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 5]

Long live Your Majesty!

Blessings upon Your Majesty!

Father.

The imperial dignity must be upheld.

Rituals cannot be neglected.

Sir, there's no need for such formality.

Father,

when you bow to me like that,

I'm not used to it.

So let's not.

In time,

you will get used to it.

Sir,

is Luo Xianxue in the residence?

He is.

You wish to see him?

The Empress has been worried about his injuries.

My dear,

isn't that so?

And if it is?

Would you even allow me to visit him?

As you wish.

Your Majesty,

she's been spoiled

from childhood.

I beg Your Majesty's pardon.

I've heard

you excel at tea.

I wonder

if I might have the honor of a taste.

Luo.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Are you

blaming me?

Of course not.

Now,

you're the Empress.

It's only right

I bow to you.

Rise.

Your Majesty,

it's just a scratch,

not worth your worry.

If you still see me as your little sister,

stop calling me "Your Majesty".

If anyone's to blame,

it's me.

Your Majesty,

don't blame yourself.

Your betrothal was set long ago.

You could never overrule him.

He's the one at fault!

He killed my master.

But whatever the case,

you're the Empress now.

What exactly did he do to you?

Before,

I didn't know my place.

But now,

I've thought it through.

I know what I must do

for everyone's good.

Our father grows older by the day.

He can't take upheaval.

Since you're Empress,

you should consider how to ease his burdens.

Ease Father's burdens?

Yes.

Empress Dowager Liu and Father

have long been at odds.

Only by fulfilling your duty as Empress

can you truly ease his burdens.

How am I supposed to do that?

Every day I see him,

I think of my master,

I think of your hand,

and I could kill him with one stroke.

Even if you won't think of Father,

think of yourself.

Empress Dowager Liu holds the Phoenix Seal.

She rules the inner palace.

Without His Majesty's favor,

without his support,

how will you survive the inner palace?

I'm speaking from the heart!

Don't worry.

I'll look after myself in the palace.

Your Majesty...

Rumors that the Emperor and Empress are at odds

are everywhere.

The Empress Dowager

will surely use it and bully you.

You must rely on His Majesty

and secure the Phoenix Seal.

Then our father

can be at ease.

Please think twice, Your Majesty!

Luo,

may I ask you a favor?

Your Majesty, just say the word.

I want to set up

a spirit tablet for my master.

I knew Your Majesty would wish this.

I've already sought a proper mausoleum.

All right.

Thank you for seeing to it.

Cangcang,

take care.

Two days ago, I obtained

some Wuyi Queshe Tea.

Here.

Please taste it, Your Majesty.

A delicate fragrance

with a sweet, lingering finish.

Fine tea.

Today, Your Majesty escorted the Empress home

and now shares tea with me.

This old minister

is truly gratified.

Sir, do you know

about the heretical sect

in the martial world,

the Lingbi Sect?

Backed by someone at court,

they assassinate the powerful

and eliminate rivals.

I am ill-informed

and have never heard of it.

I have proof

that Li Lu

is its secret leader,

which makes

your ties to the Lingbi Sect

hard to explain.

I truly didn't know Li Lu's identity,

only that he was a martial master

who saved Cangcang

and taught her the sword.

Nothing more.

Nothing more...

Then tell me,

why did I

cut off Luo Xianxue's finger?

You don't think

it was just out of jealousy, do you?

Your Majesty's care for the Empress

is painstaking indeed.

I'm deeply grateful.

We're all family.

No need for thanks.

By the way,

in a few days,

the Ministry of Personnel will propose a talent recommendation system.

I consider it workable

and intend to implement it.

What say you, sir?

If it benefits Great Qi,

I will, of course,

fully support it.

Cangcang grew up away from strife

pure and kind at heart.

So she loves and hates with all her being,

and despises evil as her enemy.

She's been willful for a dozen years,

but now she's the Empress.

It's time she grew up.

Have you said what must be said?

Yes.

As you instructed,

I told Young Lady everything.

But Father,

you know full well

she still resents His Majesty

over Li Lu's death.

Asking her

to seek his favor at a time like this,

won't that...

Xianxue,

do you still think

I shouldn't have done this?

I am Cangcang's father,

and what I do

is certainly for her own good.

His Majesty was born with cold poison.

Even the imperial physicians can't treat it.

What if he were to...

If Cangcang bears a prince soon,

then she'll truly have real backing

in the inner palace.

Xianxue,

this is the path she must take.

All we can do

is to pave the way for her,

so she walks steadier

and goes farther.

Understood.

My lady asked me to find a mausoleum to honor Li Lu.

Promise her.

