Original subtitles

- Has the army set off? - Yes, Mother

I led the civil and military officials outside the Xuanwu Gate

to see them off

I heard that you didn't let Dongfang Shuo go with the army this time

I thought since victory was assured

we just didn't need him to go there for a ride

Yes, such a brainy and capable man

should be left by your side

to give you advice all the time

Mother, you are so right

Your Majesty, if there's nothing else, just go about your business

I've been roaming around the gardens, listening to music

and dozing off every day

- Then I'll take my leave now, Mother. - Okay

Uncle emperor

Get up

What is it?

I'm here to see grandma

Remember, that's not your grandma. It's your cousin grandma

And I'm not your uncle. I'm your cousin uncle

My parents always told me that. I just can't remember

- You must remember. - Understood

Your cousin grandma is observing the fish over there

- Go - Understood

- Come back. - Anything else, Cousin Uncle?

Your cousin grandma isn't in a good mood lately

Ask your mom to visit her when she's available, got it?

Understood

Go

Grandma. Cousin Grandma

Wuzi, come here

Regards to Cousin Grandma

Good boy. Let me look at you

You've grown into a strong man

Cousin Grandma, I heard that you're not in a good mood

so I came to visit and lift your spirits

That's considerate of you, Wuzi

Unlike your father and great uncles

who only cause trouble for my mind

You must be as mediocre as them

and make me proud of you

I heard that Great Uncle is losing the prime minister position

I'd much rather free him from his duties as the defender-in-chief

let alone as the prime minister

Cousin Grandma, what should I do?

What do you mean?

My official post. Great Uncle promised me

he'll appoint me as a 500-bushel official

as soon as he becomes the prime minister

Silly child, as a royal relative, you shouldn't worry about a post

you should be concerned that you'll end up like your father

and great uncles, who aren't capable to perform as officials

- How capable do you need to be as an official? - There's so much to it

That's why you need to be diligent in your studies

I don't like to study

I always get sleepy when I pick up a book

Even so, you must force yourself. You should also practice martial arts

I'm good with blades. Sometimes I help father to butcher pigs

I deliver thrusts even cleaner than Father

Butchering pigs are different from killing men

Pigs are forced to stay in position. Men are alive

He also wants to kill you

That's why you must work hard

Cousin Grandma, I'll listen to you. I'll pick up sword art tomorrow

That's a good boy

I can't count on any other family

You are all that I care about

You must not fail my expectations for you

Rest assured, Cousin Grandma

I won't be as timid as my Great Uncles

As long as you work hard and become capable

I'll ask His Majesty to appoint you to a fitting post

- Chamberlain Li. - Yes, Your Highness

Take Wuzi to draw a few hundred coins

- as reward for him to purchase snacks. - Understood

Owner. Please, Young Master

Young Master, you're here. What would you like to purchase?

My young master would like a top-notch sword

Sword? Sure. This way, Young Master

Young Master, after you

Attendant, bring the swords

Bring the sword

Young Master, please take a look

This is a nice sword

How much is it?

Young Master, since you're fond of it

I'll sell it to you at a cheap price, 300 coins

So expensive. Do you reckon I'm a fool?

I have no such intention. This is a top-notch sword

300 coins is a great deal

Don't try to fool me. I'll buy it for at most 50 coins

Young Master, if you're here for fun, then please leave

How dare you! Do you know who you're talking to?

Do you know who this is?

This is the eldest son of the Xiuzhu Mansion

His Majesty's cousin nephew

Young Master, it's you

I had no idea, please don't mind my rudeness

Cut the crap. I'll give you 50 coins at most. Do we have a deal?

I'd never have the guts to charge you

Since you like it. Consider it as a gift

Kill!

Cut this one down! Kill!

Don't run away!

- You're a bully! - So what?

Time flies away and never turns back

I miss you so much that even the catkins are filled with sorrow

Filled with sorrow

Young Master. It's up there

Young Master, that voice is so beautiful. Shall we check it out upstairs?

