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 9]

Father,

what if His Majesty told her

that Mr. Li Lu went to his death willingly

on your orders?

He would never spell it out.

And I'm doing this for the Ling clan too.

Even so,

aren't you afraid that once Young Lady learns the truth,

she won't be able to bear it?

She's a daughter of the Ling clan.

There are things she has to endure!

And for all

that she's the Empress,

in the end,

the Ling clan's what she leans on.

Only if the Ling clan stands strong

can she be safe.

At court now,

Xiao Huan is closing in on me at every turn.

If I lose the backing of the senior ministers,

I'll hardly be able to stand.

So,

Cangcang must bear a prince as soon as she can.

Any news of the Saintess of the Lingbi Sect?

Finding her

is the key to winning back

Moon-Eclipse.

I will give my all,

even at the cost of my life!

It fears my Begonia Pendant!

This pendant must hold Wanwei Herb.

It's a rare medicinal herb.

When it senses poison, it glows and drives the poison away.

With it on you,

no toxin can hurt you.

Moon-Eclipse is the Ghost King's token.

It feeds on Wanwei Herb

and is born among it.

Planted in a human heart,

it can awaken the host's hidden potential,

but at the cost of their lifespan.

If the host dies,

Moon-Eclipse is left hanging by a thread.

Only by returning to Wanwei Herb

can it breed and survive.

Li Hongqing oversaw Master's burial back then.

If I want to untangle what really happened in the palace,

it seems I must first reclaim the Phoenix Seal.

[Linghe Hall]

While I was away,

has anything interesting happened in the palace?

I wouldn't dare to say.

You wouldn't dare?

That only makes me want to hear it more.

Then Your Majesty mustn't get angry.

I won't.

Speak.

I've heard

the Empress Dowager has lately been busy

choosing consorts for His Majesty.

What a "good" thing.

How is that good?

Have you forgotten how the Empress Dowager

used to make things so hard for you?

Of course it's good.

Come on.

Greetings,

Mother.

Have you ever

seen me as your Mother at all?

What do you mean by that, Mother?

Even now,

you still play dumb with me?

Mother,

I truly don't know.

As Empress,

you've been in the palace so long without His Majesty's favor,

with no hope of heirs.

I want to choose concubines for His Majesty,

yet he keeps saying

he must discuss it with you.

What,

you don't want him to take concubines?

Mother, please understand.

I've only just returned to the palace

and only just heard of this.

So,

now you know that?

Yes.

Rest assured, Mother,

I'll help you

persuade His Majesty

to take more consorts

and give the royal family heirs.

Really?

Absolutely.

Your Majesty,

these are ladies of the right age

the Empress Dowager and I have carefully chosen for you.

They're all from respectable families

and outstanding in looks.

[Pure and Spotless] Please look them over.

You want to pick consorts for me?

Exactly.

Why?

You sit on the throne above all

and should expand the harem

to carry on the royal line.

Do you even hear yourself?

As Empress,

it's only right that I help the Empress Dowager

manage the inner palace.

That's my duty.

Must you talk to me like this?

Please take your time choosing.

I'll take my leave.

Do you realize

the Empress Dowager is doing this

to plant her own spies

at my side?

There's no real affection in this palace anyway.

Spy or not,

what difference does it make?

All right.

If that's how it is,

I'll take my time and choose carefully.

As you wish.

Please don't be angry, Your Majesty.

Her Majesty must have been pressed by the Empress Dowager.

Have Li Hongqing

look into every detail about these noble ladies.

I want to know everything,

down to the smallest thing.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

please don't be upset.

What would I be upset about?

I've heard His Majesty chose Minister Xing's daughter

and plans to make her Noble Consort,

showering her with gifts every day.

Minister Xing's daughter?

They say, at court,

Minister Xing and the Grand Tutor

have never really seen eye to eye.

It doesn't matter.

As long as His Majesty is pleased.

Miss Xing Yiyi is gentle and sweet,

graceful and charming.

I like her very much.

What title

do you think I should grant her?

Since Your Majesty likes her,

you can decide that yourself.

I like her gentleness

and I like her grace.

Should I name her Consort Rou, [♪ "Rou" here means gentleness.]

or Consort Wan instead? [♪ "Wan" here means grace.]

If you like her that much...

how about

I just give her the Empress's seat?

You're quite mistaken.

The Empress's duty is to run the harem,

an exhausting task.

How could I bear to let Miss Xing Yiyi

work herself so hard?

My dear,

you're in a bad mood?

No need for you to worry.

If you're in a bad mood,

you could simply say so.

I won't take her in, then.

Don't you dare.

You should take her in quickly.

I still have a pile of harem affairs to manage

and won't stay here to witness your bliss.

Cangcang,

you do care about me after all.

His Majesty chose Yiyi.

He really chose Yiyi?

