1
00:00:56,287 --> 00:01:02,543
(The Shadow Sovereign)

2
00:01:05,945 --> 00:01:07,434
If killing me alone

3
00:01:07,826 --> 00:01:09,560
can save those people,

4
00:01:10,964 --> 00:01:12,577
then I humbly beg Your Majesty

5
00:01:13,023 --> 00:01:14,718
to kill me right now.

6
00:01:18,784 --> 00:01:20,198
Silver-tongued sophistry.

7
00:01:20,712 --> 00:01:22,485
His arrogance knows no bounds.

8
00:01:26,757 --> 00:01:29,436
Father, the witnesses and physical evidence are all before us.

9
00:01:29,663 --> 00:01:31,182
Shen Xiao's crimes are clear.

10
00:01:31,301 --> 00:01:33,382
But he's merely a lowly eighth-rank official.

11
00:01:33,534 --> 00:01:35,067
Without someone backing him,

12
00:01:35,527 --> 00:01:37,501
how could he possibly have dared act so brazenly?

13
00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:39,196
Behind him,

14
00:01:39,871 --> 00:01:41,645
is there someone else pulling the strings?

15
00:01:43,871 --> 00:01:45,680
Father, please look into this carefully.

16
00:02:00,089 --> 00:02:03,000
Father, I only ordered him to requisition grain.

17
00:02:03,405 --> 00:02:05,342
Shen Xiao's crimes are inexcusable.

18
00:02:05,446 --> 00:02:07,062
He should be stripped of his office and exiled,

19
00:02:07,274 --> 00:02:08,284
as a warning to others.

20
00:02:08,365 --> 00:02:10,165
(What a coward. He's so spineless.)

21
00:02:10,246 --> 00:02:12,206
(My advice last night was wasted on you.)

22
00:02:12,287 --> 00:02:13,735
The Second Prince has failed to govern his subordinate properly

23
00:02:13,816 --> 00:02:14,821
and cannot escape responsibility.

24
00:02:14,902 --> 00:02:16,800
I fear he is no longer fit to oversee the Ministry of Revenue.

25
00:02:18,764 --> 00:02:21,440
Your Majesty, everything was done by me alone.

26
00:02:21,920 --> 00:02:23,013
It has nothing to do with the Second Prince.

27
00:02:23,094 --> 00:02:24,614
You think saying that makes it true?

28
00:02:24,695 --> 00:02:26,839
Your Majesty, Shen Xiao has only been in office for three months,

29
00:02:26,951 --> 00:02:28,054
and he's already acting out of control.

30
00:02:28,142 --> 00:02:29,505
I'm worried this could shake the foundation of our nation.

31
00:02:29,599 --> 00:02:31,743
I urge we suspend the appointments of this year's successful candidates

32
00:02:31,934 --> 00:02:33,655
and review the entire selection system.

33
00:02:33,790 --> 00:02:35,763
We concur.

34
00:02:43,642 --> 00:02:46,396
(These old crooks don't just want Shen Xiao dead.)

35
00:02:46,815 --> 00:02:49,480
(They want to use this to cut off the path of advancement for commoners.)

36
00:03:01,398 --> 00:03:03,240
Shen Xiao has acted recklessly

37
00:03:03,438 --> 00:03:04,879
and violated the law.

38
00:03:05,094 --> 00:03:07,134
Strip him of his post as Censor in the Ministry of Revenue.

39
00:03:07,237 --> 00:03:08,911
Send him to the imperial prison to await trial.

40
00:03:12,734 --> 00:03:14,108
This guilty subject, Shen Xiao,

41
00:03:15,071 --> 00:03:16,325
thanks Your Majesty for your grace.

42
00:03:40,935 --> 00:03:43,228
(The winding Yellow River surges in reverse.)

43
00:03:44,614 --> 00:03:47,429
(Washing away centuries of noble lineage.)

44
00:03:48,663 --> 00:03:51,077
(From Kunlun is carved a brush that reaches Heaven.)

45
00:03:51,575 --> 00:03:53,068
(Dipped in the Silver River)

46
00:03:53,648 --> 00:03:55,280
to write for humble homes.

47
00:03:55,501 --> 00:03:56,975
I never expected you, Censor Shen,

48
00:03:57,134 --> 00:03:59,304
to become the voice of the humble-born throughout the realm.