Nice voice, I wonder if she has charming looks

Young Master, if she can sing here

she's not going to look too bad

Then let's go up? Let's go

Alright

Thanks

Thank you for your generosity

Where's that singing chick?

Young Master, how may I be of service?

Get lost

You were singing?

I knew it was a charming chick by the voice

Young Master, would you like to listen to a song?

I shall serve you

That's more like it

- Come here. - Father. - Young Master

Father, help me

Sit in my lap just like that

Young Master. Don't do this, please let go of my daughter

We will serve you well

How dare you molest a girl like this in broad daylight?

Do you have no respect for the law?

Everyone, calm down, don't start a fight

Hey, come here. Are you the owner here?

Yes, I am

Evacuate this floor right now

I'll listen to some songs in peace

Young Master, I make a living by conducting business

It makes no sense to drive my customers away

The words of my young master is the law

Don't you know who my young master is?

Forgive my ignorance, please enlighten me

My young master is the eldest son of the Xiuzhu Mansion

His Majesty's nephew, Young Master Jin

Thank you all. Please leave, thank you all

Champion, please leave

Champion, you should leave

Champion, just leave

He's a royal relative, we can't afford to mess with him

Leave, champion

There's no one left. Sing to my pleasure now

Yes, sing something with flavor

- You should leave, champion - No

This is out of your control

You can't do that, Young Master

Young Master, you can't

- Young Master! - Old man, don't force your own death

Get lost

- Stop it! - Help me!

You. Let her go!

Lady, help your father up and leave

- You saved us. - Leave now

You…

Murder!

- Owner! - Murder!

Get out of the way!

Stop! Did you commit murder at the diner?

Yes, what are you going to do?

You cheeky bastard! You're asking for your own demise! Seize him!

How dare you!

Let go of me, you slaves!

I'll kill you all!

Let go of me!

I spoke of nothing but the truth

My Lord, please bring justice to him

Jin Wuzi, what else do you have to say?

I take responsibility for what I did

I killed him, and I tore up the chick's clothes

I also injured that old man

What will you do to me?

Make him sign the statement

- How? Draw a circle like them? - Do the same

Come! Send Jin Wuzi to the death row

- How dare you imprison me! Giving up your lives? - Move it

How dare you imprison me. I am the cousin nephew of His Majesty

No. I am directly related to His Majesty

I'll ask Uncle Emperor to chop your heads off

Move it!

I was counting on Jin Wuzi to make me proud

How could this happen?

Mother, Jin Wuzi is my only son

Please help him, I'm begging you

No one has the guts to execute my grandson

But I feel so disgraced

when you always fail to live up to your names

Mother, Sister, what happened?

Jin Wuzi got into a quarrel outside

and killed the other person by accident

He killed someone?

Only you can deal with this mess now

This won't just go away since someone died

We should pay the family who suffered this loss with generosity

Mother, don't you get it?

The first article of the Great Han's law states murder as a death penalty

Prime Minister Xiao He coined this law during Emperor Gaozu's reign

The law was altered several times since then

but this article was never changed

Mother, Brother, you must think of something

Your Majesty, the law is dead, while men are alive

Don't forget you have the power to grant amnesty

Even amnesty requires a legitimate cause

And the receiving person must be a great contributor to the imperial court

As the emperor

would you just stand by and watch your nephew get beheaded?

If you don't step in

Where do you leave the prestige of the royal family?

Where do you leave your prestige as the emperor?

Mother, you're absolutely right

But Zhang Tang is even more stubborn than Ming Fei

I'm worried I can't alter his position

If you can't, I'll ask someone else to talk to him

Who else would be able to accomplish the task that even I am unable to

Don't you have Dongfang Shuo?

He's even able to bring a dead horse back to life with words

Ask him to get this done

All in all, the only objective is to bring him back

Your Majesty, it's not like you don't know how stubborn Zhang Tang is

If I can talk sense into him

he won't be Zhang Tang

Since the Empress Dowager already asked, you must at least try

But Your Majesty, this is an impossible task

It would be nothing but a waste of effort

Dongfang Shuo, you always make up excuses

whenever I have a task for you

Would you rather just watch my nephew

be executed?

