

♪ The blood on my hairpin is my hatred ♪

♪ The layer of melted candle wax is my love ♪

♪ Only blind devotion ♪

♪ Can warm this heartless night ♪

♪ You and I ♪

♪ Are destined to meet on that autumn day of White Dew ♪

♪ And to share the red kiss of a blade upon the neck ♪

♪ We brew our hottest tears ♪

♪ Into the deadliest wine ♪

♪ And fall drunk at midnight, caught between dream and reality... ♪

Tell me why.

♪ The cinnabar between my brows has turned to icy flakes... ♪

Why?

♪ Is filled with my grief ♪

♪ If yearning for each other is a tribulation ♪

♪ I should've broken my sword and rejected the invitation... ♪

My intervention was tardy.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

♪ Whatever fancy promises have been reduced to ashes ♪

♪ You and I ♪

♪ Hugging across from the magpie bridge and the galaxy ♪

♪ Shattering glazed fantasy with these sewn shoes ♪

♪ Using the sweetest curse ♪

♪ To build the coldest graveyard ♪

What did he just call you?

♪ Are destined to meet on that autumn day of White Dew ♪

♪ And to share the red kiss of a blade upon the neck ♪

♪ We brew our hottest tears ♪

♪ Into the deadliest wine ♪

♪ And fall drunk at midnight, caught between dream and reality ♪

You killed my master.

Why would I marry you?

I want you to marry me willingly.

I, Ling Cangcang,

am willing

to marry you.

Who are you?

Ling Cangcang

or the Empress of Great Qi?

Do you love the Emperor of Great Qi?

Bai Chifan

never existed.

Bai Chifan...

Bai Chifan

never existed.

My dear.

You're awake.

Your Majesty.

How come you're here, Your Majesty?

I came in

and heard you talking in your dream.

Are you all right?

I...

I had a dream.

What is it about?

I dreamed that...

I dreamed that...

I dreamed that you were kind,

and that my master

was still alive.

And I was still

the carefree soul.

My dear...

Alas, a dream is the opposite of reality.

My master is dead.

Your Majesty, it's time to wake up.

Today is the day you return home.

Come in.

Your Majesty.

Since you have to return home today,

I understand it might be tiring.

So I

will go back to the Grand Chancellor's Manor with you.

What do you think?

You are a busy man, Your Majesty.

I shouldn't burden you

with such a trivial matter.

Your matter

is not a trivial matter

to me.

I wouldn't want to impose.

Relax, my dear.

This is a wedding gift from the young general,

Ling Jueding.

It took me a while

to locate it.

My dear,

you may take a look.

How thoughtful of General Ling.

He couldn't attend our wedding in the Capital,

yet he gave us such a meaningful gift.

He is stationed in Jiangzhou.

I can only imagine the pain he feels from being away from his family.

Maybe it'll be less miserable

if he

can secure a position in the Capital.

My dear.

You must think about the ones who are still alive.

Jueding is brave, strong,

and straightforward.

He should be a soldier.

If...

If we find him a desk job in the Capital,

I'm sure he'd hate

that kind of lifestyle.

You're right, my dear.

I didn't think of that.

In that case...

I turned your offer down,

thinking that you'd be too busy to come with me.

But if

you are willing to come home with me,

I'll be extremely delighted.

Good.

Then I

shall wait for you outside.

Do you think

His Majesty loves Her Majesty?

What are you on about?

After they got married,

His Majesty hasn't consummated with Her Majesty.

Everyone in the palace

is saying that His Majesty only married Her Majesty

for political reasons.

But seeing

His Majesty go back home with Her Majesty today,

I feel

that he does love her.

[Ling Manor]

[Ling Manor]

Let's go.

♪ Dust gathers on the lost paths of time ♪

♪ A red candle keeps the dusk company in solitude ♪

♪ Blurred words on faded bamboo slips ♪

♪ Broken speech in twisted time ♪

♪ The heart still hums its old song of longing ♪

♪ On Phoenix Terrace, the seasons weave their tales in turn ♪

♪ Tears fall, nourishing all living things ♪

♪ Be it cloud or rain, sea or flower ♪

♪ The annual rings carve deep and shallow scars ♪

♪ In the end, silence is the only reply ♪

♪ Oh, broken-hearted one, still you wander the world ♪

♪ The setting sun listens to the tide's confession ♪

♪ A beam of moonlight keeps the hesitant poet company ♪

♪ Amid the swirling mortal dust, love and hate are hopelessly entwined ♪

♪ Empty cups greet the dawn of parting ♪

♪ The heart still hums its old song of longing ♪

♪ On Phoenix Terrace, the seasons weave their tales in turn ♪

♪ That iridescent soul gleams through the drifting past ♪

♪ Be it cloud or rain, sea or flower ♪

♪ The annual rings carve deep and shallow scars ♪

♪ When will the old friend answer? ♪

♪ Oh, wandering soul, one day you'll find your way home ♪