49
00:03:59,406 --> 00:04:00,840
It is simply my duty.

50
00:04:01,157 --> 00:04:02,394
(Just as the Buddha's light)

51
00:04:02,717 --> 00:04:04,491
(shines upon all living beings,)

52
00:04:05,318 --> 00:04:06,440
(so too will it)

53
00:04:06,647 --> 00:04:08,400
illuminate the path of the loyal and the righteous.

54
00:04:08,599 --> 00:04:10,120
Heaven's justice is ever-present.

55
00:04:10,293 --> 00:04:11,627
Truth can never be extinguished.

56
00:04:12,902 --> 00:04:14,317
(To stand against the Crown Prince)

57
00:04:14,857 --> 00:04:17,734
(is already to have one foot in the Netherworld.)

58
00:04:17,878 --> 00:04:20,452
(So long as the requisitioned grain reaches the imperial treasury,)

59
00:04:21,029 --> 00:04:22,444
I'm willing to

60
00:04:22,807 --> 00:04:24,060
surrender my life.

61
00:04:26,451 --> 00:04:27,688
Zhao Yang.

62
00:04:32,106 --> 00:04:34,138
- I'm here, Father.   - My grain requisition decree

63
00:04:34,219 --> 00:04:35,480
has been in effect for many days.

64
00:04:35,957 --> 00:04:37,932
Shen Xiao came with the decree to see you,

65
00:04:38,325 --> 00:04:40,501
but you wouldn't even give him 30,000 piculs of grain.

66
00:04:41,157 --> 00:04:43,131
Do you look down on Shen Xiao,

67
00:04:43,622 --> 00:04:46,600
or do you look down on my decree?

68
00:04:53,925 --> 00:04:55,162
I wouldn't dare, Father.

69
00:04:55,929 --> 00:04:57,840
Shen Xiao impeached you that day,

70
00:04:58,062 --> 00:04:59,560
and every word made sense.

71
00:04:59,807 --> 00:05:01,950
He was helping the court shoulder its burdens.

72
00:05:02,153 --> 00:05:03,390
But what about you?

73
00:05:03,533 --> 00:05:05,318
You know nothing of the hardships endured by the people.

74
00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,188
Instead, you drove an official devoted to serving the realm

75
00:05:08,269 --> 00:05:09,683
into a desperate corner.

76
00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:13,076
Zhao Yang, listen to my decree.

77
00:05:14,459 --> 00:05:15,765
You disobeyed the grain requisition decree,

78
00:05:15,885 --> 00:05:17,300
so you must be punished.

79
00:05:17,965 --> 00:05:19,202
Within three days,

80
00:05:19,342 --> 00:05:21,317
you shall deliver another 50,000 piculs of grain.

81
00:05:21,829 --> 00:05:23,084
I will obey, Father.

82
00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:35,480
(Eastern Palace)

83
00:05:38,259 --> 00:05:39,457
Father is clearly punishing Shen Xiao

84
00:05:39,538 --> 00:05:41,481
on the surface while secretly protecting him.

85
00:05:45,901 --> 00:05:47,104
Once he's in the imperial prison,

86
00:05:47,239 --> 00:05:48,902
his life is no longer in Heaven's hands.

87
00:05:49,586 --> 00:05:51,340
He's a convicted official from a humble family.

88
00:05:51,460 --> 00:05:53,319
If he dies suddenly from illness in prison

89
00:05:53,422 --> 00:05:54,957
or commit suicide out of guilt,

90
00:05:55,086 --> 00:05:56,323
that is entirely normal.

91
00:05:56,711 --> 00:05:58,175
Even if His Majesty were enraged,

92
00:05:58,309 --> 00:06:00,432
he would not pursue the matter over a dead man.

93
00:06:00,554 --> 00:06:03,010
Father would never allow the Top Scholar he personally valued

94
00:06:03,091 --> 00:06:04,404
to die so easily.

95
00:06:04,918 --> 00:06:06,972
- You're a fool.   - If you hadn't stopped me that night,

96
00:06:07,053 --> 00:06:09,160
he never would've taken those 30,000 piculs of grain.

97
00:06:10,007 --> 00:06:11,492
None of this would have happened.

98
00:06:13,567 --> 00:06:15,180
So there was more to it than that?

