Original subtitles

(The Shadow Sovereign)

(Episode 14)

Jin Cheng from Prince Qi's family is still unmarried.

I think Shen Xiao would be a good choice.

Father, your wisdom is unmatched.

Shen Xiao may come from a modest background,

but he's incredibly talented.

He deserves to marry Jin Cheng.

In that case, I'll let you handle this.

Once the timing is right,

I'll grant the marriage decree.

I accept your order.

Why are you still up?

Your Highness.

In a few days, it's the Night Lantern Festival.

Can we go see the fireworks together?

Sure.

Not only didn't Zhao Yang die,

but she even divorced Cui Jin Zhi.

She's clearly challenging me.

Your Highness, calm down.

This might not actually be a bad thing.

She entered the palace only to request a divorce.

That proves she doesn't have any real evidence.

She wouldn't dare go against Your Highness.

She knows better than anyone

that going head-to-head with the Eastern Palace is suicide.

As long as she's alive,

she's a threat.

She divorced Cui Jin Zhi,

so she lost the Cui family's backing.

A princess with no husband or family to lean on

and no longer favored by His Majesty,

is nothing to be afraid of.

Your Highness!

Urgent message. There's trouble...

There's trouble at the Yellow River.

Got it. You may go.

Yes.

The Yellow River is causing a flood

at the Jingren County section.

The riverbank has collapsed.

Wasn't the levee in Jingren County

funded by the Ministry of Revenue three years ago?

Didn't Your Highness personally pick someone to supervise the repairs?

How could the entire county's levee fail so fast?

Useless.

They're all a bunch of useless fools!

Did Your Highness

not release the full amount for the levee repair?

You...

Forget it.

The most important thing right now is to send someone to keep this quiet

and get the levee fixed fast.

As long as Father doesn't find out,

we can still fix everything.

Right.

This is a big deal.

Only someone truly trusted can handle it.

I believe Cui Jin Zhi is the best candidate.

Not only do we need Cui Jin Zhi,

but we also need

to make sure the Cui family stays close to the Eastern Palace.

Zhao Yang's divorce from Cui Jin Zhi has already made them unhappy.

Your Highness, you don't need to worry about that.

The Ye Dynasty

has more than one princess.

You mean...

I'm not marrying him!

Crown Prince, he's the one even Zhao Yang rejected.

Why must you force him on me?

Crown Prince, I'm not marrying him! I won't do it!

It's already decided. There's nothing more to discuss.

From today onward,

just focus on getting ready for your wedding.

I don't want to, Crown Prince.

I'm begging you!

Aren't I your real sister?

I'm begging you, Crown Prince!

I don't want to, Crown Prince!

An Le.

An Le, you are a princess.

Since your prince consort died,

you've been drifting through all sorts of indulgences.

This isn't a real way to live.

Your brother is only thinking of what's best for you.

What's best for me?

What's best for me?

What's best for me?

You all just treat me like a bargaining chip.

What did I ever do to deserve this?

I'm not marrying him!

You people have no shame, but I do!

Preposterous!

You hit me.

Without my order, no one is allowed to let her out.

Crown Prince!

Let me out!

I'm not marrying him! I won't do it!

Crown Prince!

Welcome! What can I get for you?

We've got all kinds of makeup,

hairpins, crowns, you name it.

This one looks good.

- I'll take it. - You have excellent taste, sir.

That's the pride of our shop.

It's crafted from a single piece of blood jade.

It's a rare and precious find.

I'd like to combine this wooden hairpin

with this blood jade one and set them together as one.

But the wood is so plain.

How can it possibly go with blood jade?

Why don't you think it over?

No need. Just do as I say.

I only need the handle from the blood jade hairpin.

You can keep any leftover material.

Think of it as your payment for teaching me how to craft it.

I want to fix it myself.

Sure. Whatever you say.

People will really spend money on anything these days.

I'm not eating! Get out!

- Your Grace. - Open the door.

You're a daughter of the royal family.

You were born into a life of luxury. The people provide for you.

Your marriage was never meant to be about love,

but an extension of power.

I'd rather starve to death

than marry Cui Jin Zhi!

You don't want to marry?

Fine.

If you give up your title as princess,

become a commoner,

and leave the palace for good,

your marriage agreement with the Cui family will be void.

What did you say?

What?

Can't let it go?

If you can't give up your royal honor,

you have to shoulder the princess's responsibilities.

Marrying into the Cui family

and strengthening the Eastern Palace.

That's your only value right now.

You think I'm here to comfort you?

I'm here to tell you

that the Eastern Palace doesn't protect the useless.

