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 12]

Grand Tutor Ling forced me to choose.

So, I want him to know

how hard that choice is.

I'm innocent!

Your Majesty,

I'm truly innocent!

I never forced Your Majesty!

Father...

Sir,

I want to save the people of Jiangzhou

and the people of Xuzhou.

Tell me,

what should I do?

If you're killing me, do it.

No need for all this chatter!

Loose the arrows!

No!

[Wine]

No!

Your Majesty...

I'm begging you!

Please let him go!

It was my fault!

Please, Your Majesty!

Just let him go...

I'm begging you...

I was wrong...

It's all my fault...

Please...

Sir,

what do you say?

I will

do everything I can

to get grain to Xuzhou and Jiangzhou.

I was wrong!

It's all my fault!

Xiao Huan...

Xiao Huan...

spare him...

Please spare him, I'm begging you...

[Wine]

Cangcang.

Father.

My death means nothing!

I only hope

you're never threatened again!

Luo!

No!

Luo!

♪ The rouge spilling into old snow ♪

♪ The waning moon in your eyes ♪

♪ Is the flaw of half my life ♪

♪ Oaths wither at the root of the tongue ♪

♪ 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... ♪

Xianxue...

Cangcang...

♪ Using the sweetest curse... ♪

I can't protect you anymore.

You have to live well.

You must keep on living!

♪ We brew our hottest tears ♪

♪ Into the deadliest wine ♪

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

♪ Later I heard ♪

♪ You once asked where I'd gone ♪

♪ But the Buddha says this world was a mistake ♪

Still trying to run?

Let me tell you:

Even if you flee to the ends of the earth,

with this Heartbane in you,

there's no escape!

I...

I won't dare again.

Never again.

You opened this Butterfly Lock?

Yes.

Such a complicated Butterfly Lock,

and you still managed to open it.

Looks like you've got some skills.

Come with me.

I have a disciple

named Cangcang.

You'll stay by her side,

and be her friend.

No matter what happens,

you must protect her,

even if it costs your life.

Cangcang,

why don't we go back to Southern Chu

and rebuild Fenglai Pavilion?

Can I ever be the Ling Cangcang I used to be?

[Pure and Spotless]

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Grand Tutor Ling, you're in quite a hurry.

Is there news of the grain?

Your Majesty,

I've contacted the grain merchants

in the Capital and all the prefectures.

They've volunteered 300 thousand dan of grain.

It'll all be delivered within a month.

This is their joint petition.

Eunuch Feng,

show Grand Tutor Ling the plan

to send aid to Jiangzhou.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What's the matter?

We truly cannot go back?

From the very beginning,

there was only deceit between us.

My death means nothing!

I only hope

you're never threatened again!

♪ The wild geese cry long ♪

♪ Tonight my homeland feels as distant as a foreign shore... ♪

Why did you kill my master?

Did you approach me

just to kill my master?

I know you misunderstood me before.

Can you give me one more chance

so we can start over?

♪ Pale moonlight ♪

♪ Burns the stars for you ♪

♪ Drifting far... ♪

You don't need to rush to answer me.

I'll stay by your side

until you willingly walk toward me.

This is the palace,

not the martial world.

The palace is an arena of power,

not a place that cares about right or wrong.

Ling Cangcang,

you're still not ruthless enough.

♪ A few strands of warmth still remain... ♪

Cangcang,

what are you doing?

It's so quiet here.

I'm just calming down here

and thinking some things through.

Think about what?

First,

you used me again,

killing two birds with one stone.

You forced my father to give in

and got Luo killed.

I never once thought of using you,

and I never meant

to drive Luo Xianxue to his death.

It doesn't matter anymore.

He's gone for good, anyway.

Second,

I don't want to be empress

not even for one more day.

This splendid capital

is rotten with schemes and treachery.

I used to think

that staying in this palace, I could at least protect

the people I care about.

I lost.

And I'm tired.

♪ A few strokes of history's ink... ♪

Tell me, if I really jump from here,

will I finally be free?

There's one more thing.

Do you want to hear it?

What?

♪ Shot at the moonlight? ♪

♪ Singing to the boundless sky... ♪

I hate myself for judging people so poorly,

for giving my heart to the wrong person.

I deserve this heartbreak.

Zhong Lin.

Zhong Lin...

What are you hiding?

Nothing. I was just carving.

Oh, right...

I just went to see the Empress.

Do you know what she said to me?

What did she say?

You've got guts, Zhong Lin.

Now you even dare forge the Imperial Seal!

[Palace Defense Map]

A map of the palace defenses?

Zhong Lin, are you insane?

Do you know what you're doing?

Keep your voice down!

Are you trying to get me killed?

I'm getting you killed?

Right in my manor,

you're making something like this.

You're trying to get me killed!

This is a capital crime that wipes out your whole clan!

I don't even have a clan.

Besides,

if you keep quiet, who'll ever know?

Move. You're blocking my light.

What exactly are you trying to do?

I'm going to save Cangcang.

Abducting the Empress is a capital crime too.