99
00:06:20,038 --> 00:06:21,891
He was acting under Father's grain requisition decree.

100
00:06:22,230 --> 00:06:23,520
If I hadn't stopped you,

101
00:06:23,675 --> 00:06:25,880
the one imprisoned today would have been you, Prince Consort Cui.

102
00:06:26,495 --> 00:06:27,735
Shen Xiao is insignificant.

103
00:06:27,906 --> 00:06:29,300
Even if he had stopped him, so what?

104
00:06:29,381 --> 00:06:31,320
Are you trying to boost his confidence?

105
00:06:35,567 --> 00:06:36,921
Your Highness, there's no need to worry.

106
00:06:37,198 --> 00:06:38,811
I have a plan

107
00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:40,680
to kill Shen Xiao.

108
00:06:41,790 --> 00:06:43,520
Zhao Yang, you'll go in person.

109
00:06:43,933 --> 00:06:45,640
You're the victim in this case.

110
00:06:46,141 --> 00:06:48,126
It's perfectly reasonable for you to visit him in prison

111
00:06:48,317 --> 00:06:49,691
under the pretext of reprimanding him.

112
00:06:51,100 --> 00:06:52,663
You do it yourself.

113
00:06:52,889 --> 00:06:54,800
After you finish off Shen Xiao,

114
00:06:54,989 --> 00:06:57,520
make it look like he's too ashamed to face you

115
00:06:57,717 --> 00:06:59,400
and he takes his own life out of guilt.

116
00:06:59,958 --> 00:07:01,195
How does that sound?

117
00:07:05,605 --> 00:07:06,842
Zhao Yang.

118
00:07:07,957 --> 00:07:09,851
Are you willing to eliminate this threat

119
00:07:10,494 --> 00:07:12,068
for the sake of the Eastern Palace?

120
00:07:17,026 --> 00:07:18,679
Sister-in-law, you've thought this through most carefully.

121
00:07:18,847 --> 00:07:20,421
Of course, I'm willing.

122
00:07:28,501 --> 00:07:29,738
Make sure it's done cleanly.

123
00:07:30,613 --> 00:07:31,732
I'll have someone follow you.

124
00:07:31,861 --> 00:07:33,116
Don't try anything funny.

125
00:07:42,246 --> 00:07:44,280
Can you really kill Shen Xiao?

126
00:07:47,045 --> 00:07:48,246
The Eastern Palace has given its order.

127
00:07:48,333 --> 00:07:49,412
I shall obey.

128
00:07:49,493 --> 00:07:50,640
Li Shu.

129
00:07:51,007 --> 00:07:52,120
There is no one else here.

130
00:07:52,247 --> 00:07:53,600
I just want to ask you one thing.

131
00:07:54,184 --> 00:07:55,557
Can you actually go through with it?

132
00:07:57,231 --> 00:07:58,680
He hurt me first.

133
00:07:59,034 --> 00:08:01,279
If I kill him, it will be both revenge

134
00:08:01,398 --> 00:08:02,651
and loyalty.

135
00:08:03,125 --> 00:08:04,540
Why wouldn't I go through with it?

136
00:08:05,238 --> 00:08:06,651
You can't fool me.

137
00:08:07,768 --> 00:08:09,320
The way you look at him

138
00:08:09,574 --> 00:08:10,811
is different.

139
00:08:12,671 --> 00:08:13,908
What?

140
00:08:15,054 --> 00:08:16,974
Instead of discussing affairs of state

141
00:08:17,110 --> 00:08:18,589
or the interests of the Eastern Palace,

142
00:08:18,700 --> 00:08:20,920
you're fussing over the way I look at another man?

143
00:08:21,406 --> 00:08:22,911
That doesn't sound like you.

144
00:08:26,006 --> 00:08:27,800
He has nothing to do with me.

145
00:08:28,637 --> 00:08:30,398
I simply don't want blood on my hands.

146
00:08:30,583 --> 00:08:32,240
But if you insist on forcing me,

147
00:08:32,436 --> 00:08:33,840
then I'll kill him.

148
00:08:34,428 --> 00:08:36,007
That'll make me even dirtier.

149
00:08:36,197 --> 00:08:37,503
I'll be more like you all.

150
00:08:38,005 --> 00:08:39,174
Isn't that right?

151
00:08:39,350 --> 00:08:40,587
Zhao Yang, you...

