Original subtitles

(The Shadow Sovereign)

Here's today's topic for discussion.

A scholar from a humble background broke free from the shackles of lineage,

passed the imperial exam, and entered official service.

Is it better to serve the people and help the world,

or should he focus on bringing glory to his family?

Everyone, feel free to share your thoughts.

The premise of this question is flawed.

Serving the country and fulfilling one's own aspirations

aren't mutually exclusive.

What we should strive for

is to shatter the chains of social rank,

so that every scholar

has a fair shot

at making something of themselves.

Shen Xiao.

No, I should call you Censor Shen now.

You dared impeach before His Majesty

and even stopped the imperial carriage in public.

The fact that you only received one stroke of a whip is mercy enough.

Why are you defending an outsider?

You've traveled far and seen much.

Do you know much about Princess Zhao Yang?

I know a little.

So, what kind of person is she?

I heard that before she was granted the title of Princess Zhao Yang,

she was a forgotten princess,

left to languish in the Cold Palace.

She lived a very difficult life.

(The Cold Palace?)

(Was that scar also from her days in the Cold Palace?)

How long was she stuck in that place?

And how did she ever get out?

As for her and Cui Jin Zhi...

Are they really in love, or

is there another story behind it?

Since when have you become so interested in the Princess?

She's the Crown Prince's confidante,

yet she's been secretly dealing with me all this time,

keeping me in the capital.

On the surface, she appears extravagant and indulgent.

But I can't shake the feeling

that's not the whole story.

Is she a friend or an enemy?

I really can't tell.

Why not grant him

an eighth-rank Supervising Censor position to remain in the capital?

Could it be

that you just can't get me out of your mind?

If the need arises,

you may ask for my help.

I only had you whipped a few times. That was already an act of mercy.

If you keep blocking the way,

don't blame me for getting rough.

You want to use me.

I can make it happen.

The less clearly I can see her,

the more I want to figure her out.

Do you wish she were

an enemy

or a friend?

To know a person, one must look into their heart.

You'll have to

find that answer yourself.

Your Highness, we have come under imperial orders to transport the grain.

Please don't make things difficult for us.

His Majesty has decreed that

grain from every granary in the capital be transferred to Yongtong Canal.

Move! Hurry!

Your Highness, the grain has been transferred into the private storehouses.

- Your Highness. - Move aside.

This is the Princess Residence.

I advise Your Highness not to force your way in.

You insolent servant!

- Let go! - Jian Xin.

Let the Second Prince in.

Your Highness.

This way, please.

Insolent servant.

Li Shu!

Second Brother, you're fired up today.

Using grain instead of money has put my Ministry of Revenue in a real bind.

Don't tell me this wasn't your idea for the Crown Prince.

Second Brother, you don't have any proof.

Why are you so sure it was me?

Everyone knows you're the Crown Prince's strategist.

The grain reserves under the Ministry of Revenue

are about to be emptied by the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War.

You're driving me into a dead end.

There's no such thing as a dead end in this world.

You already have someone ready to be put to use, Second Brother.

Why make things harder for yourself?

Do you mean

Shen Xiao?

Ridiculous.

He's way too bold.

Though he's upright and loyal,

he's bound to stir up trouble.

What's there to be afraid of?

He was personally chosen by Father as the Top Scholar.

If you take him under your wing

and have him oversee the grain-in-lieu-of-payment policy,

you'll be riding on Father's favor.

If it works out,

your Ministry of Revenue gets the credit.

If it fails,

Father will just blame

the noble clans.

Either way, the blame will never fall on you.

Why would you be so kind

to offer me advice?

Believe it or not,

that's entirely up to you.

(From now on, use this)

(to get in and out of the Princess Residence.)

Don't forget our meeting tonight.

What am I even doing?

Why did I agree with her?

Am I losing my mind?

How did she survive all those years in the Cold Palace?

Since I accepted this flower hairpin,

I should keep my promise.

If I give someone my word, I must honor it.

That's what Father taught me.

(Humble Abode)

Censor Shen, the Princess has been waiting for you for quite some time.