But

don't let her know

that Li Lu was the Ghost King.

But I don't think

she will let it go easily.

Try to talk her down.

Cangcang is soft-hearted.

She'll always put the Ling family first.

After all,

we need to move on.

[Yongkang Mausoleum, 3 li north of the Capital]

[Wuying Hall]

Your Majesty.

The Empress got a note by pigeon

and slipped out of the palace.

You truly won't stop her?

She'll come back.

Keep me informed

of her every move.

Also,

do not alert her.

Understood.

Master.

I'm unfilial.

I cannot pay respects at your grave in person.

I can only

set up a spirit tablet for you here.

[Spirit tablet of the late Li Lu]

May it comfort your spirit in heaven.

I brought you wine too.

Though

the Capital's wine is a bit light,

and I'm not sure if you like it.

Still,

it's smooth and lingering.

Please try it.

[Spirit tablet of the late Li Lu]

Let it go, Cangcang.

Maybe His Majesty

has his reasons.

Reasons?

What reason justifies

killing a man who kept to himself

and did nothing but good?

I roamed the martial world with Master since I was little.

He was unmatched in skill,

almost without rival.

Yet he was humble to all

and ever doing good.

His only wish

was that I grow up safe and happy.

Master,

I want those blossoms!

All right.

I'll pick them for you.

What are you doing?

What do you think you're doing?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Sorry to trouble you.

Master, you're amazing!

I can't make sense of it.

What reason could justify

killing a man so good,

one he never spoke of?

Cangcang,

the dead can't return.

Look past it.

Stop.

Show me your hand.

Luo,

you and Father

are my closest family

in this world.

You're right.

Since I'm the Empress now,

I should use that position

to live well in the palace.

So I can keep everyone in the Ling family safe.

Cangcang,

you've finally figured it out.

Yes.

I have.

Until I learn the truth,

I'll do my duty as Empress.

Cangcang,

you still must find the truth?

Right.

[Spirit tablet of the late Li Lu] Master's kindness to me runs deep.

How could I let his death be in vain?

But even if you uncover the truth,

what then?

Then I'll repay every grudge

and every grievance.

I'll put an end to it all.

The world will still be wide open.

[Spirit tablet of the late Li Lu]

Your Majesty.

Has the Empress returned?

She has.

She and Luo Xianxue visited a mausoleum

and set up a spirit tablet for Li Lu.

She just returned to Linghe Hall.

She's in good spirits.

Is that so?

Good.

Your Majesty,

why not tell Her Majesty the truth?

Let her hate me

is better than letting her learn it

and suffer

and grieve.

Besides,

the matter isn't over.

I don't want her dragged into it.

Understood.

How's the affair in Southern Chu

being handled?

Rest easy.

Song Lanxi has agreed.

He can depart for the Capital at any time.

Good.

We're rolling out the talent recommendation system.

Make sure nothing goes wrong.

Ensure this pilot batch of candidates,

especially Song Lanxi,

arrives safely in the Capital.

Understood.

[Linghe Hall]

Blessings upon Your Majesty.

Why is it

so cold in here?

The steward eunuch says

our hall is short on attendants

and His Majesty doesn't come,

so we don't get much charcoal.

Is that so?

How long have I been in the palace now?

Today makes seven days.

Keep combing.

With a touch of grooming, Your Majesty is peerless.

His Majesty will be smitten when he sees you!

We're not going to see His Majesty.

Then who are we visiting?

We're going to see the Empress Dowager

and reclaim what is ours.

Do you mean the Phoenix Seal?

If you go like this,

it may be risky...

We'll go anyway.

Come on.

Your Majesty.

Aunt Chan.

The Empress Dowager is napping.

No one may enter and disturb her.

Aunt Chan,

I've heard Mother loves cheese.

So I asked my brother

to bring fine cheese back from Xijiang

for her to enjoy.

It was sent on an eight-hundred-li rush to the Capital.

The flavor will change with time.

Please announce me.

Your Majesty is thoughtful.

However,

the Empress Dowager

feels she's put on weight lately,

and is on a fasting regimen.

So I'm afraid

she won't partake of this cheese.

I see.

What a pity.

Then perhaps

I'll present it to you instead?

Xiaoshan,

take it in to Aunt Chan.

Understood.

The Empress Dowager is napping.

No one

may enter and disturb her.

It's fine.

We'll wait a bit longer.

When the Empress Dowager wakes,

we'll go in then.

Then please wait, Your Majesty.

I'll go in and attend her.

Hold.

Since you're going in to serve,

as her daughter-in-law,

I should go in to serve Mother as well

to show my filial respect.