Trust you to come up with that!

Cangcang sent me a message.

She said she doesn't want to stay in the palace.

Anything Cangcang wants to do,

I have to help her do it.

Your plan definitely won't work.

Then do you have a better one?

I'm the Prince of Yuzhang.

What's wrong with me taking someone out?

So can you help me?

As long as you help me,

I can...

You can...

do what?

I can help you take Xiao Huan's throne.

I'll risk life and limb,

whatever it takes!

You hate Xiao Huan that much?

If he makes Cangcang sad,

then I'm not okay with it.

Anyone Cangcang doesn't like,

I don't like either.

So are you helping me or not?

Depends on my mood.

Depends on your mood?

So that's a no!

[Linghe Hall]

Your Majesty.

This was sent over from Xuanguang Hall.

It looks like wine mash,

but why is it shaped so oddly?

You may go.

Yes, Your Majesty.

[Token]

His Majesty arrives!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Three days from now,

the reinforcements will depart for Jiangzhou

to support General Ling.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

As for Luo Xianxue's death,

I never expected

he would do that.

I understand.

Your Majesty has your own burdens.

You need not blame yourself.

Cangcang,

you've gotten much thinner lately...

Your Majesty,

I heard

when the reinforcements march out,

Nanrong Palace will hold a grand river-offering ceremony

at the banks of the Qining River,

praying for the soldiers.

Is that so?

Yes.

Would you care to attend with me?

I was actually going to say

I'm not fond of noisy occasions,

so I won't go.

His Majesty arrives!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Carry on with your drills.

How are preparations

for the ceremony coming along?

Please rest assured.

Everything is ready.

As for the finale of the fireworks,

would you prefer a golden dragon in the sky,

or...?

A golden phoenix.

Let the golden phoenix see them off

and bless their journey.

The Empress doesn't even want to come.

Does it really mean anything

to do all this?

What if

the Empress

changes her mind?

She doesn't have you in her heart.

Why would she change her mind?

Did you get the exit token I sent you?

In two days,

it's the river-offering ceremony.

With crowds going in and out of the palace,

that token

will let you leave.

Why are you helping me?

I gave Zhong Lin my word.

More than helping Zhong Lin,

I'm afraid what you want most is to see

the Emperor and Empress fall out.

You saw through all that?

If you leave my brother,

the Ling clan won't be backing him as much.

Then,

I'll have my chance.

Thank you for your kindness,

but I have my own way.

You really don't need my help?

I'm usually cold and heartless.

It's rare I offer to help.

And you

still don't appreciate it?

I don't want Zhong Lin owing you a favor.

There's one more thing

I'd like to ask of you.

Go ahead.

Please take good care of Zhong Lin.

Don't let her come looking for me.

Where are you going?

Better if you don't know.

Ladies,

this year's river-offering ceremony is especially grand.

I hear His Majesty will personally see off the troops.

I heard that too.

To be chosen by Preceptor Du to dance

is such an honor.

Yeah.

After today's sword dance,

we get to escort the army out of the city.

How glorious is that!

Yeah!

Ladies!

Ladies,

the river-offering ceremony is about to begin.

Hurry and come with me.

- Move it! - Come on, quickly!

[Qi]

Her Majesty still refuses to come.

Our best wishes to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager!

Rise!

The Empress still hasn't changed her mind.

To skip such an important ceremony,

seems she has no respect

for our ancestral rites.

The Empress cares deeply for Great Qi.

Wherever she is,

she'll be praying for our land.

Let's begin!

Yes, Your Majesty.

The auspicious hour has come!

We, the people of Great Qi,

[Tablet of the River Deity] with heaven, earth, sun and moon as our bounds,

and nourished by the grace of our rivers,

rise early and toil till night,

plowing fields and tending grain.

We pray the River Deity to bless Great Qi,

let our lands be rich,

our harvests be full,

winds and rains be gentle,

and our years full of plenty.

Offer incense!

Offer the wine!

Send the offerings!

Sword dance to honor Heaven,

may our land stand strong!

Today's sword dance was well done.

All of you, step forward.

I like your dance very much.

Today,

you'll join me for the banner rite.

Your Majesty,

this goes against ritual.

In the Emperor's banner rite,

how can a mere palace maid stand beside you?

I've already decided.

No need to say more.

I

Just want to stand with you.

His Majesty shoots the banner

to honor the river!

♪ The rouge spilling into old snow ♪

♪ The waning moon in your eyes ♪

♪ Is the flaw of half my life ♪

♪ Oaths wither at the root of the tongue ♪

♪ Only a wisp of smoke binds the butterfly ♪

♪ The blood on my hairpin is my hatred... ♪

Today, I offer sacrifice to the deity

to bless the soldiers of Great Qi.

May you keep our land safe

and return in triumph!

- Return in triumph! - Return in triumph!

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

♪ We brew our hottest tears ♪

♪ Into the deadliest wine... ♪

Did you plan

to give me a surprise?

Let me go.