Alright, Your Majesty

I shall give it a try

and meet his indifference with my passion

Dongfang Shuo

My sister, Lady of Xiuzhu, has suffered a lot

Jin Wuzi is her only son

The Empress Dowager is greatly fond of him

You must understand my difficult position

I see

Lord Zhang

Lord Dongfang, hand it to me

- Hand what? - His Majesty order of amnesty

Order of amnesty? I have no such thing

Then save your effort and shut your mouth

Lord Zhang, do you know why I've come?

Naturally, you want to plead for Jin Wuzi

Then allow me to be frank

Lord Zhang, would you really execute Jin Wuzi

to make him answer for Li Weihu's life?

My Lord, you're wrong. It's not me

Instead, the law of the Great Han will convict him

Aren't you afraid that His Majesty and Her Highness would blame you?

It's my dream to protect the law with my life

It's easy to give up your life if you have a death wish

but it won't be that simple

if you want a martyr's death

Lord Zhang, if you really

want to become a hero and remembered by history

then I'd like to offer you a plan

Your good will is noted

but I always conduct business based on the law

My approach is straightforward, and I never rely on conspiracies

Lord Zhang, you're being dogmatic

I traveled a long way to visit you

and you judge me before I even have a chance to speak

Why are you so sure that I'm here to plead for Jin Wuzi?

Then why are you here?

Never mind

Never mind

I haven't even said anything

and you've already pushed me away

What else is there to say? Farewell

Lord Dongfang, calm down

I'm not guilty because of my ignorance

Tell me about your true intention

Lean over and listen

Thank you for giving me the heads-up in time

Your Highness, Dongfang Shuo asks for an audience

- Ask him to come in. - Understood

Her Highness summons Dongfang Shuo for an audience

Your Majesty, Your Highness, I deserve death for my sins

Dongfang Shuo, why did you say that?

Your Highness, I went to find Zhang Tang

at the Office for Law Enforcement by His Majesty's decree

but he scolded me

and kicked me out

before I even had the chance to speak

This is treachery. Zhang Tang wants to start an insurgence

How dare he scold an official sent by the Majesty?

He said I was a treacherous official

that I was a bootlicker

and only knew to flatter Your Highness and Your Majesty

He said that

even His Majesty was too ashamed to issue an order of amnesty

there were still so many royal relatives

It wasn't my place to

take eager actions as an outsider

That's why he wouldn't cooperate

There are so many royal relatives in the imperial court

Why would an outside official take the lead?

I was sent by His Majesty. I wasn't trying to build a relationship

False accusations are nothing when you're working for the Empress Dowager

Did you have to be this dramatic?

I didn't say that

Leave now

I shall take my leave

Li, summon Wang Xiu to the palace

Lord Zhang

- Is there any way to get around this? - Sure

Sack me immediately

Lord Zhang

We are both court officials loyal to His Majesty

I suggest you rant less like that

You should know that the world is in lack of many things

but people who aim to become officials aren't among them

Lord Wang

I see my work as a day-to-day advance

I will perform my duties as long as I still hold my post

In that case, I have nothing else to say

Oral decree by the Empress Dowager

I humbly receive the decree

The case of Jin Wuzi has many loose ends

I order Wang Xiu, Defender-in-chief, and Zhang Tang, Minister of Justice

to start a new trial

Love live Her Highness

Lord Zhang

I have another minor request

I'd like to meet with Jin Wuzi

I wonder if you'll grant me this favor

Come

- My Lord. - Take Lord Wang to the death ward

Let me out of here!

You stupid pigs!

I'll kill every single one of you!

Let me out of here!

I'll kill every single one of you!

Great Uncle, I'm here!

- Great Uncle! Open the door

Close the door. Leave us

Great Uncle, you've come for me

you must teach those bastards a lesson for me

On your knees

You oblivious little punk!

How dare you commit homicide in front of the public

He should've minded his own business. He deserved it

Do you know killing is punished by death?

I am His Majesty's nephew

Little punk, you're about to die and you still have no remorse

When a prince violates the law, he's as guilty as a common folk

If you kill someone, you pay for it with your own life

It's the same for everyone, and you're no exception

Great Uncle, help me!

