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 10]

Cangcang,

I know you've misunderstood me before.

Could you give me one more chance

to let us start over?

Okay?

Come catch me!

You don't have to answer me now.

I'll stay right by your side

until you come to me of your own accord.

Thank you.

Stilts!

Mom, it's stilts!

Father, come quick.

They're on stilts!

♪ The warmth of your touch... ♪

They're lighting fireworks!

So pretty!

♪ Years turn and fade ♪

♪ Wax and wane... ♪

So beautiful!

♪ Your eyes hold our garden of bloom... ♪

So beautiful!

♪ Washing the sweetness from the pear petals... ♪

There are fireworks!

Fireworks!

So beautiful!

♪ A hairpin carved with a pure white vow ♪

♪ Drifting, falling, endless and tender... ♪

I didn't mean it.

Someone bumped into me just now.

It was just a coincidence.

Have you ever thought

that sometimes,

coincidence is just destiny in disguise?

♪ Dark hair twines into a thread of fate ♪

♪ Drifting, falling, endless and tender ♪

♪ Through every season, every year, every day ♪

♪ The scent of pear blossoms ♪

♪ Fills the garden again ♪

I've arrived.

Your Majesty, you should head back soon.

I'm tired too.

I want to go in and rest.

All right.

I'll stop teasing you.

[Linghe Hall] Have a piece whenever you're sad.

Then your heart won't feel so bitter.

About today,

thank you.

You never need to thank me.

Oh, right.

Aren't you going to ask me

who I met at the tavern today?

I trust my empress.

All right.

It's chilly out here.

Go in and get some rest.

[Pure and Spotless]

Your Majesty.

The Empress Dowager's spies planted by the Empress's side

have all been cleared out.

How can she still track the Empress's movements?

Someone outside Linghe Hall

intercepted Her Majesty's carrier pigeon.

To keep Her Majesty from noticing,

they released the pigeon again.

I don't want to see this happen again.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Keep a close eye on the Empress Dowager.

If there's the slightest stir,

do not overlook it.

Today,

thanks to a guard in her palace tipping us off.

Reward the informant handsomely.

As you command.

Also,

Prince of Yuzhang has sent word

that everything is going smoothly.

This ninth brother of mine

is much easier to deal with

than his mother.

Recommended officials, enter the hall!

The final imperial exam now begins!

In today's palace examination,

all of you

must give it your best.

Do not let down my expectations.

[Palace Exam Candidate: Song Lanxi]

Very well.

I'll review the papers as soon as I can.

Please wait patiently for the good news.

Wait.

Your Majesty,

in my view,

there is something false

about Mr. Song Lanxi's identity.

Grand Tutor Ling,

what do you mean by that?

This candidate

is clearly a woman.

Mr. Song,

do you dare take off your hat

and let everyone

have a good look?

Mr. Song,

didn't you hear what the Grand Tutor said?

Take off your hat

and raise your head.

Oh...

She really is a woman.

This is outrageous!

Yeah.

Far too outrageous.

She really is a woman.

That's deceiving the Emperor!

- Yeah. - Exactly.

Such nerve.

This is beyond all decorum.

We absolutely can't let her off lightly.

You impudent woman,

how dare you pose as an imperial official?

Grand Tutor Ling, you're mistaken.

Mr. Song Lanxi

has always been a woman.

Although in our dynasty,

there have long been women serving as officials,

Mr. Song keeps a low profile,

rarely appears in public,

and often dresses as a man.

So only a very few people know

that Mr. Song is a woman.

Your Majesty has long been shut away in the palace.

I fear someone with an agenda is deceiving you.

Song Lanxi comes from a great family in Gusu,

renowned far and wide.

How could he possibly be a woman?

His calligraphy is bold and forceful,

clearly a man's hand.

The witness is right here.

Who dares question it?

Xiao Qianqing.

Li Chengtian.

Pay our respects, Your Majesty.

Rise.

Song Lanxi

is a disciple of Master Li Chengtian.

Master Li himself is here today.