♪ The empty pouch you gave ♪

♪ Is filled with my grief... ♪

Is life by my side

really worse than death?

It is.

♪ So much for vows of growing old together ♪

♪ Whatever fancy promises have been reduced to ashes... ♪

All right.

You may go.

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Buried under the parasol tree during the sorrowful night rain ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Later I heard ♪

♪ You once asked where I'd gone ♪

♪ But the Buddha says this world was a mistake ♪

I always thought

Your Majesty would never show your emotions.

Turns out

you just hadn't met the one you cared about.

That palace maid today

was the Empress.

Since you recognized her,

why let her go?

You've done so much for her,

and she knows nothing.

Letting her walk away like this,

can you really accept that?

What she wants is freedom.

In your whole life,

have you ever had a single moment of freedom?

I never had a choice.

That's why

I don't want her to become another me.

♪ Dust gathers on the lost paths of time ♪

♪ A red candle keeps the dusk company in solitude... ♪

You want to go to Jiangzhou, don't you?

You may go.

♪ Broken speech in twisted time ♪

♪ The heart still hums ♪

♪ Its old song of longing ♪

♪ On Phoenix Terrace... ♪

From Phoenix Terrace I gaze at the sky.

Only the golden phoenix carries parting in its wings.

Phoenix and fenghuang

were meant to fly together.

If only the golden phoenix flies alone,

isn't that the saddest farewell of all?

♪ Oh, broken-hearted one ♪

♪ Still you wander the world ♪

[Linghe Hall]

[Fate's rise and fall heed no one's will]

[Fate's rise and fall heed no one's will]

Rise.

From today on,

the Empress will be said to suffer from head pains

and will recover in the outer palace.

No one

is allowed an audience.

You truly love her that much?

Ling Cangcang,

you've hurt him this deeply.

If you stir up trouble again,

I will never let you live in peace!

Your Majesty.

Give this Phoenix Seal

to Cangcang for me.

Your Majesty...

She is Empress of Great Qi after all.

Whether she accepts it or not,

this Phoenix Seal

belongs to her.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Cangcang...

I let you go.

May you one day truly be free.

♪ In the distance ♪

♪ A lone lamp glows ♪

♪ That light ♪

♪ Was never mine to claim... ♪

Speak.

What is it?

His Majesty ordered me

to bring you the Phoenix Seal

and say you will always be Empress of Great Qi.

Have you ever seen an empress who walked away from the palace?

♪ Gently to the night sky

♪ Raindrops fall with the wind ♪

♪ Caressing the mountains' scars ♪

♪ Like someone both strange and dear ♪

[Pure and Spotless]

♪ Whispering love and hate ♪

♪ How many past tales stained red? ♪

♪ I'm swept into the endless torrent... ♪

Your Majesty,

it's time for your medicine.

Leave it there for now.

The situation at the front is complicated.

There's no need to press yourself.

Please take care of your health.

I know what I'm doing.

You may go.

♪ Falling petals ♪

♪ Petals drifting through the sky... ♪

Your Majesty.

Is she all right?

The Empress slipped into the westbound relief army.

She's fine for now.

Once the battle reports from Jiangzhou arrive,

bring them straight to me.

Yes, Your Majesty.

♪ That watchful waiting once warmed a whole city... ♪

You let her go,

yet you still can't let her go.

♪ Raindrops fall with the wind ♪

♪ Caressing the mountains' scars ♪

♪ Like someone both strange and dear ♪

♪ Whispering love and hate ♪

♪ Raindrops drift along the wind ♪

♪ You fall into my desolate heart ♪

♪ Silently, they pierce through ♪

♪ The wounds time has left behind ♪

♪ Dawn breaks ♪

♪ After a night of storm ♪

♪ Petals carpet the ground ♪

♪ All cause, all consequence ♪

♪ Dawn sinks into hush ♪

[Wuying Hall] ♪ The flood runs on to the sea ♪

♪ Fate dies, then blooms again ♪

♪ Through loss and gain, it goes on ♪

♪ How many memories lost to time? ♪

♪ I remain in the endless torrent ♪

♪ Drifting with the river into silent seas ♪

♪ As dawn darkens the distant peaks ♪

[Wuying Hall]

Your Majesty,

the westbound reinforcements will reach Jiangzhou tomorrow.

You can finally get a proper sleep.

Hand me the map.

Yes, Your Majesty.

[Jiangzhou]

[Jiangzhou]

One hard push,

[Kumor, King of Xijiang] take this city today!

General,

the gate won't hold much longer!

General Ling,

get back inside the city!

Leave me!

Shut the gates, now!

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Buried under the parasol tree during the sorrowful night rain ♪

[Jiangzhou]

♪ 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 ♪

♪ I know what it means to let go ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Yet my heart still bears the scars of rise and fall ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ I'm willing to travel thousands of miles, seeking your ambition ♪

♪ I'm willing to give my life to keep you safe for a lifetime ♪

♪ I'm willing to sing through every farewell and wait for you another thousand years ♪

♪ I'm willing to live and die with you, my one and only wish in this lifetime ♪