The Empress's deportment is improper.

How are you people attending her?

Take them away.

Give them the forced-bend punishment

for four hours!

You dare strike me?

I spoke kindly

yet you threw your weight around

and ran roughshod.

Am I not allowed to discipline you?

Guards!

Take her away.

Understood!

Your Majesty,

at this rate...

No hurry.

Your Majesty.

The Empress Dowager invites you.

Then,

I'll spare you for now.

Greetings, Mother.

You even struck my attendant.

Quite the display of power.

Mother,

I am wronged!

I came today

to bring you cheese.

But to my surprise,

Aunt Chan said

you'd grown fat

and must fast a few days before seeing anyone.

Your Majesty,

don't heed this liar!

When did I ever say that?

Mother, you hear that?

Aunt Chan calls me a liar.

Aunt Chan,

you've served Mother for years.

I do respect you.

But after all,

I am the Empress of Great Qi.

Young as I am,

you shouldn't call me a liar.

Your Majesty,

I've been wronged!

Please judge clearly!

Since Aunt Chan misspoke,

she should be slapped.

Attend!

Drag her out.

Thank you for your just judgment, Your Majesty.

Are you satisfied now?

You're fair in reward and punishment.

I take the lesson.

Thank you, Mother.

I've ruled the inner palace for decades.

You mustn't be soft-hearted,

or the wretches will walk over you.

Don't you agree?

You're absolutely right.

Mother,

it's hard work to manage the harem,

so I'd like to share the burden.

Managing the inner palace is the Empress's duty,

mine to fulfill.

- Why not grant me the Phoenix Seal... - You've

been in the palace seven days?

Yes.

By rights,

I should pass you the Phoenix Seal.

But your conduct falls short,

how can you rule the inner palace?

What do you mean by that, Mother?

Where have I failed my duties?

I hear

His Majesty has yet to stay at Linghe Hall.

As the Emperor's wife,

you've not fulfilled a wife's duty.

That is the gravest failing.

An Empress's chief duty

is to extend the royal line

and carry on the heirs.

To be the mother of the realm,

be a mother first.

If you have no legitimate son or daughter,

your throne

will be hard to hold.

I fear your mind is elsewhere.

So for now,

I'll shoulder these burdens.

As for the Phoenix Seal,

I'll keep it for you.

When you've fulfilled an Empress's duties,

I'll hand it over.

I'm a bit tired.

You may withdraw.

Understood.

I'll take my leave.

I also hear

the Emperor was just outside

yet didn't speak up for you.

As one who's been through it,

let me advise you:

Reflect on yourself and win back his favor.

I still can't get around him.

Mind your words, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

How is the Empress?

Since returning, all is normal.

She showed no other strong reaction,

only that

she took out a pear blossom hairpin.

We're going to visit Master tomorrow.

Why are you still up so late?

Cangcang,

I have a gift for you.

What is it?

What a beautiful hairpin!

My home has a pear orchard,

planted by my parents.

When the blossoms are in full bloom,

I'll take you there,

all right?

♪ Thoughts linger on... ♪

That depends on my master's permission.

And if he says no?

Then we won't go.

♪ Turns time into a gentle circle... ♪

Anyway, just put it on.

♪ Years turn and fade ♪

♪ Wax and wane... ♪

Does it look good?

It does.

♪ Then sudden rain pours down ♪

♪ Washing the sweetness from the pear petals ♪

♪ Softly, slowly, round and clear, faint yet near ♪

♪ A hairpin carved with vows of white ♪

♪ Drifting, falling, endless and tender ♪

♪ Through every season, every year, every day ♪

♪ Time engraves our story deep ♪

♪ Softly, slowly, round and clear, faint yet near ♪

♪ Dark hair twines into a thread of fate ♪

Have the pear blossoms in Qinyuan Garden bloomed?

They've budded but not opened yet.

I want to see a sea of white blossoms like snow.

Hongqing,

see to it.

Understood.

Put that over there.

Yes, sir.

Set this one here.

Leave this here.

Stoke the fire higher.

Fan it.

You two,

bring a few more braziers.

Yes, sir!

Commander Li.

Eunuch Feng.

Why so many braziers

throughout the garden?

Are you

building a warm frame to force an early bloom?

White as snow.

Your Majesty, look!

The pear blossoms are all open.

I didn't lie to you.

They are.

Not one was open days ago,

and today the whole garden's in bloom.

Do you like it?

Shall I cut two sprays for a vase?

Here comes His Majesty!

If I can't secure the Phoenix Seal,

never mind uncovering Master's death,

I won't survive a day in the harem.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Do you like this garden of pear blossoms?