Who would dare talk nonsense?

Mr. Ling,

it's been a long time.

Yes, a very long time.

Back then,

you resigned and returned home.

I simply couldn't keep you.

And now,

what brings you back?

Back then, the court reeked of corruption.

I refused to join in the filth.

Now,

the world is slowly growing cleaner.

So I'm willing to come out of retirement.

After all these years,

your tongue is still sharp as a blade.

That depends

on who I'm facing.

Master Li,

may I ask whether there is any problem

with Mr. Song Lanxi's identity?

Lanxi,

I've told you long ago:

no matter when,

you must stand tall.

It's nothing more than some schemer failing to have you killed

and now trying to sling mud instead.

As your teacher,

I'll stand up for you!

Since that's the case,

I ask all of you

to wait for the results of the palace exam.

Not even a word of praise for me.

Using me and then kicking me away,

how heartless of you!

Grand Tutor Ling.

[Taiji Hall]

You've schemed for years,

and now your career is about to collapse.

You must have lost your mind

after the loss of your beloved daughter.

Why are you talking such nonsense?

Don't provoke me like this.

This whole situation now

is all thanks to your fine disciple.

You're not much better off than I am.

[Writing]

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

You turned things around in the palace exam.

You specially summoned me here

just to offer congratulations?

Yesterday, Imperial Physician Li sent someone over

and had the Frost Reed delivered.

So he has really found it?

With this key herb that can dispel all poisons,

your cold sickness

may finally be cured.

That's wonderful.

I've specially prepared a banquet

to celebrate for Your Majesty.

Thanks for your kindness,

but I still have matters to attend to.

I'll take my leave.

Your Majesty just can't wait

to share this good news

with the Empress, is that it?

That is between the Empress and me.

Mind your words.

In that case,

I wish Your Majesty

long life and endless blessings.

May you find joy,

find the one you love,

and never be lost in doubt again.

Madam,

don't let stray desires take root.

All of you, leave.

Yes, Madam.

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

Your Highness!

I want to go out.

If you won't let me out, fine.

How about this?

Pick one of you to stand right here

so I can "light a lantern" on him.

Please spare us!

What is the Princess up to now?

Commander Li,

you'll see once you're there.

Actually, we don't even need fire.

One of these days I'll sprinkle some powder on you,

and it'll burst into flame at night all on its own.

It'll be so much fun!

Spare us, Your Highness!

Your Highness.

Please stop causing trouble.

What?

Want to punish me by putting out the lights again?

I'm telling you, my brother is back.

I'm not scared anymore!

Forgive me.

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

You mustn't do that!

If my powder hadn't been destroyed,

you'd already be dead!

I have so many kinds of poison.

Deadly with just a touch!

Your Highness,

what are you trying to do?

Whatever you want me to do,

I'll do it.

Say it...

what do you want me to do?

I would like Your Highness

to spare my men

and go back to your chambers to rest.

Fine.

How long do I have to rest?

How about

you rest until tomorrow?

All right.

I'll go rest now.

See you tomorrow.

Finding you

makes me really happy.

Sir.

- Are you okay? - Are you alright?

What are you looking at?

Do I look that bad?

Am I poisoned or something?

Your Majesty,

this is the pear blossom honey Grand Tutor Ling brought today.

I added four spoonfuls, just as he ordered.

It really does smell sweet.

Whenever Father went away,

he would always bring me a gift,

like milk dates,

candied fruit,

mooncakes,

and this pear blossom honey.

He really dotes on Your Majesty.

His Majesty arrives!

It's so late.

What brings you here?

I've had two pieces of good news today,

so I wanted to come see my empress.

What good news?

There's hope for my cold sickness.

I no longer have to fear

that one day, I'll suddenly leave you behind.

What's wrong?

I'm not sure.

I just have a bit of a headache.

Here.

You're burning up.

I'll call the imperial physician to take a look.

I'm fine.

♪ 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... ♪

Sorry.

I lost my composure for a moment.