(Xianke Bordello)

Your Highness, why are you pushing Shen the thief toward the Second Prince?

If I'm to use one blade to take down the Crown Prince,

I must first borrow another's strength.

Shen Xiao will be the blade.

The Second Prince will be the force behind it.

Wait.

What do you mean by "Shen the thief"?

A thief is someone who steals.

Shen Xiao has stolen Your Highness's heart.

So, isn't he a thief?

Nonsense.

Isn't Your Highness's blade supposed to arrive tonight?

Why hasn't he shown up yet?

Your Highness has been waiting forever.

He has a subtle fragrance on him.

Can you recreate it?

You've met him, so you should've noticed it.

I'm afraid I can't help with that.

I never smelled any fragrance on Shen Xiao.

But I've heard that

there's a kind of fragrance

that can only be perceived by two people who are in love.

Oh no. Now he's really Shen the thief.

A thief who steals hearts.

I think you're losing it.

How could I possibly have feelings for him?

If you can't help, just get out.

Who says I can't help?

Do you want me to tie Shen Xiao up and bring him to you?

Your Highness, would that work for you?

You...

(Could that scent on him)

(really have been nothing more than my imagination?)

Who are you?

So it's you, Princess An Le.

Forgive my discourtesy.

Discourtesy?

I'd be disappointed if you

weren't a little discourteous.

If Your Highness has official business,

you may send word to the Censorate.

If there's nothing else,

I'll take my leave.

You're merely an eighth-rank official.

What official business could you possibly have?

I invited you here.

You know perfectly well why.

If you keep playing dumb,

it's going to get boring.

I've always been a rather boring man.

Your Highness, please let me leave.

I've been widowed for over three years.

I've met countless people.

You are the most interesting of them all.

To be honest,

at the banquet celebrating the Top Scholar,

I saw you wearing this crimson robe embroidered with golden blossoms

and your bold move to impeach Zhao Yang.

Honestly, I still can't get that out of my head.

If you wear that robe again, Censor Shen,

I'll let you leave.

What do you say?

Your Highness should conduct yourself with propriety.

I'll be taking my leave now.

I heard today that

you were whipped by Zhao Yang in front of everyone.

I have a healing ointment bestowed by His Majesty.

How about I apply it for you myself?

Such an imperial gift is not something I am worthy of.

I'll take my leave.

Get out of my way!

Bring him back here!

Yes!

My guards are at the door!

You're not getting out today!

When did such a handsome young gentleman join this place?

Are you new here?

- What's your name? - Stop!

Hurry! He ran that way! Go after him!

The Princess has given her orders. We must capture him tonight.

(Fengqi Pavilion)

Why does nothing feel right?

Censor Shen, you're late.

It seems that

I've spoiled Your Highness's good mood.

Then why aren't you leaving already?

I'm not leaving.

Let them go.

Shen Xiao definitely ran this way!

Search every room!

As expected of you, Censor Shen.

You're here for my invitation,

yet you manage to provoke An Le.

If you become her male companion,

you might even earn yourself a promotion.

Censor Shen, you really know how to play the game.

I've already promised to keep Your Highness company every night.

I never planned to get involved with anyone else.

Censor Shen, is this loyalty?

Or are you just trying to sweet-talk me,

so I'll end up offending An Le for you?

Does it still hurt?

It hurts.

Then that whipping you took was hardly in vain.

You publicly confronted the arrogant princess,

won yourself the reputation of defending the common people,

and then came here to put on this pitiful act.

When you say you want to make use of me,

you certainly are making good use of me.

What exactly did Your Highness go through

to think so poorly of people's hearts?

Instead of digging into my past, Censor Shen,

you should care more about the people.

I just happened to meet some bad people,

but they've been stuck in a messed-up world.

Take off your clothes.

You've already treated the wound.

But it wasn't Your Highness who did it.

So...

You wanted the princess to apply it for you?

Your princess is outside.

(If I'm seen getting too close to you in front of An Le, )

(the Crown Prince definitely won't let me off.)