152
00:09:14,662 --> 00:09:15,800
Your Highness.

153
00:09:16,598 --> 00:09:18,200
You took my grain,

154
00:09:18,774 --> 00:09:20,429
caused me to get punished by His Majesty,

155
00:09:20,911 --> 00:09:22,760
and made the Crown Prince suspect me.

156
00:09:24,279 --> 00:09:25,800
I'm here to kill you.

157
00:09:44,744 --> 00:09:46,208
Your Highness, if you want to kill me,

158
00:09:46,534 --> 00:09:47,880
you shouldn't hesitate.

159
00:10:06,910 --> 00:10:10,000
If my death can clear Your Highness of suspicion,

160
00:10:10,448 --> 00:10:12,200
then at least my life

161
00:10:12,838 --> 00:10:14,520
will have been put to good use.

162
00:10:37,502 --> 00:10:39,236
What value can there be in the life

163
00:10:40,334 --> 00:10:41,867
of a man who's about to die?

164
00:10:42,670 --> 00:10:43,781
If I die,

165
00:10:44,036 --> 00:10:45,880
will you mourn for me, even a little?

166
00:10:54,175 --> 00:10:57,160
(Donghua Gate)

167
00:11:02,341 --> 00:11:04,116
The drought in Guanzhong has lasted over a month.

168
00:11:04,496 --> 00:11:06,568
The nobles are all in league with one another.

169
00:11:06,893 --> 00:11:08,526
No one cares if we live or die.

170
00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:10,160
Only Censor Shen

171
00:11:10,397 --> 00:11:12,160
tried to save Guanzhong from the drought,

172
00:11:12,296 --> 00:11:14,160
even if it meant offending the powerful over and over.

173
00:11:14,346 --> 00:11:15,869
- Release Censor Shen!   - Yes!

174
00:11:15,973 --> 00:11:17,192
Release Censor Shen!

175
00:11:17,290 --> 00:11:18,878
Release Censor Shen!

176
00:11:19,006 --> 00:11:20,583
Release Censor Shen!

177
00:11:20,712 --> 00:11:22,369
Release Censor Shen!

178
00:11:24,367 --> 00:11:26,061
Is this your way out?

179
00:11:27,685 --> 00:11:28,922
You think

180
00:11:29,103 --> 00:11:31,317
a few commoners can sway public opinion enough

181
00:11:32,575 --> 00:11:34,429
to stand against the Crown Prince?

182
00:11:38,743 --> 00:11:40,480
Release Censor Shen!

183
00:11:40,886 --> 00:11:43,478
How dare you! Arrest all the ringleaders!

184
00:11:43,626 --> 00:11:45,716
Release Censor Shen!

185
00:11:45,835 --> 00:11:48,280
Release Censor Shen!

186
00:11:48,374 --> 00:11:50,720
Release Censor Shen!

187
00:12:34,583 --> 00:12:35,820
(So, I'll give this flower)

188
00:12:36,574 --> 00:12:37,920
to Your Highness

189
00:12:38,263 --> 00:12:39,500
as my apology.

190
00:12:44,424 --> 00:12:46,160
Of course I'm worried about you.

191
00:12:47,184 --> 00:12:48,600
Blades don't care who they cut.

192
00:12:48,798 --> 00:12:50,440
I beg Your Highness, from now on,

193
00:12:50,606 --> 00:12:52,340
never to employ such tactics again.

194
00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:01,640
(Your Highness, don't be mad.)

195
00:13:01,749 --> 00:13:03,284
I was too rash today.

196
00:13:03,545 --> 00:13:05,295
That's why I fell into the trap.

197
00:13:05,423 --> 00:13:07,037
I should've been more careful.

198
00:13:28,357 --> 00:13:30,280
His Majesty has issued a decree.

199
00:13:30,403 --> 00:13:33,018
Although Censor Shen Xiao from the Ministry of Revenue

200
00:13:33,169 --> 00:13:34,640
acted recklessly,

201
00:13:34,764 --> 00:13:36,581
his heart has been devoted to the welfare of the people.

202
00:13:36,663 --> 00:13:38,498
He moved thousands to gather at the palace gates in tears

203
00:13:38,609 --> 00:13:39,940
and submitted a joint petition.