Would I lie about that?

That Empress

was furious.

This Xiao Huan...

I understand him less and less.

Perhaps His Majesty is simply tired of that Ling father and daughter

and wants to lean toward your side.

Not necessarily.

The Empress has always loved blades and spears,

headstrong and domineering.

Maybe it's Yiyi's gentle, sweet nature

that Xiao Huan favors more.

Whatever the reason,

it's a good thing in the end.

Ling Cangcang really thinks

I don't see she's using this

to reclaim the Phoenix Seal?

She's digging her own grave.

Your Majesty,

please don't be angry.

Who says I'm angry?

They say Miss Xing excels in every refined art,

with a slim waist, long legs,

and gifted in song and dance.

If she really enters the palace,

Your Majesty would...

In a few days,

it'll be the Lotus Banquet the Empress Dowager ordered.

They say she'll be granted a title at the Lotus Banquet.

Xiaoshan,

go inform the Empress Dowager

that I've caught a chill,

and can't help her host the Lotus Banquet.

And also...

Come here.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Minister Xing,

your daughter is truly striking in looks.

My dear, what do you think

of Miss Yiyi's dancing?

Very good.

If Miss Yiyi enters the palace one day,

let her dance for us every day.

How about that?

You may enjoy that by yourself.

After all,

I've always liked blades and spears.

If I were to hurt Miss Yiyi by accident,

that would be awful.

Yiyi really is

beautifully made,

talented and accomplished.

What do you say, Cangcang?

You're absolutely right.

Why don't we

let Miss Yiyi enter the palace sooner,

so she can keep His Majesty company more often.

Minister Xing.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Are you willing to part with her?

For Yiyi to receive Your Majesty's favor

is fortune beyond three lifetimes.

How would I dare say I'm unwilling?

In that case,

there's no day like today.

Yiyi will stay in the palace tonight.

Wait!

Wait!

Who are you,

daring to make a scene here?

I...

Yiyi and I already made a lifelong vow.

How outrageously bold...

Insolent wretch!

Who sent you to slander my daughter?

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty the Empress Dowager,

I...

I don't even know this man!

Yiyi,

how can you be so heartless?

Which one of the skills you have

wasn't taught by me?

Shut up!

Your Majesty,

this is the Noble Consort you chose so carefully?

Please, calm your anger.

Mother must have been overwhelmed by all the harem affairs.

It's my fault too

for not easing her burdens sooner.

Your Majesty,

you've worked so hard running the inner palace all these years.

Why not leave these matters to the Empress?

At your age,

you deserve some peace and rest.

Your Majesty the Empress Dowager,

please spare me!

I'll do everything you say from now on.

At court this morning,

Grand Tutor Ling and others submitted memorials,

saying a man slipped into the royal banquet

and that you failed in your oversight.

Since Xing Yiyi was your personal recommendation,

with her conduct in question

and her dignity lost before all,

you cannot escape blame.

And...

Why are you stammering?

Speak!

Minister Xing

had impeached you as well.

Talk about everyone kicking you when you're down.

He's just trying to wash his hands clean.

That old fox.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

His Majesty has decreed today

that the Phoenix Seal be placed in the Empress's care.

They...

they've already taken the Phoenix Seal away.

What?

Satisfied now, my dear?

You knew my plan from the start,

that's why you chose Xing Yiyi?

What else?

Did you really think

I actually liked her?

Whether you like her is your business,

nothing to do with me.

I had

every candidate's background thoroughly checked

before settling on Xing Yiyi.

Even if you hadn't picked her,

I had other ways.

Oh?

What ways?

All the names I handed you were filtered by me,

each with their own issues.

So you're saying

you never meant to choose consorts for me at all?

Whether you take consorts isn't the point.

What matters is

I've finally got the Phoenix Seal.

You care that much about the Phoenix Seal?

Only with it in my hand

can I do what I need to do.

Your Majesty,

please save me!

I'm...

I'm already carrying a child.

You're carrying a child

and still dare to dream of marrying into the throne?

You insisted I enter the palace.

You said back then

if I came in to spy on His Majesty for you,

you'd see the Xing clan rise high and smooth.

That still doesn't excuse you

for such deceit and betrayal!

Please, calm your anger.

It was all my negligence.

Please punish me instead.

Get up.

At this point,

blame won't help us.

It's all my fault

for underestimating that Ling Cangcang.

You're right.

Miss Xing,

we were all tricked by the Empress.

She only ever meant to use you

to snatch back the Phoenix Seal.

She let Zhou slip in too.

She's the one

who drove you to this state.

The Empress Dowager spared your life

so you could seize this last chance.

An eye for an eye,

a tooth for a tooth.

Make the one who ruined you

pay the price.

Child,

don't let me down again.

[Linghe Hall]

Your Majesty,

all the Lingbi Sect files are stored in the Inner Archive.