♪ Oh, broken-hearted one ♪

♪ Still you wander the world... ♪

Get some rest.

♪ 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 ♪

Xiao Huan...

should I trust you one more time?

Your Majesty!

Someone, come quickly!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

She has always been in good health.

How could she suddenly pass out?

Your Majesty,

Her Majesty

has been poisoned.

Poisoned?

How could the Empress be poisoned?

What kind of poison is it?

A vicious, rare toxin.

It's already entered Her Majesty's bloodstream.

Her temperature keeps dropping.

This poison

seems to be suppressing her heartbeat.

If this goes on,

Her Majesty will lose all body heat.

I'm afraid

in a few hours,

there will be no saving her.

How could she be poisoned

here in the inner palace?

She was perfectly fine just yesterday.

Speak!

Your Majesty,

aside from this toxin,

Her Majesty also seems to have taken

Lovesickness Powder.

Lovesickness Powder?

How do we cure it?

I think I've seen it before at Princess Ying's place.

Don't be afraid.

He said

I shouldn't make things hard for you,

so I won't.

I'll wait for him to come.

I knew it.

You were bound to come!

I warned you.

You can hate me, even kill me,

but you may not touch my empress.

Give me the antidote.

What antidote?

I'll say it one more time.

Give me the antidote!

Your Highness.

I've waited for you all day.

Hurry up and tell your master

that I didn't poison the Empress.

Xiao Ying,

I'm not joking with you.

Ying says she didn't.

Your Majesty,

what's going on?

You're not asking what really happened.

You're just lashing out.

Cangcang's poisoned.

The imperial physician says he's only seen it in the cold palace.

If Ying really used it,

would she deny it?

Every day she shouts about killing you.

Has she ever done something and not owned up to it?

There may be someone trying to frame her.

Your Highness,

the Empress's poison

really wasn't your doing?

You came by yesterday.

You told me to go rest, so I did.

I only just came here to wait for you.

How would I poison anyone?

Is that so?

Since noon yesterday,

Princess Ying hasn't taken a step out of the cold palace.

I stake my life on it.

After the Empress was poisoned,

her whole body turned cold

and the veins in her face went blue and purple.

What kind of poison is this?

Is there an antidote?

It sounds like...

Frostflower.

But I don't have an antidote.

I only brew poisons to kill you.

Why would I bother making antidotes?

Can you make one or not?

I already said there is no antidote.

Her temples have gone purple,

which means she'll be dead in a few hours.

Even if someone can make an antidote,

she won't live to see it.

Li Hongqing.

Here.

Go to Nanrong Palace at once.

Understood.

Your Majesty.

As for this matter,

you haven't told Preceptor Du, have you?

No.

Your Majesty...

Let go.

Imperial Physician Li has searched for ten years for it.

It's your lifesaving medicine.

Ten years, that's all.

I managed to wait before.

I can keep waiting now.

Your Majesty...

Go back.

You should know

that once I've made a decision,

no one can change it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Xiaoshan,

grind this into powder,

mix it with water and bring it in.

I will use it to cleanse the poison from the Empress.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I'll go at once.

Commander Li took away the Frost Reed.

Is it because Imperial Physician Li is back?

Seems not.

Commander Li said

if you return,

you'd better go straight to Linghe Hall.

♪Who♪

♪ Walks lone through storm and snow ♪

♪ Reading every warmth and chill ♪

♪ Of the heart? ♪

♪Who♪

♪ Stands proud against a thousand weights ♪

♪ Grace only a mask he wears? ♪

♪ My blade sweeps the heavens ♪

♪ Blood once drenched ♪

♪ My armor and charging steed... ♪

Madam, you can't go in!

Madam!

♪ When to step in, when to hold back ♪

♪ A broken blade cuts through ♪

♪ Years of winter and summer ♪

♪ Enemy flags burn to ash like gauze... ♪

The Empress is about to wake.

If you have something to say,

we can talk in Wuying Hall.