204
00:13:40,021 --> 00:13:42,735
I rule by Heaven's mandate and govern all under Heaven.

205
00:13:42,822 --> 00:13:45,039
Considering the people's earnest plea,

206
00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:46,560
I hereby extend imperial clemency

207
00:13:46,641 --> 00:13:48,304
and order his immediate pardon.

208
00:13:48,421 --> 00:13:50,160
By imperial command.

209
00:13:56,815 --> 00:13:58,052
This...

210
00:14:03,796 --> 00:14:05,130
Your Highness, this...

211
00:14:07,646 --> 00:14:09,100
No need to panic.

212
00:14:09,270 --> 00:14:10,644
Just report what you saw

213
00:14:11,110 --> 00:14:12,903
to His Majesty truthfully.

214
00:14:17,404 --> 00:14:18,641
Yes, Your Highness.

215
00:14:29,211 --> 00:14:30,385
You've suffered.

216
00:14:31,223 --> 00:14:32,957
Thank you, Your Highness, for saving me.

217
00:14:53,510 --> 00:14:55,783
(I almost killed him with my own hands just now.)

218
00:14:56,887 --> 00:14:58,621
(Yet he still trusts me so completely.)

219
00:14:59,183 --> 00:15:01,440
(He even dared to trust me with his life.)

220
00:15:02,743 --> 00:15:05,557
(If he knew his father's death was connected to me,)

221
00:15:06,647 --> 00:15:08,261
(would he hate me?)

222
00:15:37,933 --> 00:15:39,170
You're hurt.

223
00:15:41,243 --> 00:15:42,255
When I entered the palace,

224
00:15:42,415 --> 00:15:44,263
there was unrest outside the palace gate.

225
00:15:44,422 --> 00:15:46,077
(Prince Consort Cui sent troops to suppress it.)

226
00:15:46,350 --> 00:15:48,120
(I was inadvertently stained in the commotion.)

227
00:15:50,293 --> 00:15:51,707
What caused the unrest?

228
00:15:52,990 --> 00:15:54,227
I don't know.

229
00:15:55,148 --> 00:15:56,200
Li Si.

230
00:15:58,164 --> 00:15:59,318
Li Si.

231
00:16:04,343 --> 00:16:05,464
Your Majesty.

232
00:16:05,564 --> 00:16:07,261
Humble-born scholars and commoners

233
00:16:07,342 --> 00:16:09,224
gathered outside the palace to petition for Shen Xiao.

234
00:16:09,407 --> 00:16:10,669
The Crown Prince ordered Prince Consort Cui

235
00:16:10,774 --> 00:16:12,160
to send troops to suppress them.

236
00:16:14,078 --> 00:16:15,840
Why did no one report this to me?

237
00:16:16,503 --> 00:16:18,599
Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. This matter had yet to be verified

238
00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:19,893
before being reported to Your Majesty.

239
00:16:19,974 --> 00:16:21,267
We didn't dare report it carelessly.

240
00:16:32,207 --> 00:16:33,461
This is outrageous!

241
00:16:36,024 --> 00:16:37,640
Shen Xiao has been released so easily.

242
00:16:37,721 --> 00:16:39,351
Even the charge of attempting to assassinate a royal

243
00:16:39,432 --> 00:16:40,520
can be forgiven so easily.

244
00:16:40,668 --> 00:16:42,563
Tell me, is there any rule

245
00:16:42,711 --> 00:16:44,485
that a humble-born scholar cannot break?

246
00:16:45,062 --> 00:16:46,397
Forgive me for my failure.

247
00:16:46,710 --> 00:16:47,989
If I'd acted faster,

248
00:16:48,070 --> 00:16:49,965
it would've been settled before the decree arrived.

249
00:16:51,805 --> 00:16:53,042
Your Highness, please calm down.

250
00:16:53,174 --> 00:16:54,574
Shen Xiao may have escaped this time,

251
00:16:54,737 --> 00:16:56,047
but after all this,

252
00:16:56,237 --> 00:16:57,996
his reputation has been tarnished and his spirit broken.

253
00:16:58,174 --> 00:17:00,080
Second Prince pushed him out to take the blame.

254
00:17:00,312 --> 00:17:01,770
His Majesty is already displeased with him.

255
00:17:01,851 --> 00:17:03,920
Shen Xiao now stands alone, barely holding on.