I don't want to die. I don't want to give my life

Great Uncle. You must ask His Majesty to save me

Ask him to save me

No one can save you

but yourself

Myself? How?

There's no escape

As long as you never killed anyone

then you'd have saved yourself

But I really killed that man

You must stick to this statement

My Lord

- What is it? - My Lord, no one's here

Young Master, look. There's blood on the floor

Young Master

Did someone take action before us?

If so, who could it be?

Young Master, whoever it is,

this is good for us

It must be Jin Wuzi's father

that butcher, Jin Buhuan

Tell me what you

- saw again. - Yes, My Lord

I was downstairs when I heard a fight broke out upstairs

and I wanted to check it out

When I got upstairs, I saw Li Weihu beating Jin Wuzi

Jin Liu was beside them. He couldn't bear it

So he pulled out the sword

and stabbed Li Weihu from behind

Did you speak the truth?

I spoke of nothing but the truth

Then why did you Li Weihu

was killed by Jin Wuzi during the last trial?

I saw it wrong

and thought Jin Wuzi was Jin Liu

and Jiu Liu was Jin Wuzi

Good. Leave now

I assure you that business will be booming at your diner

Thank you, My Lord

Regards to Your Lordship

Did the owner tell you about it?

He did

I saw Li Weihu bullying Young Master Jin

I couldn't stand it, so I pulled out the sword and stabbed Li Weihu

Normally, a royal relative like Jin Wuzi

wouldn't be sentenced to death even if he killed a man or two

His Majesty could release him any time

But that would be a disgrace to the royal family

That's why you must admit to the crime

Go to prison for a week or two

You'll be released when things die down. It's alright

I understand

- My Lord, but… - What?

That old man and young chick

who sing for a living

Will they…

There's nothing to worry about

That old man and the girl

have already vanished from this world

Sir, please hold on

I won't charge you if my fortunetelling is wrong

Sir, there's a darkness in your forehead. Misery haunts you

You will encounter misfortune very shortly

Forget about shortly

I'm already doomed

As I said

Sir, this way please

Looking at your appearance, I can tell a bloody disaster awaits you

You will die from an accident

So I really can't overcome this obstacle

It's not just one obstacle

You are sandwiched by two obstacles

It's difficult to climb over them

Indeed. There are royal relatives on one side

and Mr. Jing on the other

I can't afford to offend any of them

Of course

there are no knots that can't be untied

- It's all about if you can find the right approach. - Approach?

Sir, you know what to do

Please enlighten me, I'll repay you generously

I just said

it's hard to climb out when you're sandwiched

- However… - What? Please tell me

Sir

Since you can't climb out of it

why don't you try to slip out of it horizontally?

Slip horizontally?

The best move is to go away

If you can't tackle the matter at hand, then you can avoid it

Sir

this calamity is falling to you with ferocity

but it will also be rapidly dispersed

What? He ran away?

The diner is closed

All waiters are gone

That punk. That bastard

How dare he tricks me

I'll cut him to pieces when I seize him

Father, I heard that there were many customers dining there that day

Send a few men immediately

No, you must go yourself

Pay for one or two witnesses at all costs

Jin Wuzi

You already confessed your crimes in the previous trial

Why are you suddenly overturning your statement?

My Lord

Jin Liu killed him by accident because he was trying to save me

I thought I should reward his loyalty

that's why I took responsibility in his stead

Then why aren't you taking responsibility now?

Someone told me that

lying to you is the same as lying to His Majesty

I would never lie to His Majesty

that's why I'm telling the truth now

My Lord, Young Master Jin said nothing but the truth

Li Weihu was indeed killed by me

It has nothing to do with Young Master

My Lord

I was dining there with Zhao Si

and I saw Jin Liu kill him with my own eyes

It has nothing to do with Young Master Jin

That's right. I can also testify

Lord Zhang, now that the real killer has confessed

and there are witnesses. Shall we…

But others also testified against Jin Wuzi in the previous trial

and pointed to him as the real killer

Those witnesses all ran away

None of them came today

这就充分说明他们作的是伪证

The two witnesses today are speaking the truth

Come

Take Jin Liu into custody, and release Jin Wuzi

Wait, you can't free him!