♪ I'm willing ♪

♪ To wield my sword with you and burn the waning moon ♪

♪ I'm willing ♪

♪ To brave all storms with you, boiling with passion ♪

♪ I'm willing ♪

♪ To break my wings and become the blade in your hand ♪

♪ I'm willing ♪

♪ To write with you this torn, enduring page of history ♪

There's no need for this.

I'm not dead yet.

You can't afford to wait another ten years

for the Frost Reed.

There may still be hope.

From now on,

I will do exactly as you say.

I'll take the medicine and the needles

without so much as a frown.

Who did this?

I'll investigate at once.

No need.

At first, I thought it was Xiao Ying.

But when I returned to Linghe Hall

and checked everything carefully,

I understood.

This

is the pear blossom honey Cangcang has loved since childhood.

Yesterday,

Grand Tutor Ling sent it over.

And the poison

was hidden right inside it.

The imperial physician also said

that in what Cangcang was given,

there was not only a fatal toxin

but also Lovesickness Powder.

We found an important lead:

the cure for His Majesty's cold sickness,

the rare Frost Reed,

has finally been found.

If we lay the Lovesickness Powder and the poison

only on the very top layer of honey,

can you guarantee the honey beneath is clean?

I can, my lord.

I once trained under the Tang Clan.

I would never leave any trace behind.

You may rest assured.

This poison

was stolen from Princess Ying

by an undercover agent in the palace, wasn't it?

Yes.

I heard

His Majesty has already visited the cold palace

and seems to have cleared Princess Ying.

It doesn't matter.

With no solid proof,

even if His Majesty suspects something,

this case

can only be left hanging.

Speak.

My lord,

this Frostflower poison

is incredibly vicious.

If used carelessly, it could take a life.

Are you truly not worried about Young Lady?

If you had a daughter

who grew up fair and clever,

treasured like a pearl in your palm,

could you not worry,

not feel pain?

I've long since prepared the antidote.

In the last round,

I lost.

So I decided

to place one more bet.

I bet that someone else's feelings for Cangcang

run deeper

than mine.

He's gambling.

Word about the Frost Reed

must have leaked out.

He's betting

that I won't just stand by and watch Cangcang die,

that I'll definitely use the Frost Reed

to save her life.

And once I do,

I won't live much longer.

He can pin it all on Xiao Ying,

and even stir up strife between me and the Empress Dowager.

And after that,

if the Empress conceives my heir,

this round

really will be three birds with one stone.

As for this,

you already knew it

before treating the Empress?

This matter

cannot simply be let go!

Are you really going to wait

and let Ling Xuefeng become regent again one day?

You must not soften again.

If the Empress bears an heir,

Ling Xuefeng will surely rebel.

As Grand Tutor Ling is now,

he's resorting to desperate measures.

[Linghe Hall]

You must not soften again.

If the Empress bears an heir,

Ling Xuefeng will surely rebel.

You're awake.

What happened to me?

You were poisoned.

Poisoned?

Who did it?

The Empress Dowager?

It doesn't matter anymore.

What matters is,

the poison has been cleared.

People in this inner palace

are truly like beasts let loose.

What's wrong?

You look so grim.

Before the medicine cools,

hurry and drink it.

What kind of medicine is this?

Is it bitter?

Birth-control tea.

♪ In the distance ♪

♪ A lone lamp glows ♪

♪ That light ♪

♪ Was never mine to claim... ♪

What

is that supposed to mean?

It's mixed by Preceptor Du.

It won't do your body much harm.

Take it

and it'll work at once.

It can spare you and me

a great deal of trouble.

♪ Raindrops fall with the wind ♪

♪ Caressing the mountains' scars ♪

♪ Like someone both strange and dear... ♪

What trouble?

So...

everything that happened yesterday

was all just an act?

♪ You woke my desolate dream ♪

♪ And vanished with the dawn... ♪

That was three days ago.

You've been unconscious for two days.

Three days apart,

your heart has already changed.

♪ Drifting with the river into silent seas... ♪

So your love

is just a whim.

Once the mood passes,

you throw it away.

Is that it?

♪ 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 ♪