256
00:17:04,219 --> 00:17:05,304
He can no longer pose a serious threat.

257
00:17:05,416 --> 00:17:07,056
We had clearly suppressed the matter

258
00:17:07,183 --> 00:17:09,036
of the people gathering to petition.

259
00:17:09,209 --> 00:17:11,903
How did it reach His Majesty overnight

260
00:17:12,133 --> 00:17:13,948
and spread throughout the entire capital?

261
00:17:16,144 --> 00:17:18,903
Seventh Prince happened to enter the palace yesterday to pay his respects.

262
00:17:19,218 --> 00:17:21,214
As a Map Commissioner, I'm afraid he has not been idle.

263
00:17:21,388 --> 00:17:22,782
He's making moves behind the scenes.

264
00:17:22,918 --> 00:17:24,658
He's after something big, Your Highness.

265
00:17:24,739 --> 00:17:26,383
Seventh Brother has no backing whatsoever,

266
00:17:26,463 --> 00:17:28,277
yet he dares harbor such ambitions.

267
00:17:29,969 --> 00:17:32,712
Your Highness, Eunuch Li is outside conveying His Majesty's verbal decree.

268
00:17:32,871 --> 00:17:34,925
Princess Zhao Yang is urgently summoned to the palace.

269
00:17:47,959 --> 00:17:50,214
You deliberately sent Shen Xiao to the Ministry of Revenue,

270
00:17:50,365 --> 00:17:51,840
allowing him to commit a grave offence,

271
00:17:52,014 --> 00:17:53,720
nearly lose his life,

272
00:17:54,487 --> 00:17:57,080
and make your Second Brother the target of everyone's attacks.

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00:17:57,550 --> 00:17:58,787
All so that

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00:17:59,271 --> 00:18:01,485
I would see clearly just how many officials in this court

275
00:18:01,709 --> 00:18:04,468
have turned their hearts away from me.

276
00:18:04,643 --> 00:18:07,338
That was your real intention.

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00:18:08,749 --> 00:18:09,880
Father.

278
00:18:09,978 --> 00:18:11,182
To heal poisoned flesh, one must scrape away

279
00:18:11,263 --> 00:18:12,517
the infected bone and cut out the rot.

280
00:18:12,599 --> 00:18:14,064
My offence today

281
00:18:14,314 --> 00:18:15,677
was merely to expose the festering wound

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00:18:15,758 --> 00:18:17,160
before Your Majesty's eyes.

283
00:18:23,687 --> 00:18:25,280
Father, if you don't want to heal it

284
00:18:25,799 --> 00:18:27,200
and will rather let it continue to fester

285
00:18:27,281 --> 00:18:29,520
until the entire body is rotten to its core,

286
00:18:32,655 --> 00:18:34,599
then I've indeed done wrong today.

287
00:18:34,723 --> 00:18:35,829
I'll accept whatever punishment Father deems fit,

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00:18:35,910 --> 00:18:36,960
without a single complaint.

289
00:18:37,952 --> 00:18:40,005
But if you want to scrape the bone

290
00:18:40,224 --> 00:18:41,461
and cut out the infection,

291
00:18:41,657 --> 00:18:45,558
I will be the best blade in your hand.

292
00:18:53,869 --> 00:18:55,106
Good.

293
00:18:58,742 --> 00:19:00,472
Well done, Zhao Yang.

294
00:19:01,925 --> 00:19:03,162
If the Crown Prince

295
00:19:03,837 --> 00:19:05,640
had half your insight,

296
00:19:06,102 --> 00:19:08,316
I wouldn't have to work so hard.

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00:19:09,093 --> 00:19:10,330
Rise.

298
00:19:12,270 --> 00:19:13,507
Thank you, Father.

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00:19:17,052 --> 00:19:18,508
Whatever you want to do,

300
00:19:18,989 --> 00:19:20,283
I approve.

301
00:19:20,981 --> 00:19:22,120
But remember,

302
00:19:23,133 --> 00:19:25,160
the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation.

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00:19:25,901 --> 00:19:27,240
His dignity

304
00:19:27,822 --> 00:19:29,720
is my dignity as well.

305
00:19:30,255 --> 00:19:31,709
You must know your limits.