How dare you rant and rave in the courtroom? Seize him!

Wait, My Lord. Those two witnesses are lying

Jing Kui, this is the Office for Law Enforcement

You have no authority here

Lord Zhang

It's not against the law for me to reveal these two fake witnesses, is it?

You audacious scoundrel!

How do you know that they're not real witnesses?

These two men weren't at the diner at all

They were gambling outside the city

This is the owner of the casino

My Lord, I run a casino outside the city

I can testify that

Zhao Si and Wang Wu

were in my casino the whole day

and didn't leave at all

Come, seize these two who perjured themselves

Spank them twenty times and take them into custody

Lord Zhang, even if they perjured themselves

it doesn't prove that Li Weihu was killed by Jin Wuzi

Besides, the real killer Jin Liu is still here

Lord Wang, Jin Liu is also lying

What evidence do you have to prove Jin Liu is lying?

Were you at the scene?

We're here

Take it slowly

Sir, when you get in

try to yell at the top of your lungs

- Go in now - Let's go, Father

Since the real killer has already confessed

Jin Wuzi should be released immediately

Lord Zhang

the people won't accept it if you release the true killer

You audacious scoundrel! Are you trying to start a rebellion?

Come, release Jin Wuzi immediately

This is wrong!

My Lord, this is wrong!

Who are you

What's wrong?

Speak up, and I shall deliver justice to you

My daughter and I sing for a living

The other day at the diner

we saw with our own eyes that

Li Weihu was indeed killed by Jin Wuzi

How unruly!

Jin Liu already confessed he was the murderer

how dare you perjure yourselves?

- Seize these two unruly punks. - Hold on

Lord Wang, didn't you just say no one can prove

Li Weihu was killed by Jin Wuzi

Now we have witnesses

They're being paid to do this

Their testimony is fake

My Lord, what evidence do you have

to prove that they've perjured themselves?

Jin Liu's words are proof

Jin Liu is an involved party, he can't testify any further

Jin Liu said the truth

But I believe that the father and daughter are more trustworthy

Jin Liu is the most credible one

Lord Wang

I know how to tell who's telling the truth

and who's lying

You can verify the authenticity?

I've done it over a hundred times

and not once was I mistaken

Today, I'll try it one more time

in front of you, Lord Wang

But you…

Lord Wang, what?

If you don't have the guts to try

then I will declare adoption of the testimony from the father and daughter

Alright, do it then

Come, bring it

Listen up

this pegboard with nails will be covered with white cloth

Witnesses will

remove their clothes and roll over the pegboard

You won't be harmed if you've told the truth

You'll be pierced and bleed all over yourself if you've lied

How about it?

Would you tell the truth, or roll over the pegboard?

I'm willing to roll over the pegboard to prove I've told the truth

Jin Liu, would you dare roll over the pegboard?

I… I'll do it

Which of you two will roll first?

He'll go first

Alright, I'll roll first

Father

Father

Hooray!

It's your turn to roll!

Lord Wang, how about it?

That doesn't count.

- Lord Wang. - You…

Jin Liu

Tell me, did you speak the truth, or did you lie?

My Lord, I spoke the truth. It's the truth

See

it doesn't count as long as the witness doesn't change his position

Alright, I'll try this with a second test

You have a second test?

I was worried that someone wouldn't settle with the results

so I prepared three tests

Come, bring on the second test

This pot holds rapeseed oil

When the oil is boiling

the witnesses will reach in the pot with both hands

and take out a short knife

Your hands will remain unharmed if you've told the truth

and they will be fried if you've lied

This is called handwashing in a pot of oil

When the oil is boiling

it will definitely burn their hands, no matter whose hands they are

This won't work

Lord Wang

How do you know it won't work when we haven't tried it yet

Then what if both of their hands are burned?

Then I will

chop off both of my hands and give them to you