I do.

At first sight of them,

I thought of Your Majesty.

I meant to send for you,

but you came at once.

Are you here to admire them too?

So,

have you made up your mind?

I have.

Right now,

I have made up my mind.

We are husband and wife.

I shouldn't hold resentment toward you.

Your Majesty,

at Linghe Hall,

the nights are bitterly cold.

Will you come keep me company tonight?

Since when

did I become a tool

for you to toy with?

Your Majesty,

this is a new medicine from the Imperial Preceptor

to treat your cold sickness.

What is it you painted, Your Majesty?

Nothing,

just a few casual strokes.

I hear you viewed pear blossoms all day.

This spring is chill.

Their scent

can affect the body.

Beware a bout of wheezing.

Hereafter,

best avoid Qinyuan.

I was born

with the cold sickness.

What has it to do with pear blossoms?

I'm not that delicate.

Fair point.

The reform you seek

will shake the nobles' interests.

I fear

Grand Tutor Ling won't support it.

In court, only Minister Xing

can counter him.

Though he's of the Empress Dowager's line,

there's room to win him over.

I hear

Minister Xing has a beloved daughter.

If Your Majesty

takes her as a consort,

he'll surely serve you.

Madam...

Your Majesty, remember:

you married the Empress

to counter Grand Tutor Ling.

Now, to keep the balance,

taking Minister Xing's daughter

is just as necessary.

My harem requires

no concern from you.

I overstepped.

As Imperial Preceptor,

you should not dabble in such affairs.

Your Majesty,

the Empress may not be your foe,

but she cannot be your soft spot.

Your Majesty,

it's late.

Let's give up waiting.

What do you think

His Majesty is doing now?

I asked around.

His Majesty

has been reading memorials at Wuying Hall

and went nowhere else.

Enough.

Let's go rest.

Understood.

Let's wait a bit longer.

Right now,

I have made up my mind.

We are husband and wife.

I shouldn't hold resentment toward you.

At Linghe Hall,

nights are bitterly cold.

Will you come keep me company tonight?

Your Majesty,

your health comes first.

Shall we retire?

No need.

Your Majesty,

you're holding the memorial upside down.

None of you

supports the talent recommendation system?

If you have thoughts,

speak freely.

The new system makes sense,

but it will be hard to carry out.

With the Grand Tutor silent,

we dare not say much.

- Yes. - Exactly.

Reasonable.

Your Majesty,

the system selects talent beyond old rules.

But scholars vary by region.

Bringing them to court rashly

may be unwise.

The Grand Tutor never proposed it before.

Best to see where he stands now.

That's sensible.

Not so.

A matter this big

can't be decided in a moment.

By the way,

in a few days,

the Ministry of Personnel will propose a talent recommendation system.

I consider it workable

and intend to implement it.

What say you, Sir?

If it benefits Great Qi,

I will, of course,

fully support it.

Your Majesty,

no one in court supports the system.

What now?

I expected today's pushback

and have a plan.

Hold for now.

Understood.

Time to go to Nanrong Palace now.

Get my medicine.

Understood.

Your Majesty,

the Empress waited all night

and just fell asleep.

Wufu.

Here.

Find a way

to move the spies from her side.

Understood.

Madam,

are the elixirs ready?

Commander Li,

why are you here alone today?

Doesn't His Majesty always stop by after court?

He went to Linghe Hall today.

This batch

has new herbs added.

When His Majesty takes it,

I must be present

to take his pulse and observe.

This time,

let me deliver it.

Please don't put me in a bind.

Xiaoyue!

Xiaoyue!

Quiet down.

Her Majesty was up all night

and just fell asleep.

Xiaoyue,

Eunuch Yang from the Household asks for you.

Me?

Yes, go on.

They're waiting.

Xiaoshan,

I'll be right back.

All right.

His Majesty said he wouldn't come.

Why lose sleep waiting?

What's the point?

Forgive me, Your Majesty!

Cangcang,

I'm truly sorry.

But if you knew the truth,

how would you face your master?

And how could you bear it?

Your Majesty!

You finally came.

I was just passing by and looking in.

I didn't expect

you'd be sleeping in broad daylight.

What conduct is that?

Since you're here,

stay and keep me company.

I still have matters to attend to.

If you wish to sleep,

then sleep.

Do you dislike me so much?

You won't spare me a glance?

Why do you

want me to stay?

Do you remember this pear blossom hairpin?

If you don't like it,

throw it away.

I like it!

Put it on me.

If not,

share a drink with me.

Just one cup.

After this cup,

we're back to how we were.

All right?

♪ 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 ♪