306
00:19:33,968 --> 00:19:36,102
(His Majesty still can't bring himself to act against the Crown Prince,)

307
00:19:36,430 --> 00:19:37,797
(but he understands clearly that)

308
00:19:37,879 --> 00:19:40,480
(the festering wound Crown Prince and noble families have planted in Ye)

309
00:19:40,837 --> 00:19:43,011
(must be cut away, little by little, by someone.)

310
00:19:44,542 --> 00:19:45,996
(Shen Xiao and I)

311
00:19:46,374 --> 00:19:47,669
(will be the ones to do it.)

312
00:19:48,542 --> 00:19:50,035
As for Shen Xiao,

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00:19:50,486 --> 00:19:52,166
go smooth things over with him.

314
00:19:52,334 --> 00:19:54,000
He's a man of talent.

315
00:19:54,877 --> 00:19:56,720
The Ye Dynasty should not lose him.

316
00:20:03,756 --> 00:20:04,993
Zhao Yang.

317
00:20:05,444 --> 00:20:06,521
Zhao Yang.

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00:20:08,590 --> 00:20:09,680
Go.

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00:20:09,944 --> 00:20:11,197
I will remember.

320
00:20:31,797 --> 00:20:33,371
Censor Shen!

321
00:20:41,900 --> 00:20:43,679
Put the things down. You may leave.

322
00:20:58,454 --> 00:20:59,973
I failed to keep our appointment for several days,

323
00:21:00,109 --> 00:21:01,560
yet Your Highness has come in person

324
00:21:02,289 --> 00:21:03,680
and brought all these gifts.

325
00:21:04,023 --> 00:21:05,800
I'm honestly flattered.

326
00:21:08,479 --> 00:21:10,000
Now that you mention it,

327
00:21:10,245 --> 00:21:12,360
I'm almost tempted to take them all back.

328
00:21:13,313 --> 00:21:15,166
But I come under His Majesty's orders

329
00:21:15,366 --> 00:21:17,120
to apologize to you, Censor Shen.

330
00:21:18,197 --> 00:21:19,772
These are my gifts of apology.

331
00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:24,317
An apology?

332
00:21:25,263 --> 00:21:26,843
I'm afraid I haven't sensed the slightest trace

333
00:21:26,924 --> 00:21:28,600
of remorse from Your Highness.

334
00:21:30,061 --> 00:21:31,695
These treasures and jewels

335
00:21:31,918 --> 00:21:33,246
can't buy one sentence of forgiveness from you

336
00:21:33,327 --> 00:21:34,623
to let go of past grudges?

337
00:21:34,797 --> 00:21:36,037
Censor Shen, before this,

338
00:21:36,196 --> 00:21:38,040
didn't you thank me for saving you?

339
00:21:42,191 --> 00:21:43,600
All I know is,

340
00:21:44,078 --> 00:21:45,198
I asked Your Highness

341
00:21:45,303 --> 00:21:46,640
if you would be sad

342
00:21:46,928 --> 00:21:48,240
if I died,

343
00:21:48,566 --> 00:21:50,499
and Your Highness still hasn't answered me.

344
00:22:06,893 --> 00:22:08,373
Your Highness.

345
00:22:08,469 --> 00:22:10,524
Look, I found some beautiful paintings.

346
00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:22,304
Censor Shen, did you paint these?

347
00:22:22,567 --> 00:22:23,728
They're pretty.

348
00:22:23,809 --> 00:22:25,063
Your Highness, look.

349
00:22:25,288 --> 00:22:26,298
This one is pretty.

350
00:22:26,379 --> 00:22:27,600
This one is even prettier.

351
00:22:27,977 --> 00:22:29,799
Censor Shen, your paintings are wonderful.

352
00:22:29,879 --> 00:22:31,680
Can you paint one for the Princess too?

353
00:22:33,898 --> 00:22:35,627
My little troublemaker, stop talking already.

354
00:22:35,708 --> 00:22:37,824
These are portraits of women who are matched with Censor Shen.

355
00:22:37,905 --> 00:22:39,159
Let's go.

356
00:22:40,909 --> 00:22:42,146
Hurry up.

357
00:22:42,598 --> 00:22:45,080
My residence is a mess.

358
00:22:45,157 --> 00:22:46,492
I'll go tidy up.

359
00:22:47,703 --> 00:22:48,940
Don't bother.

360
00:22:50,117 --> 00:22:53,491
I thought you took leave because you were seriously ill.