(I can't save you today.)

(I'm obviously not worthy)

(of asking you to risk yourself before the Crown Prince's sister.)

Shen Xiao!

I didn't expect you'd hide in Fengqi Pavilion!

Zhao Yang, get out here!

Why is he at your place?

He barged in himself while panicking.

My little sister, a forced melon is never sweet.

Why put yourself through this?

I don't care if it's sweet or not.

If it's not sweet, I'll dip it in sauce and eat it anyway.

Your Highness, are you really set on making a court official

your personal entertainer?

So what? Censor Shen,

are you planning to defy my command even if it costs you your life?

Your Highness's games are not worth dying for.

But if Your Highness keeps pushing me,

I can't promise I won't hurt you.

You...

You dare?

Looks like An Le won't leave empty-handed today.

Censor Shen, you're clearly a man who knows when to yield.

Why not just go along with it?

Your official career would surely be smooth sailing from then on.

Your future would be limitless.

(Reinforcements have arrived.)

An Le, you've become far too bold!

His Majesty has always turned a blind eye

to your antics before.

But now, you dare try to kill the Top Scholar who was

personally appointed by His Majesty.

It wasn't me.

It was Zhao Yang!

- It was her! - What happened today ends here.

If I catch you

bothering Censor Shen again,

don't blame me for telling Father

and having your lands taken away.

What are you laughing at?

I'm laughing,

thinking about how much you should pay up.

None of your business.

Do you know how many customers you scared away tonight?

So, you really didn't know.

Xianke Bordello belongs to the Crown Prince.

Stop trying to scare me with the Crown Prince.

Let's go.

Don't forget the compensation.

Censor Shen,

An Le won't bother you anymore.

Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life.

Censor Shen, you flatter me.

- It was only a small favor. - By the way,

why brought Your Highness to Xianke Bordello?

I came here specifically to find you, Censor Shen.

My people saw An Le bringing you here.

The disaster is getting worse by the day.

We're short-staffed at the Ministry of Revenue.

I wonder if

you would be willing to serve under the Ministry of Revenue?

First, you impeached Zhao Yang.

Then, you urged the restoration of the Yongtong Canal.

And now, you've offended An Le as well.

The Crown Prince won't let you off.

Why not work for me?

If Your Highness doesn't mind my reckless ways,

I am willing to serve and share Your Highness's burdens.

Consider it repayment for today's kindness.

But I'm afraid the Crown Prince won't let you go that easily.

If the Censorate doesn't approve the transfer,

I can't force it either.

I understand what Your Highness means.

I'll find a way to secure the transfer order.

(The first from a humble family to break free of fate.)

(Making the honor roll shakes the realm.)

(Never say noble gates are impossible to cross.)

(Even a scholar in plain robes can soar to the highest rank.)

(Shen Qing Zhi's grave)

(The results are out!)

(The results are out, Father!)

I'll check the list for you!

(Shen Qing Zhi)

You made it!

Last place in the second class!

I made it?

Did I really make it?

Great! That's amazing!

I made it!

I made it!

I made it!

All that shouting for last place.

Anyone who didn't know better would think he had become the Top Scholar.

For a man of humble family,

even making the list is enough to lose one's senses.

Last place is still a successful candidate.

Xiao, tell me.

Should I serve in one of the Six Ministries

or join one of the Three Judicial Offices?

- The first from a humble family to break free of fate. - Great!

- Making the honor roll shakes the realm. - Great!

Never say noble gates are impossible to cross.

Even a scholar in plain robes can soar to the highest rank.

Great!

How do you like these lines of poetry?

When I'm gone someday,

(Xiao can have these words carved on my tombstone.)

(Father, you're thinking way too far ahead.)

Father.

It's already midnight.

Why aren't you asleep?

If you know it's late, then go to bed.

Why worry about me?

You have to study in the morning.

Go on, hurry.

Father.

I'm about to join the Ministry of Revenue.

I don't believe you really died falling off that cliff.

The reason for your death

(must have been connected to)

(that letter impeaching the Crown Prince.)