Let's go.

[Inner Archive]

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

there are over eighty thousand dossiers here.

What you seek really won't be easy to find.

Are you trying

to mislead me?

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

I wouldn't dare!

Then you'd better talk fast.

If I report to His Majesty that you offended me,

I can't guarantee

you'll like the outcome.

Please, don't be angry!

In answer to Your Majesty,

Commander Li

came here yesterday

and took the dossiers.

He also took

a...

a coffin.

A coffin...

[Inner Archive]

Your Majesty,

shall we

return to Linghe Hall?

You may go back first.

I'll walk by myself for a while.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Xiao Huan must have known

I'd use the Phoenix Seal

to enter the Inner Archive.

So he moved what I wanted ahead of time.

And that thing

is a coffin.

Moon-Eclipse is the Ghost King's token

and can be planted in a human heart.

Perhaps, Master's body

lies in that coffin,

with Moon-Eclipse

still inside him?

What's wrong, Master?

The Ghost King is dangerous.

That Ghost King's committed countless atrocities

and harmed so many people.

None of this

is something you should meddle in.

Remember this:

in this world,

the only one who's wholly good to you

is your father.

Even I, your master,

you mustn't trust completely.

Master...

are you really the Ghost King?

No way...

That's impossible.

It was you.

I'll kill you!

Listen.

Before you ever entered the palace,

I'd already planned a way out for you.

You can choose to stay,

or

I can send you out of the palace

to live freely with the man you love.

Really?

Of course.

That was part of my plan all along.

Now that I hold the Phoenix Seal,

one decree from me and no one will dare stop you leaving.

They will never let you walk out of here alive.

Why not?

Because

they

want you dead!

That useless girl,

good for nothing

and only making trouble.

Please, calm your anger.

At least Xing Yiyi had the sense

to die at the Empress's hand.

Send word to Minister Xing

that the Empress punished Xing Yiyi for disrupting the harem

and had her tortured to death.

Yes,

Your Majesty.

Ling Cangcang,

you little brat,

how could you ever be a match for me?

We'll see

who comes to save you this time.

[Wuying Hall]

Your Majesty,

Minister Xing is kneeling outside the hall,

saying Xing Yiyi died miserably in the palace.

He begs Your Majesty to clear her name.

Send him back.

Tell him

I'll handle it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

They will never let you walk out of here alive.

They

want you dead!

Your Majesty,

Eunuch Feng is here.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

I bear an oral decree from His Majesty.

His Majesty asks you to hand over the Phoenix Seal.

What?

Hand over the Phoenix Seal?

I'm only here to pass on His Majesty's words.

[Pure and Spotless]

Why must I hand over the Phoenix Seal?

Do you know

that these

are all memorials impeaching you?

This was all arranged by the Empress Dowager.

She ordered Xing Yiyi to kill me,

never intending to let her live.

I'm well aware of that.

And you still do this?

This is the palace,

not the martial world.

The palace is an arena of power,

not a place for weighing right and wrong.

So Xing Yiyi dies

without the truth, just like that?

Is a human life

nothing more than a tool to seize the Phoenix Seal?

Hand over the Phoenix Seal first.

When this blows over,

I'll give it back to you.

You want me to hand it over

because they've impeached me,

or you can't bear me

walking freely through the palace

with the Phoenix Seal?

What are you implying?

You know very well.

I did move your master's body.

I didn't want you to find it.

But it was also because

I didn't want you dragged into this.

My Begonia Pendant glows

whenever it's near poison.

When it was close to my master's body,

it glowed.

Is it because his body

was hiding Moon-Eclipse?

Did you already know

he was the Ghost King,

and kill him for that?

Cangcang,

there was more to your master than just being the Ghost King.

So moving his body

was also to stop Moon-Eclipse from harming the world?

Is that it?

Answer me.

I gave your master my word.

He had no right to decide for me!

And neither do you.

Fine.

I'll take you somewhere now.

Master...

Master...

Yes.

It's your master.

It's my master.

Master...

Why did you lie to me?

Why?

Why are you the Ghost King?

Cangcang,

I killed him

because I had no choice.

Because he was the Ghost King,

that was

why you approached me from the start,

used me

and lied to me?

You say you had no choice,

tossing out those few words so lightly.

But do you know

that I've endured

this heart-rending pain,

day and night,

with no relief at all?

Do you think I don't hurt too?

You hurt?

Every time I see you sad and in pain,

see you misunderstanding me,

hating me,

it hurts every time.

Cangcang,

in this position,

I truly have no say

most of the time.

Then keep hurting.

And let me go on hating you.

♪ Sky so vast... ♪

You're the one

who, from the very start,

only ever lied to me and used me.

Cangcang,

I've always been sincere with you.

Sincere?

♪ Snow so white... ♪

What counts as sincerity?