- Come on, let's go watch the fireworks from the city tower. - Sure.

Quick, let's check it out over there.

Let's go over there.

Let's go.

I checked it out before you arrived.

The intersection up ahead has the best view for the fireworks.

Look!

It's so beautiful!

Look at that one!

(Shen Xiao.)

(This is our first time watching fireworks together.)

(It might be our last time, too.)

- Li Shu... - I've found you a great match.

What did you say?

County Princess Jin Cheng, Prince Qi's only daughter.

She's just come of age, beautiful, and proper.

If you marry her,

your future will be limitless.

Did His Majesty summon you to the palace yesterday

to discuss this?

Jin Cheng is a wonderful person.

All you need to do is accept this marriage

and treat her well.

I'll go see His Majesty right away.

Shen Xiao.

You're the pride of humble families.

Your marriage is decided by His Majesty.

If you refuse to marry Jin Cheng,

the suspicion will never go away.

Everything we've worked so hard to achieve.

Are we really going to lose it all

just because of feelings we shouldn't even have?

Shen Xiao,

you must marry her.

If you won't say anything,

I'll take it as your answer.

Li Shu.

What do you think I am?

Didn't you say you'd be my pawn without complaint?

Zhao Yang.

Jin Cheng, you're here.

Greetings, Censor Shen.

I just remembered I have something to take care of at home.

I won't disturb you two anymore.

Censor Shen, please show Jin Cheng around.

Don't miss out as you pass by!

Come take a look, everyone!

Everyone!

This year's Linglong Chess Game has three rounds.

Participants just need to find

the Linglong chess pieces hidden inside and open the final door

to win the prize.

This game is meant to symbolize romance.

You move forward and backward as one.

- All couples are welcome to join. - If you walk away now,

I'll tell her that I will never marry her.

I won't marry anyone but Your Highness.

Does anyone want to come up and play?

That sounds pretty tough.

Me! I want to play!

Look at this gentleman and lady.

They both look like they were born for greatness.

I'm sure they'll win right from the start.

This gentleman is truly impressive.

That lady is as beautiful as a flower. She's graceful and elegant.

She must be from a noble family.

These two are such a perfect match.

They're the definition of beauty and brains.

I'm feeling a bit tired.

Why don't you and Censor Shen go have fun together?

It's more fun with three people.

If Your Highness is tired, I'll take you back.

Zhao Yang, let's all go together.

I'm not very familiar with Censor Shen yet.

I still need you to help us get along.

Sure.

Then, let's all go together.

The annual Linglong Chess Game has started again.

Which couple will break through and win?

Let's wait and see.

Why is this room so creepy?

A blade hidden in the heart.

Silent, yet speaks volumes.

In countless schemes,

one thought can topple a city.

What does this poem mean?

You need to solve the word puzzle,

find the matching character block,

and put it into the mechanism.

Then, the door will open by itself.

A blade hidden in the heart.

Is it "endure"?

(Silent, but it can shock like thunder.)

(Countless schemes all start from it.)

(One thought of greed or anger.)

(One thought of love or hate.)

(One thought of choice.)

(The answer is...)

- Heart. - Why?

Forget it. Censor Shen and Zhao Yang are both so knowledgeable.

Your answer must be right.

Come on. Let's go look for it together.

Let's go.

What are you doing?

You only played matchmaker

because you had no choice, right?

(No. I can't give in.)

(I have to end his hopes for good.)

What we had was just a passing fling.

Now, I've found you a good match.

It's not a bad deal for you.

Here, take it.

Go find Jin Cheng.

My heart isn't like yours.

I can't just give it away to anyone.

But if you want my help, it's pretty simple.

You have to give me something in return.

Did you guys find it?

What are you doing?

You...

Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang?

Jin Cheng,

no need to look anymore.

The answer is right here.

You found it so quickly, Zhao Yang.

That's impressive.

These curtains

and the scent

make me feel a little dizzy.

There are many doors here,

but there's only one key.

So, we have to find the real door.

Then, hurry and look.

Zhao Yang.

Censor Shen.

Where are they?

Why did Your Highness run away?

Why don't you ask me if I'm willing to marry her?

- You are. - I'm not.

Shen Xiao, you don't get to choose.

You can only say yes.

Why doesn't Your Highness ask me

why I'm not willing to marry her?

Because you like me.

You think by saying that,

I won't force you to marry Jin Cheng?

Your Highness has feelings for me. Right?

Shen Xiao, don't let your feelings take over.

Your Highness's pulse is racing.

That means you care about me.

Censor Shen.

Zhao Yang.

Are you two here?