361
00:22:53,781 --> 00:22:55,501
Turns out you just wanted some peace and quiet,

362
00:22:55,629 --> 00:22:58,000
so you could focus on studying these beauty portraits.

363
00:22:58,826 --> 00:23:00,280
I haven't even had a chance to look through them.

364
00:23:00,384 --> 00:23:02,024
The official matchmaker forced them on me.

365
00:23:02,294 --> 00:23:03,454
Go ahead, look.

366
00:23:03,543 --> 00:23:04,876
Why aren't you looking through them?

367
00:23:07,350 --> 00:23:09,560
Since you're the male companion I spent a fortune keeping,

368
00:23:10,030 --> 00:23:12,071
it's only natural that I help advise you

369
00:23:12,239 --> 00:23:14,892
on something as important as choosing a wife.

370
00:23:15,372 --> 00:23:16,438
Don't worry.

371
00:23:16,519 --> 00:23:18,013
I've got a great eye for this.

372
00:23:20,294 --> 00:23:21,733
Then I'll trouble Your Highness

373
00:23:21,870 --> 00:23:23,324
to put in extra effort

374
00:23:23,550 --> 00:23:25,520
and help me pick the best one.

375
00:23:36,877 --> 00:23:38,339
Miss Sun here

376
00:23:38,664 --> 00:23:39,967
has got lovely looks.

377
00:23:40,048 --> 00:23:41,440
Her temperament is gentle.

378
00:23:41,731 --> 00:23:42,902
She's also well-educated.

379
00:23:43,058 --> 00:23:44,304
Unfortunately,

380
00:23:44,504 --> 00:23:45,845
her heart already belongs to someone else.

381
00:23:45,926 --> 00:23:47,900
Censor Shen, you probably shouldn't get involved.

382
00:23:50,860 --> 00:23:51,960
Is that so?

383
00:23:52,766 --> 00:23:54,260
As far as I'm concerned,

384
00:23:54,402 --> 00:23:56,920
since Miss Sun isn't yet betrothed,

385
00:23:57,383 --> 00:23:59,000
why should Your Highness assume

386
00:23:59,081 --> 00:24:01,200
I can't win her heart?

387
00:24:04,118 --> 00:24:05,893
Sounds like the kind of thing you'd do.

388
00:24:07,726 --> 00:24:09,560
Miss Li is pretty great too.

389
00:24:09,847 --> 00:24:11,276
She comes from a family of military officers.

390
00:24:11,357 --> 00:24:12,661
She trained in martial arts since childhood.

391
00:24:12,742 --> 00:24:14,440
She's direct and outspoken.

392
00:24:14,957 --> 00:24:16,630
But she's always liked

393
00:24:16,711 --> 00:24:18,405
rugged and well-built men.

394
00:24:26,712 --> 00:24:28,144
I think Miss Li

395
00:24:28,262 --> 00:24:29,903
must be tired of seeing

396
00:24:30,031 --> 00:24:31,805
all those brutes swinging weapons around.

397
00:24:31,991 --> 00:24:33,384
Besides, when it comes to martial skill,

398
00:24:33,981 --> 00:24:35,218
I'm not lacking either.

399
00:24:39,406 --> 00:24:40,860
This is Miss Zhang.

400
00:24:41,917 --> 00:24:43,154
I know her well.

401
00:24:43,783 --> 00:24:45,400
She's a regular at Xianke Bordello.

402
00:24:45,497 --> 00:24:47,615
She loves dice games and playing cards.

403
00:24:47,710 --> 00:24:49,550
Her liquor tolerance is unmatched.

404
00:24:49,631 --> 00:24:51,764
10 grown men together can't outdrink her.

405
00:24:52,085 --> 00:24:53,960
Someone as boring as you

406
00:24:54,144 --> 00:24:55,957
probably wouldn't catch her eye.

407
00:24:58,743 --> 00:24:59,980
Brilliant.

408
00:25:00,782 --> 00:25:02,160
She's quite the character.

409
00:25:03,597 --> 00:25:04,930
But that's alright.

410
00:25:08,261 --> 00:25:09,638
As Your Highness knows best,

411
00:25:09,879 --> 00:25:12,240
my greatest strength is that

412
00:25:12,750 --> 00:25:15,884
I'm a quick learner.