Even Master

I was closest to and trusted most

was lying to me.

♪ Pale moonlight... ♪

In this world,

♪ Drifting far... ♪

who else can I trust?

♪ Sword on my back ♪

♪ I can't let go of this lingering longing... ♪

Master,

tell me...

in this world,

♪ Partings never paid in full... ♪

who can I still believe in?

Tell your disciple,

who

can I still trust?

♪ A few strokes of history's ink ♪

♪ Bury the boy I once was... ♪

Cangcang,

believe it or not,

it's up to you.

But I will spend this life

giving everything to shield you

and keep you safe and sound.

♪ Singing to the vast sky ♪

♪ As tears fall in countless lines ♪

Father,

Cangcang saw Li Lu's body.

It seems Moon-Eclipse is still in him.

Other than that,

what else did Cangcang find?

I don't know.

Sound Cangcang out for me.

Find out

how far she's gotten

with Li Lu's case.

Understood.

Your Majesty.

You may go.

Your Majesty,

Heaven rewards the diligent.

Our people have finally caught something on the Empress.

[Changyue Tavern]

[Xijiang Moon]

Cangcang.

Cangcang,

why not meet at the Ling Manor?

Did he forbid you to go home?

I just don't want to worry Father.

Have a seat now.

Master

really was the Ghost King.

If that's true,

then the Sword Cottage incident wasn't a frame-up.

Are you sure?

I saw Master's body.

Moon-Eclipse really is inside him.

So Xiao Huan

hid the body

because of Moon-Eclipse.

He only didn't want it

falling into the wrong hands.

Cangcang,

how can you take his word for it?

If you ask me,

you still need to find a way

to get Moon-Eclipse in your own hands.

If that booklet is telling the truth,

then in your pendant

is Wanwei Herb,

the perfect vessel for Moon-Eclipse.

Cangcang,

this concerns the lives

of people across the land.

You must think it through.

You mean

he covets Moon-Eclipse,

rather than...?

Cangcang,

just because Mr. Li Lu is the Ghost King,

you're going to forgive him again?

I'm not.

I have thought he might have had no choice about killing Master,

but lying to me

and using me to get close to Master,

that was his own choice.

I...

I don't know...

I don't know who I can trust anymore.

Even Master lied to me.

Can I trust you?

You've never lied to me,

right, Luo?

Of course not.

Cangcang,

have you forgotten?

My life

was saved by you and Father.

How could I ever lie to you?

How is Father?

Aside from worrying

that you're being bullied in the palace,

he's fine.

At least I still have you and Father.

Cangcang,

even if Father keeps saying

you should hold tight to the Empress's seat,

you must think it through.

Remember how he tricked you in Southern Chu

and used you.

Don't let him cloud your judgment again.

Here we are!

Come with me!

Yes!

Find them!

Officers...

Aunt Chan?

Palace guards on royal orders!

How did she find this place?

Your Majesty,

the Empress Dowager heard you left the palace without leave

and sent this maid

to remind you of the rules.

I brought the Empress out to drink tea.

Do I now

need the Empress Dowager's permission as well?

This maid deserves death!

This maid deserves death!

For disturbing our pleasant outing,

you certainly do.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

Forgive me, Your Majesty...

Get lost!

I'll deal with your offense back at the palace.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Why did you come here?

I heard Aunt Chan

had brought guards here

and came out of curiosity.

I didn't expect

to run into you.

Their tea and snacks are good.

I came to try them.

Drinking tea alone,

yet two cups on the table?

Since you know I'm not here alone,

why cover for me?

I told you

I'd keep you safe.

Since I'm rarely

out of the palace incognito,

why not stroll around with me?

Watch this!

Look at that!

Lanterns!

Lanterns!

[Lanterns] Take a look, miss.

Fireworks!

Honey puffs!

Fresh honey puffs!

Try before you buy!

Cheap and tasty!

These are from our Yuan family,

[Yuan's Honey Cake Shop] made with our secret recipe!

Come have a taste!

Honey puffs!

Come on, sir, have a bite!

Sir,

one serving of honey puffs.

Got it.

Pack one piece separately for me.

Sure.

- Please try it. - All right.

Come catch me!

Here.

Have a taste.

All right.

Thank you.

You're too kind, sir.

So sweet.

This was my favorite treat as a child.

Why?

I had a cold sickness growing up.

When my mother was alive,

every time she gave me medicine,

she'd give me a piece of honey puff too.

No matter how bitter the medicine was,

as long as there was honey puff,

all I could taste was sweetness.

But I've hardly ever seen it in the palace.

After my mother died,

I swore off sweets.

I wanted to remember that bitterness

and remind myself

never to slack off.

But later,

when I tasted your pear blossom honey,

I realized

sweetness

still beats bitterness after all.

♪ 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 ♪